Memorial Weekend 2012

Memorial weekend was supposed to be uneventful.  I figured we would hit the pool (and we did), but we had no set plans five days prior.  Well, our unplanned weekend ended up being very busy and very fun.

First, neighbors of ours, the Mack's, had the usual crew of 6 or 7 families over for dinner.  The kids had fun playing in the basement mostly while the adults socialized.  Logan was right in the mix with the older kids, he does not realize he is only 2.  The only downside of the night was when I suddenly heard a couple parents calling for me, that Colin was hurt and bleeding.  He had fallen out of their trampoline and his head hit a chair that was sitting next to it.  He was bleeding a ton, but luckily it wasn't deep enough to need stitches.

Saturday, Dennis got up early and went downtown with some of the neighbors to tailgate before the Indy 500.  We didn't have tickets, so he enjoyed just partying and taking in the atmosphere and then leaving when the race started.  Then, he met up with me and the boys at our pool.  We had a blast.  Of course, summer time and going to the pool is right up there with brownies for me, so I was in heaven!  Logan especially seemed to really love it.  My boys have always been cautious in the pool, but Logan went right in and was "swimming" around.

Sunday,  we went out to dinner at our favorite pizza joint to celebrate Evan's graduation.  We also spent time on the neighbors new blow up water slide.  Unfortunately, at one point Evan hit Colin with the water gun and caused Colin to have a very bloody mouth.  Dennis went to check it out and was able to easily pull out his top tooth!  The tooth has been loose for weeks so it was coming any day. I have to admit I am pretty excited, I have been looking forward to seeing my kids with their top teeth missing...

Monday, for Memorial Day, we spent the day at the community center water park.  Colin was so excited to finally be 48 inches and get to go on the big water slides and diving board.  He was just barely tall enough and he was thrilled!

Then our neighbors invited us over for dinner and more water slide.  Our neighbor is Chinese and his parents owned a restaurant growing up, so he is an amazing cook.  He made us a yummy Chinese dinner and we just sat and talked while the kids played.

Colin and Evan both actually took naps this weekend, which is very rare these days.  It was a fun filled weekend!

Last Day of School and Preschool Graduation.

Well, I have a lot to catch up on....

First, last weekend... As usual, we enjoyed Colin and Evan's games.  Colin scored 3 or 4 goals and did great.  Evan also did awesome again (they don't keep score and all get to bat).  After naps we hit a few stores so Evan could buy a present with the gift card Aunt Holly gave him for his birthday.  We also enjoyed some time at one of our neighbors houses watching the kids do a slip and slide.

Monday was Colin's field day.  I volunteered to help out and had a blast watching all the kids.  Of course, Colin's true competitive nature came out and he wasn't too happy with some of the lazy people on his team.

Wednesday was my last day of work until August.  I decided that I was going to stay home for the summer since I wasn't being used very much at work and we would actually save more money by having me home with the kids.

Thursday, Colin had his last day of school!  I can't believe I will have 2 kids getting on the school bus come August!

Thursday evening was Evan's preschool graduation.  Now, I had gotten a bit teary just watching the rehearsal on Tuesday so I knew the the graduation was going to be emotional, and it was.  There is something about all those little kids singing that gets me every time.  I asked Evan what it was like to be on the stage in front of so many people and he said it was "exciting".  He was very sweet up there!

Friday, was Evan's last day of preschool.  They had picnic lunches that the parents could come for.  So, first Colin and I went to Logan's (I forgot to take pictures!).  Then we went to have lunch with Evan.

After the picnics Colin and I went bowling.  I figured we should do something fun since it would be the only day all summer of just him and I.  When we got to the bowling alley Colin asked if he could go by "Hulk".  So, I had a fun time playing against Hulk.

And so summer begins!!!

Love These Boys...

I haven't taken some good pics of the boys together in a little while so we did a mini photo session today.  It wasn't that easy to get Logan to look at the camera, but I tried...

The End of School Countdown Has Begun!

