"Sledding"

Kevin and I were wishing this afternoon that we had sleds for the boys. I just figured I grab some next time I went out, but Kevin was more creative! He pulled our plastic swimming pool down out of the attic and attached it to his bicycle with a bungy chord. He pulled them all around the neighborhood in their swimming pool! They laughed and laughed, and Kevin had them slipping and sliding all over the place. What a blast!

Stuck!

I ventured out to Wal-Mart in the ice and snow to get some groceries this afternoon while Kevin was home with the boys. I got stuck in the snow and had to rely on the kindness of strangers to help me out. But it's not what you're thinking. I didn't get my CAR stuck, I got my GROCERY CART stuck! The snow hadn't been shoveled in the parking lot, and there were a few inches of chunky ice and snow all over. I had my cart very overloaded, and I couldn't push it through the parking lot! I tried and tried - I pushed and pulled (while slipping all over the ice) - but I couldn't move it more than a couple of inches before getting stuck again. I must have been quite a sight. A big burly man came and practically lifted my cart using only the effort in his pinky finger and brought it to my car. I'm so thankful for his kindness and SO EMBARRASSED by my wimpiness! (My neck still hurts from straining so hard :-))

Fun in the Snow

Just three short hours ago, Carter was feeling sick. Now he already seems to be all better! It was the same way when Bryson was sick on Sunday, so whatever this illness is, I'm so glad it doesn't last long. :-) Carter woke up from his nap just after 9 and said, "I feel all better! My nap took my sick away!"

Carter & Bryson have been asking to play out in the snow since Monday, so this morning when Carter started feeling better, we bundled up and went out. The boys had a great time. Bryson mowed the snow and Carter & I had a snowball fight. Then we decided to take a little walk and look at all the snow. The boys rode their gator, and I ran alongside them. The duck pond was covered in a thin layer of ice and looked so beautiful. We saw lots of other kids playing outside too, obviously enjoying this 2nd snow day!

Poor Baby

On Sunday afternoon, Bryson woke up from his nap with a tummy ache. He got sick twice that evening, then seemed to feel so much better. Monday and Tuesday were good days for everyone, but this morning Carter woke up with a hurting tummy. He's been sick this morning, and he's zapped. He curled into a little ball and fell asleep on the toy room floor at 8:30 am. For a guy that almost never naps, he must be awfully worn out. Pray for my little man; I'm hoping his sickness will be over as quickly as Bryson's.

Snow Day

Yesterday around noon, it started to sleet. Today, it's 25 degrees and still sleeting. Our plans for yesterday evening and all day today have been cancelled, and we're staying warm and safe at home. We've had lots of fun doing arts & crafts, reading, and playing games together. When Kevin came home (he went to the hospital this morning to round on his patients), he decided to strap a rocket to the boys' toy boat and see how far he could blast it down the driveway. The kids (all 3!) had so much fun, even though the launch wasn't entirely successful. Tonight we plan on watching our new Disney movie all cuddled together on the couch with a big bowl of popcorn and warm mugs (& sippy cups) of hot chocolate. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Locked In!

On Saturday, our friends Robert & Jenny & their daughter, Sierra, came over for dinner. Sierra is 12, but since she has a little brother, she is so good about playing with the boys. After dinner, the 3 of them disappeared upstairs while we sat and visited with Robert & Jenny. After some time Carter came down and whispered in my ear, "Mommy, I have a secret." "What?" I asked, also whispering. Cupping his hand over his mouth, he continued, "We locked Sierra in the closet WITH MEASURING TAPES!!!" This last part was loud enough for everyone to hear, and we all laughed, knowing that Sierra loves to play silly games, joke, and rough-house with the boys. This picture shows how they used measuring tapes to lock up their friend! (Don't feel too sorry for her - She was very comfortable inside, laying down and texting her girlfriends!)

Aquarium

This morning our Mommy & Me group went to the aquarium. We had a great time looking at fish, petting the sting rays, feeding the turtles, and watching the beavers and otters enjoy feeding time. The boys love going any time, but it was even more fun with friends.

Mom

Today is my mom's "39th" birthday, and I'm missing her. I wish we lived close enough to spend these special days together. I would love to take her to dinner and catch a movie together to celebrate her day; she's an incredible woman. I'm praying that my parents' house will sell and they'll be living here before my dad's next 39th birthday in September. :-) Happy Birthday, Mom! I love you so much!

If you are reading this, I know you're a friend, and I need you to pray for my mom. She has a hole in her retina and needs surgery to correct it. The recovery is yucky with an entire week of laying face down, and there is only some chance that the surgery will correct her vision. Please believe and pray with me that God will guide the physician as he performs the surgery, that it will go smoothly, and that my mom's recovery will be complete. Our God is an awesome God, and as creator of all, I know He does not stumble on our mountains.

Sports

The gym where Bryson goes for gymnastics offers an introduction to sports for older kids, so we enrolled Carter for the spring semester. Yesterday was his first day, and he LOVED it! First they sat in a group and told their names & ages and got to show off how fast they could run around the circle while everyone clapped; it was so cute. :-) It wasn't looking so good after that when they were asked to bounce and catch balls, and Carter kept bouncing his right into his face. Then it was off to the balance beam, the rock wall, and the uneven bars. Carter shined, and was practically running circles around the gym trying to do everything as many times as he could before class was over. The teacher said he did an "excellent" job, and Carter was so proud of his compliment. Next week, they learn to play hockey! Carter is just beside himself with excitement and can hardly wait to go back. What fun!

