Spring for a Day

It is so nice to have a few more nice weather days. I came home tonight a bit early for a Friday...6:00 pm. I don't know how I worked it so that I work late on Fridays. I hate it. Anyway, came home to the boys playing in the yard with some neighbor friends. We spend a lot of time outside with Bronx and Brecken, and now more kids are coming out of the woodwork. Each time we are out, a new family stops by saying, "Our kids saw you all out and just had to come play". I love how we have lived in the same house for 5 years and are just now getting to know some of our neighbors. The more the merrier. The boys love it. New friends: Sully, Hayden, and Blake. Maybe this way I will remember!

I'm Back!

It's only been 6 months. I am a blog failure. I know it. I just can't keep up.

Anyway, things are going well. Brian and I are both still gainfully employed in this lovely recession our nation is having. We are thankful for that. The boys are as busy as ever. The spring weather has been great and we have been able to spend a lot of time outside lately. Too bad we have a winter storm advisory for this weekend. I love Kansas!!!!

Will started soccer again last weekend. This is his third season with his same team. They are getting pretty good. Will amazes me with his tender heart sometimes. I caught him twice helping another player up off the ground. I have to relish those moments because the next moment I may see him knocking a player down. No, he just saves that for his brother!

Max is growing by leaps and bounds. In height, not weight. He is a skinny little thing that won't eat much of anything unless it starts with "fruit" and ends with "snacks". He would probably quite content with a diet of pure sugar. He also has his sweet side, but I see the "threes" coming. I don't know why they call it the "terrible twos". It should be the "terrible threes". At least in our history.

We are looking forward to consistent nice weather, playing outside, learning to ride our bike on 2 wheels, and working in my vegetable garden. Oh, yes, Brian has his doubts with the last one. But I know I can do it. I can and will have a green thumb!

Still Lazy

I guess I will always be a slacker when it comes to the blog. I always get inspired when I read my friend, Kelly's blog. She works, has 2 young boys and a newborn, yet she blogs frequently. What's my excuse? I don't have one. I guess my life is just too boring to talk about!

We had a water main break right outside the office today. I wish I had had some warning before I drank a 32-oz. diet coke on my way to work. At least I got my exercise hoofing it up to the hospital to pee. At least they had working facilities.

Will practiced riding his bike tonight without the training wheels. Although he did not stick with it long, he did say it was "fun". Another great way for mom to get some exercise. My hamstrings were burning from running in a forward flexed position holding onto that seat. Maybe I can skip the treadmill tonight? It is staring at me as I type...procrastinating.

Max and I were talking the other day, and he started saying all of our names. I asked him, "If you put us all together, what are we?". I was going for "family". Max's answer-"A marching band".

Got to go practice my clarinet!

Busy Month

August was a busy month for us. Will is playing both soccer and baseball. He loves it but it leaves us with only 2 free nights a week and games both days of the weekend. Can I remind you that he is only 4? I am destined to be a "bleacher butt" mom. Max loves sports every bit as much. I can't imagine our schedules when both of them are playing.

Max is quite proud of his new "trick". He has been getting out of his crib. He has done it before, but now he is quite good at it and does it frequently. Time for the big boy bed. And the lock on the door.

Will begins a new year at Sunshine Preschool tomorrow. He is very excited to see all of his friends. Both of the boys will also be moving up a class at my work's child care center, so a lot of changes this week. I have not been too impressed with Max's teacher the last few months so I am hoping for a change in the positive direction.

A few weeks ago we went to Springfield, Ill to visit our friends, Michelle, Lamar, Cora, and George. Oh yes, and Cleo the horse (aka great dane). Max was not a fan of Miss Cleo when we arrived but is still talking about her now. I have no idea where his fear of dogs comes from. We had a great time. We sampled the local delicacies (a world famous horseshoe), saw a great concert (Brooks and Dunn and ZZ-Top-can't say I am a fan of the old men with beards!), went to the Illinois State Fair, and visited the City Museum in St. Louis. We were 10 pounds heavier and exhausted when we got home. We had a blast. Thanks, Villeres!

"Me no yike merry go round"

Lamar and George-The Winners

I'm not touching that

City Museum-St. Louis

I am amazed by their lack of fear-that thing was way up there. I couldn't do it. Poor Brian!

City Museum-St. Louis

City Musuem-St. Louis

Maxisms

The chatter box is at it again...

We were having bad weather a few weeks ago and there were talking about tornados on the news. Max said, "Me don't like tomatoes".

Yesterday, we were at the pool and many people were shooting off fireworks in the neighborhood. Max came running up to me and said, "I hear animal crackers!".

He's a hoot!

A Little Bit Lazy...

It appears I have not been keeping up with my blogging lately. But since I have not heard any complaints, I guess not too many folks were too put out. Anyhoo...we have been busy since the last post (March). We are so very glad that summer is here, but now I guess I have to start complaining about the heat! I can't win. Max turned 2 in May. That kid keeps us going. He talks a mile a minute and has a question for everything. I adore his zeal for knowledge yet am often quite thankful for the silence. No, I don't normally dress them alike...

Will has been busy and is growing up so fast. Today he insisted I give him a hug outside of his classroom so that his friends would not see it! Heartbreak! He enjoyed playing soccer in the spring, and now t-ball is in full swing. He is loving it. Two games each weekend! Yikes! I can't imagine life in 10 years with both of them in activities. Mom and Dad-I just need to take a moment to say "thank you" and "I'm sorry".

We are enjoying our summer with Royals games with Ellie and Lucy, the neighborhood pool and the big water slide with Bronx, a trip to the petting zoo with Cora, George, and Elliott, and a trip to the KC Zoo with Mema and Granka (Max: "The elephant pooped!"), and just spening time outside.

Have a great summer!

Ski Trip/Soccer

We all enjoyed our trip to the mountains. The boys did amazingly well in the car for the long drive. We got to see my brother and his family in Denver, which was fun. We swam in the hotel pool. Max is still quite smitten with Ryann. Jamie recovered from her surgery well.

Will chose not to ski. They put his skis on to "ski" down to the shuttle stop and he changed his mind and was back within 10 minutes. Luckily, ski rental was free! So, me and the boys hung out at the condo and were lazy. My kind of vacation.

Will started soccer last week and had his first game on Saturday. They did about as well as a group of 4 year olds could do. It was fun to watch! Will did score 2 goals (he takes after his mom!) and although they say they don't keep score, we know we won.