A Change In Scenery

Anyone who has been to my house can attest to the obnoxious amount of toys my children have. Often, they  have a toy that is the 'flavor of the day,' only to be forgotten the next.  Think Toy Story here and those sad, sad toys just waiting to be played with.  The kitchen in Harrison and Gavin's room is one of those long lost forgotten toys. Even the bazillion-piece kitchen set G-Jo bought--complete with pots, pans, food, and utensils--has long been stored away for the incredible mess it makes when scattered throughout the house.  Then, the most brilliant idea came to me.....

Make the indoor kitchen an outside one next to the sandbox where they can play with those bazillion pieces and make mud pies all at the same time!  (Harrison even added the kitchen towel for true authenticity.)

The kids were so excited!  Simply moving the kitchen from a bedroom to the outdoors brought new life to this toy.  They played, no kidding, for 2 1/2 hours straight!  They made wunch (lunch) in the oven and put pretend vegetables in the garden as if they had instantly grown.

 

Had I known this is all it would take to bring life back into this toy I would have done it months ago.  It's the perfect combination--boys playing outside, learning about fruits and vegetables, playing with an all but forgotten toy, and best of all--a quiet house giving me peace to read a book (more on that later.)

Ouch!

 Maybe the next time Mom says "no running in the house" they'll listen.  But, odds are likely that they won't and we'll have many more goose eggs like this one. (Look at the way the bump forces his eyebrow down.  I know it sounds mean, but I can't stop laughing at the sheer size of this thing.)

Sledding Texas Style

After working hard in the garden we spent the next day with fun and relaxation.  We started at the Fort Worth Car Show (the Honda Odyssey--amazing!) and ended up at the park for some Spring sledding Texas style. It's a simple concept of finding a really steep hill and a nice, flat piece of cardboard, race to the top of the hill and slide down. 

If you don't have cardboard or just don't want to wait your turn, it's a lot of fun to just run down the hill as fast as your little legs can take you while trying not to tumble. 

Wearing play-clothes is a must because you will end up covered in grass stains and dirt.  

I can't wait to try this for a Tuesday play group.  I think all the little kids will have so much fun racing down the hill together. 

A Birthday Celebrated With The Birth of a Garden

When I asked Steve what he wanted for his birthday I was really surprised when he responded with, "I've always wanted to plant a garden."  To me, this sounds like more work than enjoyment, but it was a simple enough request, so a garden he shall have!  He enlisted the help of his boys' and even recruited Justin to come from Austin to help.  It was a family affair.  No 'The Little Red Hen' here!

The attention span of our children, while normal, leaves a lot to be desired.  It wasn't five minutes into working before......

Harrison asked if it was time for a break!

It took some investigation finding the perfect backyard spot.  Time will tell if we chose wisely.

I told Justin he looked like the creepy man next door with this get-up.  What is it with guys and tools?  I think getting to cut the rebar was a highlight for Steve and Justin both.  

Stay away from 'Ol Man Smitty who lives next door. And, seriously, what's up with the hat??

The kids were excited to have someone to play with them while the guys worked.

Steve and Justin can make a game or competition out of anything.  Emptying forty bags of dirt into a raised bed?  Boring!  Trying to cut the bags with a kitchen knife while being tossed into the air like a Ninja?  Thrilling and excited while being slightly dangerous, a mans dream come true!

This boy is our family clown, even down to this half smirk he's recently adopted.  It quickly can morph into a great pirate impression--a family favorite!

 Tomatoes, squash, peppers, strawberries, watermelon, and blackberries--grow baby, grow!

We taught Harrison the three things required for plants to grow; dirt, sun, and water.  And after being covered in the dirt and sun all afternoon nothing feels better than being drenched in water.  I think the plants and our children would both agree......

A very happy birthday to my love.  I hope your garden is a gift that keeps on giving.

Bend It Like Bergman

We decided to bring Harrison out of retirement after a two year break from sports.  The embarrassment of t-ball has faded and we've been told by parents much more experienced than us that soccer makes for a great kids' game--we took their advice and have given it a try. 

While I wouldn't call Harrison a 'natural' I can definitely tell all the practice from Uncle Justin has paid off.

Harrison is most excited to be on the same team as his buddy, Evan.  And, Gavin loves his best bud, Ian, is on the sidelines to entertain him for the hour the big brothers practice.  Ian and Gavin practiced their cheers, flips, and finally settled in for a movie and snack in the minivan.  At bedtime, Gavin told me it was his favorite part of his day. 

Coach Ellie did a great job keeping the kids attention.  They played 'Simon-Says' soccer skills, crab crawl ball kicks, and human-cone dribbling.  I'm really excited about this upcoming season.  Now, if only I can stay awake on Saturdays for those noon games that are in the middle of my weekend of night shifts!

I'll Prove It

Me: "Alright, who smeared poop on the bathroom wall? And, more importantly, if that's what's on the wall then what's left in someone's underwear??"

Harrison: "It wasn't me, Mom, promise.  Look, I'll show you." (he promptly drops trou and grabs his ankles to give me definitive proof he wasn't the culprit)

Gavin: "I didn't do it either, Mom."  He quickly follows his brothers example and clears his name also.

Harrison: "Maybe it was Dad, we should check him."

Me: "Probably not a bad idea."

Steve: overheard us talking and interrupts, "I didn't do it and I'm not proving it."

Missing!

One beloved blue blanket...

Last seen being snuggled with while watching Jimmy Neutron Friday, March 11, 2011.

A blanket substitution has been provided, however, the owner complains it isn't nearly as soft and sniffable as the original.  

Reward:  Although the owner has been diligently saving his money to buy a video game, he has offered upon return of the blankie (unharmed and intact) all the money in his train piggy bank.  Finder disclosure: this may only amount to a couple dollars in change, but it is prized money nonetheless.

Brothers

Sometimes being a brother is even better than being a superhero.
-Marc Brown

It was nice growing up with someone like you, someone to lean on,

someone to count on... someone to tell on!

-unknown

From Florida To Texas

My GrandmotherJane came for a visit all the way from Florida.  It means so much to me that my children are able to get to know their great-grandmother.  How blessed are my boys to have three great-grandmothers in their life?  Very blessed.  Very blessed indeed.  Spending time with family is always a highlight and this visit was no different.  

As always, Steve, our photographer had us posing all over the place. 

Harrison and Gavin were soo happy when GrandmotherJane found fifty cents in her purse so they could ride this coachmen. 

Another family photo. 
Steve was laying on his back for this one--there is no line he won't cross to try and get the 'shot.'

I love the Stockyards; the brick roads, the old buildings and train tracks, and especially the locals riding through the streets on their horses.  Most of the horses and their riders are so friendly, willing to stop and let you ask questions.  This is Jim, the horse, he patiently let my boys love all over him.

Gavin said he was big enough to pet Jim all by himself.  Jim thought Gavin was big enough to get a big kiss on the back of his neck while covering his hair with slober.  Gavin didn't agree with that assessment.  

Oh, how Harrison and Gavin love their Uncles!

GrandmotherJane keeps us all laughing. It was such a fun visit, the only bad part is it ended too soon.  

See ya next time, GrandmotherJane!