Better With A Friend

Tyler and I could have gone to the amusement park yesterday by ourselves and we would have had a good time, but by bringing Liam along we had a GREAT time!!



The excitement that they had was infectious. Look at the glee they had in getting the front seat on the train! Woo Hoo!



We started off on some kiddie rides...

... but that didn't last long. This shot is a bit off because I was on this ride and we were spinning... FAST!

Phew! I wasn't allowed on this ride.

The airplane ride was a huge hit. On most of the rides there had to be a discussion about who got to go in front, who got to drive, etc. They decided to ride the planes three times. Tyler went up front, then Liam and then they got in two separate planes to see who could get theirs higher. Sorry boys... they both go to the same height!! (Good thing)

Unfortunately they loved the Tilt-A-Whirl... and they weren't allowed on without me. I used to love this ride, but somewhere along the way we have fallen out of friendship. Ugh!!

There is something humorous about little boys saying things like "Dude that was awesome" or "Cool dude!" I heard a lot of that today. I'm sure I won't think it is as funny when they're teens.

I think I need one of these in our house.

We had a great time on ALL the rides and watching the shoot-out show. We did it all... the bumper cars, the beanstalk ride, the old-fashioned cars where I let them each drive... Liam did well, Tyler not so much... It was a long day. Hopefully we can do it all again next summer!

Both boys insisted that they had to play mini-golf. Have you ever seen two five-year-olds play golf? It is quite interesting. At one point I heard "Hole in 64!!" And, I've never seen golf played via foot. And boys, the ball doesn't have to go through the tube in the rock or the tree or whatever! What a sight!

Personally, I think it was the dinosaur that drew the boys to golf. That is ok, it was a nice way to end our day at the park. (Darn, there wasn't enough time for the water park... shhh, don't tell the boys!)

Off to home for pizza and Tyler's first sleepover with a friend at our house! Fun, fun, fun!!

Another Milestone

Ryan is a very independent boy and exerts himself more every day. Tonight was the second night in a row that he climbed into my chair at the dinner table and refused to be moved to his booster seat.

Here he is sitting at the table like a big boy! Sob!

Tonight was a good dinner night for both boys. They love tortellini with butter and Parmesan cheese. Ryan ate 3 full bowls.

He understands everything perfectly, but likes to keep his own thoughts to himself. His speech is coming along... slowly. Recently he figured out "bye bye" and loves to use it from the back seat in one of daddy's cars. He thinks the faster he moves me along to work, the quicker he'll get a ride. You've got to love this kid.

Soaring

Dan and I took a day off together on Friday to enjoy an early anniversary outing... in an airplane! The original plan was to have a nice peaceful scenic flight together, but that isn't what happened. Good thing we made sure our wills and guardianship for the boys was all set because Dan had an opportunity to fly the plane and we couldn't pass that up.

Here he is pre-flight... very excited!




This is when I started to get a little concerned. I couldn't see anything out the windshield from the backseat, but I could see a lot of complicated gauges and buttons... and Dan's hands on the wheel!!

Holy cow!! Little planes are a bit unsteady and I was disoriented. I felt like I could tip the plane just by leaning over to look out the window. It was a long way down!

But it sure was pretty!

We flew over our car, our old apartment, Aunt Donna's house and daycare before landing safely. Phew!

We had a great morning together and an adventure we'll never forget. Only 19.5 hours until Dan can get his sport pilot license...

Home

Our home is a comfortable place. I instantly relax when I cross the threshold every night surrounded by the people and things that I love. I've been noticing the "things" in our house lately and realizing how lucky I am to have so many handmade items. I walked the house this morning and took pictures. I know I missed some things so I'll apologize up front for that.

In our dining room hangs a sign that Sara made. I only took a picture of the end because I try to be careful about identifying information, but trust me, she did a beautiful job!! Not only did she crochet our name, but she mounted it and did the framing as well!



This wall quilt was made by Aunt Connie for our wedding shower many years ago. It warms our center hallway... the heart of our home!


Dan made this room for me, among others, but this is the first to welcome people to our home and one of my favorites. He took down the pine walls, replaced the ceiling/floor and put in a closet. If you look through the window you can see him working on the next project... painting the porch! Yay! I am lucky to have him.

