Happy Easter

I hope everyone had a fabulous Easter! We sure did!

The Easter Bunny was really excited to visit our house. In fact, he was so excited that he left each of the boys a little pile of rabbit droppings by their baskets.

Gus "helped" find Easter eggs by batting the ones he did find around the house.

Wesley was brave enough to try one of the black beans/rabbit droppings

Sadie says "This basket smells like bunny and I have decided it should be mine."

"And if the real bunny isn't around, I'll help myself to this marshmallow one!"

Wesley enjoying candy for breakfast

Ryan and Daddy working on the Legos the bunny left in the basket

My boys all cleaned up for church

 After church, we headed to Grandma and Grandpa H.'s for brunch and a visit.

The whole W. family. We clean up alright, don't we?

The real W. family - maybe this will be our Christmas card this year.

"Candy? What candy?"

 So handsome!

It's the Wesley Bunny!

 

 And the Kei Rabbit

Later in the afternoon, we headed off to a very nice restaurant for a late brunch with Grandma and Grandpa P., Aunt Paula & Uncle Stacey, Cousin Aaron, Grandma Sandi, Mr. Steve and Uncle Kirk and Aunt Susan. We had an entire room to ourselves and it was so nice! We all got to be together and no one had to do the dishes - BONUS!  The boys were actually very well behaved and Wesley said the Worthington Inn makes his list of top restaurants - along with Cici's Pizza and Panera. What can I say? He knows what he likes.

The boys with Grandma Sandi

My handsome little dude!

After we ate, we went back to Grandma and Grandpa P.'s for a relaxing evening. Well, relaxing for the adults, the kids had to find more Easter eggs and their baskets. But they didn't mind the extra "work" at all - after all, it's Easter!

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

I love our new neighborhood. I mean, really love it.

Yesterday was just a beautiful day. The boys and I ran some errands and then I decided to tackle all the leaves around the shrubs and flower beds in our front yard. I didn't have any yard bags, but Grandpa H. walked some over to me - and when I ran out again, I was able to send the boys on their scooters and bikes just up the street and around the corner to Grandma and Grandpa's to get more.  Yes, I did call Grandma and Grandpa and let them know the boys were on their way so they could be on the lookout, but I love that it gave the boys a sense of indepence.

I love that they can ride bikes in our subdivision and I can say things like, "Don't go so far that you can't see our house" and they take care of each other. I love that the neighbors all look out for the boys and say "hi" to them when they are out and know their names.

We met another one of the neighbors across the street yesterday. She is very sweet and was simply charming to the boys. While they were out riding bikes/scooters she asked me, "Do your boys eat chocolate?"

I grinned and answered, "Only every chance they get!"

When they rode back in the drive, she brought over a large chocolate bunny for them to have as a "Happy Easter and thank you for being my neighbors," gift.

Needless to say, the boys are now smitten with her. Ryan even "helped" her with her flowers by her mailbox and the ever important placement of the garden gnome.

We dyed Easter eggs yesterday too. The boys did a great job with it.

Unfortunately, we had a bit of an issue when it came time to put stickers on the eggs. Wesley dropped his favorite egg and it smashed one side completely. He ordered us to fix it with a piece of tape, and did not understand why we couldn't. Tears followed, but in our house, it wouldn't be Easter egg decorating without some tears. I don't know that is part of our tradition, but it seems to be. I'm sure the bunny will bring enough chocolate tomorrow that the egg will definitely be a thing of the past.

Personal Trainer

About once a year I decide I don't like the way I look and need to start exercising. It lasts as long as it lasts and then I decide I am just too lazy and don't do it any more.

I'm in my first week of exercising for the year. I broke out the sports bra, the hand weights and the exercise DVD. I've been getting up a little before 6:00 each morning and doing my routine before getting in the shower and beginning the day. So far so good.

This morning I woke up a little later since I didn't have to work and the boys are on spring break. I got up about 6:30, figuring I'd have plenty of time to break a sweat before the kids got up. WRONG! Wesley was already awake when I got out of bed and decided it was his job to keep me company while I exercised.

Now I don't know how many of you have tried doing the first week of your fitness routine with a seven-year-old as your audience, but I'm not sure I recommend it. Wesley watched quietly for a bit, then the comments began.

"That looks really easy. I could do that," he said.

