First Visit to West Park

Taken by Colin!

I have been trying to keep the boys busy with the pool at the apartment.  Unfortunately, going to the pool with a 15month old Logan is not very relaxing.  Colin and Evan at the same age used to stand right next to me in the pool for hours.  Logan is more curious.  He likes to crawl out of the pool and explore.  Which means I have to follow him around the pool, so that he doesn't get hurt.  His favorite thing to do is climb on to chairs and stand up on them. 

Anyway, today I just didn't have the energy to follow him around the pool again, so I took the boys to a park near our new house called West Park.  It was awesome!  There was  big slides, lots of swings, a toy tractor to climb, a corn maze, splash area and a big rope tower to climb.  The boys had a blast!

Evan took this picture!

I had planned on taking them to a different park tomorrow, but it looks like the rash that Colin started on Sunday is Fifths Disease.  We had thought he wasn't feeling well because of too much sun exposure and that he was sun burned, but it has been spreading.  He is no longer contagious, but sun can make the rash worse so I am going to attempt to keep them out of the sun for a little while.  That should be pretty hard given that it is summer time.

Children's Museum, Waterpark, Food and More Food, Oh My!!!

Well, our first full weekend in Indiana was jam packed with fun.  Grandpa McLaughlin came to visit and with 6 people in a 2 bedroom apartment we knew we would get very stir crazy if we didn't find lots to do outside.  That, in addition to the fact that our apartment pots and pans are really not big enough to cook for a large family, meant eating out almost every meal.  We had burgers and subs and sandwiches.  We tried out a few different restaurants in town, all of which were pretty wonderful and we will be returning to. 

Saturday, we went to the famous Children's Museum of Indianapolis.  I have been told by many people that this a must see and well worth the membership.  So, of course we wanted to see it right away.  And it did not disappoint.  The Richmond museum that we have been going to for years probably would take up about 1/4 of one floor of this museum, and this museum has 4 floors!  The boys especially liked the dinosaur and Dora and Diego exhibits and the fun play area.  Logan also loved getting to walk and play around in the toddler play areas, he had a huge smile on his face the whole time.

Evan dressed up as Diego

Saturday evening, Dennis and I were able to go out for a related 9th Wedding Anniversary dinner.  We went to the famous steakhouse downtown, St. Elmo's.  My mouth is still watering thinking about the amazing and spicy shrimp cocktail!  The boys were great for Grandpa McLaughlin, thank goodness!

Sunday, we ventured out again to the Monon Center, which is like a YMCA on steroids as Dennis likes to call it.  It has a water park, zero entry pools and even a lazy river.  We had a ton of fun.  Logan of course was happy the whole time in the water.  Colin was upset that he was a couple inches shy of being able to do the big water slides, but he was able to sneak on to the diving board.  He jumped twice and his bravery shocked me!  It is amazing how comfortable he is in the water now!

Well, when we weren't eating and checking out the big attractions here, the boys were keeping Grandpa busy with games, especially go fish and some drawing too.  Logan seems to be fascinated with crayons, I wonder if he is going to end up liking drawing as much as his big brothers.  Anyway, it was a fun filled weekend and we are very excited about all that our new home has to offer!

July 4th Carmelfest!

We must have planned when to arrive in Carmel, Indiana perfectly, because the very next day was one of the biggest festival of the year...Carmelfest.  What a way to ring in Independence Day and welcome us to Indiana!

The Carmelfest had a great parade, the boys especially liked the fire trucks.  We obviously did not know what to expect as we didn't bring lawn chairs with us, or bags for the boys to collect candy in, but we had fun anyway.  The parade was crazy long so towards the end we started the long walk towards the food and games.  I have never seen so much food, it was great!  There was also live music, a few rides and bounce houses.  Colin who is becoming more and more brave wanted to do a bungee jump ride and he did awesome!

After a while we headed home for naps.  The sun doesn't go down here until about 9:45pm, so with 3 little kids there was no way we were going to stay out for fireworks.  Despite that, it was a wonderful first 4th of July in Carmel!

Moving Out...

It has been a busy last couple weeks, between packing up the Richmond house and moving to Indiana.  So, much has happened that I could write several pages, but will try to keep it brief...

Watching the movers pull up to the house.

The move out of the Richmond house went very well.  Once the house was all packed up Dennis flew to Indiana while the boys and I stayed with Holly for a week.

This past week at Holly's was jammed pack with fun.  With 5 boys 6 and under in one house, we needed to keep them busy or else wrestling and running would start up.  So, we went to a splash park, playgrounds, the pool, played in the sprinkler and I am sure a few other things, but I can't think of them right now.  Colin and Evan also enjoyed a day and night staying at their Grandma's house. 

While Dennis was in Indiana he bought a house!!!  Now, I am either very trusting of my husband or have completely lost my mind and at this moment after just driving 10 hours to Indiana, I honestly can't say which.  Anyway, because it was a good deal and we didn't want the house to get taken, I agreed for Dennis to buy a house without me ever seeing it!  I will say that I looked at LOTS of pictures, so I wasn't completely blind in the decision and I did see some houses last summer, so I had a slight idea of what was out there.  Anyway, with some reservations, we went ahead and made an offer and are now owners of 2 homes!

Dennis flew back to VA Friday night (unfortunately, he got in late and missed out on a family barbecue with my whole family, minus my parents who are in Italy).  Saturday morning we got up and drove back to Richmond so the boys could enjoy their last baseball games of the season.  And what a day it was....Evan got a couple outs when he played first base!  Colin also played first base and got 4 outs in his game and got the "game ball"  which he was thrilled about.  Saturday evening was spent at Grandma Bridgers house and getting to say our goodbyes to Dennis' side of the family.

