Who ordered more winter?

Certainly not me! I'm ready for the boys to get the park back!

My Chatterbox

Andrew is quite the chatterbox!

The Kitty

Andrew, just like Adam, is in love with the cat! The cat isn't so convinced! Andrew is also addicted to the cat food...Adam was too!

Crawl Through

I got this out and everyone is enjoying it, including the cat! Andrew always goes for the tunnels as playland and he went right for this! Adam, of course, had to try it out, too!

Andrew's Walking

Andrew is getting around good now! He still crawls faster than he walks, but he's working on it!

Andrew

Andrew has been sick - poor baby! So he's been a big congested so Wednesday, when Adam was at the speech therapist, Ray ran Andrew up to the pedtirician (same building). He said it was just drainage, it isn't in his lungs. Okay. So we go home and Andrew is getting worse and his temperature is rising. We are getting erratic readings, but it seems well over 100 (103 or 104 maybe). So Ray decides about 5 AM to take Andrew to the ER to see (he's been up and down all night). They say its just viral, not in his lungs and to give him Tyneol for the fever. So we've been working on it, but he's SO tired and just can't seem to sleep. We finally put him in the car today when Ray got home and drove him around for awhile to get him SOME sleep as the only way I was getting him to sleep all day (and he was falling asleep as soon as I picked him up, then waking back up 5 minutes later) was to hold him upright against my chest. I really had been holding him all day - Adam was being VERY good and content to watch TV with us. So we drove him around and he did get some sleep. Now I'm holding him on my lap, hoping he'll go to sleep and feel better....

Andrew Toddling

Adam never "toddled" - he just started running at 8 months! Andrew, though, really toddles - it is so cute! Andrew is still faster crawling, so whenever he wants to be somewhere, that's what he reverts to. But he's getting this walking thing!

"Gadgets" to Keep and Discard

So I was reading this article and this piece on books made me so happy - its so true!

BOOKS Keep them (with one exception). Yes, e-readers are amazing, and yes, they will probably become a more dominant reading platform over time, but consider this about a book: It has a terrific, high-resolution display. It is pretty durable; you could get it a little wet and all would not be lost. It has tremendous battery life. It is often inexpensive enough that, if you misplaced it, you would not be too upset. You can even borrow them free at sites called libraries.

Their exception, in case you don't read the article, was cookbooks because of new apps that really combine all functions. We don't have a smartphone, so that's useless to me.

And while they say get rid of GPS, well I don't have a smartphone and I ADORE my GPS. So there!

I'm resisting all these fancy phones...I don't think I want to be that connected!

Ice Age Child

This is a pretty cool article! Enjoy!

"From our perspective, the child is certainly extraordinary, but the house is also unique," said study co-author Ben Potter.

Remains of salmon, ptarmigan, ground squirrels, and other animals suggest the hearth was in use for weeks or months before it was turned into a grave, the study says.

The dwelling's floor had been dug about 11 inches (27 centimeters) into the ground. Poles may have supported walls and a roof, according to telltale stains in the sediment.

In other words, this was a home—the oldest known in Alaska.

"All of the other finds dating to this period or earlier tend to be associated with either short-term hunting camps, or workshops where people are gathering high-quality stone materials and working them into tools," said Potter, an anthropologist at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Anthropologist Ted Goebel, who wasn't involved in the research, agreed. "What's most exciting for me is that we finally seem to hit upon a residence site where it looks like people were actually living."

Our Day

So we had plans for today and actually accomplished everything, but it definitely was a LONG day. We started with a 9 AM appointment for Adam at the speech therapist. That actually went really well and I like the woman we are working with. Adam also exceeded my expectations for being able to pay attention (a major concern for me) and did really well. He is just not pronouncing the entire word and not stringing them together, but had a good vocabulary - he knew pretty much every word he was asked. He does have a problem telling boys and girls apart...gotta work on that! But that just isn't something we've really spent any time on, hence he doesn't know it. We'll go once a week to start and see how it goes. It is going to be a bit of juggling as I can't take Andrew, so we have it set up so I can drop Andrew off with Ray, take Adam, them come back for Andrew...lots of driving for me, but doable.

