Wednesday Already!

Note: Ethan now totally dresses himself.

I hope I'm coherent. I have one child sitting on my back because he's watching a movie and can't sit in my lap and watch. The other child is shrieking for something or other and keeps coming over and trying to bite me when he doesn't get what he wants. "No, Lucas, you cannot take that out of the fridge. No, we do not ned to pull out all of the dish towels." Shriek. Scream. Bite.
All amongst the chaos that is my living room/kitchen. This week has done a number on us!
My class took their state reading test today and did great- but I am now ex-haus-ted. The boys are too, though I'm not sure why- they slept great last night. Must have been nice.
My boys sure are cute though. Ethan has drawn you an alien.
And an airplane.

And Lucas is full of smiles and wonder- as long as he gets what he wants. Sorry buddy!

Ethan told me on the way home from school today. that he slept at Jess and Todd's house last night - and that it was comfy there. He also told me to "be caring to udders." My paragraphs are not working so well - I better give up while I'm ahead (am I ahead?).

Where oh where....

I cant find he camera charger anywhere and the camera is dead dead dead, so I don't have any pictures... I really don't have anything exciting to say either. We've spent the weekend cleaning and organizing... with a side of packing. Ethan has been a HUGE help believe it or not. Lucas has been... well, entertaining. He's found all sorts of permanent markers, discovered the wheelbarrow full of water, and let me know when the dogs' bowl was empty (as he'd dumped it all over himself.)
Proud of my boys. We're working hard here and they're keeping me going. Allthough I could very well crash at some point.
Greatest news ever- My dad is coming in two weeks to help! And then again, with my mom in May. That was a huge load off.
I really have nothing witty or exciting. Maybe it'll come later. Don't put any bets on it though.

Pack, Pack, Pack Away....

This week was a blur.....

Working on clearing out some closets - tonight was the hallway closet- in which we found Ethan's old tie- so cute! He wore it all night. Lucas liked looking in boxes - found all sorts of not okay things in there. I didn't even know we owned a lighter or a soldering iron, huh....
This week has been kind of nutty - but best news is we have a Property Manager! John from Aloha Property Management and he is so great! He's going to relieve a lot of my stress - I'm really feeling much better about things. It is still SO much to do and is freaking me out, but at least there are a few things I can cross off the list. Best of all, he'll set up meetings with the yard guy, the handyman, etc. - which I HATE doing.
I'm at a total of 9 boxes for the week - making progress! This weekend is cleaning all the trash out of the backyard. A big job, but the boys love being back there, so it'll be allright. And it's all calories burned, right? I need a few more burned after our Spring Break trip. My mother better stop baking before I move in - or I'm going to need more will power.
Lucas has been screaming every night when he goes to bed - not sure why, but he is really fighting it. Ethan gets really annoyed and then he has his turn in the middle of the night. I think I'm stopping for some "Ultra Caffeine" coffee on the way to work tomorrow. Hopefully this weeend they'll get lots more rest. Who am I kidding? We don't rest in this house....

Happy Easter!

On Saturday we headed out to my old church for an "Easter Party" - so fun! We came home with a lion...
and a Spider Face! Both boys sat so still it was nuts. Next we went and saw some bunnies - adorable! Ethan even held a baby bunny in his lap (with my hands on as well of course). Lucas giggled every time the bunny moved.

There were lots of inflatables too - Ethan really liked the racing obstacle course one. If it wasn't so wet and windy, those would have been more fun, but we kind of hid inside for awhile - balloon animals, pancakes, and cotton candy - yum!

Next was the egg hunt. Ethan was an old pro - went for the eggs with gust0! Lucas was a little more timid but quickly figured it out.

After naps Upa came home! We dyed some Easter Eggs - great fun! Lucas was oh so careful - Ethan was dropping them in as fast as he could and really liked mixing colors.

It was our last night there and the Easter Bunny did not disappoint.

The boys figured out how to open up the candy eggs quickly and had those devoured in no time.

Then the giggles began as they found all the silly places the Easter Bunny hid their eggs!

We had a delicious breakfast - a nice send-off - packed up and off we went.

"Mommy - I want Daddy to come. I don't want to go."

"I know babe. Me too. I miss him too."

"But mommy - I want my dad."

"I know, but guess what! Next time we come here, we're going to stay!"

"For a long time?"

"For a very long time - forever"

"What forever? A long long time?"

"Yep, a long long long long long long long long time."

"Okay - how many sleeps?"

"Um.... 61?"

"61! Yeah! So mommy, when we wake up after this nap, we're going back to Daddy?"

*sigh*

The Week in Fast Forward...

Monday - we went to a Preschool Open Gym time at Zero Gravity Athletics in Poulsbo - fun and cheap! Lucas loved the hula hoops most of all - Ethan -the bars. We had a blast but it was nap time and they were ready!
Tuesday we went to the mall and saw the Easter Bunny! Lucas refused to sit without me - and would only sit on my lap if he could have a death grip on my arm. So, I'm in the picture too.... To be honest, I didn't mind - I do love holidays! Then we took Nana to Silver City for some Kids Eat Free lunch - delicious! The boys were pretty tired and Lucas was LOUD - but the company was great. Ethan loved sitting between his Uma and his Nana and reading his new Easter book the Easter Bunny gave him.

Wednesday afternoon I took Ethan to Starbucks with me for a little date and then we went and checked out a couple of daycares. All it really did was make me sadder that we're leaving the one we have, but we'll figure it out. Ethan threw a fit each time we left because he wanted to stay and play. I tried to explain that the playgrounds were just for kids who go to that daycare, but he didn't get it.

