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!

Bike, Bike, and more biking

I don't think I've posted my intention yet, but I signed up for a Century Bike Ride in June... yup, 100 miles of riding on a bike. Kinda crazy, isn't it? I keep reminding myself that if I feel underprepared, I can always back off that big 1-0-0 and go for a reasonable 80 or 60 miles. But, there's a little voice over my shoulder saying, "I DARE YOU" and I can't ignore it! So, I've been working my little tail in spin classes a the rec center twice a week and starting to get in more outside rides. Thanks to Rach for being the official photographer for our last two rides together! Utah is a beautiful place and I really love being on my bike.

Learning to 'lube' a chain... we're starting with basics here!

Why does my bike look just as big as Rach's - because I took over Shayne's bike. Someday, I hope to own one that fits my shortness!
Looking over the valley from the East Side of SLC - looks a little baren in the photo, but gosh it was pretty!


Here's the photo spot for our ride in Herriman - we got 30 miles on our bikes this morning! Woo-Hoo! Who knew that fields and farms still existed in that valley... it was charming!

PS I think it's weird that I have EXACTLY the same pose - and those pics are a week apart! I'm definitely going to do something different next time!

Tubes and tears

Danny has had 6 ear infections since last November. He even had 3 infections before Christmas! We went to see the ENT (Ear, Nose, Throat specialist) and she was under the impression that perhaps it was all 1 giant ear infection that didn't heal until the super meds the third time around. Well, by the first week of April - we had gone through another 3 rounds of antibiotics. AND, we checked at the end of 10 days to make sure the ears were completely healed. They were. So, off to the ENT. We saw her on Wed of last week - ears are completely healthy (as we were finishing off another round of antibiotics that very day) and we scheduled our surgery for tubes this week, Tuesday.

Fast forward 6 days, Danny and I check into same-day surgery for the tubes. I wish I had packed a camera - but who would want a camera to document your kid being surrounded by hospital staff? I thought it was kinda weird - but then I regretted it. He was so stinkin' cute with the mini-hospital gown, cap, and machines for checking heart rate and pulse. The nurses and staff all oohed and aahh'ed over how cute and somber he was. He just sat there and let them do their stuff. Not tears - no fighting. Then, they scooped him up and said, "mom, we'll take good care of him" and they were off to the surgery room. That's when I lost it. I stood there in tears and became overwhelmed because I wasn't there to watch over him. I had to trust them. And I trusted them - it just hurt to let go.

I calmed down and the surgery was done in 15 minutes. They brought him back to me - wailing and screaming. Yeah, anesthesia will do that to a little kid. He screamed for 10-15 minutes then sweetly fell asleep in my arms. That was a sweet moment - this little boy does not sleep very often in my arms. He's too busy for that! Oh, and FYI, his ears were infected again. The Dr. even mentioned one ear was ready to "perforate." Yikes. It was the right choice. I'm just sorry we waited so long to do it. He's happy Danny today - just playing and happy as can be. Yeah!

Mean Mom

Guess what.

I found the beloved blankie yesterday! (story about the blankie) The on-site manager for the indoor soccer games has been carrying around a box of lost-and-found items and yesterday was the last game. We missed the last Saturday game while in Idaho. I saw the blankie and do you know what I did? I grabbed it and went straight to the car and put it in the back - so Cole wouldn't see it. Yeah, I'm mean. Cole even asked, "can we look for my blankie again today?" When he has his blankie, he has his thumb in his mouth and we're constantly dragging that blankie with us EVERYWHERE! It was sweet for the past 4+ years but, losing the blankie was probably the ONLY way to break the habit. Oh, he misses it... but, he's also found out that he can survive without it. Maybe in 10 years, I'll bring it out to him again. I'm definitely saving his precious blankie. That makes me a mean mom. Will he forgive me?

Spring Break

I just have to say a disclaimer - I grew up in a family that traveled once a year - it was a two week expedition to either UT - or perhaps the big trip to the east coast. But, we only traveled once a year. I married a guy who loves to "go somewhere" whenever he has a chance. My workout buddies are a little miffed that I keep disappearing for such little "get-aways!" That being said, we had a spring break adventure that was filled with plenty of traveling!

St George:

pool, hot tub, parks, biking, playing b-ball,

and enjoying time with Cherae and Chris and the boys

Tucson:

30 mile bike ride (ending with a killer up-hill!)

80+ degree weather by a pool!

Playing piano with my nieces

and enjoying Shaughn and Diane's wonderful family.

Thanks for having us Shaughn and Diane!

Too bad I didn't take very many pictures - but here are a few photo highlights of the trip: