May I Introduce

Meet the Brainiac

planning his evil scheme

and carrying out his wicked plan.

Meet the innocent victim still in church clothes

who wasn't too thrilled to take part in such a childish game.

Meet the father on Father's Day

who got to eat his favorite dessert, Creme Brulee

probably because it involves using a torch and looking like a hero (because he really is :)

Meet Mr. Messy-Pant during dinner

after dinner

and throughout the month of June

all the way back...

to Mother's Day

Meet my future fighter fighter

who is also the ball player

and the swimmer,

and has a little brother that was told he couldn't get in the pool to get wet.

THE END

WoRdLeSs WeDnEsDaY--Mmmmmorial Day

It's so quiet in the house, I could hear a pin drop.

That is....if there was anyone in this house to drop a pin.

I have been waiting for this day for about 2 months now.

The boys are gone for the weekend to spend 3 entire days with Nana and Papa.

I really hope Nana took Monday off to recover!

When I returned home yesterday afternoon from the "exchange of goods," Scott said to me, "Every where I turn there is just something to be done around here!"

To which I replied to the man with filthy clothes, "This weekend is about two things--recharging our batteries and getting enough done around here without exhausting ourselves."

There are lots of things I love about my husband, but one of the things I have come to appreciate is his desire to work. Long before we were married, I noticed how much he valued working hard and it's payoffs. Now that we have a family, I can only appreciate it that much more--especially since I am an at home mom. But it's more than just providing a living that he's good at. He's great at the let's-make-a-list-and-get-it-done. Sometimes he's so good that I have to remind him that it's okay if we don't get it all done right. now. Although I have to say, through life's trials and tribulations, he's well-balanced with work and family--in the right way. But watch out when the man's created (or given ;) a "to do" list!

So that's what he and I are working on this long weekend. Getting some, not all, of the boxes on our "to do" list checked off. The list is over-ambitious, but in time will need to get done. I feel that if we get all of the boxes checked this weekend, we worked a little too hard and didn't do enough "fun" stuff to recharge our batteries.

Yesterday, Scott took part of the day off and stained the deck and washed the windows. Today, I am cleaning out a little man's dresser, cleaning the bathrooms (half done already) and spending the rest of the day out-and-about all. by. myself. Only to finish the day off dining with friends and my husband.

Tomorrow. More work. Part of which includes REpainting our kitchen. Remember awhile back I told you my husband was going to freshen up the kitchen with new paint, which would bring in a splash of color? Too much color. Ugh! Good thing he's ambitious!

Tomorrow evening. Anniversary dinner.

9 Years.

xoxo

not dead

Nope. I'm not dead, just really pokey with my blogging. Still.

These

boys

keep

me

busy

!!!

I had a wonderful lunch date with my mom on Saturday afternoon. It was a super belated birthday present to her from me, but this was finally the best time to just leave the two little dudes with their dad dude and papa dude.

During our lunch date, we each shared one thing that we wish we could change as a parent. I mentioned to my mom that the convenience of technology is good, but really a distraction from what is more important. I literally could spend every second of the day on the computer because there is so much to explore by reading, shopping and socializing. There there is email. I am sure I could just delete my entire inbox without reading it and my life wouldn't come crumbling down. Finally the convenience of communicating through texting.

I really, really try to set limits on how much my face and fingers are at the computer because it's so unhealthy for me to not have those limits. Kinda of like the tv--people always have opinions one way or the other about how much is too much tv/gaming for kids. So I have to be the first to set an example for these two dudes by setting limits and sticking to them.

Anyhow

Not

Dead

Just trying to say hello and manage to boys at the counter with glue sticks and construction paper. One of which I am sharing a chair with and other is asking if I have more lap.

So I'll post a few pictures to show you just how alive we have been! I'm not proofreading or editing this post--so you get what you get and you don't throw a fit as my preschooler tells me--oh, his teacher is so smart--I never realized how smart or important or influential teachers are until I became a parent of a student.

Easter Sunday at Target Field--Go Twins!

What's a game without good food?

Our real Easter dinner was the night before...ummm....ribs.

Henry's new favorite food.

And this is what a toddler looks like after ribs and ice cream.

spring things

Well, I think we've officially made it to spring here in Minnesota! There isn't as much as a flake of snow to be seen. We've had a few warm afternoons and the neighborhood probably looks like a city of ants by 5pm with all of the kids and adults running around. Minnesotans are not wasting a precious moment of this warm weather cause grills and patio furniture are assuming their summertime positions.

Today we are debating between visiting the zoo farm babies, playground fun or well...just hanging out close to home...outside of course. However, we could use a day trip to revitalize a few cooped up little boys, so we're looking at getting out of here.

Thought I would dedicate this post today to spring and a few things going on and popping up! around here.

#1 springtime colds...or allergies? not sure. Harrison definitely has a cold. He's had too many ear infections this winter and I am hoping we've battled the last one. I need to find my way to the health store to pick up some probiotics and boost his good bacteria cause it's a bit sluggish these days from the antibiotics. Henry, well, he's my allergy boy and the cause of his runny nose is a toss up. What's isn't a toss up is the stuff on his shirt sleeve. What are boys so stinkin messy? Seriously, if he doesn't have a tissue in his hand, I am always within ear shot of running a tissue to him and willing to wipe his nose if he lets me. Today. A white shirt. It will disguise the gross stuff he will wipe on his sleeve, but not do any justice to what will be dribbled on the frontside.

