Not Me Monday

We did not let Ryan sleep on his hardwood floor for an entire night just because that's where he fell asleep when his fit wound down. Even if we did, it certainly wasn't because we didn't want to risk waking him up - preferring for us to have a full night's sleep.

We did not end up going out to dinner because we couldn't find one of the main ingredients even though we both KNEW we bought it. And said ingredient certainly didn't show up later in a bag of canned cat food.

I did not impulse buy a watermelon at the store just because "Mr. Picky" said he'd eat it. And even if I did, I know Ryan did not call it a "watermoomoo" when he saw it.

I know that Ryan and I did not sit on the kitchen floor and polish off half a pint of Ben and Jerry's frozen yogurt. And if we did, I didn't justify it by saying that since it was frozen yogurt and not ice cream it was actually kind of healthy.

Almost Summer

You know it's almost summer when you can spend the afternoon reading in the shade of a tree and (almost) playing tee ball.

Something to Aspire to - NOT!

Any of you who read this blog regularly know that Ryan had a little run in with the law at the grocery store last week. If you aren't already familiar with the story, go read the May 20, 2010 post. Go ahead. I'll wait. Are we all up to speed now? Good!

Tonight Wesley and I went to the store together and left Ryan at home with Dad. We had a really good time shopping and Wesley was a great help. Yes, everything was good until we were in the check out line waiting for the cashier to finish ringing up our groceries. While we were standing there, Wesley caught sight of the police officer from last week.

Wesley let out a big sigh at said, "I wish the police officer would pick me up like he did Ryan."

Let me tell you, the cashier (and the cashier in the next lane) and the people in line behind me all turned to stare. I could feel my face turning bright red as I explained that Ryan is a toddler and the police officer literally picked him up as he tried to run out of the store unaccompanied. I'm not sure they believed me, but Wesley did get a sticker from one of the cashiers. They must have figured that a) he was cute and needed a sticker, or b) he has a slacker mom and a delinquent brother and needed a sticker. I really hope it was reason "a."

Ryan's New Ink

This is what happens when a toddler gets a hold of a ball point pen while Daddy is fixing dinner and Mommy hasn't made it home from work yet. Guess he figured 22 months wasn't too young for a self applied tattoo.

A Brother's Idea of Sharing

It has occurred to me that most of my cute stories about the boys take place while we are in the car in the morning. I don't know if it's because I'm a morning person and more likely to listen to the boys in the morning, or if we spend that much time in the car, but it happened again this morning.

When we leave the house in the morning I always have a cup of coffee with me and the boys each have a cup of milk. For some reason Ryan was adamant about not wanting milk this morning, so I didn't push it. Of course, what ended up happening was that Ryan started asking for milk when we were halfway to Grandma's.

Mommy: Ryan, you said you didn't want milk, so I didn't get any for you. You'll just have to wait until we get to Grandma's.

Ryan: Milk! Milk!

Wesley: (handing his cup out to Ryan) Here Ryan.

Mommy: Wesley, that is so nice! Are you sharing your milk with Ryan?

Wesley: No. It's empty.

English as a Second Language

Yesterday morning we were driving to Grandpa P.'s house with the radio playing. I was singing along (loudly) and enjoying the drive when Ryan said something in the backseat. I turned down the radio and asked Wesley what Ryan had said.

"I don't know. I don't speak Baby - only Animal," was Wesley's reply. That explains so much....

A is for....What???

Ryan is sitting on the floor doing an alphabet puzzle. He'll hold up the letter and say what it is, then say the what the picture is that starts with that letter. K is for key, M is for moon. Nice and simple, right? It was until we got to A. Ryan said "A" perfectly, but when we asked what "A" was for, he answered, "Bapple!"

Not Me Monday

There is no way I kind of forgot that just because my new pans can go in the oven doesn't mean they don't get hot. That kind of forgetfulness would've resulted in a burn on my palm and I just wouldn't do that.

I did not give in and buy my kids lunch out just because I didn't want to be stuck in the house on a rainy day. Not me.

I certainly didn't justify buying two dresses instead of one just because they were both on sale - especially since the sale price of each dress was still more than I usually spend on clothes.