One highlight of Saturday was Logan got his first haircut!!!  He was nervous at first, but after a few tears he ended up doing okay.  Speaking of Logan, he is walking much more now!  He really took off this past week.

Today, we hit the road for Indiana.  After just shy of 10 hours we pulled in to our temporary apartment.  That included a 45 minute lunch break and two potty breaks, so we made pretty good time.  The boys were surprisingly very good during the drive.  Colin and Evan went back and forth between watching movies and coloring.  Colin also took a couple cat naps and all 3 slept the last hour and a half.  Logan took a couple long naps and most of the time just sat there quiet looking out the window or laughing.  He fussed a few times briefly, but for the most part was awesome.

Despite spending all that time in the car, we hoped back in it so we could take a look at our new home....We are very excited about it.  I love the backyard and view of the lake.  The house is nice inside, a little smaller than I had wanted, but we love the lot so it was worth sacrificing a little on space.  We can't wait to move in and get settled.  Well, I have already gone past keeping this "brief" so I will end it here.  After a long, long time coming, we are in Indiana.....let the new adventures begin...

Happy Fathers Day 2011!

Boys giving Daddy their Fathers Day cards

It is so fun now that Colin and Evan are old enough to make their own cards and pictures to give to us on special days.  They were so proud of the cards they had made for Dennis and the picture frame Evan had made.

We had a nice Fathers Day today, even though Dennis had to spend most of it organizing and packing for the big move.  He did get away to the pool for a couple hours this afternoon to play with Colin and Evan, while Logan and I stayed home. 

Speaking of Logan...he was very fussy this weekend.  My mom was visiting on Saturday and he fussed through most of Colin's baseball game and most of lunch too.  He also woke up crying in the middle of the night the last two nights, which is very rare for him.  Well, this afternoon we figured out the problem...he has at least 3 teeth coming in all at the same time!  He seems to have a harder time with teething then Colin and Evan ever had.  Hopefully, they come through quickly and he is back to his old self.

Yesterday, the boys both had games at the same time so my Mom and I went to Colin's game.  Colin is getting much better at hitting the ball and even hit a home run!  Dennis went with Evan to Evan's game.  I am told Evan did awesome as well.  After lunch Dennis took the boys home while Mom and I shopped (for her upcoming trip to Italy).  Then that evening after my Mom had left, the boys asked if they could have a movie night.  So, Dennis picked up some ice cream and we all sat and watched a movie together.  Logan especially loved the ice cream and was bouncing from each of us, trying to get some bites!

Last Day of School!!!

I know I have said it a million times, but I love our neighborhood here in Richmond!  Our whole neighborhood organized to have water guns and water balloons at the bus stop this afternoon.  So, as the kids got off the school bus (there is about 50 kids at our stop) they got sprayed by all the Moms and Dads.  It was priceless to see the faces of all the kids as they rushed off the bus.

Then one of the Ladies in the neighborhood made an announcement that there was an End of School Party at her house.  So, I changed the boys in to their swimsuits and we walked to her backyard.  There was a blow up slide and a huge blow up slip and slide.  Colin loved the slide but Evan was too scared to try it.  They both spent most of the time squirting squirt guns.  Oh, and eating cupcakes and cookies!  It was a great day and a sad reminder of what we will be leaving behind...

I also got good news today that Dennis is flying home a day early!  And the results of partying all day and no naps has caught up with these boys, they are wound up!   So, Dennis couldn't get here fast enough. 

Well, Congrats to my soon to be First grader, Colin!!!  I am very proud of him for his good report card and especially his excellent progress in reading.  He did great in Kindergarten.

House Hunting For Dennis, Cuddle Time For Me...

Dennis spent the day in Indianapolis looking at houses.  It was killing me not being able to see the houses with him and hear everything the Realtor told him.  Knowing that Dennis sometimes doesn't have the best memory, I made sure he wrote everything down.  But, I was still texting him every few minutes to get updates on what houses he liked and didn't liked.  I hate missing out on that fun!

Me, I was home with 3 crazy boys of course.  It hit me today that I am home with three kids by myself for 6 days and then Dennis gets home and Sunday is Father's Day!  How does that make sense?  I think Sunday should be a Mommy day and I deserve to go out for a pedicure or just be able to read in my room all day while Dennis entertains the kids!  In fairness to Dennis, I don't think it will be a very relaxing Father's Day, as we will need to hit the ground running with packing and organizing.

Today Colin had a half day of school, since tomorrow is his last day.  So, it was a nice treat to have him home early.  Logan seemed especially excited when he woke up from his nap and saw that Colin was here!  I must admit that I do have mixed feelings about school ending.  I am not sure how I am going to be able to entertain 3 kids all summer!  Especially since we will be busy with moving and in temporary housing.  It won't be the best summer for them and I know we will get stir crazy in the little 2 bedroom apartment.  Hopefully, we can juggle all that is involved with moving states and still give them a fun summer!

I must say...on our way home from running errands I was telling Colin what we had to do this evening and that he had some free time before we had to pick up Evan.  Colin said he wanted to go home and cuddle.  Sure enough he wanted me to sit on the couch with him and cuddle for a bit.  As crazy as these boys can be, they all love their cuddle time, especially Colin.  I sure hope he doesn't outgrow that anytime soon!

Cuddling as they watch TV

 Well, being a single Mom tires me out so I am off to read in my bed and enjoy the quiet.  Don't tell Dennis I didn't cook tonight and cheated with KFC!