Sunday, April 24, 2011

Easter week

We have had a full week of fun times and good friends...

First, there is Playschool. Sam goes to the high school twice a week for the home-ec class child care program. He loves it - gets to see many of his friends and is the oldest in the group, which has made a world of difference
from last year!
Anyway, there seems to be an established routine already for after class that consists of the 3-4 year olds running around the high school yard and then climbing into my car for a back seat "party"?!
One of the benefits of this program is that Sam has become very prolific in his artwork lately:
... and he has learned a new song.


When we weren't at the high school last week, we were at the elementary school helping Hamp's class color eggs for Easter! We did this, and it turned out pretty cool:
All ready for the weekend, we were fortunate enough to have dinner with some very dear (and very fun!) friends Friday night, but the real event was Saturday night when we went with "the girls" to see the high school drama production of Grease!
Don't they all look ready for a night at the theater?!

Finally, Sunday arrived and Hamp was, as always up bright and early (6:30 am?!) with an announcement that the Easter Bunny had indeed visited our house over the night!
Not only did E.B. leave a hand written note, nibble on some carrots, leave some fun items in their baskets and hide dozens of candy-filled eggs all over the house... but he even left a little something for me! yum...
The boys' favorite: the sport outfits - shorts and tops!
Expect to see them in these ALL summer long... it was difficult enough just getting them to take them off for bathtime!
Here's to another week full of little adventures, with many new songs, crafts, play dates, and friends!

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

three years

This has always been one of my favorite pictures:
Spring 2008

Spring 2011

After watching the boys play soccer together in the back yard one afternoon this week, I just had to see if I could capture another moment of these two boys, brothers smiling for the camera before taking off again on another adventure together!
I could stare at these two little faces all day - sometimes it seems like they haven't changed at all... and sometimes I see them grow in right in front of my eyes!
Can't wait to see what adventures they'll be having in another three years.

Monday, April 18, 2011

homebodies

The past week/weekend has been simple - no major adventures... just the usual springtime routine of sweeping dirty floors, raking winter-worn leaves and branches aside, inaugural bike rides if the weather is nice... or even if it's too cold and rainy!
We have visited with friends and hung out as a family all weekend and it's been so nice to just rest and be home. Some of the home activities definitely have included playing with the new toy, crossword puzzles, the re-reading of Harry Potter #7 in anticipation of the final movie this summer, playmobil adventures, lego adventures, hotwheel adventures (you get the idea!), and of course some good home baking (cookies and cake!).

(Speaking of baking - a Big 30th Birthday shout out to my sweet sister-in-law! Happy Birthday, Jei and may all your baking adventures be successful!)

Anyway, there are no photos to document the non-momentous occasion of hanging out at home, however I did get this shot of Sam today sneaking a bite of cake! In his pajamas no less (it was after noon).

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

perplexus

Oh my goodness... we have a new toy!

Yes, I realize that we are a family of dorks. We've known that for a long time now. But that aside, we are all obsessed with this new gadget:

(check out the video at the bottom of the page - it gives you a better idea of how it works!)

I would like to say that just the boys fight over whose turn it is, but I can't exclude myself and Jason from that statement!

Anyway, just thought I would share what kind of "adventure" we're having this week!!!

Saturday, April 9, 2011

school days

One of the big benefits of being a stay-at-home mom is having time to volunteer in Hamp's class! I love seeing the dynamic of his classmates and his learning in action!
Even better is that Sam's personality is such that he can tag along with me and fit right into the classroom atmosphere with little disruption - he either plays computer games quietly in the corner, or participates with a little guidance from big brother:
This week Sam and I got called in to help with a creative project for the 1st graders - as a fun activity for the end of their geology lesson, the kids went on a rock hunt and then created "pet rocks". I was the paint/hot glue gun maven who helped them all produce this mass of clever creations:
To top things off, Friday was "college day" at Meeker Elementary School so everyone was encouraged to wear gear from their favorite school or better yet, alma mater...
Go 'Noles!

(hey, I write this blog, I can cheer for who I want!)

Thursday, April 7, 2011

yoga lesson

Here's the lesson:

Do not attempt yoga at home when your 7-year old and 4-year old are feeling silly and are interested in what you are doing. You end up being a bridge instead of doing "the bridge":
Then, Sam will try to teach you how to do this pose:
Very helpful... !

Sunday, April 3, 2011

lucky

My grandfather once said that in terms of special gifts he believed that my father was "lucky" and that I was "smart". But I think he may have gotten those mixed up - considering how my father is indeed very smart and how I find more and more just how lucky I am!


The presence of good fortune is not wasted on me...
and in our family adventures over Spring Break 2011
I came to realize just how far my good fortune spreads:

Why I am Lucky
to have great friends who not only include us on a great deal for a week
in Las Vegas but then are easy, fun, patient, funny and just the right
people to stand with for hours in a casino and people watch!

to be so in love with the person with whom I spend all my time -
and to have my best times of all when I am with him

to have just enough sense not to lose a ton of money in Las Vegas -
but not enough "luck" to win a ton of money either!

to have a mother who will tempt the airline karma gods and fly out
to spend five long, action-packed yet activity-sparse,
snow-covered and chilly days with the boys

to have a mother that despite weather and travel and waning energy
levels will cherish every minute of being with my children

to have a mother - considering a couple instances recently of women
in their 60s suffering from sudden heart failure, I find that today
I am lucky to have my parents and my parents-in-law still
here and happy and healthy

to come home to the two most beautiful, funny, weird, thoughtful,
sweet and innocent children I could ever hope for.

Oh, how I missed them while I was gone...