I know I didn't suddenly realise that 2/3 of Wesley's shorts are plaid. And even if I did, I didn't use it as an excuse to "pretend shop"

Sort of Single Parenting

Every time Duane goes on a boy scout camping trip I gain a whole new respect for single parents and parents who have a partner that travels for work. I've had the boys to myself for about 2 days total and I'm wiped out!

I ended up taking Friday off to be with the boys because of a sick Grandpa and other grandparents having a long dr. appt. Friday went OK despite the rain. We were all up and dressed early, so we went to Target for a few things, then headed to the "big library." We stayed there for about an hour, then came home for lunch, cleaning and naps. An uneventful day, but nice for the most part.

Yesterday Duane left the house before 9:00 for the camping trip, so once again I had the boys to myself. By 10:00 I knew I needed to do something with them that didn't involve staying home, so we headed to COSI. I even gave in and bought lunch there because Wesley asked nicely and it meant less time at home.

We headed to Grandma and Grandpa H.'s later in the afternoon and I left them there for a few hours so I could go to dinner and shopping with Aunt Cathy. You know, the whole time she has lived here (4 years? 5 years?) I have never had the opportunity to spend one on one time with her! We always have at least one of the four boys with us. It was SO nice to have a girl's evening with her. We went out to dinner and did a bit of shopping and talked and talked and talked. I learned more about her last night than I have in all the time I've known her and I'm even more proud to call her my "sister".

I had the boys home by 9:00 and got Ryan to fall asleep in his own bed! Wesley and I slept in my bed - and Ryan joined us around 3:30. Not too shabby.

I have a short "to do" list to get done before Duane comes home and we have a birthday party this evening. It's been a nice weekend, but I sure miss my hubby!

Perspective

I want to move and my kids are starting to drive me nuts but:

• I have a house to live in
• My kids are healthy
• My husband is wonderful and loving
• We are all healthy and together
• We both have jobs (and I love mine)

These are the things I often take for granted, but today I am so grateful for them all.

Storytime with Dad

Check out Ryan and Duane reading "Hi Pizza Man"by Virginia Walter.

Busted!

Ryan has his first (and hopefully last) run in with the law tonight. We took a family trip to the grocery store and while we were paying for the groceries, Ryan made a break for it. I wasn't overly concerned at first because I thought Duane was right by the door putting the cart away. Turns out he was by the other door - and Ryan was moving very quickly towards the parking lot. Luckily there was a police officer on duty at the store and he scooped Ryan up as he tried to run out the door. Thank goodness for the strong arm of the law!

Nap Time

Wesley had a very busy day today. It was the last day of preschool (sob!) and he had swim class this afternoon, so I wasn't the least bit surprised when he fell asleep on the way home this evening. Usually when he falls asleep in the car, he wakes up right away when we get home. Tonight though, he stumbled into the house and laid down on the floor to continue his nap.

Ryan came in, looked at Wesley and immediately headed upstairs. I honestly thought that he was going to go in Wesley's room and play with his big brother's toys while he could! Instead a moment later he was heading down the stairs with his pillow, his Bobo and his blanket. That was a few too many things for toddler to carry at once, so he dropped the blanket and came back for it a minute later.

What was Ryan doing with all of his special night time things? He was tucking Wesley in for a nap of course!

Doesn't he look all comfy and cozy?

You can't really tell from this picture, but Ryan was giving Wesley a kiss goodnight and patting him.

Here's Ryan pretending to sleep next to his brother. His eyes are wide open, but he was making fake snoring noises, so I know he was supposed to be asleep.

I love that Ryan wanted to take care of his big brother!

Down for the Count

When you have more than one child in a house there are going to be fights over toys - that's just the way it is. I try not to intervene in toy fights unless someone is in real danger of being hurt (or if I'm at my wit's end.) Sometimes the kids really surprise me though. Check out Wesley's solution when Ryan kept trying to take his toy.

Wesley simply pinned his brother beneath the toy they were fighting over. Simple and effective - at least until Ryan gets a bit bigger.

