The Years...

Zero

 One

 Two

 Three

 Four

 Five

Six

Happy Birthday Kiddo!  You make one lucky Mama!

Big

Big week around here~ Ethan finally got his cast off!!!  He was soooo excited and soooo looking forward to it.

When it came off, he was hesitant at first - so scared to move it.  He  was also terrified anyone would bump it.  He did, however, love showing off that scar!

Lucas had an amazing week at swimming.  I have never been prouder of him.  He was kicking up a storm and doing everything his teacher asked and more.  He would even hold onto the side and dunk himself, over and over.  Such a proud mama....
Today was our friend Alex's birthday - and the birth of the coolest cake ever!

Dawn throws some awesome birthday parties and the highlight for the kids was this awesome maze in the backyard - so cool!!!

And speaking of parties....  tomorrow is a certain big kid's birthday and we are all so excited....  we've begun preparations and it's going to be a blast.  I CANNOT believe he is 6 tomorrow!  How did this happen?

Life and Times... And Organized Chaos....

Some weeks just have too much going on to stop and reflect, and that's a sad thing.  But, it's good that we're busy and having fun, me thinks....

Last Friday we spent a real night out with all sorts of fun.  We started in the library children's section - fun new blocks for building....  

 They took turns being the bossy one....  And I mediated a bit...

 Dinner at Rachel's - which is always really good.....

 And then we headed out to the high school to see some of our favorite actors (students) in the play.  The boys were fascinated and totally engaged in the show.  It was awesome.  I was so proud of both my students and my children....

 Saturday morning took us out to the park for a family walk - dogs and all.

 Library story time for National Library week -and the kids even got a free book.  They were so cute watching and participating.  It's always interesting for me to see them with same age peers.  Typically I see them interact in these settings with my students, who are much older.

 Lunch at Der Blokken, our favorite neighborhood lunch spot, where Ethan learned that Mac and Cheese can cure anything....  Even scraped elbows.  He was very concerned that with both elbows hurting, he'd be a mess....

 Saturday night was a birthday party and that's where this guy showed us he'd done way too much.  He was a tired mess and so Sunday was spent pretty quietly....  I really can't even remember what happened - how sad is that!
The week brought doctor's appointments, dentist appointments, swimming, and tball.  Ethan finally got to bat...

 And realized it's pretty tough with a cast....

 But he persevered....  He really loves it...

 Just when I thought I was going to lose it from exhaustion, we showed up at the McTakeover and gave Ollie the Otter a big hug.  It was a relaxing, and fun event where I just got to hang out and chat with my kids and their parents.  The hot fudge sundae didn't hurt either...

 At some point during the week, my friend Nancy gave me some ties for the boys.  And boy did they love them.  Every day was formal dress day and I did swoon a bit...

Ethan went and told her, "Thank you for the bow ties!"  They were a hit at daycare as well - Lucas wore his three days in a row.

After a very frustrating Thursday (Ethan was just mad at the world), Friday was awesome.  I had an awesome (and even relaxing) field trip to the Burke Museum, and we had a friend come over to spend the night.  Lucas was sooooooooo excited.  We made pizzas at Toad House (because this woman was too pooped to cook...)

 And did a whole lot of giggling....

 We rented a movie, but they wanted nothing to do with it.  They wanted to be outside - perfect!

 Come bed time, I wasn't sure they'd ever go to sleep....

 They were so excited - a giggling mess!

But it actually only took about 30 minutes and they were out cold.  And slept all night long, no problem!  This morning has been all sorts of games -lots of imaginary scenarios in these kids' heads!

In other news this week, the animals in my classroom have taken over....  Snails and crayfish are very busy creatures....

So you can see why it's been a week (10 days, really), and must forgive me...  And today we work on E's birthday party!  It's going to be a Mario-riffic day and there's lots to do!  Happy Weekend! 

Nerves...

Today was the day for Ethan's 2 little cavities to get filled.

I was a nervous wreck all day.

I absolutely hate going to the dentist and especially getting those numbing shots.

How would he handle it?

