sunshine & a picnic

We had such a fun day today - just had to share some photos. It was the perfect day for me - a day full of sunshine, laughter and fun with my boys. I treasure these days more than life itself.

We're all pooped!

HFMD

HAND
FOOT
MOUTH

FOR THE 3RD TIME THIS YEAR
ENOUGH SAID...

He's always there

I have found myself thinking about Calvin, our little angel, A LOT lately. Several times a day he’s popping into my head. I don’t know why. And I love it. Not necessarily sad thoughts – but just kind gentle reminders that he’s there. Maybe it’s the spring time that is reminding me of him – the new flowers and rebirth. Or maybe it’s that the boys mention his name more often now when we refer to heaven and the hermit crabs being there too. Maybe it’s that I noticed a few days ago that our baby lily has come up again this year and is getting ready to bloom. Or maybe it’s the time of year since it was around this time that we started to really get excited about our triplet pregnancy. I can’t believe that was THREE years ago now. Whatever it is, I find it comforting and happy when I know he’s around in spirit.

A friend of a friend of mine recently lost a triplet and her babies are currently in NICU growing and trying to make their way home. When we talk, it immediately takes me back to that place. It’s always a nice reminder of how far we have come – yet a tough one to realize that so many others have to go through that experience with their children. The Mom has lately been given some signs that her baby girl is there with them in spirit and is reminding them that she’s close by. Thank goodness for these little signs from above that let us know that our loved ones lost are still there and caring for us. Somehow it makes it all ok.

Another Shiner....

Not the first, and certainly not the last - JD accidentally (I think) clubbed Cole in the eye with a large wooden stick he grabbed out of the shed. On my watch. Ugh. Boys will be boys.

On a lighter note, it never ceases to amaze me how these boys, like all others, still love to run around naked any chance hey get - it's everything I can do after baths to get them dressed before they take off running like banchees around the house in their birthday suits!

School Days

The kids teachers have been taking photos of them in the classroom doing fun activities with the disposable camera that I left there for them. I knew I was missing some fun moments so they were happy to take photos of some of the "firsts" that they have had while in school. I got the photos back today and although the quality isn't great due to the camera, they capture some fun moments.

Cole and his friend Emma painting

Cole holding the flag during the morning pledge

Cole loves to paint!

Jessica gets a smooch from JD

Sharing the sit-n-spin

Finger painting

Messy marvin apparently loves jelly on his bagels

Easter Sunday

What a blast. The Easter weekend was so much fun for the kids - and the parents! I must say however, that I have forgotten how much candy is involved with Easter. It was worse than Halloween! Cole is a candy fanatic and ate candy ALL.DAY.LONG. He was sneaking candy out of every and any basket he could find and mastered the art of unwrapping chocolate eggs and kisses very quickly.


Both boys were really into the Easter bunny - we left carrots and eggs out for the bunny and low and behold, he ate them! They were so excited to run downstairs and see their loot in the morning - and were hard pressed to get ready for church when the time came.

We had our first fight about the outfit - can you believe at 2.5 they are already giving me a hard time about dressing up? We made it to church on time and lasted about 30 minutes. I started to get the stink eye from "Daddy" so we left early to head over to Mimi's for the egg hunt.


Cole loved hunting for eggs - and got lots of loot in his basket. JD on the other hand, would find an egg, open it, check out the contents, maybe eat a few, and resume his hunt. Needless to say, by the time he did this, all of the eggs were found and he ended up with about 3 eggs. He didn't care.


After Mimi's brunch, we headed home for much needed naps and then left for Gramma's for the 2nd round. More candy, more food, more cousins and more fun. All in all it was a wonderful day. I actually took time to reflect on how lucky we are as a family and how blessed we are to have two wonderful children. There is nothing more heart warming than spending the holidays together, with our families and watching the kids enjoy the special time. They are so surrounded with love from their family. So wonderful to watch.

Hope everyone had a special Easter season. Spring has sprung!

Easter Week

We've had quite a fun week this week. The kids had their Easter party at school, complete with Easter bunny, easter egg hunt, bag-o-candy etc. Yesterday we colored eggs for the first time. To my surprise, only 2 egg casualties - however we did have 20 stained fingers and 1 stained counter top. They really got into it and loved showing Daddy the finished project when he got home. It's the little things in life, right?

We've got a fun filled weekend coming up with more egg hunts, parties and lots of family around. Happy Easter and may you enjoy what this Easter season really is all about.

Surprise, Surprise

On a random mall outing yesterday, we got to see the Easter bunny. Low and behold, the boys were enamored with him (might have had something to do with the large basket of candy he was holding) and they were not scared at all. I was shocked, considering that they were scared to death of Santa Claus. Tell me, how can they be scared of Santa, a jolly, warm looking character, but not of an eight foot bunny? These toddlers keep me guessing every day, you never know what you're gonna get!

High fives all around with the big bunny!

R.I.P.

one down, three to go - rest in peace little hermie....

We've moved them to their new abode - $50+ later for a HERMIT CRAB HOUSE. Shame on me for worrying about these silly critters - I can't just let them die! They do seem much happier now - see all of the hermit crab tracks in the sand? I think they like it here...

Happy St. Patricks Day!

Hope you guys didn't drink too much green beer tonight! We had a fun day - but just green milk, no green beer.