Memorial Day Weekend

Our weekend was full and busy and filled with sunshine and smiles.  We are so lucky.

On Saturday, we were rather busy with soccer, groceries, house-cleaning, and yard work, but by the end of the afternoon, everything was clean and tidy and perfectly in its place.  We love it on the rare occasions that all the stars align just so, so we scooped up our kiddos and headed out the door so we wouldn't have a chance to mess it up just yet.

We went over to Grandma and Grandpa's to visit with them and Great-Grandma Earlie.  Brad's grandmother will be in town for at least a month, and we're so excited to be able to spend so much time with her and for her to be able to be around our little lovelies for so long.

Hannah Bear had skipped her earlier nap because she wasn't sleepy, but then she slept for a really long time snuggled up against me while we visited with family.

While she slept, our little man drew pictures for Great-Grandma Earlie and Aunt Jess.

After Hannah woke up from her late nap, we went out for Mexican before heading to our local neighborhood's summer kick-off.  

The kids had a good time waiting for the sun to set.  Jack attempted to climb a coconut tree (akin to a rock wall) with Daddy.  He made it about half-way up and then decided he'd had enough.  Then we found out he wasn't quite heavy enough to repel down, so Brad had to go back up and pull Jack down by his ankle :)

                            

The kids enjoyed racing through an inflatable obstacle course before the fireworks.  Hannah wasn't thrilled when the fireworks started.  I had to snuggle her really close and cover her ears for the rest of the display, but by the end she was oohing and aahing and calling out the pretty colors.  It was a really fun night, and the kids slept really good once we got them home and into bed.

On Sunday, we ran a few errands and did some shopping for Jack's upcoming birthday party.  We also made our first mango salsa of the season.  It was delicious (well, the adults thought so at least)!

Today, the kids spent most of their time outside with Daddy.  They played soccer and ran through the hose in the backyard.  They built turtle platforms for their pets.  

We went to the pool on opening weekend for the first time ever.  Jack's been asking about the pool for weeks, and we've been telling him we'd probably start going to the pool once school was out, but somehow he knew it opened this weekend.  Earlier today, I heard him negotiating with Brad about going.

"Please, Dad.  Today's the last day of the weekend.  We have to go to school tomorrow, so we really should go today.  It's our last chance for awhile."  As soon as I saw the dimples, I knew there was no hope.  So we packed up and headed out.

I couldn't believe how packed it was - doesn't anyone know how cold that water is?  But the kids had so much fun.  Jack even went off the diving board...it was one of the conditions for visiting the pool so early in the season.  We've been working towards the board for years!

I'm so thankful for a fun, happy weekend with our family.  It was the perfect reset before another busy week.  Only four more days before Jack turns six (more on that soon).  And only 16 days left before I'm out for summer...it's so close, and there's still so much to do!

Silent Sunday

Here Comes Peter Cottontail...

Today was a perfect spring day, and we had a great time with the littles getting ready for Easter.  This morning, we headed to the annual egg hunt in the front of our community.  They were both so excited, but when it was our turn to visit with the bunny, Hannah wasn't interested.  Jack posed for a picture, though!

They were in separate age groups for the hunt, so Hannah went with Daddy and I took Jack.

He was scanning the yard for the golden egg or a jumbo-numbered egg.  When the hunt began, he ran past what felt like hundreds of eggs in search of a prize egg before I suggested he start to gather a few for his basket :)  Nothing if not determined!

They agreed to pose for a picture before we headed home for lunch.

Hannah took a nice nap, and then after snack we headed outside to practice riding bikes.  Jack's been working on balancing on a glider bike, and today, after some coaxing, he felt ready to try his Spider-man bike with pedals and no training wheels.  And he did it!

We were so proud of him - truly a happy moment for Brad and I.  We both took videos, and Jack was beaming from ear to ear.

{I can ride a two-wheel bike now.}

He still has a little trouble pushing off, but once he gets going, he's pretty solid.  He can't wait to go back out tomorrow.

And Miss Hannah?  She rode her tricycle all the way around the block.  When we got home, she said she was tired, and I bet she was!  Those little legs of hers had to work pretty hard to go all the way around.

After we came inside, Brad colored eggs with the kids and I frosted our Easter cupcakes.  They were so excited to choose their colors and watch the eggs transform.

Hannah thought for a second that maybe she'd give a hard-boiled egg a chance, until she saw what they looked like, and then she quickly changed her mind.  Jack loves them though - which, being the picky eater that he is - makes us very happy :)

After dinner and bath time, we were tucking Jack in, and he asked about the egg hunt that the Easter Bunny may leave for him and his sister.  He turned to us, and asked, "Will the bunny leave a note telling us how many eggs there are?"

"What do you mean?" we asked.

"So we'll know how many to find?"

We swear.  That boy?  We think he's so smart.

And OCD.

But mostly smart.  Made us smile, for sure.

What a good day.

Silent Sunday

{perfect family outings are, indeed, possible}

Weekend Update (x2)

Our past two weekends have been really full and fun, and I don't want to forget about them.

I'm sure you could tell from our Grandparent's Day post that we spent the day with Grammy and Grampy.  Brad was out of town for work that weekend, and Grandma and Grandpa were off enjoying a beautiful Alaskan Disney cruise.  I know, we were jealous, too.

