Time Out

Hunter and Cole got in trouble last Saturday. So, it was off to Time-Out in the bedroom while Daddy calmed down. When I stepped into their room a little later, this is what I found. I had to grab the camera and snap a quick picture. The writing was done with Bendaroos - so those of you wondering if he's in bigger trouble - no, those came off just fine. But, it was such a sad scene and too precious to miss the photo opportunity.

For Grandma and Grandpa

This video was requested by Grandma - ENJOY!

5 YEARS OLD!

We've been celebrating Cole's birthday all week! On Sunday, I made cupcake ice cream cones - and I think they turned out great. Looked super cool with little effort!

On Tuesday, Cole got to have his birthday date with mommy and daddy. We've started a new tradition, parties on the "even" years and a date with mom and dad on the "odd" years. Daddy met us at Pirate Island and had a HUGE balloon for Cole. Luckily I got this photo quick - it was only seconds later that it came untied and floated up into the rafters. They tried to get it down for us - but only managed to pop it! Oh well. Cole was not even phased by it - he was so excited to be in such an amazing place. The staff did bring him a BUNCH of balloons and he was all smiles. He got to be the pirate for the evening, having dinner with us, the crew came and sang Happy Birthday to him, and then lots of arcade games after. It was a very fun date for the three of us. I love our "new" tradition. It isn't common to have 1 on 1 time with both parents.

Five Fabulous Facts about Cole:

1) He loves CUCUMBERS! He will eat them like an apple. I just peel it and then he gobbles it up.

2) He is a talker - and says the funniest things!

3) He will talk to strangers ANYWHERE and breaks the ice with his #1 comment, "I love chocolate, do you love chocolate?"

4) He can use up a roll of tape in a heartbeat! He is constantly creating and inventing things with any sized box, paper, markers, and some tape. Luckily, he got 4 rolls of tape for his birthday.

5) He is so polite and loving. I love hearing him say his spontaneous "thanks you's" and "I love you mommy" - and he does it often.

As I hugged him first thing on his birthday, I said, "Please stop growing, I think 5 is enough!" He replied, "But, can't you see that I'm growing?" Yes, I see it Cole. You are growing up and you continue to surprise and amaze me with your way of being you!

I LOVE YOU COLE!

Mother's Day

I got the cutest card from Hunter this year. I was going to scan it - but I'm too lazy. He filled in the blanks on a form letter - you can tell which parts he wrote.

My Mom is the most wonderful Mom in the whole world. My Mom has a pretty smile. I like to make her smile by lafing. She can do many things. I think she's best a jim (gym). My Mom is as pretty as a prll (pearl). My Mother is 6 feet tall. She weighs 3 pounds. My Mom's favorite food is cookis. Her favorite color is blue. All day long my mother plays. My favorite thing to do with my Mom is play. My mother is happy when I am nice. I wouldn't trade my Mom for aneething.
Happy Mother's Day!!!

I want to ride my bicycle!

"I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride my bike!" Can you hear the tune just by reading the words?

Today I got to ride 60 miles. A special thanks to my hubby for letting me take the time to do this feat! Today was my chance to learn about "fuel." I had never had an "energy" anything and this time, I prepared myself with gummies (Stingers are soooo yummy!) and even an energy bar thing - it was gross - but it must have worked. When I got home, I still felt fantastic and I think I could have ridden another 10-20 miles before hitting that "wall." I can't even tell you how many nightmares I had for the past few nights - knowing that I wanted to ride 60. It was a such a relief to do it and feel good. I think I can eat EVERYTHING in my pantry tonight. I'm famished! So, that little "century" that is creeping up on me SO FAST - I'm coming to get you!

The things they say

I often feel frustrated that I don't write in my journal very often - then I remind myself that I'm doing a blog! Here is where I've written down the fun things we do, the funny things the boys say and do, and it's a spot for me to write a little about our everyday lives. So here are couple of things I want to remember as they grow older...

Hunter
Today, I got to attend his first grade "pet zoo" where we showed off Maggie and he was able to meet all sorts of dogs, cats, small rodents, and even a horse. It was a fun morning. After the "zoo" portion we had a picnic lunch together. Hunter started telling me about how his friend Donna always brings treats to school but she doesn't share them with him - NEVER - only with another boy. I think his name was Jacob. Well, then Hunter says, "Yeah, Donna and Jacob say that when they get older, they are going to make-out."
me: "Oh.... and what do you think that means?"
H: "I think it means they'll get married or date."
me: "yeah, you're probably right."

Cole
This has happened a couple times, Cole will be talking to me or showing me something and Danny, of course, is with us too. Cole will realize he needs something from another room and say, "Mommy, can you keep an eye on Danny for me while I go downstairs - I need to get something."
He's such a sweet big brother.

Danny
He has started to say "Ah-meee" which is mommy. He also loves to sit at the stools at the counter and will come over to the counter and say "down, down, down"
me: "You mean up?"
Danny: "Up, Up, Up!"
I love the way he jumps - both feet up and down - and he LOVES the trampoline. If the weather is nice, he wants to be outside jumping. He'd rather have his big brothers with him - but he'll go outside by himself and just jump, jump, jump. It's so stinkin' cute. I guess Shayne woke up because there was screaming at 7am and he figured out that Hunter had gotten Danny out of bed, let him outside (because he begs to go out right away) and he was FREEZING!!! I was still at the gym, so that's the reason I wasn't there! Now I tell Danny, get your coat and shoes - and since that incident, he hasn't fought me on that requirement!

Uh huh....

Do you ever find yourself agreeing with your preschooler because their rambling goes on and on and on.... so I'll say, "yeah, I hear you" and "yes, that's a good idea" or perhaps "uh huh" and honestly, I am NOT listening as I should. Well, today I did one of those agreeing commentaries then I had to wake up as Cole confirmed what I had just agreed to do:

"Yup, we're going to go home and you'll paint me green and make a shell for my back so I can hide and jump up and scare someone. That's a great idea mommy!"

ummmmm, REWIND!!

Springtime Flowers

Well, it was springtime for few days in our neck of the woods. The tulips are BEAUTIFUL (a first for us this year) and the trees looked like they were covered in "popcorn!" Unfortunately, as I write this post, it is snowy and cold, AGAIN. Honestly, a springtime rain is fine - but SNOW!?!?! No bike rides this week!

This is the joke of our trees - we planted these flowering pears a few years ago - ALL at the same time. If you want to know how much they've grown in 3+ years - just look at the 3rd tree - it hasn't changed AT ALL. It's our midget tree.... I guess he likes being just the way he is!