"Great," I huffed and puffed. "So do it."

He declined.

A few minutes later he said, "Does it get harder?"

"This is level 1. I do level one for a while, then I'll start level two, then level three," I explained before picking up my hand weights and heading into one of the exercises that always make me grunt (and sometimes curse) as I do them.

"Are you SURE this is level one?" Wesley asked, watching me struggle.

Wesley got off the couch and left the room. I heard him go into the bathroom, and a moment later he came back carrying a glass of water. He set the glass on the floor in front of me.

"I figured you were going to need this," he said.

I'm not sure if that was sweet or a little insulting. Probably both. And he's right. I totally needed it.

Spring Soccer

So it snowed here Sunday night and Monday morning. There were snow flurries yesterday. Today we started Spring soccer. Oh joy.

Ryan had his first practice tonight. Now, we have not thought about soccer since early October. We are also in our third residence since October. How much soccer equipment do you think we were missing when we started looking for gear last night? Any guesses?

We were able to find the practice clothes and uniforms for both kids. We found both soccer balls. We found both sets of cleats (although when Ryan went to put them on tonight we discovered that his feet have grown and the cleats are now one size too small). We could not find either set of shin guards anywhere. I guess all things considered losing two sets of shin guards isn't so bad. And I'm sure we'll find them eventually. I mean, we found Ryan's swim trunks and swim shirt a mere week after his swim lessons ended.

Anyhow, Spring soccer. It's cold. Really cold. I was sitting on my hands and trying to soak up every little of warmth the sun offered. Didn't seem to bother Ryan too much though.

No Girls Allowed

Ryan was watching TV this morning and saw a commercial for this toy.

He was entranced. Completely taken in.

"Mom, I want that toy," Ryan told me.

Wesley replied before I had a chance. "Are you sure, Ryan? 'Cause that looks like a girl toy."  This coming from a kid who had a Littlest Pet Shop tree house

Ryan didn't waste a moment before answering, "Well, I want the dogs and the pool, but not the girl. I do not want that girl!"

That's right, babe. She's too high maintenance.

All the News That's Fit to Read

Also known as the Sunday comics

Not Me Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to http://www.mycharmingkids.net/ to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

I did not go into paranoid mommy mode when my friend and co-worker wasn't at work at her normal time and had nothing on her public calendar. And I certainly didn't start texting her to make sure she wasn't in a ditch somewhere.

I was not super proud of myself for doing a little yoga at lunch one day, only to eat a gigantic chocolate cupcake less than two hours later.

I have not told Wesley that he has to learn how to ride his bike before he is allowed to get a skateboard.

I did not force the boys to go outside and ride bikes/scooters around the block because it was relatively warm outside and I wanted to wear them out.

I did not catch myself right as I was about to ask Duane if he knew where Sanders was.

Kind of Says It All

On the way to church today Ryan informed us "I'm super smart now that Wesley teached me!"

Um....yeah...super smart - except in English.

Fun Day?

Today was not the day I planned on having. I was supposed to work today, so I got up early to exercise (2nd day in a row - I'm in pain) and then hopped in the shower to get ready for work. When I went back into my room to get dressed, Duane was in absolute agony. He has had horrible back pain for over a week, but this morning he told me, "I've been trying to stand up for half an hour and I can't. I don't think you can go to work today."

Now if you know my hubby at all, you know that he almost never complains about feeling bad, so those words put a bit of panic in my heart.

I called into work, then called the doctor on call for the practice we go to. She called back and spoke to Duane for a bit. I honestly figured we'd have to go to the hospital, but she essentially put him on bed rest and offered to phone in a stronger prescription. Duane took the bed rest, but declined the stronger prescription. Stubborn.

The original plan for today called for Duane and Aunt Susan to take the kids to the Easter Family Fun day at our church. We bought the tickets last week and the boys were really looking forward to going. The new plan was that my stepdad came over to stay with Duane while Susan and I went to the church.

Waiting for the fun to start

Ryan tried Cocoa Puffs for the first time

Think he liked them?

