On the Road

Time just keeps moving. March has been a busy month for us. Well, at least for me, for the Mr. it was kind of business as usual. Several months ago when friends of ours announced they would be moving half way across the country, he decided he wanted to be their moving company. So they loaded the trailer and we packed our bags and we all headed west. We took the two youngest along. This was there first  big trip in Daddy's truck. He takes them along regularly for just a day or two but this was a whole new adventure.

The 3 school boys got left behind with relatives. The boys and the relatives all seemed to be fairly happy and healthy when we returned.

When we added baby #3 to our family we officially outgrew the bunk on the truck so it's been almost 7 years since I got to ride along and watch my Mr. in action. He makes it look easy!

  My "job" was easy enough! I was in charge of snack distribution, keeping the passengers seat occupied, and checking the e-mails from back home. Throw in a few naps, several cups of coffee and a book or two and you can see I was pretty busy. Not to mention that I didn't cook a single meal for 6 days and I was only parenting 2 kiddos instead of 5. Can you spell s-p-o-i-l-e-d?

We delivered their goods safe and sound and then spent a few days helping them to unpack and settle in We enjoyed the chance to see their new world and we did not have even one word of complaint about the 80 degree weather that welcomed us.

But it was all bittersweet, because in the end we said good-by to very sweet friends and headed back east to our little spot in the world, 24 (very long) hours from their new spot.

 

We were welcomed back to "the REAL world" with a.n.o.t.h.e.r Monday morning snow delay. But the calender says Spring is here now so we're eagerly watching for signs that it truly has arrived. Grocery store tulips make me smile, but they don't count!

This week we shivered to the bottom of our free Rita's ice cups . This is now tradition at our house, it is no longer up for discussion. Even if we tried to take a vote it would be 5 to 1 at best...must get our Free Rita's. We broke a record this year though, only 15 minutes in line, not bad at all!

Today's forecast: More Snow and more laundry...sounds like another cup (or 3) of coffee may be a good idea!!

Happy Tuesday.

Happy Days

I do realize I'm behind the times here but I'm going with better late then never. Our kids had the entire week of Thanksgiving off because teacher conferences landed on the beginning of the week. I had been feeling really 'stuck' in the routine thing...Same old, same old, get up and do it all over again tomorrow kind of stuff...so THIS was just what I needed.

More PJ days than our household has known in all of history I think.

Hot cocoa, cozy blankets and a movie (or 3, or 4...)

The creating of [sugar-loaded] masterpieces.

Good books, more blankets, and life-threatening injuries. [Depending on who's interpretation you hear, of course.] He LOVES to read. I LOVE that he LOVES it!

Lots and lots of rounds of Battleship, Scrabble and Sorry. Bonus: Most of them included Daddy.

Our own little feast, inspired by a free fresh turkey and a couple of refrigerated pie crusts. (Personally, I was really feeling like another PJ day, but of coarse I wasn't sorry that I got off my tush and threw together a little fun for the family. They were appropriately appreciative!)

I am most Thankful for....

{That wreath in the background, a fun project for a friend. It was a perfect fit right there. She's lucky I  parted with it in the end!}

The official 'breaking-out-of-the-Christmas-music. Which led to a little impromptu dance fest.

I think maybe by the time everyone climbed back on the big ol' bus Tuesday morning I was supposed to be ready for some peace and quiet and order but the truth is we could have continued for another week I'm sure. More weeks with 5 Saturdays please!!!

My little buddy had a little trouble adjusting to all of his playmates leaving (Baby Girl spent the day with Daddy) so we had ourselves a Memory and Hot Chocolate Date. No report on who beat who. Let's just say it won't be long before mom will not have to be careful not to get to many matches.

This weekend brought us this...

I hope you're enjoying the Magic of the Season! 

Take time to have a little fun.