Then it was off to my dentist appointment. We had planned for Ray and the boys to come back here, but we ran out of time, so we all went. That took an hour and it turns out I am STILL not done as I need the final bridge, which the lab has to make. AGH!!

Ray and the boys had ate lunch while I was there and since my mouth was numb, that was fine. Then we came home, grabbed some stuff and left again as we needed to run errands downtown. We went to the county admin building and parked and went in to apply for passport cards for the boys (MUCH cheaper than full passports, only good for this continent (so Canada, cruises), but that's all we need at this time. Then we walked to city hall and pay city taxes. That means we are completely done with this year's taxes, though.

We walked back, picked up the hat Andrew had lost along the way (I went back and found mittens last week...I do NOT want to buy new winter clothes that he'll be too big for next fall...he cannot lose them!).

Then we went home, I ate something (carefully, still numb), we put the boys down for a nap (Adam had done lots of running!). Adam fought, but fell asleep hard. Ray and I did some work and some housework.

Then we got the boys up and decided to go for another short walk (have to take advantage of the weather as ours has been so variable!). We are turning into our driveway and I trip over something and fall. I must have landed on the corner of an uneven square (there are lots) as I gashed my knee - enough so Ray decided I needed stitches. So off to ER we go! I ended up with a tetanus shot and 5 stitches. The arm where they gave me the shot hurts the most!

By then its 7:30 and no dinner yet, so we stopped on the way home for some food. I think we need to stay home tomorrow.....

Tulips are up!

Its actually pretty chilly today (the wind isn't nice) and we got a light dusting of snow last night, but hey the tulips are up, so it must be spring, right?

Still not done....

Okay, back to my teeth...seriously! So I finally went in to do the bridgeword - got it all approved through the insurance, set it up, etc. So turns out I'm still NOT done. They did the "hard" work today (hopefully truthfully....), and took an impression, so now the lab has to make the bridge and then I go back for installation....AGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Getting there!

Andrew really isn't walking yet, but he's starting taking steps and getting more and more each day. He's up to about 3-4 consistently, but has managed 10 at once according to Ray.

At PaPa's

PaPa reading to the boys
Andrew on Daddy's shoulders

Andrew eating fries - Andrew just got his first fries!

Andrew and Aunt Brittany

Working on the garbage disposal

Dave's garbage disposal broke, so Adam, Ray and Dave replaced it today!

Adam helping
Adam's "modern art"

Some videos:

• Using a screwdriver here and here
• Using a hammer
• Flashlight

Exhausted

It must be a good trip - Adam was so tired, he fell asleep watching hockey (after eating his weight in popcorn because hockey night means popcorn night at Grandpa's!) on PaPa's lap! I picked him up and put him in bed and be barely stirred!

Better

We seem to be doing better. We went all day Saturday without any new symptoms, so came up to Michigan on Sunday. Hopefully, we can stay healthy! Andrew seems to be getting some new teeth, so we'll see how that goes.

Adam in MIchigan

We had a rainy morning (thunderstorms last night), but this afternoon it cleared up and we got the boys outside. They had a blast! Adam loves bubbles and so was chasing bubbles blown by Daddy! Adam is also getting very good at pedaling his tricycle, but steering (and paying attention while driving) is still coming so going straight is a problem!

PaPa had some work to do on the John Deere so Adam and Ray were helping. It was really cute because Dave would tell Ray something to do and Adam was repeating it!

My Big Boy

Doesn't Andrew look so grown up in his jeans? I love that hat on him, too!

Andrew at PaPa's

Andrew "driving" the Oldsmobile
Adam checking out the Oldsmobile

Andrew's first John Deere ride! He really enjoyed himself, hanging out with PaPa!

Checking out the concrete - what is this stuff?

Being Sick Sucks

Being sick is never fun, but as a parent, it is really annoying because of course your kids are probably sick as well. Yesterday was a LONG day. Ray had a 24 hour bug a few days ago and yesterday I woke up with it. We thought it might be sinuses (we were hoping Ray's was), but when Adam started throwing up, we knew we were in for it. Adam was up and down all day - at times seeming really bad, at others just fine. I was better (stomach wise) by afternoon, but just really tired and achy. Of course, too, we had a huge mess, because sick kids aren't the best on contaminent. Let's just say I figured out how to take off my couch cushions and clean them...and learned putting them back ON was the worst part.

