What a Difference a Year Makes

We've been at the park a few times this week, and I can't believe the difference in Bryton and Avery and their abilities. Last year I was a "hovering" mom...Avery wasn't all that confident on the park equipment, and neither was her mother. I'd envy the mom's who'd sit on a bench, relaxed, as their kids played.
Wellll...I think I might get to be one of those mom's this summer! Bryton can work the monkey bars like just that...a monkey. He whips across them in no time! He climbs up the twirly tower (this is what we call it) with a lot more confidence, as well as parts of the equipment that he isn't supposed to be climbing on.
And then there is Avery...she marches up the steps, and goes down the slide over and over again. She also loves the teeter totter.
So far, I love this independence...it makes the park a lot more fun for this mom! Bryton and Avery are genuinely entertaining, talking non stop and playing together. We may have injuries here and there...but that comes with the territory.

Spring Weather is Here!!!

Why is it that when warmer weather finally arrives, we don't spend our entire day doing "fun" stuff outside?! Take this weekend, for instance. We had 60 degree weather, which is warm for us. Brian spent 3/4 of the weekend putting in the invisible boundary for our dogs...and as of last night it is just about finished! The kids and I were outside on Saturday, at the park and in our yard...so I can't complain about that day. But Sunday was church (we have 10 AM mass, so this pushes everything back ), making brunch for my hungry monkies, cleaning up our brunch mess, going to get groceries and such, finishing laundry, making dinner, and getting organized for the week ahead. What should we have done w/ our weekend?! A few ideas: biking on our local bike trail, hiking out at the state park north of town, taking a trip to the driving range, or just plain taking a drive out in the country with no particular destination in mind...

We have all spring and summer to look forward to doing these things, so I shouldn't be so gloomy about our "jobs" getting in the way of having fun :)

2 Big Dogs=(2xLove)+(2xFun)+(2xPoop)

Bailey and Jake are good dogs and we love them so...but MAN, can they fill a yard with poop over the course of one winter! I think its finally all picked up...now I just have to keep up with them, so it isn't such a chore every time I do it! We don't have what I consider to be a small yard, and I think they managed to cover almost every inch of it.
And after that lovely job was finished, Bryton, Avery, and a friend of Bryton's were asked to help with "stick patrol." OK, so I might have used a little bribery by the time this job rolled around...since we'd been outside for a long time and the kiddo's were getting hungry :) Got 'er done, with my 3 little helpers! So today we played outside in what is starting to look like a decent yard again...hurray!
What else do Bailey and Jake have to look forward to, besides me chasing them with a pooper scooper? An invisible boundary. Jake has gotten to be a little too adventurous, so the time has come. (1st pic is Bailey and Jake last fall, 2nd pic is Jake's size now!)

Pillows, Pillows, and More Pillows

I was putting fresh sheets on our bed last night, and I realized how many pillows Brian and I have! 7, total...and we use them all! I sleep with 4, and Brian uses 3. They are all very strategically placed when we go to bed, but I won't go into that! No wonder we don't touch unless we want to during the night, w/ 7 pillows acting as barriers!

Will I Ever Get the Hang of This?

We are approaching the end of the school year, and I still feel like I'm lacking in the "knowing school rules" department. Bryton has had kind of a rough week at school...crying a bit because he wants to be here at home with his sister and I. Why is he doing this? I think its because he's been out of his normal weekly routine these past few weeks. We've had regular visitors here at our house...then Easter break, and then the kids were down and out with strep and ear infections. Don't get me wrong, Bryton loves school, but he also loves home.
So this morning we didn't have any tears when I dropped Bryton off at school. Yeah! 1 PM rolls around, and Bryton jumps off the bus w/ his usual "hi Mom!" When I ask him if he's had a good day...

"Yep! Well, I kind of had a good day." (Bryton)
"Why kind of?" (Jess)
"I cried a little bit, but not because I missed you. I couldn't go play w/ my friends at recess because I didn't have my snowpants. I had to play on the blacktop w/ the girls. All the boys had their snowpants."

Oops! My fault, I packed snow boots (for the mud), but no snowpants. We haven't had snow for a week...and its been in the 40's and 50's...we even hit 60 degrees one day. His teacher is wonderful, and communicates well with me...so I must have missed this rule. Monday he'll be taking all his winter snow gear...even if its 50 or 60 degrees out! Heaven forbid he be stuck on the blacktop, playing w/ the girls again the entire recess!

This Week's Favorites

Shullsburg Munster Cheese - I love that we live 12 minutes from WI, and this cheese is very creamy.
Bounce Fabric Softener - I've been jumping around, but I should always stick with this trusty brand.
Bitty Baby (by America Girl) - Avery has LOTS of baby dolls, but this is the one she's most into right now.
Clamato Juice - Makes a great bloody mary.
Neosporin + Pain Relief - This clears up any skin irritation our family has, within 24 hrs, and I have a family full of sensitive skin.
Advil - I could live on this stuff.
Sponge Bob toothpaste, by Colgate - the kids are very excited about brushing their teeth, when they know good 'ol SB plays a part in their routine.

Effective or Ridiculous?! You Decide.

There was a break in the rain last night, so the kids and I went for a walk, enjoying the short-lived 60 degree weather we had. As we were approaching the community library, I asked the kids if they are excited to start story hour this summer. "No" (Bryton") and "Yes" (Avery) were their replies. I explained to Bryton that Avery should be old enough to attend story hour with Bryton this year, and he decided that sounded like a good idea! Then he explained to Avery, "You have GOT to sit criss-cross applesauce at story hour, understand?!"
As some of you know, Bryton shed many tears the past few summers over this easily forgotten rule. His story hour teacher was a real stickler about this...Bryton would be sitting still, but if he was not sitting "criss-cross applesauce" he was very sternly told to sit exactly that way.
Of course I have my own opinion on this rule, as well as his story hour teacher in general... but since it is a good program overall, and it is only one hour/week, we are going to give it a shot again this summer.