We've been working really hard at letters, and at spelling Ethan's name - and I finally found something that he liked doing! I put tape with the letters on the piano and he plunks away his name as well as other words I spell for him - fun! We even got him to write his name a few times and it looks great! So Proud!!

Thursday we were supposed to go hang out with my friend Missy and her daughter, but she had the nerve to go into labor! Welcome to the world Ben! We forgive you for crashing our playdate!

In the afternoon I took the boys to the Marine Science Center- that was a blast! They have great little touch pools and lots of tanks to look at.

Ethan loved to look, but would not touch. Lucas was fearless (except for the crab) and I had to hold him back from diving in.

My favorite was the octopus. He wasn't too active, but his tentacles moved around just enough to freak out the boys. I love octopi (sp?). Too cool of a place - and free! We did leave a donation though - they are always fighting for funding. I remember going there year after year growing up - good memories!

Friday we met Nana at McD's for an early lunch. The boys had a blast running all over there and seem to have discovered that it's fun to play with each other. They also love showing off for their Nana!

Today is lots of pre-Easter festivities - starting with the building of the Easter Bunny's house this morning - and then an Easter Egg hunt at church. Upa is coming home from South Bend and we'll be soaking up our last 24 hours here. I know it's going to be hard going back this time - but only two months and we'll be back!

Almost Birthdays...

We were sooo sad to say bye to Grammy! The boys had a blast with her- played hard! They behaved pretty well, though the dogs did not. Two stuffed animals had to go in for "surgery" and there were a few food items stolen. All I can say is "THANK YOU!" Conference time is sooo stressful with being gone two nights in a row and having you there was such a blessing!

Friday morning we dropped off Grammy at the airport- though we made a stop at Chevron first because I realized at the last minute that I hadn't changed the oil in the car in a VERY long time. Luckily two old men at Chevron helped me out - though not without arguing with each other.

The drive wasn't too bad - not without its screaming fits or messes though. At one point Lucas was so mad at me that he squished up a banana in his hands and chucked pieces all over the car. Gross. Other than that it was cartoons and more cartoons.

Saturday we grabbed up the boys and ferried over to Seattle to go to the Science Center. Lucas and Ethan both loved the monorail and we had a blast seeing all the exhibits at the Center. The dinosaurs were a little too scary.

All the space stuff was awesome. Ethan loved the "spaceships" and pretending to fly to Mars.

Lucas just loved playing with EVERYTHING. There was so much for him to climb on and play with.

My favorite was the Butterfly House. The butterflies let you get right up close. Ethan was a little bit nervous, but very careful. We did see one butterfly bite the dust - so sad....

Afterward we walked through Pike Place and then over to Hard Rock. Hard Rock was a kick - we shared a giant ice cream sundae. Lucas just dug right in. I think it was up to his elbows - gross! It was super yummy.

Today Ethan and I went to my old church - so fun to see old friends! After that we came back and tonight we had an "Almost 4 Birthday Party" for Ethan with Nana. He was soooo excited to see all the dinosaur stuff and his cool cake.

He was so excited to get his Dinosaur Encyclopedia from Nana - what a cool book! He was full of thank you's to Nana and Uma and Upa. He told Brian, "Thank you for your love." And then for me "Thank you for watching me open my presents." Very polite.

Even Upa got into the dinosaur safari spirit. The boys enjoyed growling around and we even got to Skype with the Boston folk - fun times!

Lucas was all giggles with Nana - he just kept giving her hugs and kisses.

Tonight Ethan's prayer was fabulous, "Thank you for the love between us. Thank you for my presents I got for my birthday. And hamburger dinner- Yahoo!"

I think he had a good time. Both boys were exhausted by bedtime - as are we, though we're getting ready to watch a movie. I'm not used to watching movies with other people anymore- they're driving me nuts, but I'll adjust- ha!

Tales of Grammy Love!

"We need to get flowers for Grammy."

"We need to get flowers for Grammy."

"WE NEED TO GET FLOWERS FOR GRAMMY!"

And so we did. Really, it was Ethan's idea, and Ethan who ran up to give them to Grammy, but Lucas was the only one who would pose for the picture. Handsome boy, I know! We were thrilled to pick up Grammy at the airport. We headed down to the zoo - not too far from the airport and showed off all our favorite things - including the carousel.

After the zoo we headed back to the house and poor Grammy had to play 20 games of Candyland and everything else. Lucas was fascinated by her luggage and so I got one of our empty suitcases out of the closet and he's been dragging it around ever since. Both boys are loving the extra attention with Grammy here. I've had a blast having the help in the classroom - conference week is much easier wih help!

Today she got to witness some fun in PE - my kids and I won the 10 minute jog and so got to do a bunch of messy relays - great fun! I am SO sore from those stupid scooters, and I'm still gagging on the twinkie one of my students got to shove in my mouth, but it was so so much fun - what great kids! I am really going to miss them.

We made a great picture- I love teaching with people that love to get messy and have fun too - thanks Beth!

We picked up the boys at daycare and took them over to the Jumping Jungle that we went to last time - so fun! We bounced and bounced and slid and ran.

Lucas is gaining his bounce-confidence. He was laughing like a hyena - so many belly laughs.

No wonder we were ALL so exhausted. We ran by McD's (it is Tuesday after all) and headed home for dinner.

Lucas fell at the dinner table and bit his lip - big trauma for the little man, but within 3 minutes he was choiwing down on his Happy Meal. Grammy read stories and the boys were both rubbing their eyes by 6:30. We sent them off to bed and baked some treats for the school bake fair (super women we are!). And now we crash. My body is a-aching! Wish Grammy luck - she's got the boys the next two days all by herself. I have conferences till late at night, so those will be long days! Thank you thank you thank you Grammy! It's nice to know the boys will be with someone they love so very much!