We had planned to leave for MI today, but we didn't want to get everyone there sick (or travel sick), so we are hoping to go tomorrow. We had mostly better health today and did some of the shopping we planned on doing Friday today.

Smoky Chicken and Cider

I've always liked the concept of Robin Miller's style - making a big meal to use pieces for leftover "new" meals, but I really don't like her recipes. That's not meant as a rip on her, just that I don't like it. I do like Rachael Ray's, although I sometimes find her idea of "easy to find" ridiculous, so I was excited to see this new program.

Smoky Chicken and Cider

Modified from Rachael Ray's "Week in a Day" Oil 8 ounces bacon, cooked and diced [she cooked this in the bottom of the pot first, then pulled it to add back in later...I did that, but I am terrible at pan cooking bacon, so I plan on microwaving it next time and then adding it when listed....while that means you don't get the bacon grease (mine collects for me as I have a really cool bacon microwave cooker, so I could add it in if I really wanted), I don't think I'll miss it...I'll put in a little more oil if necessary.] 8 to 10 pieces chicken, chunked [okay, she mixed dark and white...I don't like dark meat, so I used three breast halves and chunked them] salt and pepper 2 onions, diced [she did huge wedges...that isn't for eating them, so I diced it] 4 carrots, peeled, sliced on an angle 1/2-inch thick [or whatever...] 2 tsp thyme [she used fresh] 2 to 3 bay leaves [she used fresh, I used dry, I only used 2] 3 tablespoons flour 2 cups cloudy apple cider 1/3 cup dark amber maple syrup [she says you can use honey if you want...I had this, so I used it] 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar 1 to 2 cups chicken stock [I used bouillion cubes and hot water] 1 pound small Yukon gold potatoes, diced 2 Golden Delicious apples, cored, peeled and chunked Heat oil in a medium dutch oven. She did the bacon, first, I'll microwave it, so I will start with the chicken in the future. Season the chicken pieces liberally with salt and pepper, then brown in 2 batches on both sides, and remove to plate. Add the onions, carrots, thyme, and bay leaves, and season with salt and pepper. Cover the pan and sweat the vegetables 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened. Add the flour and stir 1 to 2 minutes, then add the cider, syrup, vinegar, and 1 cup stock, stirring between each addition. Slide in the potatoes, and apples, and sprinkle the bacon over the top. Nest the chicken into the pan and add more stock until the liquids reach the edge, but do not cover the chicken. Cover the pan, reduce the heat, and cook the chicken through, 15 minutes or so. Cool completely, and store for a make-ahead meal. Reheat in an oven preheated to 325 degrees F, or on the stovetop over medium heat, covered until warmed through. Once hot, serve immediately. Remove the cooked chicken to a serving platter or shallow bowls, stir to thicken and combine the sauce and vegetables, and spoon over and around the chicken. The suace is more of a sweet brine - not really a broth you'd want to eat. It does make good chicken though! Serves 8 [she said 4....yeah, right...4 summa wrestlers...]

The Boys

We actually had some nice weather and things are drying out - I really hope it continues! If so, we can go to the PARK. The boys would be SO happy. We did take TWO walks today, walking to Subway with Ray tonight for dinner! I'm IN LOVE with their new cookies - Raspberry Cheesecake!

Andrew in 24 month clothes. You can see (or can't) we had to roll the pants up. What amuses me is Adam can wear these, they are just short on him. With Adam we never unsnapped...we had to with Andrew!

Also some new videos: Adam peppering his food (just like Daddy!) and Andrew into the sugar cabinet (he's always happy with anything he can get into!)!

Adam Videos

Some new Adam videos. First, him dancing to Little Einsteins. He was copying June's saute's. (or however it is supposed to be spelled for dance). Second, he went through the entire dollar bin at Michaels to find this hippopotamus - he lined them up to choose one. As you can see, he can even say hippopotamus!

