Ladies' Man

We needed to get out of the house today. It was raining, and we were crabby. So what better place to go than The PlayPlace at McDonald's to run off some steam on a rainy gloomy day?

And that is where I realized Bode's got moves. Or he thinks he does. After getting the snub when trying to hug a little toddler girl around his own age, he set his sights a little higher. Older women. Preschoolers.

While one little girl was just minding her own business perched atop the hood of a play car, Bode strutted over and started talking Bode talk while gesturing animatedly all around with his hands. When that got no response, he upped his game by lifting his shirt and showing her his six-pack-to-be. The poor girl didn't know what to do. I tried to engage him in some other play, but he went back again...and again with another little girl. We may have to teach him the meaning of the word "harassment."

Sisters, Brothers, Parents, and Children

The past couple weeks have been filled with family. My sister, fresh off her first year away at college, came to hang out, do some shopping, visit the circus, and play nanny for a few days. We'll see if she comes back after the beating my children gave her.

The next weekend my mom and sister were back to spend the day with Maggie and Bode while I traveled for work. We capped off that day with a delightful visit to the winery with my brother and sister-in-law while my precious little nephew stayed with our children and a sitter. Maggie informed me the next day that he had been crying. Why? "Because Bode was wiggling his head." (Sorry, Annie!)

We finished our weekend with a visit to my parents' house for  Mother's Day. Not only was I blessed to spend some time with my mom, but the day was made even more special knowing I have the two most wonderful children in my life.

Our backyard is starting to bloom.

This kid is constantly getting bumps, bruises, and bloody noses.

Teacher Appreciation Day = BOGO at Chipotle.

A new game invented by Bode - ring ball.

Dancey Dance

This weekend was absolutely beautiful. Saturday morning was spent (finally) cleaning and organizing our garage after it had become a dumping spot during our mid-January move. We now have piles of cardboard box stacked behind our house, waiting for recycling day, much to my husband's chagrin ("I appreciate your passion, but let's just throw them away."  Yes, I am a freak that often picks through our garbage to find tossed recyclables).  Either way, it's an improvement from having the clutter in the garage!

In the afternoon, we had Maggie's Spring Dance Show. Adorable. It has been fun to watch her interact with her peers, enjoy movement and music, and gain confidence in front of an audience.

Afterwards Maggie suggested we go to Dairy Queen, asking Steve, "Is that ok, buddy?"  So we put Asia on the leash, loaded Bode into the wagon and trekked down the road, over the walking bridge, and up the grassy hill to enjoy some ice cream.  After we filled our tummies, we decided to extend our walk, so continued to Florence Park to swing, slide, and learn from Daddy how to roll down a hill.

We were able to enjoy the outdoors even more today when my parents stopped by to grill at the park after they returned from Florida.

Is Spring Here?

We sure hope so after this crazy long winter. With upper 40's and sun today, the warmer forecast for this weekend seems like it just may happen!

Stay, Spring! Please? We'd like to do some more off-roading.

I Want to Remember

Sunday mornings can be a little hectic as we try to get out the door on time for church.  It is for everyone, right?  With Bode still needing a morning nap, we normally try to get him to lay down for a short little while before we leave for Sunday School and late service.

As I was trying to get him to sleep this morning, he was resisting more than usual.  I had finished reading him several books, but instead of snuggling down in his crib with his blue lovey puppy like he normally does, he was standing up and crying for me. Even though time was ticking, I was still wearing my towel with a mud mask on my face, I decided I'd sing him some more songs and rock him for awhile to see if that would help.  After a few of our favorite nap time tunes, he finally started relaxing in my arms and his eyelids succumbed to their sleepy weight.

When he finally drifted off to sleep, I couldn't help but wish I could forget about everything else and just cuddle him all morning.  His warm toddler body just fit so perfectly on my lap with his precious wild blonde curls on my shoulder and his sweet little chubby bare feet sticking out from under the blanket.  Everyone says to cherish every second while they're young.  Often this is easier said than done, but in instants like these, I can't help but wish the world would stop so I could truly enjoy them to the fullest.

Sometimes I really cannot believe how quickly my babies are growing.  I wish I could tangibly remember what Bode was like as a newborn and recall exactly all of Maggie's quirky mannerisms when she was Bode's age.  In the moment you never think you'll forget, but sadly and inevitably the memories do fade. 

So these are just some of the memories I want so desperately to hang on to when, in the years to come, I look back on this chapter of our lives.:

~My darling 3 year old that needs me to hold her hand while she falls asleep at night but then still makes her way into our room before morning.

~The affectionate hugs and wrestles with my little boy.

~A grumpy girl that put herself down for an early nap one day and then came back out of her room to apologize.

~The shrill screams of a 17-month-old who still wants his mommy to hold him and carry him everywhere.

~The belly laughs from my oldest child when I imitate the way she used to say "Grammy."

~The way my youngest coyly looks away and buries his face in my shoulder when a stranger talks to him.

~The random "Mommy, I love you."s from my sweet daughter.

Yes.  We are blessed.

Bode's love even reaches to the cat...who does not share his enthusiasm.

Excitement on our surprise weekend trip to Wisconsin Dells.

Enjoying some homemade oobleck.

Homemade doughnuts, requested by Maggie after reading a Curious George book about doughnuts.

Greeting friends from the window.

Hugs for her bestie.

Wonderful friends, visiting from Isanti.

Sorting seashells that Bapa brought back from a business trip.

Making Waves

My husband is good at what he does. He just is.

This recent article in the local paper highlights his high standards for learning and has received a lot of positive feedback from members of the community.

Way to go, Steve!

What I Did on Spring Break. by Sara Gibbs

Consider this an essay in photos.

Moon sand was a success.

What's spring break without a little Caribou before playing at the Apache mall?

Mouth full of carrot cake muffin.  Yum!

Successful library trip = contented reading.

Visit with Grandma and Grandpa started with some egg dyeing.

...or hand dyeing.

Children's museum with cousins.

Rock star!

Liliana.

Natural climber.

Face painting.

Scanning an animal in Diego's animal rescue center.

Yeah...a picture with the kids on Easter wasn't happening.

Living room painted!

Dining room painted a couple weeks ago -now just need to fill my walls.

Baking cookies on my last day off.