What a weekend!

I really don't think I could have squeezed one more thing in the weekend! It all started with Saturday morning and working on the basement project. I helped Allan with some odds and ends and then we started laying the laminate in the "bedroom". All was going well and then I had to stop for some M.E. time (Mom and Emma time). We packed up the van and stopped at the Wendy's drive thru. I really had hoped to have enough time for Mellow Mushroom, but I lost track of time while working with Allan (even with Emma asking if it was time leave, every hour, on the hour!). I gave Emma her choice of where to eat and she chose Wendy's. Not only that, but she requested that we eat in the car so we wouldn't be late for the baseball game (perhaps there's a little Allan in her?!). We had to be there early to meet the other Daisys in her troop and walk in a parade around the ballfield before the game. On the drive there, we noticed huge black clouds moving in our direction. As predicted, the rain fell on us as we were waiting to get our tickets. Luckily, it stopped before the game started and we made it through the whole game, including an exta inning, without any weather issues.

After the game, we went to our cars and got all of our camping gear. They gave the girls cookies, patches and a coupon for breakfast at McDonald's the next morning. We set up our tent with no issues, thanks to Allan's previous practice session with us! They showed "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" on the scoreboard, but it was not even close to being visible. Thankfully, nobody cared and we munched on cookies and played cards until it was time to turn out the lights (I am guessing this was around 1 am). Believe it or not, most of us had a hard time falling asleep. Just after we did, a large group of crows woke us up and it was time to pack up our gear and head home. Being the awesome camper that I am, I got everything packed back up and into Allan's backpack just like it was when we left home!

As a treat, we stopped at Krispy Kreme on the way home for some "hot now" breakfast. We took it home to share with the boys and everyone was happy!

As soon as the dishes were cleared, Allan cracked the whip and declared that all fun was over. Ha ha! Not really. I decided that we needed to take advantage of the full day ahead of us and work on the basement. We ended up laying the laminate in the bedroom and 5 tiles in the bathroom. We stopped at 5 tiles because the rest has to be cut and Allan is going to do that at work. By this time, I was ready to call it quits on working. We cleaned up, played a game a Canasta and had dinner.

It was an incredibly fun AND productive weekend! I loved spending M.E. time with Emma (something we rarely get to do) and really enjoyed working with Allan on the basement. I am fortunate to have a hubby who knows how to do everything AND kids who know how to play on their own for hours at a time!

Looking Back

I can't believe that four years have passed already since Jack entered our lives. What an incredible addition he has been to our family. I thought it might be fun to look back at his previous birthdays as well as a "pre-Jack" moment.

Happy Birthday, Jack! We love you so!

Jack's Big Day

The big day FINALLY came and Jack was able to celebrate his 4th birthday! Hooray! Jack woke up to find birthday banners and presents in the kitchen. Being the awesome 4 year-old that he is, he didn't fuss about having to wait to open the gifts until Daddy got home from work. He then started his day by baking triple berry muffins for breakfast. We even put his on a heart plate and lit a candle for him to blow out. While the muffins were baking, Jack decided to get in the robot mood and turn himself into one using bowls. ????? He always has been a little different. ;)

After breakfast, we all got suited up and headed for swim practice which starts at 10:00. We played in our pool until noon and then met our friends, Juliette, Giovanna and Nathan for lunch and more swimming at their pool. It was fun being with friends and checking out a different pool. By 3:30, we decided that we had enough sun and it was time to get home and decorate the ROBOT cake.

I still don't know what prompted the desire for a robot cake, but after asking for several months and still getting the same answer, a robot cake was what we made! We stopped at the drug store the day before and picked up all different kinds of candy to transform the cake into a robot. The cake flavor of choice was Devil's Food (hmmm......what's in a name?). I made the frosting, slathered it on and the kids put the candies in place. The cake was decorated just in time for Daddy's arrival home from work.

Jack chose a dinner of spaghetti and meatballs, so all was good there. I was happy he chose something quick since we didn't have much time after the pool and cake decorating adventures. Jack opened gifts while dinner was cooking and was especially happy with his panda Webkins, Legos and flashlight. The skates from Mom and Dad were not a big hit with Jack - they were however, with Emma.

It was so nice outside that we ate on the deck and started making his Lego car that he just got. I think he had a very nice day. While I was going to the bathroom after dinner, Jack came in and announced "the birthday boy is sad". I asked, "why?!". He replied, "because it is nighttime and my birthday is going to be over".

Happy Birthday, Jack!

Will's Adventures, by Will

ME!

I went camping and saw... Old man's cave,Devil's bathtub and a snake!

Luckily it did NOT bite us.

We went to rock cabin.

IT WAS FUN!!!!

Occasionally on the trails there was a KID EATING HOLE!!!

Spring Break 2009

The WEJ with Deepo

Grumpy Jack

Will with the fish

Havin' fun watching Deepo

Fish tacos at the Cheesecake Factory - yum-o!

As a spur of the moment decision, Nana and Mary Jo traveled down to NC to see us and we took off for an overnight adventure in Atlanta. We visited the American Girl Place and the Georgia Aquarium. We had lots of fun and lots of laughs (especially in the hotel room after lights out). Our kids are so lucky to have such active and fun grandmas in their lives! We are so fortunate to have Mary Jo with us after surviving the Titanic. Thank you Nana and Mary Jo for a super-fun trip. 

Easter 2009

Trying to play catch up........

Easter was especially beautiful this year.  I don't know why.  Maybe it was because Will was making his First Communion and we were more "involved" in the preparations. Maybe it was because I was teaching Faith Formation and I was more involved in the the spiritual meaning. Maybe the mass was more meaningful this year.  Whatever the reason, it was just a beautiful day in all aspects of the word. 

Jack participated in an egg hunt at school, we decorated eggs for the bunny to hide and we were up at the crack of dawn thanks to Jack to find everything that the bunny had hid for us.  Jack actually woke up around 5:30 or so to go to the bathroom.  He came downstairs and woke up Allan for assistance.  Allan told him to go right back up to bed.  On his way up, he discovered that the bunny had left jellybeans on the steps leading up to their rooms.  He brought one to Allan and asked him what it was. Allan explained that it was a jellybean left by the bunny.  He instructed him to go back to bed and not to wake up his brother and sister.  Jack said OK and quietly proceeded up the steps.  When he reached the top, we could hear him yell "Will and Emma, the Easter Bunny came!".  It was all over from that point on. Cameras ready! The hunt was on! 

We spent the day eating candy, going to church, eating candy, visiting wonderful friends for an egg hunt and wine, eating more candy and then finally hitting the bed only to lie awake due to a sugar buzz.  It was a beautiful day! 

Spring Fishing

Studly fisherman

Future fisherman

Emma finds joy in holding the minnows - bleck!

Will caught one!

As an elective for Cub Scouts, we spent the day fishing at a friend's cabin.  It was a lovely day and the kids all had a ball. The fish were supposed to be biting because of the timing (early April), but they weren't.  Evidently, there had been too much rain (yes, here in the land of drought!).  Nonetheless, a few fish were caught, minnows were held and lots of snacks were eaten.  We ended the day with a yummy BBQ and promises to do more fishing in the summertime.