Cards

These are some of the cards I made last week - Gram Stannard will get these for her birthday in July. I'm actually ahead on something!

Playing in Adam's Room

Andrew

The 24 month clothes are out....

Showing off some of his new wardrobe

New Laptop

I ended up with a new laptop. We usually replace either a laptop or a desktop each year...this year we are doing both. I can't say I'm happy about it, but it was necessary. I LIVE on my laptop and my current one, less than a year old!, is having trouble. I honestly don't think it can stand two little boys who randomly push buttons....

So I had to break down and replace it (we splurged on the accident policy that will replace it for any reason if it breaks in a year...those little boys...). I also am upgrading to Office 2010. I just was forced to go to 2007, now I'm being forced in 2010. I hate change!!!! I really hate the new Office!

Windows 7 isn't too bad (that was a last upgrade issue), I've been able to "fix" most of the stupid stuff. I really like an ORGANIZED set up and I don't like change!!! Did I say that enough?

Excel is what is making me the most furious though. I use Excel A LOT and to have to FIND everything again is VERY obnoxious. And there is no reason!!! I think software developer are just evil and enjoy making our lives difficult.....

Can you tell I'm not happy? In addition, I'm sorry, but I do NOT think you shouldn't be able to reinstall your PURCHASED software as many times as you need on your OWN computers. Evil Microsoft....I don't think I should be penalized for having to reformat!!! AGH!!

Okay, rant done for now....I'll rant more after I use my new laptop for a week...we'll see if it makes me happy or not....also a week of 2010...we'll see how mad I am.....

We are actually looking into Open Office for our desktops - does anyone have any recommendations on it?

Eva Braun

Does the name mean anything to you? Eva Braun was Hitler's long term girlfriend, who he married right before they committed suicide together. Some new photographs of Eva were just released and you can view them on the Internet.

What is interesting to me is just that these aren't well known photographs. I agree with the article that these don't portray Eva well, but she loved Hitler....I didn't really expect her to be a great person.....

Butter Mint Cookies

I made these for St. Patrick's Day to send to Aunt Maureen and overseas. I honestly thought they were WAY too minty (edible, just strong!), so I'm recommending half the amount they used in my variation. When I opened the oven door, it hit me like a ton of bricks - I actually thought they weren't going to be edible at this point...when I tasted it, I found it was okay, just strong...so you'd need to REALLY like mint!

I also found this made barely any cookies (very small batch), which since I usually freeze and ship is a problem for me. I'd have to double this recipe at least.

I went back and read the comments and found most people didn't use mint and I think most of the other spices would be better, in my opinion.

Butter Mint Cookies

Modified from Taste of Home 1 cup butter, softened 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar 3/4 tsp peppermint extract [they used double this and it was WAY too strong, hence I'm recommending half.] 1-3/4 cups flour Green colored sugar In a large bowl, cream butter and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in extract. Gradually add flour and mix well. Roll tablespoonfuls of dough into balls. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets; flatten with a glass dipped in colored sugar. Bake at 350° for 12-14 minutes or until firm. Remove to wire racks to cool. Yield: 3 dozen.

Winter's Back....

I do have to agree with my father that all this in and out of winter thing is really annoying! We also SO don't need more water after all the rain....we are already in flood watch!

My Unplanned Day

As most parents know, little kids take planning. I usually try to have a plan when I leave the house so I can have all the necessary materials. Today I left the house at 11:30 for an hour trip to the grocery store, which is about a mile from my house. I had a diaper bag, but just the basics as I didn't plan to need/use anything.

Some background - its been raining here for a couple of days and I noticed at story hour yesterday that this was showing in ALL kids, not just mine. Adam and Andrew both a bit of "cabin fever" - they want their outdoors back!

