April 16, 2011...Easter Egg Bunny

Today we paid a visit to (as Nate calls him), the "Easter Egg Bunny".  I was glad both boys were cooperative and we didn't have any scare issues like previous years.  Luckily the photo I paid for was much cuter than these.  But it was still a good time with great friends.  

April 8, 2011...Mmmmm, Brownies!

There's something so comforting and cozy about letting the boys whip up a batch of brownies or cookies on a whim.  Not only is it fun to make and eat, but it's something we can do together that makes us all SO happy.  Of course it's not Weight Watchers friendly, but it sure is good for the soul!

April 6, 2011...Planting Season

Dave has big plans for a giant garden this year.  He's been reading up on the whole process for months now.  Before winter, he turned over the soil with the tractor, as he learned to do, and has been hoarding seeds and planting accouterments all winter long.  The past few weeks/months he's been starting his plants to put in the garden.  Green peppers, corn, sunflowers, tomatoes, you name it...The boys got to help him plant this round and loved every second of it.  It will be great to have home grown vegetables around this summer.  I hope to have plenty to eat and share!  

March 15, 2011...Swimming

Since dismantling Alex's toddler bed to put up the boys' bunk beds, his crib mattress has been in the living room.  The boys decided at this point to take the mattress and turn it into a pool.  They stripped down to skivvies/diapers and "jumped in".  Alex is even doing the crawl here.

March 14, 2011...$1, a punch balloon, and a dream

I gave Nate $1 at the Dollar Store the other day to spend on something he wanted and he bought himself a mardi gras chain necklace so he "could pretend he was a ghost".  He then insisted that his brother needed this three-pack of punch balloons and that "maybe he could share them with me?"  Of course.  Regardless of his ulterior motives, Nate and Alex had hours of fun with these silly things.  It was a dollar well spent!

March 13, 2011...Bunk Beds for Big Boys

 We got the boys bunk beds tonight.  Nate was all excited at the idea so we spent some time and effort making sure he really knew what that meant.  Sharing a bedroom with his brother.  Most likely sharing his brother's bedroom and making his firefighter bedroom into a playroom.  He still agreed so our Sunday project became putting together these bunkbeds while I cleaned out the two rooms.  I put all the toys in Nate's room and all the bedroom stuff in Alex's room.  Now they are officially bunked in together.  It doesn't make bedtime any easier (yet) but hopefully it will soon.  In the meantime they're stuff seems less messy so I'm happy!

March 3, 2011...Outdoor Shenanigans

Today was the first day in a while that it actually felt warm enough out to get the boys outside to play in the snow.  The sun was beautiful and the boys spent forever just scooting around on the ice that used to be our side yard.  I was so grateful to be able to get outside and let the boys blow some steam off.  What a gorgeous day!

March 1, 2011...Chuck E.

Today we met the Ciravola Clan at Chuck E. Cheese for some mid-afternoon fun.  For a small fee, we got lunch and hundreds of tokens for the 5 kids (and two Mothers!) to play games with.  The kids racked up their own piles of tickets and were able to cash them in at the end of the fun for some cool prizes.  It was literally hours of fun!

February 22, 2011...Recruits

February 21, 2011...Bowlin' for $

Ok, so we weren't bowling for dollars, but we did take the boys bowling for the first time today.  They grew tired of the whole idea halfway through the game, but we had fun anyway.  I won and Dave was beat by Alex, but I think we all had fun anyway.

February 17, 2011...Another First!

My first day home as a temporary Work-At-Home/Stay-At-Home-Mom (it's only for 3 weeks so don't get too excited!) had the boys and I meeting up with the Ciravolas for a new first!  Ice skating!  Alex and I went around 1.5 times while he kung fu gripped my hands, but he stayed upright and gave it a whirl so I'm very proud of him.  My fearless Bug didn't need me and while he rarely took his hands off the wall, he went out there guns blazing and gave it his best shot!  Nate was actually mad at himself because he "couldn't skate" right off the bat so I had to explain to him that it's a difficult skill that he needs to practice.  Hopefully that will be enough motivation for him to want to try again.  I was very proud of both my boys for giving it a shot!  They did fabulously for their first time in skates!