Tiny Coats & Hockey Games

Kevin's office staff was given corporate tickets to a hockey game last night, so we had dinner out and watched the game as our date night this week. We had wanted to take the boys (I think Carter would have loved it!), but it didn't start until bedtime, so it was just us and the ladies from the office with their families. I enjoyed it much more than I thought I would. It was actually really fun to watch (even though the home team lost!). Poor Kevin wasn't feeling well, so we didn't stay for the last period. Along with his yucky cold and his tired body, he had forgotten his coat. The temperature hovered in the teens all day yesterday, and he didn't bring his coat to work! When I met him at his office with his change of clothes, he asked, "Where's my coat?" "Where IS your coat?", I asked, "It was 15 degrees when you left this morning. I assumed you had it!" So, there's poor already sick Kevin, walking 3 blocks in the way below freezing temperatures with no coat to sit in the cold ice rink. Good thing they were selling hot chocolate! (This picture is of Kevin trying to squeeze into Bryson's tiny coat, which was left in the truck :-)!)

Chuck E. Mouse's House

Chuck E. Cheese is very nearby, and we often pass it as we run errands around town. Whenever Bryson sees it, he excitedly yells, "Chuck E. Mouse! Can we go to Chuck E. Mouse's house?" I love that he still calls it Chuck E. Mouse, and I find myself encouraging him by saying it too. He's outgrown almost all of his other baby words like calling firetrucks "firewheels"and all animals "kitty", so I like that he still has this one word that he says with his own special twist.

Today we finished up our errands early, so I gave in to a trip to Chuck E. Cheese. Chuck E. himself came out and walked around, greeting all the children. When Bryson saw him, he literally ran the distance of the restaurant with his arms open wide, screaming, "Chuck E. Mouse!" When he finally reached him, he gave him a huge bear hug. It was the CUTEST thing!!! (I laughed later when a boy twice his age ran in the opposite direction because he was afraid of him!) I love life through little boys' eyes!!!

The Things We Say

Sometimes I catch myself saying the strangest things or laughing out loud at something Carter or Bryson says. Life with kids is never dull! Before I forget them, I wanted to journal these recent quotes...

Things I've said that I never thought I would:

• "Don't touch your brother's poop!"
• (Out in the yard) Kitties are little, so their poo-poo is little. This big poo-poo came from something much bigger than a kitty. (I'm wondering, do mothers of daughters find themselves talking about poo-poo as often as I do???)

Carter said:

• "Did you know a moth is the cousin to a butterfly?" (Where does he get this stuff???)


• We measured Carter before dinner. After dinner he said, "Wow. I ate A LOT! I bet I'm REALLY big now. Can you measure me again?"
• (After a really big hug that took all his might) Wow - I think I need to exercise before I can hug anymore. That made my arms TIRED!
• When I told Carter that someday he & Bryson could be daddies, his response was, "Wow! Won't that be crazy when there are 3 daddies living in our house?!"

Bryson said:

• (While playing peek-a-boo) "You can't see me!" Then opening his eyes, "Here I am! I was hiding behind my eyes!"


• (Giving Carter a big bear hug) "You're my best, best friend, Carter!"
• Bryson often refers to Carter as "my Carter".

Show Day

Today was "Show Day" at the gym where Bryson goes for gymnastics. He had such a good time showing off all the things he has learned this past semester. The kids jumped on the air jumper, did backward rolls with their teacher Miss Tammy, and had lots of time for free play. At the end of every class, the kids play with balls and bubbles. Bryson loves it when Miss Tammy blows the bubbles on his tummy! Today the kids earned a ribbon and a bag of cookies for their hard work this semester. Way to go, Bryson!!!

10 Years!

I can't believe it's been 10 years since I married my best friend! Yesterday was our anniversary, and Kevin made it so special for me. He hid 10 anniversary cards all around the house; some were sweet, and some were funny. In each one, he had written one of his favorite memories of our life together. What a sweet suprise! Last night, we went to dinner & a movie, and he spoiled me with a gift certificate to a day at the spa! Thanks, babe! I love you!!!

Children's Museum

Yesterday I took the boys to the children's museum. They love to go and play in all the different themed rooms there. They have a little city where everything is just their size, a glow room, an indoor playground, and so much more. They are already asking to go back!

Where Does Kevin Get That???

Kevin somehow talked us all into riding on our tummies down his parents' driveway on his old skateboard. All 4 of the kids and Kevin (maybe I should just say all 5 kids!) did it over and over again the first day we were there. On the 2nd day, he convinced everyone else to give it a try. This never would have happened at my parents' house! Here's a little window into "Where does Kevin get that???"

P.S. I love Kaelin in the picture behind me as I'm riding down the hill. She's my cheerleader!

Family Pictures

I wanted to include some pictures of the family at our Christmas celebration. The boys just adore their cousins, Kaelin & Logan. They always have such a good time when they get together. On this trip, they had an especially good time playing on Kaelin & Logan's swingset. As always, they also loved riding the tractors with PawPaw!

Family Christmas Part 2

On New Year's Day, the 4 of us drove to see Nana & Paw-Paw and Uncle Keith & his family. That night, we opened up Christmas presents and just enjoyed each other. Carter was so excited to get a "tow-a-ton tow truck", and Bryson just loves his new lawn mower! It was nice to visit with family, and the kids always have a blast when they get together with their cousins. I was especially proud of the boys for traveling so well this trip. They did such a good job on our long drive, and even slept well while we were there for 2 nights. For the first time ever after an overnight visit, I wasn't completely exhausted! I'm hoping this is the beginning of a new trend!