Mom Always Liked Me Best

This morning I took the kids to Grandma and Grandpa H.'s, made breakfast for Wesley and chit-chatted until it was time for me to leave for work. I watched Ryan work his grandparents for the things he wanted, whether it was a book or attention or a certain toy. When Grandma stopped getting herself ready so she could get Ryan's cozy coup out I just had to laugh. I started pushing Ryan around in the car so Grandma could finish her morning routine.

As I pushed the car I said, "Ryan, you are spoiled rotten. Spoiled just like your big brother."

Wesley heard me and piped up from the table, "Mom, I'm not spoiled. I'm your favorite!"

Not So Sweet Dreams

I don't know what has gotten into Ryan lately, but bedtime has become our least favorite part of the day. Ryan is normally very good about going to bed. Duane will read him some stories, then tell Ryan it's time to go to sleep and Ryan will hop down from Duane's lap, crawl into bed, grab his Bobo and go to sleep. No more. That little night time angel seems to gone.

For the past few nights Ryan SCREAMS when Duane leaves the room after stories. On Friday the scream fest lasted until almost 10:30 (that's 2 hours after bedtime). Since Ryan wasn't asleep when I went up to bed, I put him in bed with me. Nice idea, but not real comfortable and I don't think anyone slept very well.

Saturday night we decided to be tough. Ryan screamed and screamed and cried for about 45 minutes before falling asleep on the floor of his room. We left him there for awhile, but Duane did pick him up and put him in bed - causing the screaming to start again. We all managed some sleep, but at about 4:30 AM Ryan started calling out for us - so into our bed he went.

Sunday night was the same routine - although this time Ryan only cried for about half and hour. When Duane went in to check on the little guy he found Ryan sleeping with his feet on the floor and his upper body resting on the bed. Duane scooped Ryan into his bed and things seemed well. At least until 12:30 AM. That's when the little voice in the room next to ours began calling, "Daddy! Daddy!" We ignored it for awhile, but then Ryan started calling "Mama. Mama," and it started getting harder for me to ignore. After a few minutes Duane said, "You can go get him if you want." So that was night three with Ryan in the bed with us.

Last night Ryan again screamed for about half an hour, but he woke up again when Wesley went upstairs. I got Wesley ready for bed while Duane calmed the little one. He only had to stay with Ryan for about 5 or 10 minutes. I'd call that a victory except for what happened later. We went to bed around 11:20, at midnight we were up with Wesley to take him potty. At 2:00, Ryan started crying for his Daddy again. Duane went into Ryan's room and ended up falling asleep on the hardwood floor for a while. I think I forgot to mention that Duane gets up around 5:30 for work. Needless to say, he did not have a good night.

I just don't understand what is going on with Ryan. I know we're going to have to ride it out, but it's turning into a pretty painful ride.

Not Me Monday

I did not drive home from Grandma and Grandpa P.'s with Bobo (Ryan's stuffed monkey) on my head just because it made the boys laugh. I would never do something like that.

I did not freak my children out arriving home from work wearing a red rubber clown nose. I'm way too serious to do that!

There is no way I plugged my phone into the charger and then plugged the camera charger into the outlet. That would've left me with a completely dead phone the following morning and I'd never ever do that!

It certainly didn't take us almost two years to finally send in the paper work and get Ryan's birth certificate. That would just be embarrassing.

Copycat

I guess it should come as no surprise, but Ryan has turned into a copycat of his big brother. Whatever Wesley does, says, or eats, Ryan wants too. I knew it was going to happen, but I didn't think it would happen so soon.

Wesley's favorite thing to do is the ol' "Gimme five. Up high. Down low. Too slow!" Now Ryan will hold his hand up in the air say "Up high" then he'll move it down and say, "down low!" Good thing was haven't gotten to the "too slow" phase yet. I'd hate to have to pretend to be too slow for both my kids!

Harry Potter? Who's He?

My guess is that the Sorting Hat would place him in Hufflepuff

Not Slytherin!

Ravenclaw? Cool!

Wouldn't you just love to know what spell Ryan was casting on his brother?

Must have been a silly face spell!

