Another egg hunt

It was so nice out yesterday that after naps we took the boys to the playground. Everybody was outside enjoying it. As hard as the winters are up here, I love how everything comes back to life around April. It really makes you appreciate the sunshine and warmer weather after going through all that snow for so long.

Today was the egg hunt for Jason's Battalion. We had a lot of fun, but that many kids and candy during nap hours was a little crazy. Luckily we were right next to the playground so they got to wear a little energy off before we came home. Here's me with the kids, enjoying some of the refreshments.

Of course we had to get another Easter bunny shot. This was a little easier than yesterday. Riley seemed oblivious to him, and James fought a little but was compliant after EB gave him a lollipop!

Riley's first real outside egg hunt! He's getting so big!

We accidentally left his bag at home (the one he made yesterday at Spring Fling) in the craziness of getting out of the house, so he had to stuff a Wal-mart bag full of eggs and candy instead. He's such a smart little booger--Jason only had to help him at first and he got the concept immediately and started picking up everything around him and stuffing it in there.

James brought his bag he "made" yesterday that he's so proud of (even though most of the stickers have fallen off).

After all the egg hunting, playing, climbing and stuffing our faces with candy and desserts we had two very sleepy little boys. If the ride home had been longer than 5 minutes, they would have been out!

Talking to my peeps

Spring Fling

Our Saturdays, lately, seem to start early, be super busy all morning, and we all tap out by early afternoon. Today we started with James's art class (next week will be his very last one). He had colored a beautiful purple tree and painted over it today with watercolor. I'm such a proud mama of my little artist! He's been a total 3-year old about the class, demanding a new piece of paper every 5 minutes and refusing to get his picture taken.The boys got a big box the other day of Easter goodies from Grammy and Grampy in Texas full of peeps, puzzles, books, jellybeans, and obnoxious toys that cheep and talk. Needless to say the kids are thrilled, and while I can deal with talking toys (yay selective hearing!) Jason is not so much! I have a video I took of Riley talking to his peeps that I'll put up soon--but here are the pictures. The photos don't even do the experience justice--the first bite each kid took of marshmallowy-sugary goodness sent them into sugar shock and they started barking and squealing and bouncing off the walls. Here they are all blue-sticky-sweet:Sugar coma!!

Our community center had it's "Spring Fling" this morning. It's beautiful and warm outside so we took a little walk down there.

They had it really organized and structured, which unfortunately means a long line, but the kids enjoyed running around trees and playing with rocks while we waited.They each "made" treat bags to hunt eggs with. We put their names on them and they got to put egg and flower stickers all over. James was sooo proud of his!I don't have a picture of it, but they also had face-painting (James doesn't like any paint getting on his face--ha!) and a little craft table set up where they handed out dixie cups with potting soil in them and the kids got to decorate their cups with more stickers. They gave them zinnia seeds and watered them and the boys got to take them home to grow some flowers.

They had a small Easter egg hunt set up in one of the rooms--James accidentally took too many eggs!

The coolest thing they had was the live chicks! James was hesitant to get close or pet them, but Riley was thrilled! As soon as we got him out of the stroller he ran up and started petting them and cheeping at them (and poking them in the eyes). Once Riley got up there, James followed behind and gave them a pat. James wanted to carry it around and I think all three of us wanted to take them home! (Jason being the voice of reason, here)

Finally, the best part--the whole walk to the community center James was announcing that he was going to the "Easter Bunny Hunt". He changed it after some cajoling to the "Easter Bunny Egg Hunt". As with most holidays, he was super excited to see the Easter Bunny---in theory. When we actually met the big bunny, he didn't want to go near it! Riley the fearless sat right down with no fussing (I swear, this kid isn't afraid of anything!). With some help from Jason, we did manage to get a pretty cute picture of all of them, though!