Wesley and Mommy

Wesley, Ryan's kitten Violet, Ryan and Mommy

Wesley did a great job posing with the Easter Bunny

And this is why there are no pictures of Ryan with the Easter Bunny

Fishing for prizes

Egg Race

Wesley is all the about the form

Mommy and Ryan working on a masterpiece

Wesley's special egg

Wesley helped Ryan make a necklace

 

Ryan ringing the bunny ears

 

Wesley on the hunt for some eggs

Ryan and the quest for the golden egg

 

After Family Fun Day, we headed home to check on Duane. My dad came over and helped me remove the painting tape in Wesley's room and move all the furniture back in (a much bigger job than it sounds like) so Wesley could stop bunking with Ryan. Then I forced the boys on a bike/scooter ride in the sunshine before we get snow again tomorrow.  We pretty much took it easy the rest of the day. I just hope Duane is on the mend soon - really soon since I have to work tomorrow!

It Seemed Like a Good Idea

This is how I feel right now. I am Wonder Woman! I am Super Mom!

Today I

• took Wesley to school

• took Ryan to school

• got all the shopping for Easter baskets done

• printed out coupons for the Easter Bunny to leave the boys

• picked Ryan up from school

• had a nice lunch with my mom where Ryan ate 3/4 of his meal without any complaint

• bought a fabulous Easter outfit for Wesley

• picked out some pants and school shirts for the boys

• went to World Market to pick up the Biscoff I've been craving

• more than doubled the steps needed to meet my goal on my step counter

• picked Wesley up from school on time

• dug out my weights and exercise DVD and exercised for the first time in MONTHS

• made a dinner of chicken parmesan meatballs that everyone seemed to like

• put what I hope and pray will be the final coat of green paint in Wesley's room

• put some laundry away

And now I'm multitasking by watching tv, reading a book and enjoying a glass of wine. AND I have plans to get up early and exercise again before I have to get ready for work.  My only worry is that I'm going to look like this tomorrow.

I Believe You Have My Stapler

And yes, that totally was an Office Space reference.

So is this.

Ok, now that we have that out of the way I can continue with today's post.

I know I have mentioned Wesley's love of making books. The boy is forever searching for more paper or a stapler so he can start./add to/complete a book.

Last night Wesley shook things up a bit and asked Duane if we had an "unstapler."

 "A what?" Duane asked.

"Um...a re-stapler?" Wesley replied.

Turns out he wanted a staple remover so he could add more pages to his book. Speak English, child!

Snug As Two Bugs in a Rug

This is why we need to get Wesley's bedroom finished. I don't know how they get any sleep like this.

Sort of Spring

One of our local news stations posted this on their Facebook page today. The caption read "The suspect is described as 25 inches tall, 8 lbs... and full of lies about an early spring!"

It was COLD here today. Wesley was so excited when he remembered that Spring started today, but was sincerely bummed out when he learned it was still so cold he had to wear his winter coat. Me too kiddo. 

I feel like Spring is never going to arrive.

What a Week!

Yes, I know it's only Wednesday, but what a week it's been so far.

Duane's back started hurting pretty badly (like he can barely move kind of badly) last week. It hasn't gotten any better so he's on rather limited mobility this week. We share household chores, but having him partially down for the count is wearing me out! My hubby is no slacker around the house and trying to pick up a few loose ends is beginning to get the best of me.

Monday night my dad and I painted the first coat of Incredible Hulk green on Wesley's wall. No, that isn't the actual paint name, but wouldn't it be awesome if it was!? We only had enough paint for one coat, so I'm not sure when we'll get the second one done. I really want to get Wesley back in his own room by the end of the weekend though. He's been sharing a room with Ryan for almost two weeks.

Last night I was a judge at youth community spelling bee. These kids were AMAZING spellers. They were so good that we ran out of youth words and had to borrow from the adult list. The final round went on and on and was finally called a tie by the organizer. I thought things went swimmingly, but every year someone is upset about the results and has to question the judges ruling and it kind of sours the whole experience.

Today was pretty good with yoga at lunch and a gigantic cupcake from my boss, but it's not even 9:00 yet and I can barely keep my eyes open. And all I can think about is everything I need to get done on Friday (my day off since I work the weekend) - clean the house, Easter basket shopping, get an Easter outfit for Wesley, do the grocery shopping, the kids are long overdue for haircuts, and I really should think about finding some curtains/valences to match Wesley's "new" room. Not big problems by any stretch, but more than enough to keep me very busy on my day off.

