A Happy Happy Day

Started the morning with lots of Happy Birthday e-mails and messages, along with the delcious (according to Ethan) breakfast. He was sooooo excited to see his pile of presents.

Lucas got one little gift - some play keys, and Ethan got some animal cards, cars, and a Cars board game. He was pretty stinkin' happy, though will not let anyone forget that he has one more on the counter for when daddy gets here.

His teacher made him a crown and he got to bring "hot fire dragon cookies" (oreos with red filling) to daycare for his class. He wanted to share one with Lucas, so Miss Karina sent him to his door. This is what Lucas' teachers told me: "We heard a pounding at the door and Ethan was screaming - hey guys! It's me Ethan, let me in! We let him in and he held out a half-eaten cookie and said 'this is for wucas.' and then he ran off."

Sugar high. And then some.
We met Ethan's friend for dinner - and brought her birthday presents with us (we missed her birthday party a month ago). Ethan picked out a nice shirt and a very girly phone for her. They pretended to call each other as they giggled over dinner.

Lucas had a rough time. He was a little green-eyed monster - monster being a very appropriate word.

After the big kids were done with the phone, he asked for it. After being told "Not with messy hands", he shoved the ice cream away and shouted, "DONE!" Phone beats ice cream. This is not my son!

Ethan looooved being sung to. He had the biggest grin plastered across his face. What a fun night! Thanks guys!

The sugar rush continued as we returned lots of phone calls and got ready for bed. Lucily they went to bed pretty easily - Let's hope they stay that way!

A great day! We missed Daddy lots, but are soooo glad he'll be here tomorrow night.

4 years ago tonight....

Oh Ethan,
You were due April 20th. We were so nervous because your daddy had a big portfolio showing on April 27th and we thought we might just be in the hospital or newly home with you. Nope. You were fine and comfy in there. I, on the other hand, not so comfy. I was growing bigger and bigger by the day. I took maternity leave starting on your due date because my feet were so swollen I could barely walk at the end of the day. I laid around, watched tv, and ate. You got really really big. But still, you stayed put.
Finally the doc decided you'd have to be evicted. We scheduled your induction and were so excited to meet you. Your daddy's show went really well and was a lot of fun, though my feet were aching by the end of it. We decided, as we had one more day left before we went to the hospital, that we'd spend the next day at the movies and go out to eat.
I woke up the next morning with this strange sensation and knew I was in labor. You decided you were ready. It was 5:30 am, so I let your daddy sleep while they got closer together and stronger. By 10 am they were 4-5 minutes apart so we rushed to the hospital.
They weren't too impressed and made me walk. and walk. and walk some more. You were turned "sunny side up" so my back was not so happy. Finally they admitted us and a few hours later, gave me the epidural. The next few hours were so peaceful. I knew you were coming. Uma and Upa were on the way. Your daddy and I laughed and planned your future. Finally around midnight we started pushing. You were determined to stay put. My epidural ran out after 2 hours of pushing. I screamed at the doctor that I couldn't do it. He screamed back that I had no choice.
It was so hard. But, I knew then, and I know now, that so many hard times will come, but the thing about being a mom is, you just do them. And you can. The strength comes and you do it. Because of that miracle that came after 4 1/2 hours of pushing. The doctor had me reach down and grab you and I saw the most wonderful little person. You were so handsome and so perfect. Your eyes met mine and I knew you'd be amazing. You are amazing.
Every day is an adventure, every minute I have with you is special. You've taught me so much about my own strength, patience, and love. I am a much better person by being your mom. Thanks my little dinosaur - and Happy 4th Birthday!!

Hard Work

We had a GREAT weekend with Upa. We got so many things done around the house... toilets resealed, garden cleaned up, laundry room scrubbed (even under the machines and inside), under my bed cleaned, lights replaced, paint touched up... the list goes on and on... and on... and on... I even got to go out with some friends on Saturday night while my dad babysat!

