My Kodak EasyShare finally died, so Stephen said I could buy a new camera as my early birthday present. Thanks, baby! I am waiting with bated breath the arrival of my Canon Powershot from Amazon. In the meantime, hope you enjoy these late-spring pics.

A post-rain photo of the dairy farm behind our house from atop “the mountain.” Can’t wait to get my new camera & take more nature shots!

The 3 Amigos have been loving their homemade critter necklaces. Jessie poked holes in empty toy capsules from a gum-ball machine for threading string and letting air get to the found critters.

Then, each boy added colorful beads to the strings before placing a black ant inside of the capsule. However, we’ve totally slacked on tending to the needs of our new pets.

The other night before bed, Gabriel lovingly said, “Aw, look at my ant, Mommy. He’s sleeping.” I compassionately replied, “He sure is, buddy.” And so Gabe slept contentedly while wearing his now dead-critter necklace.

Zeke & Houston feast on Ceebu Jen during Cousin Meredith’s Senegal-themed lesson in May. (Click to see all the pics.)

Other weird bedtime stuff: Zeke can be found sometimes laughing in his sleep. When you hear him, you’re sure he’s wide awake, reading a book or playing with a toy or whispering a joke to his bros.

But sure enough, Zeke’s in a sound slumber, apparently having a humorous dream. And then last week, I witnessed Gabriel doing the same, chuckling hardily while he snoozed. Too funny.

Houston also provides his share of nighttime comic relief, opting on occasion to sleep in the raw. It’s not like he has satin sheets or anything, but I suppose he just enjoys being unencumbered by clothes. I support Houston’s penchant for freedom of movement, but I do insist he at least wear undies to bed.

Piper, Zeke & Gabriel chill poolside during a MOPS playgroup. (Click to see all the photos from May.)

After the bedtime prayer on Sunday night, the dudes and I had a deep conversation about heaven. I explained that my belief was that our eternal home will be free of death, disease, sadness, fear, hate, handicaps, jealousy, etc.

“For instance, Mommy won’t have a bad hip in heaven,” I said. “Zeke won’t be missing a lobe because his yucky had to be surgically removed, so he’ll have perfectly healthy lungs in heaven. And Houston won’t have his special eye.”

“But I like my special eye!” retorted Houston. Of course, I immediately clarified, explaining how blessed he is that his Horner’s eye doesn’t cause him any vision trouble, but that some kids aren’t so lucky, and that God makes no mistakes. Unfortunately, Mommies sometimes do. You and your bros are perfect to me, Houston!

Zeke is intent on mastering BB gun skills during his first lesson w/ Daddy.

Houston and I made a birthday resolution to give up nail biting. He has only been doing it for a couple months — mimicking me, I’m sure — whereas I’ve had the wont for about 35 years. Hopefully, I can right this mothering mistake by kicking the habit with Houston. Keep your fingers (with unbitten nails) crossed.

Last week, I passed along our much-used changing table and crib to Greg and Meredith for Rorie. I needed to clear space in my slow, but steady efforts for reorganizing the kids’ room and the office, but now I’m changing dirty pull-ups on the dust-bunny-covered floor.

It was a couple days after Greg’s visit that I turned over a new leaf with the potty training. Sadly, I had gotten pretty obsessed. Each and every accident had the potential to tear me down and spoil my good mood — not a good place for a mom to be.

Houston poses w/ his awesome teachers on the last day of MOPS.

I decided I wasn’t going to let a little doo-doo and pee ruin my life anymore. Who cares if Gabe and Zeke are “3 and three-quarters years old,” as they like to tell people, and haven’t mastered the life skill? They will indeed be potty trained eventually. So, I’m giving this one over to God.

Till then, they’ll be no more fretting. I’m just going to accept what I obviously have no control over, and instead be the twins unfailing cheerleader. The ever-the-optimist approach has certainly lightened things up, making the entire home a much happier and healthier (albeit stinkier) environment.

Stephen made good on a one-on-one time Houston earned months ago. It was worth the wait, though, ’cause Daddy took him to see The Avengers movie last Saturday.

Houston donned his alphabet-beaded necklace that read WASP, although that Marvel super-heroine isn’t even in the new flick. And Stephen proudly wore the very non-masculine THOR necklace that Houston had carefully beaded for him. You’re a trooper, Daddy!