Issues

No, I haven't forgotten about all my adoring blog fans...I've just been having issues...computer issues. I got a great tablet computer (an Android Asus) for my birthday, but it doesn't seem to work for blogging, and our desktop died the week after I got it. So, even though we have been a crazy busy family lately (and I even have pictures to prove it thanks to another birthday present - a new camera), I am unable to share those in blog posts. Until I figure out how to add pictures to my blog using this new-fangled technology, it will have to suffice to just write about current McLoughlin happenings.

Finnian now has four teeth - the front top teeth and the front bottom teeth. He looks so different now with those when he smiles. He is sitting up by himself (has been for the past month or so) and is pulling up to standing - he has also let go on occasion, and can balance for a few seconds before collapsing to the floor. Any day now he will take his first step - so exciting!

Latham is my little firecracker, and as he is still only two, he still can't participate in certain activities. I signed him up for swimming lessons which start after he turns three in November. He is such a little busy guy, playing, laughing and always having a good time. He is my buddy and always wants to be involved in whatever I am doing.

Ronan has been a busy boy with kindergarten and soccer the past two months. Soccer ended last week and I loved watching him shine in practices and games. He even scored a goal at one of the games, and he was so proud of himself. I have some great pics, hopefully I can figure out how to post them soon. Now that soccer is over he will be resuming swimming lessons.

Specific activities that have kept us busy:
• Collin, Ronan and Latham visiting the local gun range (twice) with Papa McLoughlin. Ronan is a great shot!
• A trip to Stoney Ridge Farm last Saturday - hay rides, pumpkin patch, cotton candy...the whole kit 'n caboodle.
• Collin's 37th birthday, and the 5th anniversary of my 29th birthday.
• A business trip to Argentina for Collin, and an upcoming Japan trip
• weekly trips to the local library and siblings class for me and the younger two

Keep your fingers crossed that I can get back to regular posts (with photos)!

Ronan's First Day of School!

Ronan started Kindergarten yesterday! He was up bright and early to get ready and catch the school bus. I had told him all the exciting things that he would learn this year and he was so excited to start school!

All five of us walked down the long driveway to wait for the bus.

My boys

Ronan and Mommy

He told me after school that he specifically chose the seat by the blinking stop sign. Click on the picture to enlarge it to see his smiling face.

After school we went out to lunch, and Ronan got to pick the restaurant - he chose Applebee's. On the way to the restaurant he said, "I didn't learn how to read yet"; I told him that it would take more than one day at Kindergarten. We asked him about his first day and this is what I got from our conversation:

1) He followed all the children from the bus to the playground and played until the bell rang (he was supposed to meet his teacher in the cafeteria)

2) A mean girl pushed him down the slide

3) He forgot where he put down his backpack but a teacher helped him find it by the swings

4) Three or four adult interventions later, he finally found his teacher and his classroom

Despite getting lost and being pushed on the playground, he is excited to go back!

The boys have said some cute things lately...

One day as we were driving by the fire station I commented that it was made out of brick. The following coversation then took place:

Ronan - Mommy, is our house made of brick?

Me - No, our house is made of wood.

Ronan - (After pausing for a moment, and with a worried look on his face) Does that mean the big bad wolf is going to come blow it down?

***

Last Saturday the boys and I were at a playground and Latham was attempting to climb down a curved ladder - something that he hadn't done before at this particular playground.

Latham - Watch me, Mommy!

Me - OK.

Latham - (Completes the feat, then turns to me) Am I amazing Mommy?

Me - Yes, you are amazing!

Latham - I love being amazing!

***

Latham also routinely calls himself Super Latham and runs around the house yelling, "Super Latham to save the day!"

I love chocolate milk!

Latham loves chocolate milk. I mean he really, really LOVES chocolate milk. I have even stopped buying it because he asks for it constantly. But last week, in a moment of weakness, I bought some as a treat and hid it in the fridge in the garage. I thought "out of sight, out of mind" but it didn't quite work out that way.

Before I went into the shower the next day, Latham asked me if he could have some chocolate milk. I told him no and left it at that. When I came out of the shower I was walking through the living room when I heard a weird slurping sound coming from the dining area. When I turned the corner in the kitchen this is what I saw:

The slurping sound was him licking it off the floor.

Of course (Murphy's Law) I had just washed the floor the day before so at least he was sucking the milk off of a clean surface! Note the one lone napkin that Latham had used in an attempt to clean it up.

Better Late than Never - Independence Day 2011

Happy Belated Independence Day! This year we again had friends and family at our house to celebrate.

Collin got some new toys this year - literally. Several remote control cars, planes/helicopters and boats have been puchased, including this rocket, which launches a hundred feet or so into the sky.

Every year I bake a cake for our country's birthday and the boys have fun decorating it. This year our neighbor and the boys' good friend, Mickey, participated as well.

The finished product.

As with other years, we had quite the arsenal of fireworks this year. These little tanks are one of my favorite types.

The stash!

Tired Grandpa and Ronan decided to have a mid-afternoon nap.

The fireworks were the boys' favorite part of the day.

Happy 4th of July!

Random Pics of Summer 2011

I thought it was about time to get caught up on blog posts since I haven't posted in a long time. Here are some random pictures of the summer.

Collin and his friend Dan went on a three day fishing trip in July. Collin loves the outdoors and it's nice that he can get away from work (not to mention the boys and me!) and get some time with a friend in the great outdoors.

Dan casting his rod in perfect form.

Finnian, now seven months old, had his first taste of solid food shortly before his six-month birthday. He wasn't quite sure at first, but now is chowing down like a pro.

Our annual Mariner's baseball game with Cousin Lauryn. Next year Latham will be old enough to join us. Ronan enjoys going to the game, but for him it's still more about the food than the actual game.

Mommy & Daddy

We have made use of our firepit a few times this summer also. However, even in the middle of summer once the sun goes down it is cold, so we are bundled up tight.

I found that the winter coat that I had for when I lived in Saskatoon works really well for campfire nights.

Latham and Finnian hangin' out.

Finnian's Professional Photos - Six Months