Monday, June 29, 2009

What can you get for $2?

Last week my neighbors were away and we took care of their dog and their two cats. To Kyle's surprise, he was paid $10 for his laborious duties. We told him he could keep $2 to spend and the rest he had to save and put in his car bank. So, off to Target we went. What can you get for $2? You're probably thinking, not much. But in a 3 year old's eyes, there was plenty to choose from. Of course when we hit the toy aisle we went straight for the $20 items (a boy after my own heart). Anyway, he came away very happily with a brand new matchbox car. He paid the cashier his $2 and was so excited to get his car and a receipt! So cute. He had $0.96 to spare, so off to the grocery store we went and picked out a candy bar. How excited was he that it was his candy bar and he could eat the whole thing if he wanted to. Unfortunately, yesterday it was stinkin' hot here and it completely melted before we even got home. So, we stuck it in the freezer and he got to eat it today! Yummmm!



So, if you happen to have a spare $2, you can get yourself a new matchbox car and candy bar with a penny to spare :)

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Monday, June 22, 2009

Catching Up Again

So, what's new besides me totally neglecting this blog? I think part of it is that I haven't picked up my camera much lately. Despite being buried in my dining room amongst the entire contents of my kitchen during our kitchen renovation that started last week, I did mangage to take a few shots. Maybe I've got a new wind to keep me going.

Last week Rick and I met some old friends down in Key West for a long weekend. We flew into Fort Lauderdale and rented a convertible and drove down to the Keys. Convertibles are great for around town, but when you hit 70 or 80 on the highway....not so much fun (at least when you're sitting in the back). Of all people, I should have known better since I used to own one. Anyway, on our way down we stopped and had a nice lunch in Islamorada and then stopped later on to indulge ourselves in some fried key lime pie. Yes, fried key lime pie....pure heaven. When we got to our resort, we hit the beach as we did most days. Nights were spent bar-hopping on Duval. We did sneak in a waverunner tour and also a kayak tour which were both lots of fun. All in all it was a great trip! Here are some pics.





And here we are in the smallest bar....



While we were gone, Grammy and Papa took care of the two little monsters. They had a blast, both the kids and the grandparents. Our kids were in heaven. They know Grammy and Papa always bring surprises (as do Nana and G-daddy) and let them eat lots of junk when Mommy isn't watching! We were at the grocery store the other day and Kyle asked if he could have doughnuts (I pretty much never buy doughnuts). Being the mean mom I am, I said no. His response was, "Papa lets me." We had the same conversation when we hit the checkout and he wanted a candy bar. Even Ryan got in on the action because he apparently had cookies for breakfast. Oh well, nothing that couldn't be reversed when mean old Mommy and Daddy returned. We sent the kids to JA (Juiceaholics Anonymous) and they seem to be recovering well. Speaking of surprises, this is Grammy and Papa's latest, which brings us to this week's 29 Weeks to Go:My kids and I.



Forget the kitchen renovation, we need a playroom addition! It's actually very cute and the kids love it. Kyle even brought his pillow down and took a "nap" in there. Thanks Grammy and Papa for letting us get away. A teepee is a small price to pay :)

As for the kids, they seem to be growing up way too fast. Kyle finished his first year of preschool. He had such a great year, learning more than I had ever imagined. He can't wait to go back. Towards the end of July he'll be going back for a week of dinosaur camp. So, that should be lots of fun for him. We're also getting ready to start swim lessons at the beginning of July. If you remember last year, they didn't go so well. He just wasn't ready. This year I think he's more than ready! He's a total fish in the water. Check out Mr. Fearless in our neighbor's pool.



His little brother isn't far behind. I'm amazed at how well Ryan does in the water. He'll just float there with his swimmies and his vest like he's one of the big kids. Speaking of big kids, Ryan has officially entered toddlerhood. Last week I put him in timeout for the first time for throwing and hitting. He basically fake cried the first time because he thought that's what he was supposed to do after watching his older brother go through this many times. By the second time he was actually not too happy about it, so hopefully this will work for him. He definitely knows how to push his older brother's buttons and mine too :)

As you know, Father's Day was this past weekend. Did you know it was Mother's Day too? And also my birthday? And also Kyle's Day? It started with my birthday. Kyle knew how happy I got when he told me Happy Birthday that he started wishing me Happy Birthday every night after I'd turn out the lights. I'd say I love you and he'd say I love you too and Happy Birthday. Then along came Mother's Day. Again, he knew how happy I was when he wished me Happy Mother's Day that it was now my birthday and Mother's Day everynight, as it should be ;) Knowing that Father's Day was coming, Daddy was wished Happy Father's Day every night for the last week. I expect that will continue. The other night we said our I love yous and our happy days and then he said, "Mommy, you need to wish me Happy Kyle's Day." And of course I did just that! How great is it to be appreciated every day instead of just one day a year. I just think it's so sweet everytime I hear it! And just so he knows how much he's loved and appreciated because he really is a good kid, I'll wish him Happy Kyle's Day everyday too.