The kids and I decided that on Saturday night, we would spend the night at Grammy and Grampy's new house.  Jack and Hannah had been asking to have a sleepover for a long time, but I certainly didn't want to stay at our house completely by myself, and we all thought it would be fun to have one big pajama party.

Saturday morning, Ryan and Dylan came over to a play for a little bit.  The kids had a good time in the ball pit with their cousin:)

After we had played with Ryan and Dylan, had the house cleaned, and put all of our groceries away and got ourselves a tiny bit organized, we went to one of Jack's friend's birthday party.  Jack had a very good time, but Hannah Bear was a little too shy to play.

On our way home from the party, we passed Grammy and Grampy on their motorcycles, coming home after a ride.  We made a U-Turn and followed them home; Jack and Hannah love to watch Grammy and Grampy on their motorcycles!

Then we went home for a bit to pack up our things, and headed over for the sleepover at about dinner time.  Grammy and I made an easy kids' dinner for Jack and Hannah, and they both played with their new toys from Grammy and Grampy, a Star Wars Lego set for Jack, and a new baby doll for Hannah.  Afterwards, we ordered pizza for the adults and watched Iron Man.  We gave the kids a bath in Grammy and Grampy's tub, and while I had fully intended to have an all-out dance party, by the time we got around to it, it was too late, and we'd probably have woken the neighbors.  We ended up putting Jack and Hannah to bed in their new room for the first time.  It was a low-key and relaxing evening, and while I had packed school stuff to do after the kids went to bed, I didn't even open my bags.

(where we found one of Hannah's babies)

I spent the night snuggled in bed next to my little lovelies, and the next morning, we made breakfast and played before meeting up with Ryan and Dylan, and heading off to the Grandparent's Day Festival in my parents' new neighborhood.  It was really fun - they had bounce houses, temporary tattoos (which my kids love!), sno-cones, popcorn, and hot dogs.  Jack also got to climb into a fire truck!  The kids and I had a blast, and I think Grammy and Grampy had a good time, too.

Thanks for such a great weekend, Grammy and Grampy!  We hope you had as much fun as we did!

*****

Last weekend was another awesome weekend because Daddy finally came home from his work trip.  The kids and I were so excited to see him on Friday night.  His plane landed around 4:30, so I tried to rush after school to get the kids and get home in time to make a Welcome Home banner for Daddy's side of the garage before he got home.  We almost made it!

Instead, Daddy got to help the littles make the banner:)

We ordered dinner and just enjoyed spending time all together after so many days apart.

Last Saturday was a beautiful day, so we took the kids to the park.  I was sure it would be crowded because it was so pretty, but only one other family was there, and it was very nice to have so much room to run around.  Jack went across the monkey bars all by himself for the very first time - we were so proud of him!

{Video: Jack on the Monkey Bars}

(This video was taken after he'd already gone across several times - his poor arms were tired!)

Saturday night, we ran some errands and then on Sunday, we just spent a lazy day at home together.  

It was another perfect weekend, for sure.

Perfect Days

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I've really been soaking up my summer days with my little lovelies.  We've had a bunch of really great, relaxing, fun days, and I'm sad that my free time with them is winding down and that before I know it, I'll have to head back to work.

But, seriously?  Perfect days have been had.  And I know that there's more to come...

Last week, we had a low-key Monday, but I took the kids to McDonald's for lunch because Jack really loves to play on their indoor playground.  That evening, I took the two of them to the pool for the first time by myself.  It wasn't easy!

Tuesday was Hannah's actual birthday, and we spent the morning at the park with our best friends before it got too hot.  We visited Grandma in the hospital (she just had knee replacement surgery and is doing very well!), and then I took them to a birthday lunch at On the Border.  While they did well, they were both sleepy and ready for naps.  After lunch, we went home, snoozed, and then went over to Grammy and Grampy's for dinner.  Poor Brad had to travel, but made it home in time to give Hannah bedtime kisses and the sweetest Swarovski ladybug you've ever seen:)

On Wednesday and Thursday the kids went to school during the day, but on Wednesday we evening, we had spaghetti dinner and then headed to the park to play.  It was the first time Miss Hannah explored the tunnels with her brother, and she had a blast.

I honestly can't remember what we did Thursday evening!

Friday was tons of fun though - we had an early morning play date with our best friends at the house, and then we went to Potbelly's for lunch and let the kids play on a nearby playground.  We came home for naps and then went to the pool together.  Such a good day...

Saturday was a lazy day around the house, but that night, Brad and I decided to take the kids to the mall.  We did a little shopping, ate dinner, let the kids play on the playground, and then rode the train.  We had such a good time, but I didn't really take any pictures.  I tried to take a little video of Hannah going down the slide, but the quality isn't that great...

Sunday afternoon we took the kiddos to the pool, and I had the best time playing in the water with both of our babies.  It's much easier to enjoy yourself when you aren't the only person responsible for their survival!  Brad took some great pictures while we were there...

Such a perfect weekend!

Yesterday the kids and I had another low-key Monday, but this time I took them to lunch at Burger King and let the two of them explore the tunnels there.  Even Hannah joined in the fun:)

I know this post was super-long, but I honestly couldn't have asked for a better week.  The one year birthday has made me super emotional as of late, and I just want to remember these great times with my little ones:)