Clayton Crew: Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Summer...

The Clayton Crew has been soaking up the fun during our summer break. We have traveled a little bit, but have spent most of the summer at home having a few crazy days of excitement mixed in with lazy days. Little man, who is now 4, definitely keeps us on our toes from his rambunctious behavior to his new found attitude that he feels he needs to express. Daniel and I have butted heads with Kason more in the last couple of months than we ever have, but mixed in with his strong willed nature is a fun-loving kid who makes us laugh and keeps us moving! He prefers to be outside as much as possible, whether it be playing in the backyard or working right alongside Dad on our home projects (yes, he really is sanding!)...

or at the park where we go quite often in the mornings to expense a little energy :)...

Kason is also really into using his imagination and LOVES to dress up for his daily adventures. Sometimes you may encounter him as a superhero...

or a combination of things like a pirate/superhero/gentleman (notice the bow tie in addition to the cape)...

Hahaha...he loves to mix things up and come up with his own characters! He has recently insisted that he wear some of his dress up gear into public which I don't really mind if we are just running errands. The other day he decided he was a professional baseball player...

I did draw the line and made him keep his bat in the car because I told him I wasn't responsible for any damages he may accrue while having batting practice inside the store. Also around the house, he has been really into cooking...

Kason served Zoe and I a scrumptious meal the other day. Of course I did put him to work when he was finished and made him clean his dishes :)...

Which made me have a bigger mess to clean up, but little man sure enjoyed "washing" or shall I say splashing soapy water around. Kason has an imaginary friend, Jake, that is always hanging around the house. I giggle all the time because he talks to Jake constantly and they are always coming up with funny ideas to play around with...

Their newest adventure has been feeding and taking care of bulls in our front yard :). Kason is still a destructive little thing...I always tell family not to give him anything of theirs that they are okay with him taking apart. He doesn't deconstruct everything out of anger, rather out of curiosity. One night it was after 10:00 and I thought he was asleep so when I made my rounds to check on the kids before I headed to my room, I was surprised to find him like this...

He said he was "working" and if you look closely, you will see wires and everything coming out of the lantern! I'm still shocked we haven't had to take him to the ER yet from one of his "working" episodes. I am super proud of little man because he's had responsibilities around the house ever since he was two. One of them has been to put his laundry away...well lately, I have been teaching him how to fold his own clothes before he puts them away.

He has been doing pretty good, but of course in his true stubborn nature he has his own way of folding...I told him I don't mind one bit as long as he finishes his responsibility. I'm sure you are wondering how the babies are doing...and let me tell you, fantastic! These three munchkins are not just loves of my life, but are truly joyful to be with everyday...

We have had lots of fun participating in activities together around the house and it has been fun having Miss Patti (Max's nurse) with us to help Max join in more often...

Max loves to walk around in his infant walker and the other kiddos feel a need to tag along, whether to play with the light up toys...

or to just catch a ride...

I will say that the boys are looking more and more alike the older Max gets...

I have a feeling that both will be Daniel mini-me's by the time they are teenagers. Speaking of Daniel, I must say that I do not joke when I make the comment that Daddy is our favorite person around the house. The kids can hardly wait until Daddy gets home everyday!

The four of us especially love summer because that means more daddy time! Since a lot of our college students are gone for the summer, Daniel isn't quite as busy...which we adore. Daddy has taken us to go see Monster's Inc. on a family play date...

along with a family drives, frozen yogurt treats after dinner, and a morning of flying kites...

Daniel is so good at not just playing with the kids, but actually taking the time to teach them. I love to see Kason's face light up when he learns something new from his Daddy...

With Miss Patti coming more often, Zoe and I have been able to join the guys for not just worship, but class and lunch too...

As Zoe gets older and the more time she spends with Daniel, he has quickly risen to the the top her favorites list. Anytime he is within her vicinity, she feels very strongly that he should be holding her!