Bubble Making

We all have our techniques?

Some tastier than others!

My I.T. Guy

I haven't been posting as many pictures because our main computer has been receiving a little TLC. It pays to have an IT guy for a husband. He suped up our old-slooooooow computer. I just had to take a picture b/c I walked into our basement one night and found him tinkering over this. I am so sure! Doesn't everybody know how to take apart their CPUs and put them together again?

1 more Birthday Celebration

We went to my parents yesterday for our final March birthday celebration. A dinner and cake for both my sister and I. Soon we will celebrate my Mom. The boys were glad to get time with grandma and Yeager (sister's dog). Mason and Yeager were hysterical to watch. Their heads are about the same height so Yeager was constantly licking him on the face. When Yeager tried to lick Mason's water he was able to say, "no my wawa" then he walked over to Yeager's bowl and pointed at it and said "your wawa."

While it was nice to be together, it was also very sad. My grandmother is not doing well at all. Our goodbyes lingered as I am not sure how much longer she'll be with us. I will take the boys back on Thursday for a visit and to help my mom.

New Favorite

Tonight as Owen was putting on his pajamas he yelled from his room,
"mama, is soccer the next day"
"no" - me
"well, then what's the next day?" -Owen
"school" - me
"oh" -Owen

Usually school gets a hooray. I guess its moved down a notch.
And last night he whispered that he wants to score 2 points this week, its definitely on his brain ;)

Owen's party

Owen's party was at a nearby park. We rented the picnic shelter with attached a playground for the afternoon. I was so thankful I didn't have to have the house clean and organize the party. Thankfully the weather was the best its been in a week. We had 3 girls and 3 boys plus some younger siblings around Mason's age. The kids were told to come prepared to play soccer games. EJ took over at that point and the kids had fun running around playing various games (freeze tag, duck, duck-goose, Simon says, relay race).

The whole pinata came crashing down when they pulled the strings. The new pinatas are so lame. The kids didn't seem to mind.

Playing freeze tag

I think we have a soccer coach in the making ;)

Opening presents

31st Birthday

My special birthday breakfast.
Doesn't Owen look thrilled and happy for me?

Right before we left for our shopping spree.

Lissa and I had a great time at the outlets. I didn't seem to have trouble spending the money (Surprise, Surprise). I am glad we traveled a bit b/c the extra talking time in the car was so great.
We saw several unhappy kids being toted around and I was so grateful it wasn't me.
We didn't come home until 6 and dinner was waiting for me.
EJ, thanks for making my birthday so special. It was the best weekday birthday possible! It feels good to be known so well. A day away was just what I needed.

the GREATEST

Okay, so I have the best hubby in the world. This morning while I was eating yummy waffles and sausage that he made me, the doorbell rang. In walks my sister at 8 in the morning. WHAT?!?!
Then EJ hands me my birthday card. Inside it says "Everyday is a gift, so pretend today is on me" and in it contains an envelope of cash. They both have taken the day off. My sister and I are heading to Williamsburg Outlets for a day of shopping.
How fantastic is that? I am in shock and utterly surprised.

What a wonderful way to start my 31st year.

5 years old

It sounds cliche, but I really can't believe my first born is 5 years old. I have been a mom for 5 yrs. How can that be? I just graduated from college. Oh, wait that was 9 years ago.
I loved 4. It was a great age for Owen. Not sure exactly why, but I knew it the week he turned 4, that 4 was somehow better than 3. I can't wait to see what 5 is like.
He is much bigger that is for sure. If he sits in my lap while I am reading I have to shift the book to one side b/c his head is blocking my view.
And the books we read are so fun now. Chapter books with real plots and characters. I love how he gets excited, nervous, scared or hysterical as the stories come to life in his head.
He loves preschool. Can hardly wait until "big" school.
Still doesn't love animals.
His favorite food is pizza.
Owen is definitely a morning person. I think he literally springs out of bed and at night is asleep in minutes.
No longer napping and hasn't since the fall.
He LOVES music and asks to listen to it all the time. He will attempt to make any object into an instrument. He has been quoted saying "this totally rocks me out" in reference to a song.
He is still easy going, although Mason has learned how to push his buttons. He is pretty quick to share and to try new things (food included).
Owen thinks he is more independent than he actually is but has said numerous times he will live with mama forever.
Can't say 13.
Loves to socialize, plan parties, eat with others, be with others and needs to know what everyone else is doing.
He appears serious to most, but is really quite silly, loud and energetic.

