Playing 'Store' with the Beach's

The Beach's are in town for the summer from Arizona!!  They are staying at Jana and Steve's for 7 weeks!  John and Stephen have built in friends all summer- so exciting!  Chrissy, Christian, Isabelle, Katie and Abby flew here last week and headed to the cabin last weekend.  The kids play together wonderfully!  John seems to thrive when he is around more kids, he belongs in a big family! ;D 
The kids had a great time, playing doctor, blocks, store, Mr. Potato head, and Kinex.  Here are some cute pictures of their store....

John buying the blue bat.  Isabelle is weighing it to be sure John gets a fair price- $.50  :D

John paying Isabelle with a couple 'high fives'

John's turn!  Isabelle was the perfect first customer! ;)

That blue bat was a hot item! HAHA  And, the car Isabelle was buying in the picture was going for $8! Yikes, John had some steep prices... everything was $8. (His favorite number)

Hmm... what to buy next??  (this was the store's selection on toys other then the blue bat)

Katie's turn! 

John was giving her a very hands on explanation on how to run the register.

Katie caught on quickly and she had more expensive toys for sale then John!!  Hers were $12-$20! EEK!

I guess I would choose to shop with Isabelle.... haha

So sweet, love to see the kids work together and make up a game on there own.  Brings me back to my childhood.....  Welcome Beach's!!!!!!! 

In the Middle of the Night

“I’ll love you forever, I’ll like you for always, As long as I’m living, My baby you’ll be.”

I think of the story, I'll Love you Forever every night as I am laying in bed, thinking about John and Stephen.  It has become a nightly ritual of mine to go in their room's and talk to them while they are sleeping-  Tell them about how much fun we had doing x, y, and z that day and then tell them what we will be doing when they wake up.  Of course, I talk to them about anything else on my mind, how much I love them and above all, that Daddy and I are proud of them. 
I think of that book because I am totally the mom in the book, crawling across the floor to her son's bed.  I am just feeling like I need to be sure I am cherishing every moment I have with our kids- and, no, being home with them everyday isn't enough! :)
I start in Stephen room, his floor is much less squeaky and he is a heavy sleeper.  I scoop him up in my arms and lift him out of his crib.  I have an old rocking chair that was my grandpa's in his bedroom that I rock him in.  He snuggles so close and peacefully sleeps and I talk to him.  Then, when I feel satisfied with our quiet, calm and not-rushed time together, I lay him back down, cover him up with (Mark Otis') blue doggy blanket and tip toe out of his room. 
I then head to John's room.  He is in a big boy bed and John is very unpredictable about where I will find him sleeping and in what position! If he isn't in his bed, I will move him there otherwise, I lay down next to him and hold his still little body tight.  I usually will sing him a song or two and then talk to him about our day.  It is not often that I get time with John when his body is still and relaxed.  I just love to see him so at peace and dreaming.  Then I give him a kiss on his forehead and tip toe out of his room. 
I just love these two little boys that Ryan and I have been so blessed with- I couldn't imagine life without them.  I hope this blog is read in the most sincere and loving way.  <3