Cooking Lesson

Last night I broiled a ham steak for dinner. The steak was from the half hog Duane bought and it was quite easily the biggest ham steak I have ever seen. Cooking it took a little longer than normal and while it didn't come close to burning, a little bit of smoke was created as I tried to get the edges of fat nice and brown.

As a result, the smoke alarm went off.

Wesley must be paying attention to fire drills at school because he sprinted up the steps from the family room. 

"What's that?" he asked. "Is it a fire? We need to go! We need to get out now!"

I explained that it was the smoke detector, but that there wasn't a fire - just a little bit of smoke from cooking dinner. But we did use it as a teachable moment to talk about where our family should go if there is a fire (we decided the street sign across the street).

A little bit later in the evening, I was making some more bacon candy.

Wait. You don't know about bacon candy? Take some nice thick bacon, dredge it in brown sugar and bake it until caramelized and delicious. Feast your eyes.

Anyhow, Wesley came into the kitchen as I was checking the bacon candy.

"Why did you only set the time for two minutes?" he asked.

Duane explained that the recipe says the bacon can go from yummy to burnt in just a couple of minutes so we needed to check it often. Wesley took that lesson to hear. Whenever he heard the timer go off he'd say, "Mom, you need to go check the bacon!" 

Guess he didn't want to hear the smoke detector again.

Not Me Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to http://www.mycharmingkids.net/ to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

I did not convince myself that putting the pedometer back on and actually making a real effort to exceed 10,000 steps a day counts as exercise. And it had nothing to do with not wanting to put on a sports bra to actually workout to one of my exercise DVDs.

I was not extremely annoyed with Wesley after he crossed a street without permission - even though the street in question was in our subdivision and I saw him look both ways to check for cars before he did it.

There is no way every dinner and every morning get ready routine has become a flat out battle with Ryan that usually ends in tears from at least one of us. Nope. No way that's happening.

I have not told Wesley that he needs to learn to ride his bike before he's allowed to learn to ride a skateboard.

Still Grieving

I feel a little weird admitting how much I am still grieving over the loss of Sanders. It's been 40 days since he died. Almost six weeks. And I still think about him and miss him every single day. And I probably cry, or at least tear up, no less than three times a week.

It's like there's a hole in my heart.

I no longer look for him around the house. I don't think he's going to be there or come when I call him, but I still need him. I miss the weight of him on my lap as I work on the computer or eat my dinner. I miss the way he curled into my stomach when watched TV on the couch or took a nap. I miss rubbing his tummy.

I'm getting weird about him too. We have yet to bury to the box containing his ashes because it's been too cold. We have it sitting on the desk in the living room and I can't pass by it without thinking of him. Sometimes I hold it in my lap just like I'd hold him and imagine him there with me still.

Ryan and I have become frequent visitors to Cat Welfare since Sanders died, but wasn't until yesterday that it hit me that on some level I am looking for him there. I realized I am searching the cages and the cats wandering around for him. If not for his look-alike, for his personality.

I very nearly found it yesterday. I found a sweet one-year old boy cat who loved his ears scratched in the precise way I scratched Sanders' ears. He let me hold him and purred. He head-butted my hand when I stopped petting him just like Sanders. And, get this, his name was Tiger - which was the name Sanders had when I adopted him and changed it to something with a little personality. Even though I knew I wasn't going to get a cat, and if I do get one it will be a kitten, I was still sad when I talked to the volunteer and discovered this Tiger probably wouldn't do well in a house with other cats and children because he tended to be a bit skittish. For a second it was like I lost Sanders all over again, even though logically I know Tiger was NOT the same cat as my boy.

Sadie and Gus are sweet cats - even though Gus tends to hide all day until the kids go to bed - but they have never been mine the way Sanders was. Sadie is much more affectionate at the new house (in fact, she is sitting on the computer desk with her tail draped over my wrist as I type this) and she really has helped me through losing Sanders, but it's not the same.

And I know it won't ever be. Sanders was my soul-mate kitty and part of me will always miss him.

A New Caldecott Book?

Ryan is not as a big a reader as Wesley, but he's starting to get pretty into it. He loves all the "Pete the Cat" books. If you don't know Pete, you must go to the library immediately and check one out. If they are all checked out, go to the book store and buy one. You can thank me later.