Owen we love you! I have asked numerous times if you'd stop growing and you just laugh. I can't believe you will be gone 5 days a week in 6 short months. I hope to make the best of these days while we have them. I feel like there is so much more you need to learn and more I'd like to teach you.

Isn't it ironic?

The topic of the retreat this past weekend was "The Words We Say" it was really good. I walked away with a lot to think about and a lot about my words I'd love to see change. So, isn't it ironic that I would wake up on Sunday (the next day) with very little voice? And today barely anything at all. Hmm. Perhaps if I could stay this way, I wouldn't be as tempted to say too much or raise my voice at the boys. Perhaps I could be a better listener too. Oh and maybe my jaw will hurt less!

I tried calling someone this morning and they almost hung up on me. I sound like a scary movie stalker.

A side note: Owen's party yesterday went well. I hope to post pics soon.

Meeting the Team

Yesterday Owen had his first soccer practice/game. He was VERY excited. His team is named the Armadillos. He didn't think this sounded threatening enough, but when I told him Armadillos eat scorpions, he thought that sounded tough.

Here he is proudly displaying the long awaited jersey. Thank goodness it wasn't pink. He was worried about that. He wore it for the remainder of the day and has plans to wear it to his "soccer/transformers" birthday party today.

(if you click on this pic you'll notice a kid down on the ground)

That's Owen after he made the one and only goal for his team!

EJ said he got the ball, dribbled past a few players and then with a sliding kick he scored. We'll never know if he "slipped" or "tripped" or actually knew what he was doing, but it worked and looked cool. Sadly, I was not there. My seminar at church started at the same time. We weren't expecting him to play a game. It was suppose to just be a meet the team and practice. I can't believe I missed his first goal :(

Evidently, EJ received several comments on Mason's sideline dribbling skills:)

Lots of coloring

We gave Owen a extra large CARS coloring book for his birthday. They make cute posters. Although I am not sure what we'll do with 20+ posters :] I don't know who is having more fun. Me or Owen? We both work on one together because its so much coloring. He is really getting good!

Go Go Go

Boy, am I glad most weeks are not this busy.

I dropped Owen off at school this morning and Mason and I headed straight for the party store. It's the only one of my errands that open by 9:30. We picked up some last minute party stuff and then headed to Costco. A quick trip to Costco and then back to school to celebrate Owen's birthday with his class. I stayed long enough to watch Owen during show and tell. (Pretty funny, each kid stands up next to the teacher and just hands the object to her. Very little talking by the child. The teacher kindly asks questions and pulls the short answers out of them) I would have stayed longer but I am always afraid Mason is too much of a distraction. With 45 minutes to kill Mason and I headed to Ben Franklin's for their 25% of everything Sale. I bought to new flags for our house. Back to school to pick up Owen, home for lunch and naps.
No napping for me. I baked Coconut-Blueberry Cheesecake Bars for tonight's church retreat. Sure hope they taste good! It kind of looks like a giant blueberry pancake.
Oh and Mason has a cold. Poor guy, but he is still napping so that is a good sign.
The house is a disaster. Not sure when I'll get around to that.

the Birthday continues

Let the marathon continue.
I am off to make Rice Krispie treats to take to Owen's preschool class tomorrow to celebrate his birthday.
The kids are in bed.
EJ is in a meeting at church.

(I'll be attending a local women's retreat tomorrow night and Saturday. I can't wait to get away for a little bit. Its been a busy week.)

The BIG 5

5. Ice Cream Sundaes-
a great ending to a full day

Possibly Owen's first sundae (not sure?)

4. Homemade Pizza

3. Movie

Pizza is Owen's favorite food (at least for now)

Movie is paused in the background

(EJ came home early to get a headstart on our fun evening)

2. Opening presents

Transformer pinata for his party on Sunday from Grandma and Sir

A fun game from Joshua

1. Doughnuts at Krispy Kreme

Happy 5th Birthday Owen!
We love you.

Dribbling

Perhaps we signed up the wrong child for soccer.

NKOTB...

are here in concert tonight?!?!? I was switching radio stations this morning on the way home for PT and heard "Step By Step". I don't know which is worse, the fact they are in concert tonight or the fact that I remembered a good bit of the lyrics. SCARY!
What's the deal?
1. They are obviously not NEW.
2. They are hardly kids. Probably have kids of their own.

Saving Ali

This was the perfect way to end my day. EJ was not home in time for dinner for the 5th night in a row. (I don't know how you do it friends) And just as I was cleaning up from dinner these guys show up. They are trimming branches away from the neighborhood power lines.

Please note the sun is shinning! We haven't seen the sun for over five days and it makes its first appearance about 6 p.m. The nerve! I can only hope this means sunny days ahead.