So we went shopping and Adam played in the grocery story playround, but its a fairly low key place (as it should be) and I noticed he was draggy. So we get home and he starts crying, "not home, not home...PARK..." Well, that's not possible. Then he says "Mall?" He wants to play and I know he needs exercise/some fun. So I tell him we have to take in the cold stuff and then we can go. Now my issue is it is now 12:30 and Andrew (who is asleep in his carseat) will need to eat, as will Adam, even though he might not think so (I asked him if he was hungry, he said no). So I decide the Kent Library, whose kids room is open on Thursday, is a closer and better option so I can feed Andrew a bottle while we are there. So off we go. I get there and the boys seem happy. Andrew refuses to eat much as he wants to crawl around and play as well, but aside from that we have fun for an hour. By then its 2 PM and we haven't eaten lunch, so I call Ray, who is between classes/meetings, and we do a quick lunch with him as company (he fed Andrew for me while I ate). We drop Ray back off at work and Adam stil really doesn't want to go home and I know that while he's played, he really hasn't RAN, if you understand what I mean. So we go to the mall (30-45 minute drive, though, is the issue). So we get there, still raining, and go in. The boys had a blast - we went to playland first and it was deserted, so it was just them, and they played for awhile, but then Adam was bored (I really think he wanted other kids), so we ran around the mall for awhile. Malls really are a mother's friend - seriously, toilets/food, lots of space to run instead, usually some kid related fun stuff. So we ran up and down the halls (I didn't need anything nor was I interested in shopping...unfortunately this mall is very "teen-bopper" stores, which are pointless to me...although they do have a nice Sears...no bookstore though!) for awhile and then went back to playland as some kids had shown up. Adam had a ball playing Tag. I'm not sure he got all the rules, but he did get the concept of run in circles after hte other boys! He ran his heart out, which was great. Adam crawled his out - he loves the tunnel...in and out, in and out...he goes through, turns around comes back and checks in with me and does it again. He so isn't afraid of the kids running around him either! The kids (and their parents) were also making sure that Andrew didn't get stepped on, as was I.

So then we pack up to leave (unloading and loading strollers in the rain is SO much fun....) and the boys are exhausted, but I realize Andrew, who didn't eat much of his bottle, is probably hungry/thirsty and not only do I not have formula, I don't even have a bottle anymore. I had one sippy cup for Adam (which he'd been drinking out of it), but Andrew is interested in them, but hasn't started using them yet (soon, actually we plan on trying). So we head towards home, Andrew fusses, but falls asleep (all that crawling!), and so does Adam. So I get home and I have a sleeping Adam, who I want to CONTINUE to sleep and a waking up, hungry, Andrew. So I ran, got a bottle and fed Andrew in the car in my own driveway!

Ray gets home about then (it is now just after 5 PM), but we have to be at our friend, Mo's, for dinner at 6. So we wake Adam up (he got an hour nap), haul the boys inside, change diapers, repack and leave for Mo's. We had dinner with her (she made Chinese....awesome egg rolls..I will making those!) and then I stayed to scrapbook, so I didn't get home until 10 PM!

Not the day I had planned, but the day I think Adam needed....since we are going to get snow on Friday, I hope it helps!

Videos

Some recent videos (remember my videos now are mostly YouTube links in the posts, so look):

• Adam making music
• Adam eating a sandwich - this is a big step for the boy who wanted all his food separate for a long time! He's really gotten better on the food stuff - he always tried, but was fairly picky/strange for awhile, but is doing much better.
• Drawing circles - we're good at this, not so good at other shapes yet (he knows them though)

Jasmine Rice Pork Chops

I made these last week. They were really good, but too much work, in my opinion. I'm a lazy cook, no question. If I really wanted to impress, stuffing would be nice, but unless I plan to do that for some reason, this will be a casserole in the future. I loved the tastes, just don't see the point of the stuffing as it oozes out, even in her pictures!

Jasmine Rice Pork Chops

Modified from Rachael Ray 1 cup jasmine rice [I doubled their amounts] 1/2 cup hoisin sauce 1/4 cup onion, chopped 2 clove garlic, finely chopped 1 tbsp basil [they used fresh] 4 teaspoons finely chopped fresh ginger [I grated frozen] 8 small boneless pork chops [rather than than 4 large bone-in, I used smaller boneless] Salt and pepper 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil Preheat the oven to 375°. Prepare the rice according to package instructions. Stir the hoisin sauce, scallions, garlic, basil and ginger into the cooked rice. They used big pork chops and sliced and stuffed...I made sandwiches of two smaller ones. Next time, I'm going to do a casserole - dump rice over the pork chops. I'm lazy! In a large, ovenproof skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the pork chops and cook, turning once, until browned, 4 to 6 minutes. Transfer to the oven and bake until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the pork registers 160°, about 25 minutes. Serve the pork topped with the pan juices. So they did this with the stuffed chops, as did I, but I had troule with temperature, so as I said casserole next time - I'll brown the plain chops and then dump together. Makes 4 servings.

