Accommodating Grandpas

My kids are absolutely in love with both of their Grandpas. Of course, I love them too, but the phrase "conflict of interest" comes to mine when it comes to parental and grandparental roles. Surely other mothers can agree?

This is the motto of both Grandpas seem to embrace. I swear, I have even heard my father-in-law say this!

And let me tell you-- they are veeeeeeery accommodating. 

You want to bounce the basketball on the kitchen floor, sure! Oh, you'd like a drink of my highly caffeinated beverage, you betchya! Oh, you want to talk back and scream at your parents, don't mind me... I'll just sit over here and laugh (egg you on!). 

Their purpose goes further than just giving me a reason to roll my eyes, but to love our little kiddos and build a special bond that only a Grandpa can have. I just love how my kids love their Grandpas and vice versa. 

Today, the kids went fishing with Grandpa Forrest (and Grandma Linda, too). Belle caught her first fish!

My dad came down this evening to help with the pesky mower... and he welcomed Belle hugs even when he was a little preoccupied.

But as we were outside, we began to hear some music in the background coming closer and closer. Jackson was just excited to see a truck go by that played music. But Papa Johne couldn't resist-- and he introduced my children to the fact that musical trucks sell ice cream. My life will never be the same (though I do plan on telling my kids that the ice cream is special treat to be enjoyed with grandparents). 

Jackson was SO excited when he realized he had so many choices of ice cream!

They both ended up with Ninja Turtle ice cream cones. 

Derek and I were blessed to have such great fathers and our kids are equally blessed to have such loving and "accommodating" grandpas. I am so thankful for their presence in our lives... even when I hear stories like, "Grandpa told me that monkeys throw poop!"

Instagram photo dump

This is just a photo dump post of a ton {or 24} pictures from my phone that haven’t made it to my blog yet.

1. Belle feels the same way about doritos as her daddy!
2. Playing sherriff at grandma’s house—Jackson sure has that mean face down!
3. Chilling during break time at the pool.
4. Oklahoma Joe’s—the best BBQ in town!
5. I was so proud of my “initial pancakes”!! My mom used to make these for us!
6. A total bookworm. He’s reading me the story—almost word for word.
7. Storytime before bed.
8. Cuteness!! Love that smile.
9. Aunt Ashley and Iron making a cake
10. The finished cake balls—Jackson helped with the whole process
11. Never too early to start teaching the kids about laundry! {we made a trip to the laundry mat to wash our comforter}
12. Holding baby Yooli. He loves babies!
13. There’s a daddy underneath there somewhere!
14. Jackson got the Queen Frostine card while I was still just a few spaces from the start. Needless to say, he won the game.
15. Dried beans provided much entertainment for this gal!
16. Jackson gets to drink an entire “sod-EE-pop” when he hangs out with Papa Johne.
17. Squirt guns with Uncle Phil
18. Belle was giving Uncle Phil quite the stink eye!! {in her defense, I had just woken her up from nap}
19. Another rock concert with more free tickets from the radio station!
20. Messy hands for a special project!!
21. Girls night out gone bad. Car broke down. A bazillion degrees outside. Walked to Panera. Pushed car. Not a relaxing moment. :(
22. We’ve enjoyed the 50¢ cones at BK too much!!
23. Jackson performed in his first program at VBS…  and by performed, I mean he sat down and didn’t participate one bit.
24. Walking through the grocery store with Optimus Prime!

Never a dull moment with us!! :)

It’s the small things

Tonight wasn’t a super special night and it barely even seems “blog-worthy.” But tonight was one of those nights that I just want to remember. Nothing super cool was on the agenda, but just an enjoyable evening with several “small things” to make it great.

We started out taking Jackson to Wal-mart to pick out some Super Hero Squad action figures for no other reason than because we knew he’d love them. We were right. We bought them around 6 tonight and they haven’t left his side yet {and they are currently in bed with him and I even had to tuck them in and kiss each good night, as well}.

Waiting while Daddy gets a hair cut, “Time to hero up, Squaddies!” {Jackson got a much needed hair cut too. You can see it in the pictures below.}

This girl entertained herself by crawling {!?!} around the hair place. As long as she was happy—I wasn’t about to stop her.

Then we went out for ice cream {50¢ cones at BK for the summer… yes please!!}. It was Belle’s first ice cream cone—all to herself. This girl loves ice cream, is it obvious?!

She wasn’t a fan when Daddy had to take it away to help “reshape” the cone… She had a mini fit, like, every time.  

Jackson enjoyed his cone… and he shared with Captain America and Wolverine, too.

 

He shared with Belle, just out of the blue… I’m so glad I was able to snap a picture. He said, “I shared with Belle because I love her. I’ll always love her like I’ll always love you guys, Mommy and Daddy!” Seriously, I was speechless… I just couldn’t stop smiling. What a precious moment!

By the time we got home, it was already past bedtime. And while it’s normally a countdown until cranky kids go to bed, tonight I just wasn’t ready to be done hanging out with them! What a wonderful night!

…especially because I got to eat the very last bite on all four cones tonight! Derek shared just because he’s an awesome hubby. I, of course, had dibs on mine, and then both kids were done with their cones before completion. No wonder tonight was such a good night!!!! :)

A big chocolate mess

With a heat index of 110 degrees, it seemed like a good day for some ice cream. We were already out in the sweltering heat to return some books to the library, so we made a quick stop at Sheridan's.

I have to say that when I looked at the menu I was thinking, "Crap! I'm gonna have to spend $6!" but then I found the mini-concrete option (chocolate with mixed in strawberries) and I was gonna get the small cone for Jackson. Even better, the guy mentioned that a pup cone is free for the little guy with any purchase. It ended up only costing $2.71. Way cool!

The cone was the perfect size for his little hands

 

Then it starts to get a little messy.

 

And then it got a lot messy...

 

He was covered head to toe with chocolate-- running down his chin, all up his arms, his clothes were covered, and there were drips down his legs.

  

But he a happy chocolate mess!
(looks kinda like a goatee, doesn't it?)

It was so delicious and totally worth the mess!!

Friday Night Ice Cream

We had to spend our Friday night doing really boring stuff that just needed to be done (i.e. grocery shopping, cleaning, laundry) so we decided to stop for ice cream for just a little bit of fun. It was Jackson's first ice cream cone- he knew just to what to do!

I tried to get him to eat his cone, but he insisted on using the spoon. He just thought the cone was the bowl.