Out of the mouths of babes

Today, as I'm cooking dinner the boys were watching the Nick Jr channel and Wonder Pets comes on. James: I don't like Wonder Pets! I don't like Wonder Pets! Me: I can't do anything about it, my hands are full, you just have to watch it for a few minutes. [click, silence] James: That's better. Me: Did you just turn off the tv? [James walks into the kitchen, puts one hand on his hip] James: (with attitude) I DON'T like wonder pets. Me: [laughing] OK. I didn't know you had such disdain for Wonder Pets. Later, Jason comes home from work. James is sitting on the kitchen stool. James: Daddy, I have a stain for wonder pets! This kid cracks me up. :)

April Showers

It's been raining and gross out all day, but so warm (50s!). I hate how the warmest days are wasted on bad weather. Luckily we didn't have all the tornado warnings that my friends and family in Tennessee had, though! I guess mother nature decided we've had enough after winter. Good thing, too!! Yesterday the boys and I drove out to Syracuse to pick Jason up from the airport. He drove his car down to my folks' house so we won't have to haul it on the moving truck, and flew back from there.

Riley pooped out as soon as we hit the interstate. James stayed up for Toy Story on the dvd player. [Have I mentioned how much I loooove the portable dvd player?]Also--the black spot on his nose is where he scratched at it during the bouts of runny noses this past week :(

The boys were thrilled to see their daddy again and we took him out to Olive Garden for lunch. He had a 4-day weekend, so he got to stay home during this rainy day and we spent it packing boxes. The house is looking so naked! I can't wait to just be in our new home in Georgia, sitting in our backyard, everything unpacked and pictures up on the walls, just enjoying ourselves!

Even in the monotony of packing, there's never a dull moment around here! We were packing boxes upstairs and the boys were in the playroom. James was setting up his train tracks and did a really big, intricate layout of them. Just as he was finishing up, Riley (godzilla) stomps over and starts breaking them apart. James, being a little obsessive compulsive starts freaking out on him and yelling at his dad and me to "make baby stop!" Riley finds something else to play with and James sets them up. A little while later, he's almost finished fixing the tracks when Riley starts toward him again. All of a sudden we here from across the hall, "DON'T eefer FINK about it!" We about fell over laughing!

After a week/end of being sick and Jason being gone, diet and exercise has gone by the wayside. So, this next week, it's on! I will be lazy no more! Less junk food, more running.

Today's Recipe: Minestrone Soup

1 small onion, chopped

2 carrots, chopped

2 stalks celery, sliced thinly

1 can red kidney beans, drained

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 can diced tomatoes

1/2 cup baby spinach, chopped coarsely

3 tbs vegetable base

2 1/2 cups water

1 tbs italian seasoning

1/2 tsp herbs de provence

1/2-1 cup medium shell pasta

kosher salt and black pepper to taste

simmer 30 minutes (add the pasta in the last 15 minutes and the spinach in the last 5 minutes).

Cracker song

Riley was singing to his saltines yesterday at snack time. I just barely caught him on camera, but its was so cute, I just had to!

By the way, when I say "whoaaa" and he giggles, its because he just let off some gas. Boys will be boys!

Weekend fun

After a week of being sick, the boys and I are finally perked up and back in business! We've had an especially busy weekend so far: Starting with James's art class at the YMCA. He missed last Saturday since it was a sick day, so he was excited about this week. Having brother there must have been too distracting because after 15 minutes he decided he was done. Better luck next week? Then we went to Just Kidn Salon for their very first "real" haircut. They did really well, but got restless by the end of it. Riley was, of course, my wiggler and tried to escape the car. Luckily the girls worked really fast.

James requested the pink barbie jeep and told the hairstylist all about his Grandaddy's jeep. It was a pretty cool seat--the pedals even made the wheels spin and engine revving noises.

Riley looked like he was going to fall asleep when she was combing his hair. He is so his Daddy's son.

After: my beautiful boys and their new 'dos

We went for lunch afterward. The kids were much more interested in the batman toys than the food. Can't blame them.

We met up with my friend Jenn and her kids at the playground after lunch and let the kids wear themselves out for an hour or so. They had so much fun! By the time we had to leave, they tried to put up a fight but were just too worn out.

Ah, busy day and it's still early afternoon. I think I may be more worn out than the kids. Naptime, anyone?