 When we got there, he was fine.  Playing checkers (which suddenly he knows how to do?!!) and talking up a storm.  Smiling and laughing with the receptionists.  It wasn't until he got in the chair and the dentist came in that he squeaked out, "I'm a little nervous.  A lot nervous."  And it wasn't until the told him to close his eyes (about to do the novacaine shots) that he started squealing "I don't want to do this today.  I don't want to do this.  Please!"
I stayed calm, but I was really freaking out.  Not to mention that I could fully see the giant needle she was hiding behind her back.  I winced and gave him words about being brave, this was so much easier than his arm!
The dentist took over.  She was so great.  She explained the whole process to him, showing him each tool (except the needle) and letting him touch it all.  She also showed him the x-rays and told him what would happen if she didn't fill it.  The whole time she was patient, calm, and upbeat and he finally decided that he was ready.
He gripped my hands so tightly, his little body going up and down frantically as he breathed fast.  But he did it.  And when the first one was done and she gave him the choice on doing the 2nd one right there, he took a big breath and said, "Let's do it."
After Lucas' swimming lesson we headed out to McD's to celebrate with ice cream.  Bravery should be celebrated I think.

 Lucas really loved his ice cream.  Really loved it.

And poor Brian really loved cleaning it up.  He also really loved having Ethan give him a lecture on getting himself to the dentist.  Ethan was very interested to find out that Daddy hadn't been in about 12 years.  Come on Brian!  If Ethan can get through it, so can you!

New

New week...  New cast...  New color...  Doc says it's healing fabulously and the x-ray tech says he is the best broken arm patient he's ever had!

First night of tball and Daddy got to be there...  Excited kid!

 Keeping the glove on was tough, but throwing?  No problem.

 The Sabertooth Tigers are out to get you!  Ethan had a blast and was appropriately exhausted and filthy by the time he came home.

 Meanwhile, Lucas and I went to a "new" park (it's been redone since we went...)

 That kid loves riding bikes... A new favorite hobby...

 We packed dinner - he's wanted to use his lunch box after watching his brother take his every day.

 A walk on the beach and cheesy cheesy smiles.  So many giggles when we got stuck in the mud.  The dogs absolutely loved it.

Lots to play on with lots of imagination to drive the way...

 Row, row, row your boat.....

 "Where's da tweasure Mama?  Oh man, no tweasure?  Bummer."

Can every night be this nice?  Seriously fabulous.

Easter Weekend 2012

Saturday morning brought Easterpalooza!  A certain 3 year old was very excited.

 There was awesome face painting - though I miss my little bunny from last year...  Spidey is not the same!

 Friends to hang out with and race for eggs with....

 Cousins to play with...

 Girls to shyly smile at....

 Candy to be sorted and eaten...  And shared from friends when that same certain 3 year old freaked out and didn't get any... (thanks Logan - you are so sweet!)

 Bunnies to be hugged!

 Even for those first-Easter babies!

 Balloon animals, cotton candy, pancakes, and most of all fun....

 After lunch (and several meltdowns), we headed to the U's for an Easter BBQ

 Played in the backyard....

 Gave the piano (and our ears) a workout....

 Dyed some cool Spidey eggs.....

 And had special Easter rides on the tractor (note the lack of Upa's hands on the steering wheel - eek!)

 That night we had notes to write to the Easter Bunny...

 Including the question, "Do you lay eggs?"

 He answered, "No way!  I'm male and a mammal!"  Nice science vocab Mr. E Bunny!
This little egg was cutest!  So excited we got to spend his first Easter with him!

 The bunny came and he spoiled!

 And the boys were all so excited!

 That silly bunny hid the eggs outside- the dogs found them first.

 We breakfasted with pancakes, fruit, and LEGOs.

 Took turns holding Cooper...

 Begging over and over for One more turn!

 On our way to church we snapped some family pics...  Such big kids...

Later that afternoon was biking at Clear Creek with the Barrys.....

 Such a gorgeous day and fun friends!

 Even if the three kids refused a genuinely good picture.....

Traditional dinner out - lots of (loud) conversations with the kids and a million giggles....

 Lucas insisted I take a picture of him blowing on his corndog....  It's all about capturing momentous occasions...

I'm not ready to go back to reality, but this week reminded me what it's all about - Love.  Love God, love people.  And we sure do have a lot of great people around us to love.  We're blessed.  Happy Easter!