April and May 2011

I am finally on summer break and am making time to blog. A lot has happened the past couple of months. Nothing big, just a lot of little and fun things.

April started off with Charlie playing flat football with some of his friends through the YMCA. This is the first sport he has actually wanted to play. He enjoyed it, mostly!

Next was Easter. The boys were so excited to see what they would get in their baskets. They got jump ropes, which they loved. My parents came over for brunch that day. We enjoyed the usual festivities, such as the egg hunts inside and out.

At the end of April, Jack went to Kindergarten Round Up. He was really excited to be in Mr. Greve's class, which is the same teacher Charlie had last year. Doug took him to round up and Jack refused to let him take any photos of him. Doug got one picture and it wasn't a good one, because Jack wouldn't stand still.

Next up were Cub Scout meetings and ceremonies. At the beginning of May, Charlie was awarded many belt loops for completing certain tasks and learning certain things. He got belt loops for things such as learning to play chess, hiking, computer games, reading, writing, etc. He loved earning these and was already planning out what he could earn next. One of the ceremonies was to move him from a tiger to a wolf. Next year he will start out as a wolf. He attended a Cabela's day camp in May with Doug. We were all going to go, but Jack ended up getting strep throat. The camp was the entire day and Charlie learned how to shoot a bb gun and shoot a bow and arrow. He also learned about hiking and how to use a compass. He loved going to the camp with his dad and his friends.

Jack got to attend his first sleep over in May at his friend Ethan's house. Jack had never previously let us leave him at a birthday party alone. He has always asked us to stay. We were worried that he would not end up staying at Ethan's party alone. To our surprise, he did! They went bowling, had pizza and went to the fire station. Jack had a blast.

Then it was Mother's Day. The boys prepared roughly a million pictures to give me to for the big day. They drew and colored for days in preparation. They also gave me some new Teva flip flops and let me sleep in reallllyyy late that day. The boys also gave me a dollar bill. They thought that would make me happy.

On May 22, Charlie finally learned how to ride his bike without training wheels. We had never tried to teach him before and he had never really wanted to learn. Finally, he wanted his training wheels taken off. We took him to the middle school track near us and away he went. Doug only had to take him one loop around the track holding on and then he let go. Charlie didn't stop or fall! We were very surprised that it was so easy. He's been riding every day since, and loves it.

On May 23, the boys were outside playing with a new (real) golf set they had recently been given. Doug had just finished telling them to be careful and not stand near one another. Ten seconds later, the neighbor boy whacked Jack in the head with a driver. Blood was running down his face and he was crying, of course. We took him to urgent care and they put in three staples. He had a small scalp laceration just a few inches above where his hair line starts. It wasn't horrible but wasn't fun. The boys all learned a few lessons, as did we---no more playing with golf clubs!

On Memorial Day, we ran the Boys Town Memorial Day Race. This is the second time we have done it with the boys. Charlie really seems to enjoy running, but Jack could go either way, so far. I ran with Charlie and he ran the entire mile, dodging people and running his heart out. I think we finished in 10:14, which was good. I think I was holding him back a little bit! Jack ran with Doug and they walked some and ran some. Charlie had his face painted like a snake, while we were there.

Charlie finishes up school tomorrow. He will officially be on to 2nd grade, while Jack will be starting kindergarten. I can't believe how fast they grow up. Charlie had his field day today at school. It was fun to see him run around and compete in different events. There were about 20 different stations set up outside and in the gym. The kids could run around as they wanted to the different games. They could also purchase popsicles for a quarter. They loved this and Charlie enjoyed winning a few events.

Now we are on to summer! I am sure it will fly by, but we will enjoy it while it lasts. This coming weekend we are going on our third annual trip to Great Wolf Lodge in Kansas City. The boys think this is the greatest place on Earth! We also have a second trip planned to Estes Park, Colorado. We went there last year, and the boys loved it....as did I!

March 2011

We did a few fun things in March. I had my spring break the week of the 14th. It was so great to be off for a week. The weather was beautiful and I enjoyed some time with the boys, Doug and my friends. I met Krista for lunch one day with the boys. We tried Ingredient and then Red Mango. Red Mango is delicious. I also met my friend Jen for dinner at Roja and then went to Red Mango again with her! The boys and I went to see the movie Rango one day and then tried cupcakes from Jones Brothers Cupcakes in the new Aksarben area. I had that Monday of my spring break all to myself, which was nice! I went for a run, got my nails done and made a visit to the Apple store for a class on my Mac. Oh, and how could I forget! I went to the Lady Gaga concert on March 17th with my mom, aunt and cousin! It was a great show! Also over break, Jack and I walked to school one day to get Charlie. His friend Nolan came home with us to play and eat dinner. Charlie loves hanging out with Nolan, as does Jack!