February 13, 2011...Big Shoes to Fill

Nate has a habit of putting his boots and pants in turnout gear position throughout the house to be ready when the fire alarm goes off.  He jumps into his pants/boots and is off and running to the latest call.  Well, the other day Alex got a hold of his positioned "fire gear" and decided to take it out for a spin.  Nate was none too happy and proceeded to chase Alex around the house yelling, "You!"  Alex was proud as a peacock though, saying, "Yook, me!  I bru-ver!"  It was adorable!  Classic case of Monkey See-Monkey Do!

February 9, 2011...Handy Helpers

The boys have become excellent helpers lately...they love to "help" wash the dishes so I let them (play in the water) whenever they ask.  Even if it means I'll be mopping my floor, counters, and cupboards when they're done.  And usually having to rewash their "clean" dishes but they have to start somewhere so I'm ok with that!  As long as they keep asking, I'll keep agreeing!  After all, practice makes perfect!

February 3, 2011...Simple Entertainment

Another Target find to keep the kids busy on a cold winter day...little capsules that dissolved in warm water and turned into animal shaped sponges...the kids loved these - sure they drove me nuts kicking around after bath time, but you can't beat the entertainment factor for a $1!  Plus I got to use them to as educational references when we went over animals and what sounds they make, what they eat, where they live, etc.  

January 24, 2011...Sleeping Angels

Five out of 7 nights a week, Alex will ask if he can lay down with Nate at bedtime.  Usually Nate doesn't want his brother crowding him in his space but there are times when he answers with an excited "Yes, Mom!  Alex can lay down with me!  C'mom Alex!"  Alex goes to sleep so easily when his brother lets him sleep with him.  It's a small bed so I always move Alex back to his own room once he's asleep, but they looked so peaceful sleeping together tonight I had to take a photo first. 

January 22, 2011...Homeward Bound

After a long fun-filled week of adventure, these two were pooped and caught up on some zzz's during our 9-hour ride home.  They were troopers as always, barely raising a stink while they sat there patiently through hours of traffic, weather, and distance.  My travel buddies.  *sigh*

January 14, 2011...Haircuts and one tired boy

 Today I'm posting two photos because neither one of them is of great quality (cell phone photos) but both tell a story of our day with few words needed.

  We all (Nate, Alex & I) got our hair cut today...the boys were getting pretty shaggy and mine was well overdue for some shape and style.  I can only pass the ponytail off as an "updo" for so long!  So my boys are looking cleaned up and quite handsome, and I'm feeling a little more human with my cute new do.

Once we got home, it was practically bedtime so we ate quick, took baths, and got ready for bed.  Alex was apparently so tired that he brought his blankie in the bath with him.  He may have fallen asleep right there but for that whole drowning thing. 

January 9, 2011...Love You Berry Much

Nate and Alex decided to eat their raspberries at lunch by placing one on each finger as is customary for olive eating around these parts.  I love watching their little brains work, explore, and live.

January 1, 2011...Brotherly Love

Nate and Alex decided they wanted to do a "sleepover" tonight (which means one sleeps with the other in their bedroom).  I obliged as a "last day of vacation" gesture (secretly knowing it helps BOTH of them go to sleep faster/easier if they sleep together!).   With minimal intervention, I was concerned when I heard silence after a very short period of time.  So, I went in to check on them and found this:

A true moment of peaceful slumber and brotherly love.  It makes my heart melt!  I tried to get all artsy in Photoshop with this photo but met more frustration than actual productivity so I gave up for tonight.  I figure it will give me some place to go up from here...practice makes perfect!  :)  

April 3, 2010

Dave headed down to camp on Friday night and the next morning we were supposed to join Tiffany and Brie for some Easter Festival fun before heading down to join him for an overnight.  That morning Nathaniel was up by 6:30, dressed within 15 minutes, and chomping at the bit to get going.  At 8:30 I went to look for him and found him sitting, buckled into his carseat, in the car waiting for me to be ready to leave.  The Easter festivities weren't supposed to start until 1:00 PM so I didn't see that happening.  I canceled on Tiff and Brie and got to throwing some stuff together for the trip.  I told Nathaniel he would have to wait but if he wanted to leave that badly, we'd hit the road.  He patiently sat in the car for almost an hour and a half while I threw stuff together and finished up some things so we could go.