Went out to eat with our dear friends who have twin boys only a few months older than Linley. The parents were in the minority: 4-5. We should have known. We were out-manned for sure. We eat at a local Mexican restaurant with 3 high chairs, two tables, kids just keep coming. The waiter seriously had fear in his eyes. Caleb is having major melt-down in the car before we even get there so we should have known. Then, we get him in there, he is sitting in John's lap-well Linley Claire is the jealous type, so she wanders down the table crying wanting John to hold her. So now, John has a fighting Caleb and Linley in his arms both wanting his lap. We finally get Linley settled and Caleb in his own seat. We make it through dinner, which seemed to take forever, and then go to checkout. Note here: LC puts both boys to shame at food. She eats chips, dip, and all her rice, and then the rest of Ethan's. While checking out there is a vending machine of sorts for kids, you know-the 25 cent kind that has all kinds of junk stuff. So, both boys get their quarter and go for the chicklets gum. Linley can't handle the fact that she can't get some. So, as the boys drop gum on the floor while trying to get it out of the little hole, Linley goes diving, literally, underneath all of the machines grabbing all the gum that fell on the floor and literally shoves it into her mouth. So, I have two boys stuffing their mouths full of gum, Linley Claire sprawled out on the floor shoving gum into her mouth, and people walking in staring and smirking at the show being put on. Apparently Linley really liked the gum, it stuck to her paci for a few days I saw later.
We went to the beach this week. Very eventful week. We turned Linley around in her car seat so now everyone gets to watch the dvd. Oh my. By the end of the week, Linley is yelling at the top of lungs-"NO!! Nuh-uh!!!" Because Ethan and Caleb would try to direct me operating the dvd player from the front-seat while not being able to see it in the back.
The beach was a fun time for most everyone. The tide was rough so we couldn't really go far out in it at all. But, that didn't stop the boys. John and I would put them in between us and they would wipeout, ride a wave 10 yards, and John and I would grab one as needed. It was rough. The last day, we were able to head out. We all four prepare to go out, we're walking into the waves, Ethan is fearful, Caleb is being carried, and I'm praying, "Dear Lord please get us past these waves." Well, not five feet into it, a big wave comes, Ethan gets slammed into John and he is done. So much for that. Caleb and John head out and Caleb is completely content. We built lots of sand castles, played pirates, played football. We have to work on the football thing, Ethan throws it and completely knocks a lady on her face who is laying out 5 feet from me. I almost fall out apologizing, and the ladies' husband: laughing his head off!! He had been watching the whole time so I have a feeling he knew it was coming.
Linley Claire didn't handle the beach too well. Miss Independent is her name we shall say. As soon as a wave would come in she would chase it out. The problem was that another wave was right on its heels. And these waves weren't the soft waves, we had the "red flag" most of the week. So, Linley would either get splashed in the face by the wave, knocked over, or picked up by us. She didn't like any of those three options. Independent. At one point she was saying, "No no no no no" as I was right beside her in case she fell and as she was chasing the wave going out then being met by another one. I finally told her that she is going to have to talk to God about that because that's how waves work. She was happiest at the pool. Interesting point: Linley actually made a friend at the pool by herself-another girl, and they happily played kitchen. It's amazing how you don't even have to teach that to kids. She just naturally gravitated to sweet Katherine. She was her buddy the whole week.
Thankfully Miss Jeanne, aka Mammy, went with us. Caleb was basically glued to her most of the time. He can't sit by any girls except Mammy. Going out to eat was like musical chairs.
We went out one night and caught crabs. It was exciting. The boys pretended to be Turtle Man and would scream "Live Action!!!" a few times. We ended up with over 20 crabs. Of course we had to take them in the condo to show Mammy (who is hanging out with a sleeping Linley). John opens the lid to show her and I just kind of scoot back. They were moving all over the place in the bucket. John gets one out to show the boys some stuff about it. Now, what do you think happens next? It gets loose and I start jumping up and down in the kitchen. He grabs it after a couple attempts. The boys thought that was absolutely hilarious.
On our way back we had stopped at a gas station. The boys had their pirate gear out, Caleb swinging his scabbard and Ethan shooting the van, bathroom door, and trashcan with his bow and arrow suction cup. Yes, we were sight for all to see. 
On our way back we were able to stop in Mobile and visit the USS Alabama and the submarine. Here is a pic of the boys pretending to sleep on the sub. If only...
Today has been a day of hanging out, catching up on laundry, catching up on the garden. We're outside shucking corn when both boys, naturally decide to use the bathroom outside. My rule, do it where no one will play in it. Why would you need a rule like that? For instance-Ethan decided to pee in a hole in the yard that the dog had dug. Not 15 minutes later what is Linley doing? Having a good ole time playing in the hole stomping and singing. Seriously? So, I was her off and now Linley has found the water faucet and for the next 10 minutes she is slurping water dripping off of the water faucet.
We get in, and the boys are wired. Why does this always happen at bedtime? So, no more jumping off the couch, put the cushions back one, time to quiet down. Ethan is in the floor goofing off and while I start to walk into the hallway he holds up his leg and I almost bite the dust. So now, I'm doing my best to model self-control and lecture on how you need to be careful and don't ever try and trip anyone again when.... Ethan picks up a dryer sheet with his foot, holds it in the air, and says "I surrender." Of course I laughed.
Crazy and blessed. Thank you Lord for a wonderful time and the fun!