{I lasted at least 3 minutes before my toes were frozen and I decided half a dozen pictures was plenty}

Super 7

[one last Birthday post for awhile. promise]

The second November birthday comes 5 days after the first. After [literally] making a list of options, weighing the pros and cons, and much deliberation, he decided on a Superhero theme. I'm sort of surprised we haven't used that one before but it was still up for grabs.

His actual birthday was on a Saturday. Usually at our house the birthday person gets to choose the dinner menu but when I realized we would not be home for dinner the night before or the night of his birthday I convinced him that we could do a Birthday breakfast. His choice, French toast, bacon (3 pieces for each person :) doughnuts and coffee.

The kids were all playing with markers the night before and I found this fun napkin art on the table when I was ready to set it for breakfast. I thought it was super sweet of his big brother to make it for him but after my photographing, and  moments of heartwarming I was informed that in reality, He made it for himself. Silly boy (but I still think it's kinda cool.)

He spent hours cutting, gluing and crafting these 'Supertreats' for his school classmates. I helped a little but he did the majority of it, a plan that worked out well for both of us.

I do appreciate the teacher's gracious smile when I delivered them to his classroom. I may have been her worst nightmare but she didn't let on. Cake + icing + sugar coating + lollipops = well, you can guess.

We invited cousins and family for his party. Mama cheated this year and ordered a giant sub from Subway. It was much tastier then the "Wonder Dogs" that were also served. Superpower veggies, some jello (I think I'm wearing this one out but it always comes in the party colors and the kids love it. I almost never make it any other time. I get bonus points if there are several colors in one serving too.) popcorn and cake and ice cream fueled the many Superheroes present with plenty of energy for the night.

Daddy made a laser obstacle coarse in the hallway.

Grandma made capes and masks for all of them at different times over the past year so everyone was able to come in costume. Swords and weapons of various kinds seemed to be required as well. The lasers did not fair well.

True to my take-the-easy-way self I decided not make red, yellow, and blue icing (yuck!) for the cake, M&M's are much easier, (and tastier) thank you!

 

Complete with "the moves."

I of course find it hard to believe my little buddy is SEVEN already. Cliche I know, but I must still say it!
These days you'll find him kicking a soccer ball, reading, creating a rubber band something, reading, stashing the food away, playing games, reading, telling a joke, trying to keep up with his big brother or reading. He sailed through the school transition thing without so much as a speed bump and I think sometimes he keeps his teacher stepping trying to keep him busy. But at the end of the day, he's still Mommy's snuggle bug and I'll be doing everything I can to keep it that way for another 7 years. I love you SuperReagan!

When Mama has a birthday...

...she makes extra coffee in the morning, because she can.

...little people get (much more) excited (then the mama herself.)

...{said} little people really can't understand why nothing unusual is happening.

...so {said} little people take matters into their own hands.

...the boy collects a box, a hefty stack of old newspapers and a few hand-me-down "treasures" from his room.

...he brings me the scotch tape...I tear off a piece...he runs off to attach it randomly to the newspaper...he comes back for another...rinse and repeat for about half the morning.

...he asks me how to write "Happy Birthday Mommy" and spends the remainder of the morning copying his important message onto any and every paper within his reach.

...the girl decides a cake must be baked.

...she volunteers for the job...repeatedly!

...her kitchen will not do the job, it must be made in Mommy's kitchen.

...the laundry still does not do itself.

...boy #2 comes home from school to do the birthday song & dance {Adventures in Odessy style}

...the delivery man shows up with flowers from the Mr. who is miles away {and not happy about it!}

...the mailman brings bright colorful envelopes wherein the words "Due By" are not found.

...the Facebook page chirps countless notifications.

...Grandma makes and serves a tasty dinner complete with cheesecake. But there are still no candles, the girl is not convinced, what kind of a birthday cake has no candles?

...the Mama decides that treating herself to a latte and a road trip to visit a sweet friend just a few days before is one of the best ways to celebrate.

...the Mr. is still trying to figure out how to "make it up."

...the girl has momentarily forgotten about the cake.