More Brotherly Love

Pool Boys

Yesterday's main excitement was the circus, but I got to partake in another treat. I only had to work half a day, so I got to go to Wesley's swim class with him! He loves swim class and he's doing so well in this one - although Grandma H. (who usually takes him) told me he was showing off a lot for me.

I got to watch as the class did their alligator walk, then added a motor (kicking), then blew bubbles and then added big rainbow arms (the circular arm strokes0. All the kids did really well! I even saw Wesley lay down on his back in the shallow end. Most impressive indeed.

Ryan isn't in a class right now because I don't want to ask Grandma to have to take him in the water. Boy is he jealous though! When Wesley was getting his swim suit on to go, Ryan started taking his pants off too. He screamed and cried when we left without him.

To make it up to him, I took him swimming today while Wesley was in preschool. Just the two of us. And it really was too! I've discovered that if you go right when the pool opens, there is almost no one there. Ryan and I were the only "Mommy and kid" there and had the entire kid's area to ourselves. We spent a lot of time playing in the fountains, going down the slide together and me catching Ryan as he jumped off the side of the pool. Considering how fearless that boy is, I think I'd better get him signed up for class pretty soon!

Circus Time

We just returned from a night at the circus with Grandma and Grandpa P. We had a great time! Wesley was so excited to go - he talked about it all day. Want proof of his excitement? Check out him and Daddy while we were walking into the arena.

Ryan wasn't real sure what to think - as evidenced by this picture.

Once we were inside, both boys could tell something special was about to happen. We let each of them pick something out at the souvenir stand. Wesley picked a pack of little plastic animals (no surprise there). Ryan was a bit overwhelmed, so we picked a light up toy for him. Based on the picture below, I think we made the right choice.

Wesley inhaled a bag of cotton candy, and since Ryan wouldn't try it, I let him drink my soda. I figured it wasn't possibly any worse for him than the spun sugar. Although I did try to take it away from him once and he screamed so loudly that everyone around us turned to look. I didn't try to take it again!

I wish I had been able to capture some pictures of how enthralled Ryan was during the show. He clapped and jumped up and down and barely took his eyes off the performers the entire time. Wesley was most taken with the animals. We saw zebras, horses, dogs, elephants and tigers. I think the whole thing could have been animals and Wesley would have been just fine!

You know, as great as the show was, nothing compared to sitting there watching the reactions that Wesley and Ryan had. I guess that's just one more sign that I really am a parent - along with the cheerios and raisins on the floor of my mini-van!

King Ryan's on the Counter

In case you aren't a children's librarian, the title of today's post is taken from the book "King Bidgood's in the Bathtub." It's a really cute story about a king who is enjoying his bath so much that he refuses to get out. Kind of like Ryan this morning - except instead of being in the bathtub, Ryan was on the counter and he wouldn't come down. I think he sat up there for more than half an hour. He'd snack a little, babble a little and then snack a little more, but he wouldn't come down until Grandpa P. arrived. Good thing Ryan can't climb up there on his own, or I'm not sure he'd ever touch the floor again!

I'm Dreaming of a Garage

Most of you know that Duane and I are hoping to move pretty soon (like within the next year) and to have our house up on the market this summer. I have a list of things I'd like a new house to include - aside from being in a decent school district. I'd like a dishwasher, a basement that is finished/could be finished and that you don't have to go outside to get to, a yard and garage. Oh, PLEASE let me have a garage.

Just getting the boys out of the house and into the van on a wet and cold morning like this is a major endeavor. I got the raincoats on the boys. Wesley wanted his rain boots on, his hood up and no umbrella. Ryan wanted shoes - not boots, no hood, but yes to the umbrella.Even though I had already taken the diaper bag, my work bag and Wesley's preschool book bag out to the car, I still had my purse, my coffee and my umbrella to carry. Plus Ryan's Bobo monkey and his sippy cup in my pocket.

We managed to get out of the door onto the porch. I juggled things to lock the door and opened my umbrella and Ryan's umbrella. And the little stinker would not hold his umbrella!!! He wanted it over his head, but he wanted me to hold it. Now the last big rain we had, he took my umbrella and walked with it just fine, so I know he was capable, he just didn't want to. I left him and his umbrella on the porch while Wesley and I dashed through the heavy rain to the car. I got him in, put my coffee in the cup holder and my purse on the seat, tossed Ryan's Bobo on his seat and then went back to retrieve Ryan.

