Lego Land

We're gearing up for our summer trip to San Diego and Lego Land.

The boys and I must have played for hours the other day. Love it. I just wish they weren't so dang small! 

Play Ball!

Our friends the Howards gave us a little date night the other night in return for some things I made for their home. (love to barter!) They have three boys - Will (11), Ryan (9) and Ben (8) that are ALL awesome. When we drove up they were playing baseball and had the tee set up for practice hits, etc. Their generosity is nothing short of astounding. Not only did they love on our boys all night and feed them, they gave us a bucket of balls and a bat to bring home with us.  This is what I found upon waking up the next morning.

You gotta love a Dad who goes out of his way to make the perfect t-ball stand out of my new Ikea planter (ughhh) and a saw horse!  The love was shown and felt for sure.  They boys had so much fun hitting that morning. Blessed, that is what I am.

Skinz vs. Shirts

The boys and I went to Gramma's yesterday for some lovin' and haircuts. When we arrived we got a big surprise - UNCLE!  Hooray!  After the boys got their cuts we went to the park for some fun in the sun.

Before you go thinking I'm a bad mommy for Liam's shirtless hi-jinx... let me just say: one, he got water all over his shirt from the water fountain and two, it's all I can do to control that strong-willed child.

 He walks to the beat of his own drum.

 He pouts when he loses. "Awww...I'm not the winner!" Brother taught him this one.

He is a total delight and utterly hilarious.

Stop the Bleeding STAT!

We've been sick off and on since December 23rd. I'm officially OVER IT!  In the midst of everything, the boys have managed to stay cute and sweet (for the most part) and I have managed to keep my sanity - although it is slowly disappearing.

Through it all, Jude has managed to miss 4-5 days of school (thank you money just tossed out the window) and play all of 1 soccer game. Team name: Strikers. He loves it.

I'm grateful for Adam, family, friends and most of all God for pulling me through this. Oh yeah, and Legos and movies don't hurt either. Today we took a trip to the Library and checked out almost everything they had. Calgon... TAKE ME AWAY!

March - please bring sunny skies and healthy kiddos. Please?

As Promised...

Here are some moments captured from yesterday - snowpocolyps!

penny table hockey

we heart snow - we hate pneumonia!

if Jude can't go out...I'll bring the snow to him!

making "color bombs"

it was a fierce battle!

Liam finally decided to venture out without brother (his sidekick and hero)

Dad gave some much needed cuddles and love.

We forced Liam to eat fruit and he bit his lip or something. I think the orange looks a little worse for wear too!

it was pretty...but I'm glad it's melting away as I type this!

Pneumonia?

Being a Mom brings new things your way that you never thought you'd be dealing with. It has been so hard to see my little Jude so sick!  AND if I watch another kid show or movie I may just puke!  Today I tried new things with the boys like making our own crayons from broken bits, bringing the snow indoors to them and table hockey with legos and pennies. (I'll post those pics later!)

Here's a look at some things we did earlier this week during The Ice/Snow Storm of the century! Oh, and movies, movies, movies!  Last night we let Jude stay up late with us and we watched Prince Caspian (Chronicles of Narnia).  He was so sheepishly happy and smiley the whole time. He kept looking at me and grinning and then he'd say, "I'm a big boy." Wow, who knew a late night movie with the folks could bring a little sickie so much joy! PTL!

Memorable Moments

This is how the boys eat their apples:

This is where they'll go when "bored."

This is the sweetest letter ever typed by a 5 year old:

(it says things like: i love james, i love liam, liam is 2, my dad, high five... it's a framer)

This is what we've been working on this week:

(we didn't make this one, but we will make some like it with bookmark hearts)

Jude has been practicing drawing hearts, being a gentleman, being a great big brother, loving others well, getting well and learning that life isn't a contest - nor do you "always" win.

Liam has been silly as usual, practicing colors and shapes via puzzles, learning to dribble and ride his bike without Mommy, learning the consequences of bad choices and having a TON of fun with his brother (aka best friend and hero.)

Mommy and Daddy have been praising the Lord, focusing on marriage and family and enjoying the tar out of the world's most amazing boys. They teach us something new everyday. We are blessed beyond words.