Going Green

Note to chef: If you are about to try a new recipe that you aren't sure your children will like, don't make things worse by adding green food coloring just because its Saint Patrick's Day.

EJ and I had no problems with our Tuna-Potato Cakes, but the boys weren't thrilled. I will say Mason actually ate some, which means it wasn't all that bad. Owen swallowed it down only b/c he is the easiest going kid ever! Although he did ask why everything had to be green. On the plus side, these were easy to make and good for the wallet (a poor man's crab cake).

This leprechaun is retiring until next year. Perhaps shamrock shakes from McDonalds would have been better :)

Green Eggs ...

and Turkey Bacon ?!?!?

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Concentration

I know I have previously blogged about Mason's excellent attention span, but he continues to amaze me. After day 4 or 5 of constant cold raining, I finally broke out the play-doh. The boys played while I started working on dinner. Mason kept continually pointing to different play-doh accessories and neither Owen or I knew what he wanted. Finally Owen just empties the bucket onto Mason's high chair tray. Little did I know this would occupy him for at least 30 mins. He out lasted Owen by a long shot. He just tinkered with all pieces. Totally forgetting about the play-doh. --The rest of the day he wasn't so great. Looks like "2" is going to be FUN! The honeymoon stage is over :(

Too Cool!

Treasure Box

Have you ever experienced something traumatic enough that you knew it would stay with you forever? Thankfully I can count these times only on one hand. God has been gracious in my life.

I learn more during those times than any other. And I see Jesus more clearly too. Why do we wish trials away? And why do we try to escape them as quickly as possible? They make us who we are. More importantly they give us compassion and empathy for others in similar or even harder circumstances.

I have decided to give these lessons a place for safe keeping. A figurative place. I am calling it my Treasure Box. "Treasure" to remind me that even though the trial was tough, it was a GIFT. God allowed me to learn something new and I need to keep it with me forever.

Now the question is. Can I call the trial a "treasure" before its over? That is my newest lesson. It's much easier to accept it, be thankful and put it "away" if its over and if I know the outcome is in my favor. But can I give it to God before he has answered my prayers?

Still No Pics

I haven't taken a single picture since Wed.
EJ has been working ALL weekend. We miss him!
I feel bad that he didn't get a weekend and me too for that matter.
Hopefully he'll take some time off this week.
Yesterday, my parents came and watched the boys so that I could go to a shower for Walt and his new Mom. It was great to celebrate with a dozen women who have been praying for their union.
It was nice having the break on Sat.
The boys and I have laid low. The weather has been gross.
Yesterday, I got four books from the library for myself. I'm crazy to think I'll read all four. But I never make it to the adult section so I figured I'd make the most of it. Pages read so far, 3 :)

This week is the start to our birthday marathon!
I am gearing up and also delegating. No crazy cake by me this time.
I don't think the neck and shoulders would appreciate hours over a cake.

Enjoying the Weather

It was such a beautiful day we had to make the most of it. I picked Owen up from school with a picnic lunch in tow and headed for the park. Both boys have been waking up later b/c of the time change and so Mason's nap is temporarily shifted later too. We took full advantage of our extra time. By the end both boys were sweaty and tired. Just perfect for our quiet times.

Mason loves ALL animals. Owen made sure he didn't get too close.
Knowing Mason he would have jumped in the water.

Looking Good

Don't you just love his outfit and hair?

Chuck E Cheese

Tonight we had dinner and a headache at Chuck E Cheese. Owen's preschool had their annual fundraiser night. He loves that place and is still puzzled why more of his friends weren't there.
Hmm, I can only imagine :) This is the only thing Mason would do. A little bus with a slide.

He was terrified of all the "moving" rides.

Owen had a blast.

Early birthday gift

PopPop left this morning but not before Owen opened some very early birthday presents.

Thanks for the new Leapster games! Owen loves them.

PuttnSki

We traveled to Massanutten this weekend and stayed at my parent's mountain house (PuttnSki). EJ's father came with us and we met up with my parents and grandmother. We all had a great and relaxing time. Saturday the dad's and Owen went skiing. The ladies and Mason hung out at the house, went and watched Owen ski, played cards and took naps. The weather was gorgeous. The guys had a great day for skiing. Owen was so tired he took a nap too. Today the guys played a few holes on the golf course (Owen included) Fortunately Mason is too young to fully understand all he was missing.

Owen only knows one trick. Going straight down. No turning or stopping accomplished this session. Maybe next time. Fortunately dad held on to him most of the way.