Winter Break Getaway

This week Jack had winter break at school.  We took the time off to go visit my Aunt Jean and Uncle Dick in Virginia.  The boys had never been there yet and were quite excited.  They kept asking when it was time to go to Virginia!!

So Tuesday we headed up.  The drive up was actually pleasant.  We left in the morning after a workout at the gym.  Sean took a short nap before we stopped for lunch near Concord, NC.  The big boys took short naps after lunch.  Sean was too busy looking around to nap.  We managed to make only one other stop at a rest area for a potty break.  We arrived by 3:30.  The boys were excited, but still a little tired due to their short naps. 

They had tons of fun checking out their new surrounding and showing off.  Their favorite discovery was Boots.  She is a cat and they have so little experience with cats.  They all loved petting her dearly, following her around and playing with her toys.  Sean in particular was super fond of her!!

While we were there we were truly spoiled.  THANKS!!!!  It was a break not having to cook or clean!  We ate lots of yummy food (especially my favorites like chicken salad, deviled eggs, chocolate pie and lasagna).  We visited with several people.  The boys went to a bounce house and had lots of fun (as did I)!!  They played in the backyard (the weather was fabulous).

All in all it was an excellent getaway.  The boys behaved pretty well (just one or two meltdowns), they slept relatively well (skipped some naps though and had one rough night, but what can you expect when away from home) and we just had tons of fun.  THANKS FOR SO MUCH FUN AUNT JEAN AND UNCLE DICK.

No sooner were we down the road and Jack was asking "Does Uncle Dick know where our house is?  Can he come visit us?"  You truly made an impression on the boys and they can't wait to see you again.  Come visit us and we'll spoil ya'll!!

Sean showing off while playing football with Uncle Dick

Jack climbing a tree and Sean thinking about it

The gang making dirt cakes and pizzas

Jack trying to catch the football

We even got Aunt Jean to play football!!!

Fun with sticks

Sean loved the watering can

Ewan having fun bouncing

Sean trying to figure out how to climb the wall

Sean at the well....everyone's favorite spot in the backyard!

Playing with Boots

Flashback Friday - June 2008

I know, it's Saturday not Friday.   BUT I just got back in town last night and was far too exhausted to put up a post.  So here it is, one day late.

Jack enjoying himself at a playdate in June 2008.....

Have I Mentioned How Much I Love Zulily??

I just love Zulily.  That being said, it can get dangerous!  Today I just saw the most adorable rocket fabric covered chaise lounge chair that would look great in Sean's room.  He loves to sit in his rocking chair and read books.  This would be more comfortable, and bigger for all the boys.

But do we need it?  No!  There isn't any excuse to get it now...no gift giving reasons.  Easter?  Maybe.  Ah, so once again I must resist the urge.  But I really do want to get it!

I just love the unique items they have.  It's nice to get things that not every child has.  Plus they frequently feature products made in the USA (as this lounge is), always a plus.

Should I stop checking the site every day?  Of course!  Will I?  Heck no!!

Operation Yummy Bountiful Garden

Yesterday Josh and the boys worked on the garden.  Mostly adding compost, chicken poop etc to make the soil better.  They also redid the herb garden since it was getting full of tree roots.  Sean was impressed with the tiller!  They all had a blast playing in the dirt of course!  Sean and Jack liked "helping" shovel the dirt too.  Jack was actually a pretty good helper.  That should come in handy this summer hopefully.  Sean also showed a genuine interest in helping, hopefully that will continue.

They planted the first row in the garden.  We ordered all our seeds yesterday and will start them in the house/on the porch when they arrive.  Until then though they planted a row of carrot seeds on tape.  This was fun for the boys and something they could help do.

All in all it was a fun and DIRTY day!!  I'm eager to see everything grow and eat it all!!  They boys are eager too.  It's also nice to see them show an interest in yummy healthy food...carrots, cucumbers, squash, zucchini, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, blueberries...  Bring on the yummy fresh produce!!

Flashback Friday - May 2010

A look back at our family pics taken by Karen Johnson in 2010 (pregnant with Sean).  We will definitley have to find the time to have new ones taken this year!  Funny, the boys' expressions are still pretty much the same.

Mr. Romance

Happy Valentine's Day one and all!!  Let me introduce you to Mr. Romance (aka Jack).  This requires a story...about two weeks ago my dear sweet husband got me a dozen pink roses.  Last week Jack noted the water level in the vase was getting low and he commented that we needed to fill it.  I then informed him that the flowers were pretty much dead anyway and it was time to get rid of them.  He then decided we needed more flowers.  I told him sometime soon maybe.

Later that afternoon Jack suddenly informed me that he wanted to give Ava (the girl with whom Jack is EXTREMELY smitten at school) a flower for Valentine's Day.  I nearly giggled it was so cute.  Mind you we never discussed Valentine's Day with him...the whole flowers, chocolates and gift thing.  He just picked it up on his own.  Anyway, he told me I would have to drive him to get the flower because he couldn't drive!  I told him to wait and see as the big day got closer.

