Table Re-Do

I got this table and chairs about 4 years ago in KC. Its been outside ever since and gets MUCH use from the kids. It was in desperate need of a face lift so I decided that it was high time to spruce it up for the boys. I gave it a good scrub, filled in all the cracks with Gorilla glue and got to work painting. I was determined to do this WITHOUT spending a dime using only what I could find in the garage. This is an old paint that I thought would perk this drab set right up. And it did! I painted one coat of Bayou Blue (does it need another- yes... will I do it- no!), sealed it with a clear coat and then simply personalized the chairs with the boys names. I did however have to call the hubs and ask him to stop and get me a can of clear coat. I really thought we still had a partial can out in the garage. To which he promptly replied- "What are you doing now???"

Before.... BORING!!!

After-- I did almost have a heat stroke while attempting to complete this. Hope the boys appreciate all Mom's hard work!

MUCH improved!

Lake Fun!

The twins have so much fun at Nana's! They pretty much spend their days playing in the sandbox, taking rides on the boat, swinging and playing on the dock.

They love to bury each other- and Nana!

The boys fought over the hose so much, my Mom got another one so they would each have one... Cleaning the dock is serious business!

Logan after a long day, taking a swing break...

Thanks Nana!

Amazing Men in my Life

Fathers Day is going to be a relatively low key day around our house this year (hubs is working). Saturday is actually our 11 year anniversary and we are lucky to have an overnight babysitter (thanks Mom!) so we are headed out for a much needed night on the town.


On that note, I did want to take a minute and just recognize some of the most important men in our lives....

My hubby of 11 years- A GREAT Daddy who works so hard and would do anything for me and the kids. The boys think he is the best fort-builder, sword-fighter, wrestler, baseball player, Frisbee thrower and the strongest man in the world! He also has the boys pegged for what position they will play in football which I think is super cute since they are 3 and 1!

My Dad, a believer in tough love but also would do anything for us! He recently renovated his entire basement with a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and laundry room just to accommodate Team Cobbs so it would be easier when we travel to see him. Thanks Dad!

My Poppy, the boys Great Grandfather. Married to my Nana for almost 70 years. A veteran who is old school beyond belief, Mr. Fix It and would do anything for his bride. He truly is the King of our family! He is so sweet and has a very witty sense of humor- at 90! Love you Poppy!

My Step Dad, John. Loves my boys unconditionally. Fishes with Mason, makes him sword holsters out of old boots and is truly a great outdoors man. Wants to play horseshoe with the boys and show them how to trap a 'coon. Seriously..... Thank you John for ALL you do for the kids. They love you.

And then there are these guys. Mason, Brady & Logan are indeed the loves of my life. Being their Mom is beyond a joy and I just cant imagine my life any other way. So Happy Fathers Day to the amazing guys that make it all possible! We love you!

My "Babies"

My identical twins, Logan & Brady have just turned 18 months old. This is so bittersweet for me. They are exactly 26 months younger than their big brother Mason- who I can hardly believe will be 4 in September. I guess its been easier for me to accept Mason as a big boy because he fell into the role so naturally when we brought the twins home. Now, my "baby" boys are running, talking and emulate EVERYTHING big brother does. They want to sword fight, play monster and chase each other around the house. For some reason, the last few weeks have really hit me that there will not be another baby in this house that belongs to me! Part of me is SO over pregnancy and anything related to the non stop maintenance of 2 newborns but part of me is... dare I say.... really.... sad...

The last 3 days I have had the opportunity to soak up every minute with Brady & Logan. Nana has Mason at the lake and they went to the Rodeo last night. So to have him safe and happy really lets me focus on these little guys individually. Their personalities are so different these days. Brady is outgoing, LOUD, talks tons and is into EVERYTHING. Logan is always close to Mama and is the King of Tantrums. The boys will knock each other over and then help each other up. They will get toys and give them to the other. They truly have sweet hearts.

When passing people in the grocery store with the 3 kids, I have VERY often heard, "Oh, poor you" or "Are you trying for that girl?" Well- NOT poor me, and no, WE ARE DONE! I couldn't be happier with my 3 loves and cant imagine life any other way. I'm not sure when I will stop calling these boys may babies because they always will be.

Brady and Logan

"Brothers by chance, best friends by choice."

Brady

Logan

Daddy's helper

Last weekend, our neighborhood held an annual community garage sale, so I thought that I would take the kids for an early walk before it got too hot and see what we could find. We need nothing and were looking for nothing but its always fun to rummage through everyone's junk! So, one of my neighbors was getting rid of some birdhouses that I thought were super cute but not really my style. She had them in her old house and for a buck each, I thought certainly I could use them somewhere outside. So, with a bit of help from my favorite handy-men, they were cleaned, drilled and hung.

Mason- toolbox in hand- ready to work with Dad.

Massive concentration- holes in trees are serious business....

Out with the old......

... And in with the new! Just outside my kitchen window by a big tree where we get lots of birds.

I did also mange to find a 2nd (ahem...) Cozy Coupe and play gas station for the kids for $10. Now, I don't have to watch the twins pull each other out for a turn.

Easy Summer Salad

My Mom and John have a pretty amazing garden at their place on the lake. They often supply us with tons of fresh goodies. Right now they have lots of cucumbers and she often makes this super easy, healthy salad for Mason. I started making it at home for all the boys and they all devour it!

Ingredients:

cucumbers, chopped

tomatoes (cherry or grape), chopped

black olives, chopped

feta cheese

Good Seasons Italian all natural dressing (follow prep directions on package)

The dressing calls to be made in a cruet, but if you don't have one, just use a tight sealing container. I just fashioned mine out of an old bottle and it has always worked just fine.

Mix together, drizzle with dressing and serve with grilled chicken. EASY, HEALTHY, FAST and great for summer!

My Mini-Me!

I have been cleaning out my closet and came across my beloved baby book. I haven't looked through it in forever but took 5 minutes and showed Mason some of my baby pictures. He looked right at this one and said "Why is Brady in your book???" Love that he didn't notice the puffy sleeves he thought his brother was wearing and LOVE even more that my sweet Brady is a mini me as a baby. *Please excuse the 1978 Olan Mills scanned photo*

Goin' to Kansas City.... Kansas City here I come....

We just got back from a long weekend in Kansas City (my hometown). We took the boys to visit my Dad, brother and Grandparents. We were lucky enough to have my Mom join us on the VERY long road trip and help with the kids. We packed TONS in but had a super time. Here are a few highlights from our Memorial weekend getaway.

Nana, Me, Logan & Poppy

My amazing, loving, supportive Grandparents. Married 69 years and are the King and Queen of our family. The kids loved seeing them but I'm afraid we wore them out just a tad! Now can you see where my darling kids get their good looks and blond hair!

Brady & Poppy

We went to the most darling place while we where there. Its called Deanna Rose Farmstead and was PERFECT for my boys. Tractors, animals, dirt, playgrounds and so much more.

Mason with his "Unca Unca" Ryan and then with my brothers darling girlfriend, Jenn. (Pretty sure Mason has a crush on her)

Mason checked out every tractor on the property and this was BY FAR his favorite part.


It was super hot, so we let the kiddos have Popsicles- they were green for HOURS after...

Bottle feeding a baby goat and playing Cowboy.

Playing at the Indian Tee pee and relaxing with Daddy on a swing.

Sweet shot of Nana and Brady.