Just a little water...

More rain...we don't need it!

Into the Cookies

Andrew into Adam's cookies!

Ash Wednesday

I always like to start off Lent with Church even though it isn't a holy day of obligation. The boys and I did the service, not the full Mass because Ray couldn't get away (he has a late class on Wednesdays this term) and I knew the times would be hard on the boys (really too early or too late for them), but the service was midday, which worked better for us.
Today, as usual, was a push for the meatless thing. I never have the first week worked out! I plan on shopping tomorrow with this in mind to get some fish into the freezer. I also wanted to repost the information I put up last year on why we can have fish and not other meat on "meatless" Fridays:
St. Thomas Aquinas answered this question in this Summa Theologica. Pretty much, the gist is that "flesh meat" give more pleasure (in general) than fish, so that's why we can eat fish - its less pleasurable. You can see his entire piece on this topic if you follow the link.

Adam's Fort

I helped Adam set up a fort (he loves forts) with the bouncer and his little rocker. Then Andrew attacked it!

Butterscotch Bonanza Bars

I made these for my overseas box this week, plus I think my mom will like them, so I sent them to Alaska as well (these were the boxes I was trying to send FYI).

Butterscotch Bonanza Bars

Modified from Devil's Food Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke 1/2 cup butter 2 cups brown sugar [remember you can make brown sugar with white sugar and molasses!] 2 tsp baking powder 1 tsp salt 1 tsp vanilla 2 beaten eggs 1 1/2 cups flour optional add ins (see later) Grease a 13 by 9 inch casserole pan (I used Pam for Baking). Melt butter (I used the microwave) and mix with brown sugar. Mix in baking powder and salt. Then stir in vanilla. Then beaten eggs. Add the flour 1/2 cup at a time until it is all incorporated. Now at this point you can add a variety of add ins. I actually like them plain the best. Some other choices, though: 2 cups butterscotch chips (about a 12 oz bag), 2 cups chocolate chips, 1 cup nuts...or anything you want in any combination. I just did 4 batches and did one plain, one with nuts, one with butterscotch and one with chocolate chips. I was shipping overseas and to Alaska as I think my mother will really like these as she's a butterscotch nut. Spoon batter into cake pan (and you'll have to work this around - with the mix ins, I actually resorted to clean hands!). Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes (these are different than regular cookies, so pay attention to the outside...mine took about 25 minutes). Cool completely before cutting into brownie sized pieces. I got about 2 dozen or so from each pan...this says 40...obviously I cut larger! So it just depends on what "brownie" sized means to you! Now about this book - I'm addicted to this series and this is the newest one and just out. I enjoyed it as always, but I'm so ready for Hannah to make a decision on boyfriends (she REALLY needs to pick Norman) and it seemed she was leaning my way and now a huge new wrench into the works...yes, yes, I realize the author does it on purpose, but PLEASE give me something here....I think it would help with the entire series to have make a decision - a new step in her life!! Just had to rant..... Actually I did pretty good on the murder this time - I'm always proud if I have a good inkling of what is really going on!

Things That SHOULD be Illegal

Okay, first, obviously, I think abortion should be illegal (murder is murder), but I'm not ranting on that today (I think you all know my position there).

What I am ranting on is delivery trucks stopping in travel lanes! Why is this allowed? I'm not allowed to do it, they shouldn't be either! So, in general, this bothers me - when you are struck trying to get around the UPS truck stopped in front of you, but today was the height of stupidity on the subject! So I was leaving story hour and I pull up to a light in downtown Kent when I see that right after the light is a SEMI backed into the auto parts store, obviously unloading and completely blocking one lane of the road as they are straight out from the store! Seriously! Now so not only are they blocking traffic so you have to go around, but this is the top of a hill - you CANNOT see! And they are unloading a SEMI!!!!! Not quick, which is the argument for like UPS!!!