Tuesday Evan, Logan and I took advantage of the nice weather and checked out a park near us we had never been to.  The boys had a lot of fun climbing on equipment, playing in the house and going down the slides.  Evan also enjoyed what he thought was a "tiger" swing (aka tire swing).  He said, "Did this use to be a tiger and then it turned into a swing?".

Tuesday evening I went to Evan's school for his parent/teacher conference.  She had nothing bad to say about him.  He scored in the 96 percentile for his Kindergarten readiness exam.  And she said she has no concerns about him going to Kindergarten.  She remarked on his wonderful pictures and even showed me a picture Evan did of "VT" and the Hokie bird.  She asked Evan if she could keep the picture to give it to her brother (who is at Tech right now).  His teacher said he is a joy to have in the class.  He is funny and always quick to answer questions.  And best news of all....he is "one of the better behaved in the class".  As a Mom of boys I automatically brace myself for hearing negative comments about their activity level or something along those lines.  So, for some reason hearing a positive comment on their behavior makes me so happy!

Today, I got to visit with Colin in his classroom for his "portfolio party".  Basically, the parents got to see all the things that they did all year long.  His teacher asked me at one point what I thought of the book Colin brought home a while back (yes, the tooting man book).  She said it was very well written and that her and her husband were laughing about it.  But, she did talk to him about no more potty talk in his books or fighting.  Oh the embarrassing moments we have to endure as parents...

Evan had his Graduation pictures taken today with his cap and gown.  1 more week until his big day at the local high school!  I can't wait to see him sing in his cap and gown.  Tomorrow I have to take him for his Kindergarten Assessment at the Elementary school.  And next week is the last week of school.  I can't believe how early they get out here.  But, I am excited for summer to begin!

Mother's Day 2012

Another weekend of sports...

I promised Evan I would take some pics of him playing T-ball this weekend since I didn't take any of him last time.  He did great at his game.  His swing is getting really good.  But the funniest part of the game was that he kept dancing (or shaking his booty as he called it).  He had a bunch of us in the stands cracking up at one point when he was booty shaking with a huge grin on his face!

Daddy playing catcher

I took Colin alone to Colin's soccer game because it was right at nap time and Logan is still cranky from having been sick.  Colin made an awesome goal and set up many many more.

The boys spent the rest of the weekend outside.  They played with the sand/water table, played ball with Dennis and ran in the sprinkler.

Mother's Day was great.  Dennis made a yummy omelet bar and cooked me breakfast.  The boys all gave me homemade gifts and Dennis got me a spa gift certificate that I CAN'T WAIT to use.  Dennis made yummy sandwiches for lunch and picked up sushi for dinner.  I spent most of the day napping and doing nothing but watching the kids play outside.  Dennis cleaned some of the house and did a little yard work.  It was pretty much a perfect Mother's Day in my mind.

Five Year Well Visit and Chuck E Cheese

Evan had his 5 year well checkup Thursday.  He is doing great.  Knock on wood, his stomach seems to be doing better too.  Evan is 42.5in for height (40%) and 42 lbs (55%) for weight.  He was wonderful answering all the doctors questions too!

Unfortunately, Logan seems to have caught croup or some other type of cough.  I had to head back to the doctor today to get him checked out because his breathing was very loud.  He got put on steroids which will hopefully help.  I don't like to see him sick, but he has been home with me all day with a fever and he sure is cuddly when he isn't well.  He has spent most of the last two days in my arms and even fell asleep in my lap Thursday when I was at the auto shop getting a flat tire fixed!  That is very unusual for him!

Tonight we were supposed to all go to Chuck E Cheese to celebrate Evan's birthday, but because Logan is sick I had to stay home with him.  I felt very guilty not being there for Evan, but he seemed okay with it.  Dennis and the boys had a lot of fun and even picked up some yummy ice cream on the way home.

Happy 5th Birthday Evan!!!

Star Wars books from Grandma and Robert

Today, I got home from VA at about 2:00pm.  I made sure I would be home in time to celebrate Evan's birthday tonight.

