Homemade Pumpkin Shirts

We had so much fun tie-dying t-shirts and then coloring in our pumpkin faces. Rhodes colored his completely on his own. Afterwards we played our favorite new game of "Spooooky" which is basically a lot of hiding and boo-ing.

Rhodes Places in Visions Photography Contest!

Entitled, "Peanut Butter Toast" by Rhodes Estill Leonard, Age 4

Cards Game!

Mitch and I took RE to a couple of Cardinals games this summer; he loved the action....i.e. unlimited nachos and the people-watching (there were some funny people to see). We also got to hang out with Missy and Bret; they're lots of fun and we love them a bunch.

4th of July - Happy Birthday U.S.A.

They have a lot in common: they both like boats and "Pa-Pa" is also discovering they like the same foods (he calls Cash a "lil' thief" because he swipes any food Poppie has.

We all like boat rides: in the mornings we would ride around drinking coffee and dancing (Cash loves to dance); in the afternoons we'd cruise to watch the jet-skis and campers; and at night we watched fireworks. Of course, Cash fell asleep almost every time we went out.

Rhodes saw the fireworks and decided it must be a birthday party - which of course it was: Happy Birthday U.S.A. We didn't have birthday cake but we did have marshmallows (see below).This was so much fun for Rhodes....thanks Unlce Justin.

Cash usually watched from a distance in the safe embrace of his "Ga-Ma."
Marshmallow-time!

It got a little sticky for some.

Rhodes implemented the "chimpmunk" storage method.

I love seeing my kids this happy.

Uncle Justin was Cash's buddy for awhile.

Malea was a hit with Rhodes.

Here they are playing the "animal train" game. If she said the correct animal with the correct letter Rhodes would tell her, "Good, that's right." But if she missed one, he'd say, "Noooooo."Sorry Rhodes, Uncle Justin snagged her first but the consulation prize is pretty cool: she'll make a fun Auntie. Congratulations, Justin & Malea, on your engagement.

My Little Shutterbug...I'm so proud.

Rhodes loves to help me take pictures. Today I let him have full-rein of the camera; he was so happy - he put the strap around his neck, learned how to push the correct button (vs all of them), how to look through the viewfinder & then how to preview pictures on the LCD.

He certainly captured the character of his subjects (note: I didn't say he captured characters - although that would be true as well).

Good job, Rhodes!

Happiness is this right here.

Brothers

These two are a hoot! They make me smile everyday but especially when I see them interacting, growing, playing and being nice to each other. Rhodes is doing such an awesome job as a big brother. He really loves Cash and vice versa. Some things are hard, like understanding the difference between sharing and defending. What I mean by the latter is that Cash is a stinker and likes to swoop in to steal away anything Rhodes is playing with - which thrills Cash and annoys Rhodes.

The Stoop - or at least that is what I call it. We spend a lot of time sitting on the kitchen stoop eating treats and hanging out. The other day while enjoying this time RE discovered a long piece of dried grass stuck to Cash's diaper that he thought should be removed. So after several attempts it finally evolves into Cash being cornered by Rhodes behind the glass door (pictured) with Rhodes vehemently grabbing for the grass (b/w Cash's legs) and Cash tip-toeing about in puzzlement ALL-the-WHILE both boys are wielding popsicles. Needless to say, Rhodes got slimed by Cash's bomb-pop across his forehead and in his hair. This was all very funny!

Guess What I've Got?

Guess what's hiding (mostly) behind that carrot?

2 teeth!

They popped out around Aug 3rd, 2008.

biter biscuit

Suddenly the biter biscuit attacked.

Enough pictures, mom!

grrrr!

What we did this weekend:

We watered (not that anything needed it but this is one of RE's favorite pasttimes),

Cash watched his big brother,

Rhodes ate dirt (yuck!),

Cash watched in wonder.

Happy 3rd Birthday, Rhodes Estill

Look at his face; he is smiling so much that he almost can't blow out his candles.

U. Justin coached him.
Baby Cash slept through most of the night. He woke only to be tormented by the sight and smell of cookies.
We all laughed our silly heads off playing Elefun; Rhodes loved it!
We sang Happy Birthday about 20 times and continued to do so for about 2 weeks.

He had a pretty terrifc day playing in the sprinkler, playing games, wearing his cape, eating pizza and a ton of cookies, and simply be the center of attention.

Pontoon Ride