I also made 24 sets of dragon wings for the party. I'll paint a base coat and then the kids can decorate them and wear them at the party. Fun! I got all the party stuff bought (except the pizza) and the goody bags stuffed. I'm doing well. Now if only people will RSVP! This coming from me, who NEVER remembers to RSVP until the last minute. I cannot believe my little guy is almost 4. When did he grow up? He was making up his own verses tonight to "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see?" and it just killed me! He is so big!

His version : "White door white door, what do you see? I see some pants, looking at me. Pants pants pants pants, what do you see? I see some Bob the Builder underwears looking at me." We were getting ready for bed.

Upa - we can't thank you enough! I know we were crazy over here, but I hope you know how much we appreciated you coming! We can't wait to see you again in a few weeks!

We Have an Upa!

Upa's here! He's working hard - too hard!

But he's also playing hard...

And don't worry Uma, we're taking care of him.

Thanks Upa!

Boring

I have no pictures, I have no cute stories off the top of my head. All I have is one anxious brain waiting to hear if my dad made his standby flight tonight. There was a light rail accident of some sort that stopped the light rail for a time and made him miss his flight. It's a bummer, but we'll get through.
This week went by crazy fast. I'm not even sure where it went. I'm working on planning Ethan's birthday party, preparing my kids for their big tests, (which with two down have gone soooo well), and of course... packing. I'm so excited to see my daddy, and just praying he makes that flight tonight!
Oh, one exciting thing - Etha can rhyme! He was singing about a dinosaur store this morning and told me, "Hey, dinosaur goes with store! Like cake goes with snake!" That's my boy!

Sunny Days and Funderstorms....

Sunny days means we eat outside. Less mess. Except, of course, for their faces and shirts. And then the rest of them when they go for a dive in the rain-filled wheelbarrow. Blech. Soaking wet boys, but lots and lots of giggles. It was gorgeous outside.

And then today.... I go to pick up Ethan from daycare and he says, "I can't leave yet! I want to be here for the funder and lightning mcqueen! we have to stay!"
Miss Allison and I tried to explain that the thunder would be at home too , but the boy wanted to celebrate with his buddies. Too bad.
When the storm finally hit, we went outside to check it out. Ethan- was mesmerized, cheering on thelightning especially. Lucas - kept shouting, "INSIDE!" He was not a fan. We moved to the kitchen to watch out the window and Lucas was not happy until I was sitting on the floor with him curled up in my lap, covering his ears. Dogs - not so happy as well and also both made their way to my lap (we're up to about 150 lbs between those three). Finally, Ethan felt jealous of all the love and climbed on too.
In a way, annoying, but in another way - what an awesome way to spend the evening, huddled up snuggling. My boys don't do that so often anymore. So funderstorms? You're welcome to come back anytime!

A Dinosaur Rumpus!

I have no idea if I spelled that right - but we had so much fun anyway! Our friend Peyton had his 4th birthday today and it was a blast. Lucas loved his paleontologist hat.

Ethan loved going all over the yard in the john deere. If you asked him to come here, he'd back it up and turn around and drive. It was hilarious.

Brandon led the kids on a dinosaur dig with their very own maps! It took them all over the yard- Ethan really got into it.

They ended up at the swings where they dug up some dinosaur eggs that they got to carve out the dinosaurs from.

Addie and Lucas tried to keep up, but kept getting distracted.

There was also a pinata- that Ethan loved hitting. A lot.

All in all, it was a really fun time for us to spend with some friends out in the sun.

I can't believe my own little man turns four in a couple weeks - where did the time go? Speaking of time... I should probably go finish the chores I wanted to accomplish this weekend. Ugh. Did I mention I'm sick of chores. In 7 weeks, I'm going to pull into our Poulsbo home, take a deep breath, and go check into a hotel for a week. Just kidding. Kind of. But really, 7 weeks I can do. I can't do it perfectly and I'm sure there will be things undone, but I can do it. If you happend to see me in the next 7 weeks, just keep chanting that to me.

5 sleeps until Upa gets here!