Somehow I ended up with an umbrella in each hand and coaxing Ryan down the steps, through the rain and to the van. Then I wedged my umbrella in the sliding door so I wouldn't get soaked while buckling him in, getting his cup and his Bobo for the ride. Only then could I get into the van myself and assess how wet I had really gotten through all this.

I REALLY want a garage.

Not Me Monday

I did not rejoice when a new Diego DVD came into work because it meant I'd get a little uninterrupted Mommy Time from the boys. Not me.

I know I didn't have a special night out with Duane and ask to leave my favorite bookstore early because one of my undergarments was suddenly very uncomfortable. That would have been a complete waste.

There's no way I informed Wesley that he couldn't get in bed with me anymore until he stopped wetting the bed. That would have been mean (even if was in the interest of self preservation).

I have not begun to feel guilty about not keeping up with a journal I started in January. And I certainly do not spend one night a week creating past entries. I'd never do that!

I was not upset by my Mother's Day gift, even though it was EXACTLY what I said I wanted. And I know I didn't spend half the day in a funk.

Cranky Mother's Day

So far today has NOT been the kind of day that Mother's Day cards are written about. I am in a super big cranky funk and I cannot seem to shake it. Ryan got me up at 6:30 this morning. Fun, right. I have to work today. I got the gift I wanted, but for some reason it rubbed me the wrong way. I've been crying and basically feel like a blob. Great Mother's Day, huh?

The worst part is, I am fully aware of the fact that I'm acting like a brat. I have two wonderful boys, a hubby that loves me, a terrific mom, a great step-mom and I love my mother-in-law. I have lots of wonderful women in my life and instead of celebrating all this, I feel like spitting nails. Right now if I could have my wish it would be to lock myself in the bathroom with a bottle of bubble bath and a stack of books and not come out. Not very festive, I know. I just don't feel like today is a very festive day.

On the up side, Wesley did give me a bookmark he made and rock he painted. I cried when I opened them, but at least they were happy tears.

Happy Anniversary

Happy Anniversary to us! Today is our wedding anniversary and Duane and I made sure we got to spend the day together - even if it meant he had to take the day off work to do so. I guess we didn't really celebrate is a typical way. We started the day off with a dentist appointment.

I don't know how many of you remember Wesley's last dentist appointment. Let it suffice to say it was a total nightmare. I came home from it and informed Duane that next time Wesley had a dentist appointment, Daddy could take him. Duane said that was fine, but if he was taking Wesley, Wesley was going to go to his dentist. So we all drove up to Duane's hometown (about 20 miles away) so he and Wesley could get their teeth cleaned.

Apparently Daddy once again knows best. I don't know if it was different set up of this office, the fact that Duane was there, the different technician and doctor, or that Wesley is a little older, but the visit went wonderfully well. Wesley laughed and allowed his teeth to be brushed with the "tickling toothbrush." He finished up well before Duane, so he joined Ryan and I in the waiting room. I think what impressed me most was that Wesley had chosen a little ball as his prize for being so good and he gave it to Ryan. Seriously, he handed it right over to his little brother and never once asked for it back!

After daddy wrapped up we picked up Grandma W. and went out to breakfast. The service was

a bit slow, but both of the boys were good. I'd even go so far as to say that Wesley behaved excellently. He ate, he didn't run around, he even ordered his food for himself. And check out that grin with grandma! Those are some seriously white teeth!

We had to make a quick stop at Wesley's school to pick up a super top secret Mother's Day gift for me, and then we headed to COSI for a little bit. The boys were both totally enamoured with the water table and left COSI sopping wet.

They also wanted to pose in the little "rat basketball" cut out. They are certainly cuter than any rats I've ever seen.