I just turned and went the long way as I was not trying to go around as traffic was fairly heavy and, as I said, you couldn't see!!!!

Yesterday

So yesterday I got up to day FOUR of a sinus headache (our weather has been crazy) and that didn't start off the day well. So the boys and I took a slow start to the mornig, but eventually I had everyone dressed and fed (no small feat with two little kids) and needed to make a "quick" post office run. I'd baked cookies and so wanted to drop them off - I use flat rate postage so I can print off the postage at home and just have to drop off the boxes at the PO. Saves standing in line with two little boys, a huge bonus! Sounds easy? Umm...not yesterday...

So I'm trying to clean as I go, so the boys and I head downstairs to do the postage and I get laundry started. Okay. So then I start boxing up cookies (I'm shipping overseas, to Alaska and one more place). This is going slow (Andrew and Adam are "helping"), but its going. Then I look down and Andrew has obviously done something...and not kept it in his diaper. So I change him completely....seriously, it was bad and Andrew is the king of this...yet this was a topper for him! Then I finish boxing cookies. As anyone with kids knows, I've been interrupted a few times. So I sit down to my computer to print postage....and it errors out...so I restart...still erroring out. So I go look...yep, the PO has charged me for postage I didn't get THREE TIMES. So I have to cancel that (the PO has this set up to be pretty easy even if it will take a week to all process through my accounts). Then I switch computers to Ray's and try again. Finally I get the postage to print. Then do custom forms....so I finally get all this printed. Now I have to attach it all...with help, of course, as Adam likes to play with the scale I use and he's also bored with this process and so asking for various things and whatnot. I finally get this all boxed up and realize that it is now lunch time. So I feed the boys and then finally make my "quick" trip to the PO TWO HOURS after I started!

I honestly think I'm usually pretty good at getting stuff done with the kids, but Monday was definitely a test for me!

Playland

We got a lot of rain last week, so we took the boys to playland at the mall on Saturday. Adam always jumps right in and while Andrew usually isn't afraid, he's been a bit leery, but not this time - he jumped right in and held his own! You can see him right in there! He was going through the tunnel with like 3 other older kids and not caring at all! He even tried to climb the stairs (we removed him from that as he isn't stable in the best of situations!) He was in the mood to play! That little girl next to him was so IN LOVE with him - she kept trying to help/hold him...he so didn't care!

A & W

Our A & W Drive In, which is an original and really great food/service is back open - it opened back up March 1st. So this was this weekend - the first trip of the season! The last time we were here in the fall before they closed, Andrew was still in the baby carrier!

Guess who got upgraded?

Adam usually uses a chair now as he's in charge of the mixer, so Andrew got to try this out now that he's standing well. He's a little short for it - I had to make the water pretty high for him to reach and he couldn't reach the facet (and boy, he tried...he really wanted it!).

24 month clothes!

These are still a little long (especially the PJs and some of the onsies), but they fit! He's not yet 10 months!

Scrapping

What a mess, huh? This is Andrew's updated scrapbook out of it, though!

Motherhood Blogs

I've read some good posts on motherhood/stay at home moms in general lately. As you all know I'm a stay at home mom, yet I also work almost full time. I'm blessed that I can do that, but it also means that while I am "at home," I'm still working. Yet I know that motherhood can be a full time job and it drives me nuts when I hear people put down staying home with your kids. Is it for everyone? No. Can everyone do it? No. Do I think it is the best scenario, if possible? Yes. I'm lucky that I can stay home and still work - I can make some money, yet I'm not paying for daycare. Yet I don't think that you need to be working at home to stay home with your kids - raising your kids is a full time job! If you went to work, you'd pay someone to do it for you! Anyway, this other blogger, I think says it well for all of us - we aren't doing nothing! It just rattles my cage to hear staying at home with kids being put down as unproductive - that's our future generation! Am I judging anyone else? No, I am not trying to do that - I just don't want anyone judging me for staying home either.