As for excitement around here, nothing is better than having two little boys and having your street paved. That means steam rollers, diggers and dump trucks right outside your door. It just doesn't get any better than that. We sat out on the front steps and watched as they paved our street the other week. They thought that was the greatest thing. Kyle even got to check one out up, close, and personal!



And to finish up the events of the past couple of weeks, tonight, Ryan decided to see how hot the grill really was. Just as I screamed NOOOOOOO he placed his poor little hand on the side of the grill. My poor baby. He just cried and cried and cried. Luckily it wasn't bad enough to blister, but it definitely hurts. He kept holding his hand and saying ouchies. Nothing like a moment like that to break a mother's heart (Daddy's too). At least the evening ended on a high note. After Ryan went to bed, we went outside and Kyle got to catch his first lightening bug. No, we didn't catch them in a tupperware container and poke useless holes in it only for them to end up dead the next morning. We just caught them in our hands and then let them go on their merry way! He was so excited.

I guess that about sums it up for now. Here are some extra pics since I've been so slack the last couple of weeks :)

Just chillin.....



Our maddest face.....

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Sunday, June 21, 2009

Happy Father's Day 2009

We are very lucky to have two wonderful fathers to share this day with. They both do so much for us and we'd like them to know how special they are to us! And of course Kyle and Ryan would like to wish their Daddy a Happy Father's Day! We had a great day today. We took Daddy out to brunch this morning. Here we all are...fat and happy (it was a buffet)!



We can't have a Father's Day without a picture of just the boys and their Daddy, so here it is.



We then spent a little family time splashing around in our neighbor's pool this afternoon. The boys love it when Daddy goes swimming, it's usually just me.



And of course we gave Daddy some time to work on his Jeep. It is actually almost done. Just a few little odds and ends and it will officially be road worthy. Yippee!

We finished off the day with a yummy surprise for Daddy. Someone was very proud of the cake he helped decorate. We're lucky some of the m&ms actually made it onto the cake.



We hope you had a great day. Happy Father's Day!

(And yes, an update is coming soon.)

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Thursday, May 21, 2009

Let's Catch Up

Here it is. The long awaited post. I guess I took a blogging vacation. Yes, Mother's Day was over 2 weeks ago! We did have a good Mother's Day here. It was nice to spend the day just doing stuff together and Rick tried to take the load off of me for the entire day which was much appreciated.

So, let's catch up.....

It seems like Ryan is growing up over night. He's been upping his vocabulary all of a sudden, despite having a 3 1/2 year old personal spokesman. I do have a couple of favorites. "Truck" is one. This he says with a lot of spit, but it's definitely his version of truck and no truck goes by without him letting us know. "Oh no" is another. This he says with the most concerned look on his face. Too cute! "oh maaaaaaan" is probably my most favorite. We all know who he got that one from. He seems to use this most when he gets his hands dirty and is wanting a napkin. I guess this proves he is my child. If you eat dinner with me often, say like my husband, you might notice that I tend to use a lot of napkins. Oh well, there are worse habits :) Ryan has now graduated to a fork and spoon as well. As you can see, we're still working on the spoon a bit!



Ryan has been doing great on his Gluten-free-free diet :) He's pretty much able to eat anything now, he just doesn't want it! He's at that picky eater stage, so if you set something new in front of him, he does this great move where he presses his back against his high chair and turns his head to the side to get as far away from the food as possible! Won't touch it. Seriously, this kid has no idea what he's missing. I'm talking food with flavor here! Oh well, I'm pretty sure we'll outgrow this sooner than later. He also decided recently, that milk just sucks! I've tried it in a bottle, in a sippy cup, and in a straw cup. I've tried it warm, cold, room temperature.....nothing. I've even tried chocolate milk....no dice. He actually spits it out when he realizes it's milk. What the heck? Yogurt is the only dairy I can get him to eat or drink. Did I mention the kid hates cheese too. So, it's a good thing they make drinkable yogurt now, at least I can switch it up a little :)

Ryan's new thing lately is trying on shoes. Not his own, always someone elses. He loves to clunk around in my flip-flops and these boats.