With the month of March came the highly anticipated first Pinewood Derby car race for Doug and Charlie. They made a Lego car (got the idea from my friend Jen!). It was easy and the car took second place. Charlie and Doug were thrilled. Jack and I were, too. I can say I was a little nervous about Doug helping Charlie make a car, but it turned out well. They even talked about what they would make next year. Charlie has really enjoyed Cub Scouts!

Charlie started flag football in March. This is the only sport so far that he has said he would play. He had a couple of practices in March and his first game was on April 2nd. He did a great job and was happy to play alongside his friend Grant! Charlie is the one with the yellow hoodie on.

That was about it for March. We are now on to April, and that means only 36 school days left until school is out for the summer....not that I am counting or anything!

I have two grad school classes this semester. They are much easier than last semester, but still keep me busy. They end on April 16th and I can't wait to have a three month break before I begin two summer classes!

February 2011

I never take any photos in February. I don't know why. I just don't. Things that happened this month include: the Superbowl. The Steelers played and lost. We were sad. We went bowling a couple of times and had fun! My mom and I took the boys to see Mary Poppins the Musical. They liked it. Finally, Doug and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary! Ten years seems like such a long time. I can't believe how fast it has flown by. A lot has happened in our ten years of marriage. We had two kids, made several moves, changed jobs, gotten masters degrees, run marathons, gone back to school again and had a lot of fun. More fun than I can tell about here. We've had bad times, too, of course. But we always seem to make time for ourselves, each other and the boys. Things are good and we have a lot to be thankful for. I can't wait to see what the next ten years will bring.

January 2011

Not much went on in January. At the beginning of the month, we had Charlie's birthday party with his friends from school and Cub Scouts. We had it at Zzzap Laser Tag. Charlie had fun and so did the kids, but to be honest, it was the most chaotic party we've had yet. Not sure we will have another one there, or maybe we will wait until they are a little older!

We had another fun NYE with the Bell family this year. It was us, the Bells and another family. The third family had twin girls who had plotted with the Bell girl to kiss Jack and Charlie. When I told the boys of this plan, they immediately started writing up escape plans. It was really funny and entertaining. I will never forget them hiding under the dining room table to write the list of what they would do to deal with the girls. We ended up having an awesome time...lots of food, good people and laughs. I think I laughed until I cried that night.

December 2010

Whew. The holidays have come and gone in a whirlwind as usual. It was a crazy month, but fun as always. We did some fun things. We saw Peter Pan at The Rose. We also took the boys ice skating for the first time. Doug was at work, so my friend Sherry went along with us. She took one boy and I took the other. We tried going to the Con Agra rink on a nice warm day, but the line was really long. Instead, we headed over to Moylan Ice Rink. We had a great time. At first, I didn't think it was going to go so well. Jack didn't even get a quarter of the way around the rink before declaring, in true Jack style, that he wanted to go home. That's what he does. Charlie went around the first few laps with Sherry. He was pretty shaky, but seemed to like it. After Jack said he wanted to go home, he decided that he would give it another try. I still had to hold on to him with a death grip, but he loved it. We renamed it "ice falling" and he loved to fall. Good thing, because he did a lot of it! Every time he did it, he would smile. After skating for a couple of hours and having hot cocoa, it was time to go. Jack refused to get off the ice, without going around a few more times. Unfortunately, I forgot to take my camera on our skating adventure. So no photos! Next time, I guess.

Christmas this year was really nice. We celebrated with the Whitney family at Pizza King on the 23rd. A santa came to see the kids and deliver gifts and of course, we ate lots of good pizza. My mom had a health scare and got the all clear that night before the party, so that was a relief.

Christmas Eve morning, Julie, the boys and I had lunch with my Grandma Gwen. I spent Christmas Eve with Doug and the boys. It was pretty low key. I made a good meal and then we had popcorn, cocoa and played Monopoly. It was a great night.

Christmas day was fantastic this year. I don't know if it's because they boys are getting older or if the stars aligned or what, but it was relaxing for once. The boys didn't get any gifts that required assembly or batteries, so there were no pleas of, "put it together now!" etc. It was great. They played with their toys and art supplies and we had breakfast and watched a few movies. Later that day, my Mom, Bob, Nate and Julie came over. We ate a TON of appetizers and ended up not hungry for the dinner we had made.