#2 Buy more Kleenex. Down to the last box. Literally. Had a roll of toilet paper on the counter yesterday just to have a back up.

#3 Buy my kids clothes that fit. And match. Scott dressed both boys today. While Harrison matches, probably because he's wearing a one-piece, Scott claimed, "In my defense, that's all I could find this morning, Jen." Hen's wearing 2T black shorts and a tshirt that fits but doesn't match. And it's dark, so I'll have to do something about that to disguise the snot.

#4 Tulips. Can't believe we melted the snow and seeing green all in the same week!

#5 Paint. I wanted to paint the kitchen last spring. Last year, I wanted green and this spring my husband realizes that we need to paint and touch up a few spots. This year, I'm jonesing for a blue grey color. Nothing dark, but something that matches nicely with our backsplash and keeps the kitchen bright. Think my husband is too...just got a text from him wondering if we can paint this weekend. Is he nuts? Does he need to ask?!

#6 Washing windows. I look forward to about 6 weeks from now when my children spend the weekend with their grandparents so I can do a little deep cleaning and enjoy it for about 24 hours. I look around this house and for the most part it is clean. What I can't keep clean are the windows from little prints and the floor from crumbs. I can sweep 2x a day and it's still dirty.

And a few randoms pictures to let you know what we've been up to.

Goin on walks...and {trying} to steal signs.

Enjoyed our spring break...even though it didn't look like spring.

Trying to avoid stitches and keeping our eye on the climber.

Trying to find a sport that makes these giant goggles look cool.

Happy Spring!

new life

Ayla Grace was born on March 8 at 5:26 pm. And if I told you how easy Sherry made giving birth look, you would want to hunt that mama down and slap her. Can I tell you, once again, that she's the champion of all mothers! I thought her record of pushing for 7 minutes with Harrison was amazing! Okay, brace yourself for this birthing update. Two words--first push. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, Ayla Grace and her mother hardly gave me enough time to actually be an audience member to witness her birth. Nevertheless, it was an amazing, emotional and beautiful beginning to her worldly journey. I am so grateful that I was able to be there to witness. She's beautiful in every way and a perfect addition to Todd and Sherry's family.

I'm also happy to report that the snow is melting here in Minnesota. We are eagerly awaiting for it to actually look like spring and the arrival of the Easter Bunny.

In fact, he's already received a letter in the mail from Henry. The letter looked something like this...

and said something like this...

Dear Easter Bunny,

When you come, I want a bow and arrow. My brother wants a new paci. Mom would like a bottle of wine and a new Jesus necklace. Daddy would like a new flashlight and hammer. Bye--I'm sorry to bother you right now.

Love,

Henry

So we press our faces to the window

and watch the snow melt. We can't wait to see the brown grass, plant flowers and watch the new life appear before our eyes.

pet peeve

In my original rant, I was upset with Facebook. However, after giving it some thought, I've decided that I'm not upset with Facebook, I'm upset at how some people use Facebook--better yet, how some people expect others to use Facebook.

Let's me set the record straight. I'm not a member of Facebook (which, actually annoys the crap out of me that I'm complaining about anything that has to do with Facebook), however I enjoy logging in onto my husband's account and getting caught up on some of my friends that he's friends with. The single reason that I don't have an account is that I just don't want to give it more of my time than it deserves (social media has a way of sucking me in.)

Facebook is suppose to be a fun way of people keeping tabs of long-lost friends and harmlessly communicating with people whom you label as "friend". It allows us to snoop (would you agree?) on others, get a glimpse into their lives and take a mental break from reality.

What I am finding scary is that Facebook has become some people's reality. They spend way too much time updating their status multiple times day, giving us glimpses that we perhaps don't need to know. Facebook gives its members the option to hide these people without de-friending them, which I think is brilliant.

However, isn't the same reason Facebook was created--to stay connected, also destroying close personal connections with people? Is Facebook suppose to be a substitute for picking up the phone and chatting with a friend who you need to catch up with? Is Facebook suppose to be a substitute for that visit you've needed to arrange to visit a family member, see a new baby, take a meal over to someone who's sick?

I am all about working at relationships with people who I choose to have close personal connections with. I believe Facebook can assist to some extend; however, if you desire more from a relationship, you're going to have to step away from the keyboard.

This entire rant of mine stems from a comment made from one "friend" to another. One "friend" demanded that she put more information on her page so that she can stay updated and "connected". I about fell off my chair, I was so angry at this avid Facebookers request. You cannot have expectations about how often, what kind and how personal the information people post. If you expect to stay connected with people, again, step away from the keyboard and pick up the phone.

In a nutshell:

• Maybe I should stay off my husband's Facebook's account, so my complaint is valid.
• Social media is a wonderful invention. Hel-lo, I'm a blogger, not opposed to modern inventions, don't make assumptions.
• I cannot control people. This post, which will probably only be read by my mom, will not change anyone's Facebook behavior; however it will make me feel better.
• I won't always interpret tone correctly.
• Lower my expectations of people when it comes to common sense. Good relationship = hard work, who would have thunk?