Determination

Laura learned to ride her bike without training wheels on Sunday!

 Sam could hardly stand watching Laura do something he couldn't do. If you look close enough, you can see him bawling in the background...

Determination, grit, stubbornness, and fearlessness all came forth and by Tuesday Sam learned how to ride a bike without training wheels too. High Trestle Trail, here we come!

Easteriffic

We had fabulous Easter weekends with the Schulz family (last weekend) and the Green family this weekend. Eric and I went to a fancy schmancy wedding in Chicago last weekend. All I can say is that I'm glad Eric and I were one of the first couples to get married in our circle of friends. I swear each wedding we attend the bar keeps getting set higher and higher! I want to remind our friends and relatives that we served Gardetto's for our wedding food appetizer in 2005 and I didn't give it a second thought.
Our time in Glen Ellyn was fun, but way too short. Auntie Em and Liz babysat Sam and Laura so Grandma, Grandpa, Eric, and I could attend the wedding that rivaled Barbie and Ken's. Sam and Laura were spoiled by their personal shopper, Grandma, whose love language is clearly gifts.  Laura was on cloud 9 when she realized Grandma bought her a polka dot bikini! She's been asking about getting a bikini ever since the pond party last summer when cousin Maisie was sporting her two-piece.

Speaking of Maisie, we got to celebrate Maisie's sixth birthday this weekend with a hotel swimming party and Easter at our house with the Greens. Laura thinks Maisie hung the moon which reminds me of how I always admired Maisie's mom. Maisie is a little reading machine and it was fun to listen to Maisie read aloud and see the intent look on Laura's face as she was trying to unlock the code.

The weather was absolutely perfect for drinking Strawberry Pina Coladas on the deck while the kids ran laps around the pond. It was one of the moments in time that made me want to hit the pause button or at least slow motion.

A reading teacher's dream come true!

Sam loves his GG!

New Swing Set and Camera Class

We broke down and bought a swing set for the yard. Although we live across the street from the park, we wanted to have something for the kids to do while we landscape and do other projects this spring and summer. I also attended a photography class so I was able to practice some of my photography tricks while the kids played on the new set. Enjoy.

Sam's in the experimenting with his smile phase. Boy, I love this little man to bits.

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In other news, Sam had an allergic reaction to his antibiotic he was taking for an ear infection. I haven't figured out how to use photo shop yet so hives and dried snot are visible in some of the pictures.

Tight Tummy

Laura told her preschool teacher she does an ab workout video with her mommy because her mommy wants a tight tummy.


Thanks Laura...I have to work with these people, you know.

The Mall

We ventured to Jordan Creek Mall today. Here is the conversation I always have with myself when it comes to mall trips:

Should I bring the stroller?

Yes, the kids can ride in it and you can hold your bags in the compartment below.

Who are you kidding? The kids will ride in it for 30 seconds, fight over who gets to push the damn thing, and you'll spend half the trip looking for an elevator and the other half of the trip waiting for the elevator.

That 30 seconds they do ride in it could be pure bliss...

I chose against the stroller today and the trip went pretty well until it was time to go. We were leaving Dillard's with some jeans we bought for Eric that will likely be returned. It was getting close to nap time and Sam was moving at a snail's pace. He doesn't like to be carried at convenient times any more so I didn't attempt to pick him up and have World War III break loose. While I was corralling him towards the door a little old granny stopped me and told me she wished she could just pick him up and kiss his cheeks. Her baby boy is all grown up in Denver, Colorado now. Sometimes I need reminders like that...

I made sure to kiss those adorable cheeks.

Aunt Duty

I have very vivid memories of little Greg calling Aunt Judy, "Aunt Duty". Yesterday Great Aunt Judy came to visit and wouldn't you know it, Sam calls her "Duty" too.  It was a full day of fun. We played outside, made a snowman, made cookies, worked out our abs with Jillian Michael's Six Week Six Pack video, and played and played. We think Aunt Duty is pretty awesome!

Girl on Fire

The letter of the week at preschool was the letter M. For sharing today Laura brought her Microphone she got for her birthday from Maisie and Molly. She told me she presented the microphone and then sang This Girl's On Fire for her preschool class.

That's my girl...