The other big event of December for us is Charlie's birthday. He turned 7 this year! I can't believe his little boys years are over! For his birthday, we had a lazy morning. He requested that I make pancakes for breakfast. We watched some movies and played in the newly organized basement! That afternoon we went to The Rose to see Santa Claus is Coming to Town. Then we met our family out for dinner at Red Robin. Charlie was so excited to open his gifts and eat his Steelers football cake. Mom and Bob gave him more coins for his collection. (one of his favorite Christmas gifts was the coin collecting book from them). Julie gave him a science experiment kit. He loved that! He got a Lego computer game and some gift cards to Scheels. He was thrilled. That night we also celebrated my mom's birthday, since hers is just a few days after Charlie's. Julie and I got her a Coach purse and some of the perfume she loves.

The big chore we completed over Christmas break was to clean out the basement. It was a lot of work, but we got it done and now our basement is livable! I am so happy we spent the time and got it done. We bought a red sectional to put down there. Doug, reluctantly (sarcasm), bought a new big screen tv for the new set up. We've spent a ton of time down there. It's cozy and fun and the boys love that we donated many of their old toys. Their toy area is completely organized and it's amazing!

New Year's Eve was spent with the Bells at their house for our third annual NYE bash. We had a great time and spent quite a lot of time laughing until we cried. The kids played well together and we were exhausted when the night was done!

November 2010

It's already December. It's almost Christmas break. I can't wait. I am not feeling well and am tired, so here is the recap for November. It was busy and now it's over. The end. Here are some photos. We did have a great Thanksgiving break!

The above photo is from Thanksgiving. My parents came over for dinner.

This above photo was taken at the Durham Museum. We usually visit here the day after Thanksgiving to see Santa, the tree, and the trains. The boys always love it. Afterwards, we take a carriage ride around the Old Market area to see all of the holiday lights. We then have dinner downtown. We have done this for a couple of years now. This year after dinner, we visited Tannenbaum, which is a Christmas shop in the Old Market. The boys each picked out an ornament for the tree. Last, but not least, we stopped at the Candy Shoppe. The boys love picking out a little sack of candy.

The Saturday after Thanksgiving we get out all of the decorations. This year we added this snowman. The boys thought that our house was too boring....so now we have this guy and Doug put up lights. The boys were really excited!

October 2010

October was even busier than September.

At the very beginning of the month, we made our first trip to Vala's Pumpkin Patch. I had always refused to take the boys here because it would cost $50 for the entire family to go. I had no idea that it was way more than a pumpkin patch. We went this year and had an amazing time. We went in the late afternoon, with the intentions of staying until it closed. We wanted to do the hayrack ride at night and enjoy the evening. There was so much to do there and we had a blast. We will definitely be going back.

After that in mid-October, I went to Denver with my friend Sherry. We went to visit my sister, but also to run the Denver marathon. I ran the half this year and really enjoyed it. The weather while we were there was perfect. We did a ton of shopping, relaxing and eating. I can't wait to go back to visit again. We spent a lot of time at the Coach store, where I got a purse and some more for my birthday! Love that store.

Charlie lost another tooth this month...this one was a big one. It was his top front tooth! The other front tooth is now loose and will be falling out soon. So he will officially be able to say he wants his two front teeth for Christmas.

Next, was something we weren't planning for. Jack had an allergic reaction to penicillin towards the end of the month. It started out as hives and a horrible rash that began on his legs and stomach. The next day it had spread all over his entire body. His feet, hands and knees hurt and were all swollen. He had a fever of 102 for days and a few days after it had started things weren't any better. They just kept getting worse. His eyes and face were even swollen. The poor guy was itchy and miserable. The Friday night after Jack had the allergic reaction, I went to the store. While there, Doug called to say Charlie had stuck his hand in an ice chip maker. I rushed home and we took him to the ER. He was hysterical and Doug and I were both nervous wrecks. He cut his hand up pretty badly. He received many stitches and to make a long story short, he is healing pretty well and is on the mend. It was a learning experience for him!

At the end of the month was Halloween. Charlie dressed as a Shadow Trooper from Star Wars and Jack dressed as Darth Vader. We had a laid back day---carving pumpkins, some baking and dinner. My mom and Bob came to eat with us and held down the fort while we took the boys trick-or-treating. It was a chilly night, but we had a great time. Halloween was on a Sunday, so we had to call it a night fairly early to head to bed.