As for Kyle, he's been playing soccer after school once a week for the last couple of weeks. He absolutely loves it! So, I signed him up for a session over the summer too, so that Daddy can take him. Maybe he'll have his little soccer star afterall.



I gave the kids some watermelon the other day. Ryan actually ate this because it falls into the fruit category. Both boys love fruit. Kyle use to choose fruit over a cookie, but he's since wised up and realized he can have both :) When we were done, I pretty much had to hose them down along with the deck! Sticky, sticky, sticky!





The jeep has made some significant progress over the last few weeks. It is now driveable, well, at least in the neighborhood anyway. Still needs some tweaking, but way to go Rick! Kyle thinks this is the best thing in the world. He did get a ride up the driveway, so that was pretty cool.

Rick's Grandfather passed away last week. We're so sad to lose such a special man, but we know he's in a good place now. Hopefully he's up there doing what he loves, fishing for the big one! We also celebrated Memorial Day last week, which is fitting, since Rick's Grandfather was a WWII veteran. He was a member of the U.S. Army's 9th Armored Division and the 52nd Armored Infantry and had earned some very distinguished medals during his duty, including a purple heart. He had said long ago that he wanted Rick to have these, so we are now honored to have these in our posession. We love you Grandpa (and Great-Grandpa). We will miss you!

Nana and G-daddy came for a short visit last week on their way to and from Florida to take care of things for Rick's Grandfather. It was nice to see them, despite the circumstances. The kids loved having them here, as did we.



Ok, so I don't even know how many weeks are left since I've been MIA for a few weeks. So, here's the pic of my kids and I + one and the back of the dog :) I'll figure out where we are next week!



Phew....I'll try to keep up this time!

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Sunday, May 10, 2009

Happy Mother's Day!

This is for the 2 special moms in our lives that we love so very much! Happy Mother's Day!

WHAT IS A MOTHER?
by Katherine Nelson Davis

A mother is someone to shelter and guide us,
To love us, whatever we do,
With a warm understanding and infinite patience,
And wonderful gentleness, too.
How often a mother means swift reassurance
In soothing our small, childish fears,
How tenderly mothers watch over their children
And treasure them all through the years!
The heart of a mother is full of forgiveness
For any mistake, big or small,
And generous always in helping her family
Whose needs she has placed above all.
A mother can utter a word of compassion
And make all our cares fall away,
She can brighten a home with the sound of her laughter
And make life delightful and gay.
A mother possesses incredible wisdom
And wonderful insight and skill -
In each human heart is that one special corner
Which only a mother can fill!

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Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Gentlemen...start your engines!

Ok, how about your Mario Karts :) Kyle and Daddy broke out the Wii before bedtime tonight. Do you know that the person probably most excited about this ended up being Ryan! He sat right down next to Daddy and was cheering them on, having the best time. I took Ryan up to put his jammies on and afterwards he immediately wanted to go downstairs and finish watching the race. He sat his little butt right back next to Daddy. Here they are....the three musketeers!



On a side note, today was Day 2 of reintroducing gluten to Ryan's diet. The wheat product of choice was none other than every kid's staple snack food....Goldfish. He liked them, he didn't devour them like I thought he would, but he liked them. Here is happily eating them with his lunch. Let's hope he stays that way!



And of course, we can't forget about Kyle. We were at a recent trip to the grocery store and I asked him which yogurt he wanted and he begged me to get these squeezable cup things. No spoon involved. I don't know if someone at school had them or he saw them on TV. So, against my better judgement I bought them. This is why yogurt is meant to be eaten with a spoon.



I was going to pack these in his lunch for school, but I think we'll just save these for home :)

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Monday, May 4, 2009

Town Day

This weekend we took the kids to Town Day. They have a bunch of activities, rides, and things for the kids to do. Even Ryan found a ride just his size.



Kyle of course couldn't wait to get into the bounce house and go down the giant slide. There is nothing better than a bounce house in a 3 year old's eyes! I think he would bounce until he passed out if we would let him. They also got to see inside a fire truck, which is always a thrill for them. So, here's our 35 weeks to go: My kids and I....



After working up an appetite, we got some lunch. Here's Daddy and Kyle finishing off the funnel cake and a few grapes (the only healthy thing we had all day).



Then we headed home. We didn't make it too far before they both zonked out in the back seat!



It was a fun afternoon!

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