Evan at 5 years old is a very sweet boy.  He is becoming more and more sensitive.  He takes great care of Logan and can be very sweet helping me too.  Recently, he has become more tearful and sensitive to his own mess ups.  It used to be that nothing phased him, but that is no longer the case.  He gets upset now when he thinks we are mad at him.

Evan is funny and silly.  He can always get us laughing.  He is also very smart.  I am always amazed at the things that come out of his mouth.  He remembers big words and then uses them in his normal speech.  He has a great memory of many things!  He does great at school and I can't believe he will be going to Kindergarten in August!

Evan is still into Super Heros, he loves to dress up in different costumes.  He also likes Star Wars now.  He is playing Tball and is doing great with it, especially with hitting.  He likes playing sports, but I think he still enjoys the socializing as much as the playing.  He is often silly with the other kids on the team and making them laugh.

We still make Evan have a "rest time" from about 12:45 to 2:30ish, but he rarely falls asleep anymore unless he is very tired.  He usually looks at books and makes a big mess in his room.  Sometimes he comes out dressed as Thor or Spiderman.  Evan is a great fruit and vegetable eater.  He often picks fruit as his choice for snack.  He can be picky with casserole's and things he doesn't recognize.  Usually the fruit or vegetable is the first thing to be eaten on his plate.

Evan likes to draw and is very talented with it.  He loves to cuddle with Dennis and I, especially first thing in the morning.  He does get in grumpy moods and can be very stubborn.  When he is in a bad mood, he is very hard to deal with and can give us both gray hairs.  Luckily, these moods don't last long and he bounces back very quickly.  Most of the time he is very laid back.  He usually has a smile on his face and a joy of life.  He definitely adds a lot of joy to my life.  Happy Birthday Mr. Evan!!!

Today we enjoyed pizza for dinner (Evan's choice), a wonderful cake that Dennis made for Evan, and then Evan opened up his gifts...

Star Wars mask from Mommy and Daddy.

Star Wars Jammies from Aunt Carol.

My First Weekend Away From Logan!

For the first time since before Logan was born, I was away from him for more than a quick overnight.  I flew to VA for my Goddaughter/neice First Holy Comunion.   Friday, I met up with some of my family for dinner and then we went to Julie and Phil's house to play our favorite game, Catan.  Saturday morning was Lexi's First Communion.  I wish both Dennis and I could have been there for it (Dennis is her Godfather), but we just couldn't make it work.  After the Communion and dinner at Carol's house, we went back to Julie's for another Catan game.

Then on Sunday my sisters, sister in law Fanchon, and my Mom all went out for a brunch buffet to celebrate Julie's baby due early August.  It was great as usual to have a mini shower with just us ladies.  After that I enjoyed high tea at the Ritz with some of the ladies on Dennis' side.  One of my all time favorite things to do is to go to tea, so I was happy to get to join them.  I can't believe the coincidence that they were going the one weekend I just happen to be in town!  My mom used to take us to high tea fairly often in Singapore, so it always brings back great memories.  After tea I joined my family at my Mom's house to celebrate my brother David's birthday.  The had a crab feast, but I was stuffed after all the yummy food I had already eaten that day.

While I was away, Dennis held down the fort with all three kids!  He had a very busy weekend...Colin had a birthday party to go to Friday night, Saturday was T-ball pictures, T-ball game, lunch, then Soccer game (and it was our turn to bring snacks and drinks), then he took them to the comic store for free Comic day.  Then Sunday he took Colin to his last Sunday school class for the year.  And then picked up stuff to make Evan's birthday cake and cupcakes for Evan's class on Monday.  He spent about 4 hours making an awesome Darth Maul cake for Evan!  I am often amazed at my husband and what he is able to accomplish.  He really made the busy weekend look easy (and made me look bad, but I will forgive him for that).

Spoiling them with donuts after church class.

Darth Maul masterpiece by Daddy...