Two of the Pete books deal with shoes - either his white shoes or his school shoes. The other day Ryan said wistfully, "I wish there was a book where Pete wore Ninja Turtle shoes."

Luckily Wesley wants to be an illustrator when he grows up. He turned to Ryan, patted him on the back and assured him, "Don't worry buddy. I'll make one for you."

Sounds like a bestseller to me.

Play That Funky Music Grandma

Grandma H. told me this Ryan story yesterday. 

Grandma was taking Ryan to his swim class and had the radio tuned to a soft rock station that she often listens to.

After a few minutes Ryan sighed, "Grandma, can't we listen to some real music? Like Dora?"

Father Time

My brother's birthday is today. For some reason, I have an impossible time remembering how old he is. I consistently make him a year or two older or a year or two younger. Sorry Kirk.

Tonight I made a comment about it being Kirk's birthday and finished it with the question, "I think he's 41 today."

"Just like you used to be, Dad!" Wesley piped up from across the room. "And then you had a birthday so now you're 42, but only until September." 

Gee. Thanks for the help there Wesley.

Will Wonders Ever Cease?

The boys' job is to set the table for dinner every night. So far, we don't too many complaints about it and the boys have managed to split the job fairly evenly. Ryan is in charge of the place mats and napkins while Wesley sets out the plates and silverware.

The past two evenings I have arrived home to find the boys playing video games. Generally when they play video games Ryan actually plays and Wesley "advises" or pretends to play using a controller that is not plugged in. Both nights when I have asked them to please set the table, Wesley has said, "I'll do it! Ryan can keep playing" and proceeds to set the table alone.

Duane thinks it's because Ryan is better at the games and Wesley wants to see what the next level is like. He might be right, but I'm still pretty impressed that Wesley is volunteering to take on a chore that they are supposed to be sharing.

Of course, chances are pretty good Wesley will want something from his brother in the near future and we'll hear, "But I set the table for you two times in a row!" as he holds his good deed over his brother's head.

Ryan Short Stories

We kind of overslept Sunday morning, what with going out AND having the time change the night before. We were all kind of rushing around to get ready for church. I had gotten clothes out for the boys, but I left them alone to get ready while I finished getting myself ready. I noticed Ryan was taking kind of a long time to get dressed, so I opened his door to see what was going on.

Ryan was sitting on the floor with a book about tying shoes in front of him. He was trying very hard to tie the laces of the book just like it showed in the picture.

"Whatcha doing?" I asked him.

"Trying to figure this out," he answered without looking up.

"That's great, little man! But we need to hurry and get ready for church. You aren't going to be wearing tie shoes today, so maybe we could work on this later."

That got his attention. "But Mom, I have this thing on my pants," he said pulling on the drawstring, "And I need to figure out how to tie it so I can go to church."

__________________________________________________

The whole family was driving home from being out the other day and we had stopped at a stop sign. I looked out the car window and noticed that the bush outside was beginning to bud.

"Wow! Look at all the buds on the bush," I said to the boys.

Ryan put his hand up to his mouth. "Awwwwww......You said a bad word, Mom."

"What? No, I didn't." And then it dawned on me. "Ryan, I said buds. B-U-D-S. Not butts."

"Oh! I thought you said the other thing!"

Not Me Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to http://www.mycharmingkids.net/ to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

When the kids complained that they didn't like their new job of setting the table, there is no way I answered, "I don't like it either. That's why I gave the job to you."

Duane went to buy paint for the boys rooms one evening after a particularly painful dinner with Mr. Picky and Mr. Pickier.  I know I didn't ask him if he was going to come back from that errand. And even if I did ask that, I didn't follow it up with, "And if you don't come back, you'll at least send for me, right?"

I did not jump for joy when the boys had a snow day, but the library was still open so I had to go to work. What kind of mommy celebrates getting to spend the day away from her kids?

I know there is no way I forgot to the feed the cats one day. That would have been especially embarrassing since I am telling anyone who will listen how badly I want a kitten.

I did not have Duane hang curtains over the lace sheers in our front window because I decided a little privacy trumped tons and tons of natural light.

There is no way I let my total Star Wars - Lego - Cheerleader - Ensemble/Show Choir - geek flag fly at an evening with my church group. They certainly didn't totally embrace me anyhow!