the little things...

Who knew that the $10.00 pool from 3 years ago would still be a big hit?

Nice pools in the n'hood and yet - we're in the backyard playing in our baby pool. HA!

I did go and grab a fun pool for the kids for the backyard, but there's some leveling to do - our yard is NOT level at ALL....

So until then, sprinkler, slip and slide, and just somewhere to splash - is all they need....

the last concert of the year

The last concert of the year was a big hit!!

Above is a photo of his teacher, and below is a photo of his best "girl" friend. He says that's all they are, but it was fun to watch them flirt in between songs and during warmup.

The group did an amazing job, it was such a noticable improvement from the previous concert!!

Big E and I registered for next years classes, and it includes advanced Orchestra. He wants to put flames on his violin!

finding my focus

I found my focus on that flower there... with my good camera...

recently switched to iPhone and found a snazzy app that makes pics look aged; thanks to my cool friend Sharnee ... its not in focus, but the subject is clearly family...

my close friend Jenn took these pictures; I'm not at all a fan of being serious in candid shots - so I may look like a total GOOBER in both - but those are my boys - and we've been spending some serious quality time together. I realize now, more then ever, how very precious this time is with my kiddos.

headed uptown

One of my bestie's came over today with her kiddo's and we headed uptown to ride the train for a while, and have a nice lunch at a super cool soda shop! Outside of the soda shop, and all across town during our train ride, we saw interesting stone work like this one below. Snapped this one with the iPhone, so it's not the best quality - but it's still pretty!!

Waiting on the train to pick us up and take us back to the car!

Overall, this spring break has been a blast for the kids and I!!!

park - unedited

These are gasp straight out of the camera (SOOC in fancy DSLR talk)

above: big E rarely glances at the camera, he's too busy running around...

little J is a red cheeked hot kid today - it's 90+ degrees in APRIL!!

not too long after these we hit the road, it was a little hot, and it was barely 130pm!

sometimes I have a few edits to make for over or under exposure, but these just looked colorful enough to post SOOC...

Your children need your presence more than your presents. ~Jesse Jackson

how was your Wii'k?

Well, so far it's been a busy and active week"Wii-k"! I mentioned in a previous post that I'm proud to be part of the Citizen's Journalist Program with Nintendo and WiiMommies for the Wii Fit Plus. I wrote my week two review HERE if you'd like to check it out!!

As the week came to a close, my brother arrived to build our playset for the kids. Little J couldn't have been more exicted to help!! Even big E was out on Friday for spring break and was able to pitch in too!

My brother and I, along with the kids and the n'bors kids, spent the ENTIRE day outside Friday!! Then Saturday morning woke to work more...

Today started early, my nephew arrived during the night and my mother arrived mid-day for an Easter family gathering. We were in and out alot from cooking, eating, and working on the playset. After all was said and done, my brother rocked that project!! 16 work hours later, the boys couldn't be more thrilled!!

click to enlarge

that's how we roll

Both boys got haircuts yesterday and had green gel put in their hair...

...and the youngest decided to take a super short nap, so mama and da boyz rocked the park!

Cuz, that's how we roll.

a special picnic

Special picnics with little J...

he decided to make me a special "salad pie".

There's a special way to smash it down, just in case you ever need to have this recipe. It requires alot of love.

Once you're done smashing it just right, you add the salad (grass).

Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!
~Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Thinks You Can Think!<>

oh sunny day

AMAZING sunny day!!!

We spent some time enjoying it at the park, it was still a little cool - but the sun was out and very inviting and we had no choice but to let these boys out of the house!!

Nothing like a little dirt tossing...

and some balancing too...

Tomorrow's supposed to be even warmer!! It may just be Springtime around here very soon!!

The sun is the epitome of benevolence - it is lifegiving and warmthgiving and happinessgiving, and to it we owe our thanksgiving.
~Jessi Lane Adams

happy days

hanging out with the kiddo's at the lake, it's our first weekend without snow, rain, or freezing temps in a VERY long time!!

so, some rock tossing was absolutely necessary

and mama found her favorite place to park it!

Valentines Day...

Valentines Day 2010 began early in the morning for mama - I thought this year we'd do a little less commercial stuff and a lot more home baked/made goodies... So, I made the boys (and hubby) hand-dipped milk chocolate and white chocolate strawberries...

I made homemade sugar cookies and cut out hearts, then iced them with some red/white and sprinkles... and finally, used the remaining chocolate melts to dip some pretzels!

The boys each got a tiny gift bag with some Russel Stover chocolates and a little bear with a card, and hubs got his favorite candy in a box w/ a card; little J decided that he wanted to make a homemade card for daddy this morning, so we did that and then presented all of the homemade goodness to daddy as a super special Valentines Day surprise.... and mama got a ONE HOUR MASSAGE GIFT CERTIFICATE at a local Wellness studio!!! I am STOKED!!!

snow fight

the snow is powder'ish (is that a word?), anyway - we just threw it at each other.... big E decided to sit this one out.

below, he's waving and saying "you can't get me!!"

oh.... but I DID get him!!!

snowy days

We had a little snow, and a little ice...

We may get more this weekend!!

Birthday wrapup

I created a tiny slidshow of photos from our little party for Little J - go HERE.

4 years old...

Oh Dear little J.... four short years ago, this very minute, they were showing you to me for the very first time EVER!! You were stubborn and I was finally convinced of it, and we had to visit the O.R. after almost 24 hours of labor... but you arrived none the less, healthy and peaceful.

Happy Birthday little man - you never cease to amaze me. We love you soooo much!!