First Swim

Micah had his first time in the pool on Saturday. He wasn't too sure of the cold water but had fun none the less. Noah was happy to run through the sprinkler.

Parks

This week has been filled with fun at the parks.

Micah wants OUT of the stroller.

We found a caterpillar.

This is one of my favorite pictures of Micah. Too bad I only had my phone camera.

What we know?

Noah has declared himself an expert in dinosaurs and forests.

Peanuts

Here is Micah's Charlie Brown outfit. Noah wore it too.

Good Day

This morning started off not so great. A fussy, clingy Micah and a defiant, stinker Noah were on the way to driving me bonkers. So, I rushed to get us all fed and dressed and high tailed it outside. Immediately the day brightened and all the tension from inside was gone.

Playing in peace.

Micah was so happy to have Noah push him.

After a couple hours outside we cooled off at the Barnes and Noble storytime.

So happy we were able to turn the crummy morning into a fun and happy day.

Mirror Mirror

Noah looking into a hand mirror: "Who's that cutie?"

Then putting it in front of Micah's face: "Now, who's that cutie?"

We are raising a boy with a healthy self esteem.

Morning Humor

I asked Noah to go pick out a pair of underwear so he could get dressed and this is how he came back.

Yes we are still wearing Christmas pjs.

Shiner

Yesterday I decided we could officially mark the calendar that Micah is walking. Then last night after his bath he was walking in the bathroom, fell and hit his eye on the edge of the tub. It immediately swelled up but does look a bit better today (the pictures never do ouchies justice). Poor baby! It looked pretty crazy at first and I told Shawn that I'd never seen anything like it. He said, "Oh yeah, it is just like when someone gets punched in the eye." Okay then, glad I'm not familiar with that.

24 Hours

Grandma and Grandpa Wags were here this weekend. The boys were so excited to see them and Shawn and I were pretty darn thrilled too. They came to watch the boys while we celebrated our 6th anniversary and our first full night away from them. We were ready!

We dined at a fancy restaurant and our food was delicious. Then hung out at a new local bar and just talked...no interruptions. I'm surprised we didn't run out of things to say. :) Finally we stayed at a super cool hotel and got upgraded to their best room. Shawn said it was the nicest hotel room we've ever stayed in and he's right about that. We slept in and ate a leisurely brunch. So, so wonderful. I forgot how it feels to be carefree.

It won't be long until I have that feeling again. Grandma Jane will be back at the end of July to stay with the boys for a full weekend while Shawn and I are in Milwaukee with college friends.

Thanks for a fun weekend Grandpa Dennis and Grandma Jane.

Grandpa came bearing gifts.

Play Ball

Noah LOVES playing sports outside: basketball, football, baseball, soccer. It is fun for me too because I enjoy playing catch, kicking the soccer ball and serving as the permanent pitcher.

I have my fingers crossed that our boys inherit their dad's athletic abilities and not mine! I'm hoping for a future of golf, tennis or swim meets - who needs those contact sports anyhow. :)

Micah is satisfied to climb on any and everything. Going up the slide keeps him busy for a good 10 minutes. I am less pleased with his desire to go down the slide face first.

Practice

He's working on walking.

Good job buddy.

Monkeys

Here are my monkeys jumping on the bed. Noah crawled into Micah's crib this morning and they had some fun.

Bedtime Stories

Too cute not to post.

Sous Chef

Noah helped cut rhubarb today in preparation for tomorrow night's dessert.

Our family is enjoying the adventure of our first year participating in a CSA farm. We choose a farm, purchased a share and each week pick up a box of vegetables and in the summer we will get a fruit box as well. Noah and I get excited to pick up the box of veggies and check out what is inside. I would say that we have always been relatively healthy eaters; however, we certainly weren't adventurous in our food choices. That is all changing now! I never buy parsnips, sunchokes or even bok choy at the grocery store but now we are getting them and so many others on a weekly basis. It is fun to find and try to recipes and discover that we really like all these foods. Shawn said tonight "It is like we are eating at a fancy restaurant." I'll take that as a compliment, thank you very much. He also asked if the meal was vegan, while eating a cheese stick that he had grabbed as he walked in the door.

Our herb garden has taken a hit. I left the pots out overnight and the very next day read that basil doesn't do well when the temps fall below 50 degrees. Whoops. We will be buying new basil plants. The dill is looking pretty sad as well. I am really terrible with plants but am willing to keep trying - any positive green thumb vibes are appreciated.

Does anyone have any rhubarb recipes to share? I've already done a rhubarb/strawberry crisp and am now going to make a lemon/rhubarb bundt cake. It seems that all the recipes I've come across are just loaded with sugar. Not that I don't love dessert but I'd like to explore some other options.

Budding Musicians?

This was Shawn's keyboard when he was a kid so I always think it is cute when the boys play with it. The apple would have to fall very far from the tree for either of these two to have musical talent but a mom can hope!

Adventurous

Noah is getting more physically adventurous with each passing day. Shawn sent me this picture while I was shopping at Whole Foods - he says Micah was trying to get up there too. Wish me luck this summer! :)

Park Dates

We met my friend Ali and her kids for a park date. Micah and Hadley hit it off while Noah played with Hadley's brother Sam. Thank goodness it has finally stopped raining and we can play outside.

Negotiating who gets dibs on the stick.

Eyelashes

"Mom, how do my eyelashes look?"

"Great Noah, they really enhance your mechanic shirt."

Date Night

Shawn came home early from work tonight so Noah and I could enjoy a night out together. We went to dinner, an art exhibit of dog portraits that was actually pretty cool, a toy store for some play time and finished off the evening with an ice cream treat. It was a good night with a great companion.

Loving this one.

These pointing pictures are reminding me of Grandpa Dennis & Uncle Dan.

Buckets full of junk - how fun!?!

We liked the store front at Louis Vuitton and he gave me a real smile for the camera...mark the calendar my friends!

Bookworms

and a hug for good measure.