Gotta love this boy...but what do to with the Terrible Twos

This is going to sound like I am complaining (maybe because I am) but being a parent can be so hard sometimes. I was really thinking that I had escaped the Terrible Twos since Seth is nearing three! Boy was I wrong. I think I hear "but I said no!" and "But...but..but..." "I don't want to..." followed by a sharp folding of the arms on an hourly basis. Everything has turned into a power struggle, from putting on clothes to coming inside when we are done playing in the backyard. Did I say that parenting was hard yet? Whew, I'm tired by 8 pm! Sometimes I feel like I am walking on eggshells and anything I ask is going to be a battle. I know he will get over it soon, but in the meantime I need to make sure to keep my patience and be creative in my discipline. Anyone have any tips or good parenting books they have read?

Despite all that he sure is cute and makes me laugh so hard sometimes!

He is my biggest fan!

And SO smart!

He has a Chore for about a month or so. It is setting the table. He does this faithfully almost every day!

and can say the sweetest things. He loves to please and asks, "did I make you happy?" He asks if he can do things "in a couple whiles" and loves to point out every octagon shape he sees! Our most recent conversation was about Heavenly Father. He asked where he was and I said in Heaven, so high and far we can't see Him. He said, "I want to visit him in a couple whiles...um in October!" I love talking to him. He learns so fast and is so smart (which is probably half of the reason we struggle sometimes.) He tries to reason and argue everything....um future lawyer??

Fourth

Our Fourth of July was filled with friends! Having friends who always are willing to hang out and have fun and really been a blessing. This year, since The Fourth landed on a Sunday, we kept things a bit toned down, but we did have dinner all together. We made Cafe Rio salads (seriously, SO good). They put a Cafe Rio in a few miles from here, but I believe that our homemade version is just as good, if not better, than the real stuff. After our awesome dinner we drove down to Culver High and watched the show. We were kicked out of our normal spot because they decided to use it for extra parking. I was bitter at first, then I realized that the spot we migrated to was just an in field's length away from where they launch the fireworks. We had the best seat in the house. They were right over our heads! Seth LOVED them and Emery stayed awake the whole time.

As tradition has it, Paige and Seth dance on the grass to the music before the fireworks:)

Natalie was our supplier....of treats! I consumed so much sugar!

Emery got a "firework" bow to wear! Britt taught me how to make korker bows, and I think I have gone a little crazy!

I love this holiday!