Beautiful Weather here in WNC

     The weather has been magnificent recently, for this (growing) pregnant mama.  It's been warm enough to wear flowy, non-restrictive dresses, yet not too hot to where I'm sweating and uncomfortable.  I'm beginning to have "growing pains in my hips and lower groin, but that's just the way it goes near the end of pregnancy for me.  All our doctor visits show baby is healthy and there is definite, strong movement in my womb daily, so we are looking forward to meeting this little guy or gal in a few weeks.
     I've been feeling good enough that we were able to take the boys to the WNC Nature Center on Mark's day off last week.  We had originally planned on taking them to the Tourists day game, but when we realized it was "Education Day" and there would be 1,000ish loud, screaming, elementary aged children there, we decided to take a different route.  ;)
     The Nature Center is always a big hit with kids, but especially our creature-loving Marcus.  He watches a nature show on my phone called Wild Kratts and it's where the Kratt brothers go around the world, showcasing different animals and telling facts about them.  Marcus LOVES it, so this was a fun day for him to pretend he was like the Kratts.  Titus just enjoyed walking around (he loves freedom), and seeing the different animals.  He makes us laugh at his own rendition of animal sounds.
     In other news, Marcus finally finished his reading lesson book for the school year and is now reading at least on a first grade reading level.  He was cruising through the Bible last night with Mark, on the couch, saying words like, "arc of the covenant" and such.  We're blown away by what he can figure out.  As with all early readers, he needs to slow down and process what he's reading, but still, he's doing super.  So well, in fact, that we had a celebration for him finishing his lesson book.  He wanted to decorate a cookie cake and have balloons.  Simple enough, yet it pleased him and Titus for days.
     Titus is still doing well in his big-boy bed and hasn't fallen out yet (thankfully).  He does occasionally get out between 5-6am and thinks it's time to get up, but we just rock a few minutes in the rocking chair and I put him back down.  It's a sweet time for me to be able to do that since he's not much of a cuddler, normally.  He still LOVES baseball and "ba-ket-ball!" and wants to watch highlights online with Mark when he is home.  His speech is easier to understand by the day and he's quite the astute little guy, despite having a massive temper.  I'm not sure if it's his personality or his age (or a combination of the two), but he's in time-out multiple times a day and gets his fair share of spankings when the offense is bad enough.  But I'll say this - HE'S LEARNING and getting better about controlling himself, so we just need to be diligent in teaching him the Truth and what is acceptable vs what is not. 
     So there ya have it.  That's the most recent fun with the Schuurmans of NC.  Check back next time for what new adventures we go on before Baby #3 arrives.  Scheduled meeting date is Monday, July 6th.  :)

Sweet, Sweet Titus

More super-hero fun

Marcus the Bobcat

Titus had to have a turn, too, of course.

Statue of a Bog Turtle (yes, it's Bog and not Box - I learned something new!)

The slides beside the otter exhibit are always a hit.

Titus was hesitant at first, but loved it once he finally went down.

Comparing his wingspan to that of a hawk.

Watching the otters swim.

One came extra close to say hello to Titus.

Our boys represented the Jays - I had to represent my Braves (my shirt says, "Future Braves Fan in Progress" with an arrow pointing down to my belly.  Compliments of my loving husband!)

Getting good at building towers (until Titus crashes them down).

Titus is getting good at block puzzles. 

Big belly.  Tired eyes.  Full heart.

I asked him if we could put, "Good job, Marcus" on his cookie cake, but he said, "No, just write, 'I love you!' "  Can't argue with that!

Covered with sugar - he didn't sleep for days

The balloons were still a big hit the next morning.

I was sweeping at the salon and one of the stylists told me I might want to go see where they were "hiding."  THIS is where I found them and they stayed there, giggling and playing, for another half hour!

I awoke at 11:30pm a few nights ago to Mark taking Marcus' picture and them laughing like little kids.  It turns out Marcus had gotten out of bed, chose this outfit for himself, and put it on.  He strutted into our room saying, "I look GOOD!" and he actually SLEPT in it!  No, he wasn't sleep-walking.  He's just crazy!

Still growing!

Titus is thrilled to be big and strong enough to swing in the big boy swing by himself now.

Bible time with Daddy.  We are so blessed to have this man as the leader of our home.