Some Cheesy Moments

The Memorial Day Picnic at Papa Ralph and Grandma Ellen's was just plain fun. They have a really great backyard that allows the kids to run and the adults to relax. For days, I have been trying to salvage these pictures. Somehow the setting on my camera got switched and the originals are very bright...so much so that you can't even see the image. Thank goodness for Photoshop. I love the series of the kids on the bricks posing for Jim while the rest of the family encourages the kids to say cheese. It is now one of Tyler's first words. Everyone thought it was cute...but mom and dad really appreciate this accomplishment since the only really words we hear are "uh-oh", "no", and "meow". Tyler has been really selective in his speech. Just so I don't forget some of these moments, here is a list of the kids' favorite activities at Papa's house:

Backyard Wiffle Ball (Let's see who can break the ball or hit it into the next yard!)

Kicking around beach balls

Running imaginary bases

Climbing on the shed to retreive balls (Ryan says, "It's just a little scary."

Balancing on the garden bricks

Ringing the doorbell

Ringing the cow bell

Giving "5" and getting a hard "5" from Papa

Tyler spending quality time inside with friends Riley and Papa T

Setting up recycleable bottles and bowling them down with Papa's golf balls

Drinking chocolate milk

Eating ice cream sandwiches

Eating ice-ee pops

Making the fish sing "Don't Worry, Be Happy"

Giving Kisses to everyone and saying goodbye for a really long time to prolong the visit

Sometimes Last Minute is First Rate

I'm still smiling for all the fun enjoyed by family this past weekend. The kids have so much fun playing with one another. We actually ended the fun filled day by playing some basketball and riding bikes on the neighbors driveway. We had a nice barbeque. We went for a ride on the boat and a swim at the park. We sat around and enjoyed the goings on while getting our "drink on" as Jim often says. My only regret was not getting Len and Wendy in the group shot. Life is good.

More Zoo Fun

Beautiful day. Beautiful animals. Another priceless memory. We spent the day at the zoo and took our nice sweet time. By the time we got home, everyone was whipped! We had planned to go to the fireworks and I am so thankful that Daddy volunteered to take Ryan so that mom and Tyler could get to bed.

The next morning, Ryan was sure to let me know how beautiful the fireworks were. "They were big and hugest, mommy," Ryan said. "You should have gone mommy." So glad that he really appreciates beauty and all the fun things that he is exposed to. I was thankful for the rest but also regretful that I missed those moments watching the booms. "I was just a little scared," he said. "But they were really beautiful."

I scream for ice cream

Really hoping that an ice cream a day keeps the doctor away because my boys love them some ice cream cones every night before bed. Hey, maybe that's why they aren't going to bed until 9:30 p.m. Go Sugarbuzz!

What's more American than Memorial Day and Baseball?

So looking forward to some Memorial Day picnics, parades, and time with family. Ryan can't wait to challenge his cousins to a round of baseball or anything else that can kicked or thrown. Above are some fun pictures from the Mother's Day triple header that boys enjoyed in Grandma Vicki's front lawn. Riley Kate was on the sidelines and she hit a line driver that shocked everyone...mostly herself. The kids loaded up the bases and asked Aunt Carol to hit. One smooth pitch and the ball was over the house and into the gutter in the back of the house. Everyone loved rounding those bases and sliding into home anyway:) By the way, if you've never used Spray and Wash, I am a new fan. It saved a $30 pair of Gymboree pants and I've had the bottle since....well...actually, Jim bought it when he was a batchelor and it's magical powers have gone unnoticed until now.

The boys had their first real swim of the summer yesterday. The water was C O L D. Tyler was a real champ and just kept flopping down on his squishy wet diaper butt. They stayed in long enough for mom's feet to turn blue. Then we forced them out and into warm baths. It should be an adventurous summer:) Enjoy.

Picnic Lunch

We enjoyed a little picnic lunch at the park today after a few rounds of baseball, swinging, and sliding. Tyler loves to slide and he is now brave enough to do the curvy slide alone which affords me and Ryan some serious baseball time. Ryan is starting to show interest in pitching too. Before, he was only interested in hitting. His throws are pretty wild. Some (most) even land behind the batter but he is really starting to throw hard.

We planted a couple of flowers outside today and when Ryan went to get the water in the cup Tyler decided to follow behind. Of course, I was only a few steps away but Tyler decided to step right into the lake. It was about a foot deep :0 I snatched him right up. The boys laughed. I stripped down the diver and now both boys are down for naps. Tyler won the first swimmer of the year award!

Really enjoying this opportunity to be at home with the boys. I am constantly reminded that lifeis short and to live every moment. This theme is currently being discussed at church and it seems to really be following me everywhere. Even the wise old master in Kung Fu Panda reminds Po to live for the present. "There is a saying," he says. "The past is history. The future is a mystery. Today is a gift...that's why they call it the present." 'Tis true.

Invisible with 2 running kids

It's Monday. Had to show my face in person to be eligible for unemployment...so I ventured out today with both boys in tow. Totally felt invisible at MI Works. It seems someone would really want to help out a mom whose boys are trying to run all around. Every time I would get the kids seated to look at a book or draw...a whole line of people would cut in front of me and the darn receptionist would just move on. Finally, I stepped up and excused myself by saying "I don't mean to be rude, but I have been here a long time and seem to keep losing my turn." (Can we say take a number?) The whole process is absurd. I had already posted a resume online and applied for UC and all I had to do was log on to print my resume so that someone could initial it. What a waste of time and energy!

We did enjoy ourselves with a quick trip to Kmart and a stop at a park to play before heading home for Tacos, Cars, and naps for the little ones. (A little Facebook and scrapping for mom!)

Here's a picture from our recent trip to the zoo that I didn't share yet. Take care.

Enjoying Life

I'm already in a layoff groove. Totally enjoying being leisurely and just playing. The kids are enjoying our time together too and we have already found a little groove. Loving life's new pace.