Lest you think the whole day was spent doing stuff with the boys, Duane and I did go out to a very very nice dinner for two last night. We went to Lindey's for a later dinner than we usually have. It was so nice to have a two hour meal where we could take our time, talk about adult things and not worry about when the kids were going to have a melt down. We even indulged in a cheese course just because we could! Of course the best part was the beautiful bouquet of flowers that Duane arranged to have waiting at our table, with the most romantic sentiment I've ever read on the card. I am so very lucky to be married to such a wonderful man!

Self Esteem Issues

I'm glad to say that my boys seem to have absolutely no self-esteem issues. If anything, I worry about them thinking they are TOO wonderful. I'm always telling Wesley that he is my favorite four-year-old and I can think of a handful of people (myself included) that frequently tell them both how good looking they are. Want proof that these guys aren't lacking in self esteem? Just read on!

Yesterday the boys were at Grandma and Grandpa P.'s house. Apparently Wesley came out of the bathroom and told his grandpa, "Grandpa I went to the bathroom, flushed, washed my hands with soap, used the towel....I am awesome!" Of course, there's no way Grandpa was going to debate that. Later on that day, Wesley told his grandparents, "I am an expert at everything!" Sure you are sweetheart.

Ryan isn't immune to this super ego either. This morning as we were driving to Grandma and Grandpa H.'s we were listening to the Phineas and Ferb show CD. There's a song on it called "I'm Fabulous" and basically a character singing about how fabulous he is. The song had no sooner ended when I heard Ryan pipe up from the backseat, "I'm fabulous," or at least something that sounded very much like that in 21 month old speak.

Yes, they are fabulous, handsome, smart, charming and wonderful to their parents and grandparents. I just hope the world waits awhile before trying to knock them down a few rungs.

Couch Time Conversations

Wesley and I have been having some pretty interesting conversations on the couch lately.

Wesley: I want to be with you all the time every day, Mommy.

Mommy: I wish I could be with you all the time too.

Wesley: When I have to go to Grandma H.'s I will ask her to bring me to the library to see you.

Mommy: That would be nice. I love it when you come see me.

Wesley: But what about when I'm at Grandpa P.'s?

Mommy: Well, you could call me on the phone.

Wesley: Yes! I could call you on the phone! Unless I'm busy being a cat.

Lest you think all of our exchanges are sweet. Check out the conversation that immediately followed the one above.

Wesley: Mommy, why don't you ever let me drive?

Mommy: You aren't old enough to drive, Wesley. Mommy would get in VERY big trouble if I let you drive. You can't drive until you are 16 years old.

Wesley: But I'm only 4 years old. I've been 4 forever!

Mommy: You'll be 5 soon.

Wesley: And then can I drive?!

Mommy: Tell you what. You learn how to ride your bike first - then we'll worry about teaching you to drive.

Wesley: But my bike is too tall.

Mommy: But the car is taller. Hey, guess how old Mommy is?

Wesley: How old?

Mommy: 36!

Wesley: So you can drive!!!!

Talk about a one track mind!

Going on Two

Ryan is officially a toddler. Yes, he's 21 months and has been walking for about a year, but it's official now. He can say, "No!" and "Mine!" and he's not afraid to use them. This morning we had a meltdown of Wesley proportions.

Ryan did just fine getting up and going potty, but when it was time to get dressed, all heck broke loose. I got his shorts on just fine, but when Ryan saw the dinosaur shirt I wanted to put on him he shook his head and said no. I would have been OK with that, but then he grabbed the shirt out of my hands, crumpled it up and threw it on the floor, screaming "NO!" I didn't want to fight him so I reached into the closet for a different shirt. It didn't matter what shirt I took out of the closet, Ryan would scream and cry "No! No!"

I finally got the original shirt on him and carried him (screaming) downstairs. Despite his protests and tears I managed to get his teeth brushed and hair combed. Then I went about offering him first breakfast. I got out yogurt puffs, dehydrated fruit and raisins for him to choose from. He pointed to the yogurt puffs and I started to open the package. "NO!! NO!!!" Ryan started screaming. So I put the puffs down and started to open the fruit instead. "NO!!! NO!!!" So I put that down and reached for the raisins, only to get the same reaction. That little song and dance lasted about 5 minutes before I just gave up -which did not make Ryan any happier.