Over the days he still talked about it.  He definitely wanted to give Ava a PINK ROSE.  He was very specific.  So Sunday we went to the store and got a dozen pink roses since they didn't have them individually.  He is quite excited, though he also wants to give her a pink heart with candy (I talked him out of this).  Later that day I actually did manage to find roses sold individually so I got four.  I figured if he gave one to each of his teachers he could more discreetly give one to Ava.

So Monday rolls around and it is time for his class party.  He is thrilled to take his roses to school.  I took him in the building instead of just dropping him off.  I needed to explain the situation to his teachers (yes, they know he is quite fond of Ava). 

After school I asked him if he gave Ava the rose.  He said yes.  I asked him if she liked it.  He said "I think she liked it!".  It was so incredibly adorable.  My little romantic boy!  Watch out girls, here comes Jack!!  Or should I say watch out dads!!!!  Romeo also shared the same work station with Ava at school that day so he was thrilled.

Hope you are all enjoying your Valentine's Day.  My boys certainly are!!

Jack in the car waiting to go in the school and give Ava her flower!!

Flashback Friday - February 2009

Uncle Nick home visiting Ewan at Valentine's Day!!

The Case of The Missing Tote

Monday we got a new small plastic tote box to keep all these crazy cars in.  So we brought it home from the store and Sean thought it was a fun toy just by itself.  The day progressed and I never got all the cars in it.  Imagine that, I had lots of other things to do!

That evening as Josh and the boys were cleaning toys before bed I noticed the lid but did not see the actual box.  I was busy at the time and did not think much of it.  Then Tuesday rolled around and of course we were busy again.  I still saw the lid but not the box.

Wednesday I FINALLY had time to search for the box.  Since Jack was in school and Ewan was with Oma it was just me and Sean.  And for a change we actually were home part of the morning instead of running errands.  So Sean was playing and I began searching.  I started with the usual places:  behind chairs, behind the curtains, in the toy baskets, under the kitchen and dining room tables, on the dining room table chairs.  None of these places seemed to be hiding the tote.  Then it was off to other places:  the pantry, the laundry room, upstairs....who knows where Sean or the other boys could take it. 

Finally I put it all together.  Sean was the last one seen with the tote.  I probably knew it, but was avoiding it.......the trash can!  That's right, Sean loves to play in the trash can.  Just the other day he had an eggshell in his mouth that he got out of the trash can.  Anyway, I headed over and started taking out trash (even though I emptied it Monday it seemed full).  Out came the raw meat packages, junk mail, banana peels....and nearly at the bottom was indeed the tote!  SUCCESS, and a mess!  After some major sanitizing it now holds many of the boys' cars.

Why hasn't somebody invented a trash can that kids cannot open?????

Another Weekend Passes Us By

The weekends are far too short.  The boys enjoy spending time with their Daddy, as do I!  This weekend began with "date night".  I use that term loosely since we still had Sean with us.  Jack and Ewan stayed at the church, but Sean did not nap that afternoon and was still recovering from his cold.  He threw a fit when I put him down to sign in the big boy; no way was I even going to try to leave him.  So Josh and I enjoyed a lovely dinner with Sean.  At least he was happy and behaved well.

Saturday morning it was off to the farmer's market for our usual yummy breakfast and goodie shopping.  After a quick errand it was off to Barnes and Noble for storytime and a visit from Clifford.  We headed home for lunch.  Somehow the morning was over before we knew it.  The guys played outside while I cleaned.  Naps went over somewhat well.  We even had to wake up Sean to leave for the game.

Jack in particular was thrilled to go to the USC vs. UK basketball game.  He had a great time cheering and yelling!  Sean was happy to sit in a seat to himself and eat from a big bucket of popcorn. He definitely wasn't feeling well though; he was tired and droopy looking.  Ewan had fun too, especially eating popcorn and a soft pretzel!

Sunday was another busy day.  Josh tilled the garden, the boys and I took a walk and then they "helped" Daddy work on one of the cars.  It was an absolutely beautiful day outside.  Unfortunately I was stuck inside doing laundry and cleaning or going to the grocery store.  I got some time outside, of course I was busy keeping the boys out of trouble.  We did manage to get in a short relaxing time outside for a cocktail before we headed to our friend's house for the Superbowl.  The boys had fun playing with their friends and we enjoyed the game/commercials and catching up with friends.  We left shortly after the second half began to get the boys to bed.  It was a long and busy weekend for them.

I also managed to FINALLY start our wish list on Amazon.  After having to make different lists for all of us for different family members I decided to stop the insanity!  Now we have one big list for everyone on amazon.  That way if somebody asks for gift ideas we always have something ready.  Even more important, it helps me keep a list of things I might get the boys too.  So it's a win win for everyone!

That sums up our weekend.  Busy as always and over too soon.  Monday mornings are never fun.  The first thing Jack said was "Where's Daddy?  I thought he was home today."  We kept busy though and that helps.  Soon Jack and Ewan will start swim lessons (their Valentine's/Easter gift from Oma and Opa).  They look forward to that, as do I.  Maybe something that will wear them out???!!

Flashback Friday - October 2007

Here I am 40+ weeks pregnant with Jack.  Keep in mind he was over 10 pounds!!!!