Breakfast with Daddy!

Joe's been out of town all week and got home late last night, long after the kids were already in bed. As a surprise, he agreed to take to the kids to the school's all-you-can-eat fundraiser breakfast at Applebee's before soccer games. They were very excited! Here are some cute pictures from the breakfast...

They had a great time with daddy, it was a nice treat to get to spend that much time with him and doing something fun! This time of year is hard with Joe's work schedule, they don't get to see him much. I appreciate so much how he takes time to spend with them when he can, what a great daddy!

Easter Baskets

This year the Easter Bunny stopped by our house a day early, so when the kids woke up Saturday morning they found a surprise waiting for them! There was a trail of candy leading from each of the bedrooms to a big basket in the living room. That basket was for the whole family and was full of arts and crafts supplies. (The Easter Bunny must know how much we love to make a mess...er...I mean...do craft projects!) There was also one easter egg for each of the kids which had a clue telling where they could go to find their own basket. The boys had to follow a series of clues that took them throughout the house, garage, and backyard until they finally found their baskets. Here are some of the places they found eggs...

...in the freezer...

 ...and in silverware drawer.

Finally, Andrew found his basket under the grill...

...and Sam's was in Daddy's car!

Abby's search was a little easier, she only had one clue that led her right to her basket.

 Each of the kids got a new umbrella with their basket...

It was a fun morning and got the kids all warmed up for the egg hunt later that day!

Welcome Baby Nora!!

We have a new cousin in our family! My brother and his wife welcomed a new baby girl to their family about a week ago. They came by to visit this week so that we could meet their new little one...and Abby couldn't have been happier! She wanted to hold the baby the whole time. It was very cute! When I got a turn to hold Nora, abby kept bringing her blankies and toys from her bedroom to share. She even went in and made her some "dinner" at her play kitchen. When she did get to hold her, she took the job very seriously, she would not smile for the pictures!

She kept rubbing her cheek against her head and saying, "Oh, she's soft....she's so cute!"

 She's going to be quite the big sister! The boys were also excited to hold the new baby, but their interest was much shorter lived. Andrew was especially interested in her ears. He was convinced that she couldn't hear very well because her ears were so small! Congrats to Danny and  Jessi!

Tooth Drama

After school today the kids were out playing on the swingset, enjoying a short break in the rain. After a little while, I heard hysterically screaming coming from the backyard. I was sure that someone had died! Sam came charging into the house with his hand over his mouth and nose and blood streaming through his fingers. It took some convincing, but I was finally able to pry his hand away and saw that he had knocked out his front tooth and had a pretty good bloody nose. When he saw the blood all over his hand he totally lost it again! Andrew was next to him, also crying hysterically, I think that he though that Sam was dying. He kept saying, "Oh no, Sam has lots of blood!" Abby was standing by, very calmly saying "Oh, Sam got an owie!"

Once I got him cleaned up a bit, they both started calming down. We went out to the backyard to search for the tooth. Andrew found it in the grass, he knew right where to look. He was the hero!

Several hours later, when he was past the drama of it all, I finally got him let me take a picture. I told him he looked cute/cool with his tooth gone, but he didn't want to look in the mirror. When he finally did, he came out and said, "Mom, you're right. I do look pretty cute!"

It was an exciting and emotional afternoon! But, now the tooth is finally out. Now I don't have to bug him about wiggling it anymore!

The Big Move!!

In preparation for the new baby, Joe moved the boys to their new bedroom downstairs!  My bedrest situation threw a wrench in my painting and decorating plans...I guess that'll have to wait for awhile! But, at least they are moved and the room upstairs is freed up for the baby. The boys were so excited about the change! They chose to have side by side beds instead of the bunkbed set up. We'll see how the sleeping part goes...

Pretty Toes!

I got out of the shower this morning and was immediately aware of the distinct smell of fingernail polish...and it was very strong! I found Abby in the living room painting her toenails ON THE CARPET!!!

Luckily, she's pretty careful and kept it mostly on her feet and clothes...only a few drops found their way to the carpet. She was so proud of herself, I just couldn't be too hard on her!

The Leprechaun Trap

We have never really gotten into St. Patrick's Day at our house, but this year my boys found out about Leprechaun traps and had to try it out! Andrew came home from playing at his friend Joshua's house and told us all about what he'd learned there. So, the boys set out to make their own trap. They designed and decorated it all by themselves, I was impressed! It was fun to watch them think it through and figure out how to catch one of the little green guys :-)

Unfortunately, when they woke up in the morning they found out that the Leprechauns are pretty clever and managed to escape...but they did leave some "treasure" and goodies behind! It was fun for them, maybe next year we can improve on the design and catch one!