He finally settled down enough to have some raisins, so I went and got his sandals to put on. Mount St. Ryan erupted once more. "No booties! NO BOOTIES!" Ryan calls anything that goes on his feet "booties." So I fought him to get his shoes on.

By this time it was time to get Wesley up and ready for the day. Luckily Wesley didn't give me any grief about getting ready, because Ryan was still sniveling - which turned into screaming when we put on his jacket "NO JACKET!!!"

Needless to say, I was very happy to drop him off at his grandparents today. When I got there, I told them that Ryan had been a little beast all morning. The result, more tears and Ryan screaming, "NO BEAST!" UGH! By the time I got to work at 8:30 I felt like I'd already put in a full day's work.

Unfortunately things weren't much better when I picked the boys up this evening. I could hear Ryan screaming before I even opened their front door . Apparently the day went fine, but he erupted when he got up from his nap. Nothing and no one could calm him. We tried to give him some juice, but he threw the cup in between screams. He asked for his Bobo, but threw that across the room too.

Thank goodness he seems in a good mood now. Here's hoping it lasts.

Not Me Monday

I did not feel guilty about sending my kids to bed without dinner three nights this past week. That would have been ridiculous since I put healthy dinners down in front of them on those nights and they were the ones that refused to eat.

I have not turned Wesley into a servant by making him change the sheets on his bed if he has an accident during the night.

I did not get postively giddy over the idea of having dinner with two of my girlfriends and their families - especially not since it meant 5 children aged 5 and under at a restaurant.

I did not make Wesley apologize to the hostess at a restaurant after he erased the chalkboard that listed their specials. What kind of mean ol' mom holds her children responsible for their actions?

Birthday Party

Today was my Aunt Carol's 70th birthday. Out of all my aunts and uncles (my parents each have three siblings) Carol is probably the one I've been closest too. I can't remember a holiday she wasn't a part of or a ballet recital she missed when I was growing up. Like any good aunt, she always had gum or mints in her purse and was always ready to play a game or listen to a song. She's the same way with Wesley and Ryan and they both love seeing her.

Before heading to Mansfield to celebrate, we stopped by the North Market to pick up some goodies. A milestone birthday deserves something really special, so we stopped by Pure Imagination and picked up a pound of absolutely divine and beautiful chocolates. Wesley was entranced by all the candy in the display case, and asked the woman who was putting together our order to please put one of the candies with the hearts on it in the box, because it was for his aunt and he loves her. How sweet is that!?

Before we left the market, we had to indulge one of my cravings - Jeni's ice cream. YUM! Savannah Buttermint is a seasonal flavor and it's in season right now. It tastes exactly like wedding mints and is delicous! We ended up getting a trio (three small scoops) of Savannah Buttermint, Wildberry Lavender and Meyer Lemon. Despite the fact that I was the one who wanted Jeni's, I got very little ice cream. Ryan and Wesley really dug in. Maybe it was the fact that Mommy let them have ice cream before lunch, or maybe they just appreciate really good ice cream, but it was a big hit.

We met up with the rest of the gang (Grandma and Grandpa H., Kirk and Susan) and headed up to Mansfield. We spent most of the afternoon just hanging around with Aunt Carol and Al.

Ryan and Grandpa H. coloring

Hanging with Al

Wesley helped Grandma add the candles to Carol's cake

Ryan checked out Jersey's cat run

After eating cake and opening gifts, we headed to the carousel downtown. Wesley LOVED riding the carousel. He took a ride on a lion and then a tiger. For some reason Ryan wasn't real happy with the whole carousel thing - which is funny because he likes the one at the zoo.

After a couple of rides on the carousel and the ritual spoiling of my children in the gift shop by Grandma and Aunt Carol, we went out to dinner. Carol had chosen a restaurant that not only has good food, but a buffet, which was PERFECT for us! The boys weren't expected to have to sit the whole time and could pick what they wanted to eat - which means Wesley ate cottage cheese and green beans, but still.

We headed home after eating and Wesley immediately used the stickers he got at the carousel to make a paper carousel. He told me I'm supposed to take it to the library and hang it up at my desk. Guess he (and all of us) had a great day.