...boy #1 asks "Mom, are you 26 now?" (I say, yup, something like that. :)
   {no need to wrap any more treasures my boy, that is the best gift ever!}

family vacation

We took a few days off to relax with the family last week. I think this might have been our first solo trip, just us and our not so little family. We've gone on plenty of excursions but they usually involve friends and/or family. This one probably would have been the same if we had planned ahead far enough to find someone that it suited to join us. But we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves the way it turned out.

We spent most of our time soaking up the sun and digging in the sand, with an occasional game of "chicken" with the waves rolling in. We dug holes, big holes, refilled buckets with water, washed off sandy hands, distributed snacks, washed off sandy hands, rescued washed up jelly fish, slathered lotion, collected treasures, washed off sandy hands.....

Kite Flying Fun

  There was no agenda, no schedule, and it was grand! I tried to plan simple meals that we could throw on the grill so that it was a vacation for me too. It often seems like vacation is when Mom works twice as hard so everyone else can have fun but I really tried to avoid that this time.  I think it worked at least some of the time. We're getting to a stage where everyone can help too, that sure makes a difference.
The last time our family was at the beach at least one or two of the people had to be carried as well as all the gear. Daddy ended up making two trips back and forth to the van to get everything unloaded and reloaded. This year, we arrived at the beach and divvied out the gear. Even the little girl could help carry sand toys. As we headed toward the boardwalk the first day Garry looked at me and said, "is this all that's left for me to carry?" I've noticed it over and over this summer, we are suddenly in a different stage then we had been for the past 12 years. It's bittersweet this "everybody's independent" stuff but for the purposes of relaxing vacation it leans more heavily to the sweet side.

These two thought they were way cool to be taking off around the neighborhood on bikes. For those of us with issues keeping 2 wheeled objects balanced there was plenty of puzzles, books, coloring, games etc. to fill our "had enough sun" hours. It's funny how simple things, like coloring, are just so much more exciting when Mom and Dad join in. We taught the kids how to play Dutch Blitz (youth group flashback alert!) and Scrabble. One boy even said, "I don't know if I wanna have a movie night if we can play games instead." Music to my Mama ears! Another sign that times are changing, we're moving on from games of chance and color to games that the adults actually enjoy (rather than endure.) There is NO bitter in that, it's all SWEET!

It was a lovely few days of just being with my sun kissed babies! (Shh! don't tell them I called 'em that.) Of course our family vacations are never complete without a photo shoot attempt, but this post is long enough and has taken me way to long already so we'll save that for next time...

summer-y things

first month of summer vacation is almost gone. already! that was quick.

a couple of weeks ago the big boy and his dad took a weekend mission trip to do storm cleanup in New York City. kinda (just a mite bit) proud of the boy for workin' so hard to help out strangers. but I have made an executive decision. next time he asks to help clean up a natural disaster, I'm sending the boy to his ROOM.

3+ hours and a 50 gallon trash can full later...it's lookin' pretty good in there. thanks Mom! {I was a little worried that he'd be upset when he discovered how much stuff I got rid of but those were his exact words...thanks Mom, you're the best! I'll take it!!}

my feeble but generally successful attempt at making life fun while Daddy and big bro were gone. sleepover in the living room.

a couple of fun days makin' a splash in the pool.

 goggles are a must. for fashion purposes of course, even if one has NO intentions of putting their head under water.

 

somebody was way too brave about this water stuff. really girly, lets pretend you're still my baby for a couple more weeks years.

we even got to take Daddy along for one afternoon. everything is more fun when Daddy comes too!

grill season is in full swing and I am loving it. a little fresh basil from the  back yard doesn't hurt either.

and just to remind me that simpler really is better. and in keeping with our super cool sandwich theme, it's make your own peanut butter sandwich day. more exciting than you know folks!

gettin' our [little bit o] patriotic on. fireworks. sparklers. friends. glow sticks.

good times!

happy 4th to you and yours!

we'll be spending ours at home as a fam. a little relaxin'. a little grillin'. 

a lot of good memories!

You?