Scrapbooks

My updated scrapbooks:

• Adam
• Andrew
• Family
  

Most Annoying Parenting Advice

This article is so true and funny.

Here's my personal favorite:
"Sleep when the baby sleeps." Everyone gives you this one — annoying relatives, pediatricians, the cashier at the drugstore where you were buying newborn diapers. Are these people all robots, capable of instantly dropping off to sleep whenever their child is unconscious? Do they not have other things to do, like bathe, or simply relish the rare moments of silence you get when you have an infant?

Our Life

We've had a couple of really busy weeks and trying to catch up from getting behind because of Ray's FIRC. I think we might finally be there. We were doing REALLY good on keeping ourselves caught up, yet sane, until that. Our biggest issue during this time has been that the boys have been very anti-nap. Again, I "think" we might be past that. We've switched Adam to "quiet time," which is working (knock on wood). While he doesn't always sleep, he is resting and I get my work done. I've got my March housework list mostly done, so I can get back to finish some deep cleaning in the basement. Spring break will be here soon - I really hope we have a good, restful week!

I had a class end on Sunday, two more start on Monday and I have one more ending on Friday. So I get through that Friday class and I think we are back in control.

I finally got my bridge scheduled - spring break - so I'm hoping that will FINALLY be finished. We also have one other doctor's appointment scheduled. Adam was referred at our last pediatrician appointment for speech therapy. I'm really not sure how I feel about this, so we'll see after the first appointment. I'm not sold on the entire idea, but I also do realize that Adam has been slow to speak and I want him "normal" for kindergarten. I also plan on starting pre-school in the fall and I want him to be comfortable there. I hadn't put this up yet, because I'm just not sure how I feel about it. I'm trying to be positive about it and go with an open mind to get Adam to a level where he can communicate well. I know he understands fine, but he's not great on making HIMSELF understood. His cognitive skills are fine, but his speech are behind. My experience is with the school district, which is not, in my opinion, done well, so I'm hoping for the best. I really don't want the schools involved, so if this is needed, I'd rather do it now.

Andrew is SO close to walking. He can stand really well and doing some "cruising." I think he'll be walking by summer, which will be great for outdoor activities as it will make it MUCH easier on me. Andrew also is a talker - I think he'll be talking early. He's still only got two teeth so no "real" food yet, but he's well into 2nd foods and loving them as long as it isn't green - he hates green food!

We've gotten a lot of rain and getting more now. We'll see how the weather shapes up, but there has been some flooding in the area, so I'm hoping for LESS water.

Over spring break we also have some shopping that we need to get done (finally get a headboard for Adam...we ordered one, Sears discontinued it....been a mess...), we want to apply for passports for the boys (both parents need to be present) and we want to do our city taxes (you have to talk in and do them here, but they do them FOR you for free). We are also going up to Dave's for a few days. That's about two weeks out - we'll excited!

Weather

It is raining today...dreary and gross

This was Monday, I think...we got a huge thunderstorm and tons of rain...several neighbors' basements flooded. There are several rivers in flood watch.
This was last Friday after a blizzard...wouldn't believe it was just like this!

Static!

This was so cute and then Adam kept trying to get Andrew's hair to do it again by trying to make it stand up! I had to watch so he didn't pull it, but it was cute...then he tried it on Daddys later, too!

Squeeze will get it!

Adam decided that Squeeze could get this box open....not sure why pliers were the chosen tool, but hey, who am I to argue with a master handyman?

Childrens' Musuem

Adam made it to the top by himself and back down!
This is their current temporary exhibit - Egyptian sand!

It took Andrew a bit, but he figured this sand stuff out! Watch out sandbox this summer!

Looking what I found!

Andrew was trying to figure out how to get to Adam's juice!

Tub Fun

To this point, we haven't had the boys take their baths today as Adam tends to get fairly wild (lots of water everywhere...). But the boys really initiated these!

Andrew was staring at the water and looking so forlorn I had to put him in! He was trying SO hard to reach it from outside!
Adam climbed in with Andrew, still dressed, after giving Andrew a bunch of toys...guess he thought now Andrew needed help playing! He did end up sitting down at one point and soaking his clothes...to be expected!