Sara cross-stitched this 14 years ago! It hangs in our bathroom upstairs and greets me every morning.

This quilt was made by Aunt Toni for our wedding almost ten years ago (gulp!). It was on our bed for years, but was moved to the guest room to spare it from two little boys!

The boys love all of their handmade blankets. The cars quilt with the checks and the yellow border quilt were made by Janice Sr. They each have an "I Spy" quilt made by Aunt Connie and a crocheted blanked by Aunt Sara plus the blue blankets by co-workers. Each is part of our daily lives, play by day and comfort by night... they sure are lucky little boys...

Grandpa C made this very cool ride on airplane!

Aunt Sara sent hats for the boys last winter. Ryan isn't a big fan, but Ty sure is!!

I still remember the wrapped package in the front closet from Aunt Connie waiting for my 16th birthday. I could hardly wait to open it and fell in love the moment I did. This pink blanket has been with me for 20 years now!! Luckily a former co-worker made the green one for Dan and the boys to use... the pink one is mine! They both live on the ottoman and are used most days for warmth or a tent or whatever imaginations can come up with...

I have attempted to make things, but I think Sara got all of those genes. I have made some of our curtains and did make a Christmas Tree Skirt that I like...

Unfortunately it doesn't picture very well. It has stitched trees all around with puzzle pieces around them.

Despite my complaints about the lack of conveniences or aesthetics, I love our home and all of our treasures!

Tyler Funny

It has been a while since Tyler has said something that made me want to laugh out loud. Well, he must have been saving himself for today!

When he arrived home from school I was listening to his version of a tale that resulted in him being naked much longer than necessary after being in the pool at school. His version differed greatly from that told to me by his teacher. So, I asked Tyler if he was telling me the truth. He answered with "Mom, I can't remember the whole truth, is it ok if I just tell you half?"

Um, no Ty, that is not acceptable. What is next??

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

It has been a long five days since Dan left on his business trip. Team parenting is difficult without your MVP!! It has not been pretty! We're in the home stretch now since Dan is on his way back. Woo Hoo!

Before I knew Dan was going to be away, I volunteered to chaperone a field trip this past Friday. That meant even more one on one time with the boys!! But, it turned out to be a great day. We went to Hawk Creek!




It was a beautiful morning and a perfect time to visit this wildlife sanctuary. The kids were a lot of fun and we all enjoyed our tour although Tyler was very disappointed that there was no creek at Hawk Creek. Go figure!?!

He was pleased to pose with the metal bird on the way out. I think he thought this was a real bird at one point in time.

Ty and I had a nice lunch together before picking Ryan up to join friends at a local church carnival... or lawn fete as they call it around here!

Yippy! Things like this are always more fun with friends and when you know you should be in school!

Oh! Brain freeze!

That's better.

We spent the rest of the night hanging out with friends and dodging raindrops in the pool! What a great summer day!

The next morning Aunt Donna came to my rescue and joined us for the day. We took a drive north and the kids enjoyed more rides. For some strange reason Tyler loves this boat. It is always the first thing he wants to do at this particular park. Somehow he convinced Aunt Donna to check it out with him...

Ryan did enjoy the rides, but you would never know it from the blank stare on his face. Maybe next time he'll loosen up a little.

This place is awesome. 25 cents per ride = as much fun as you want to have!! And, we all had a ton of fun.

It is literally right on Lake Ontario. Isn't it beautiful? Ry thought so!

This kid is stingy with his laughs, but when you get them, they're sure worth the wait! Can you see the joy in this picture?

Two boys having a blast. Who could ask for more?

Toward the end Ryan decided he wanted his own car. This ride is a lot of fun because the shooters actually make noise. Ry still had his fingers on the trigger as I pulled him out.

We can't wait to go again!!

Last night the boys spent time in our neighbors pool and then camped out in the living room for the night. My goal when Dan is gone is to keep everyone moving. So, this morning we headed out to see the Robotic Dinosaurs. Roar!!

Ryan was too funny. He was very concerned about the roaring, moving monster behind him. But, he didn't cry or give us a hard time. He just stayed vigilant. He is definitely his father's boy.

On to the rest of the museum. Here is our future plinko star in action...

And, our future plumber. I don't know what he was building, but he was very serious about it!

The water table was a huge hit... really, it was... don't let the blank stare fool you!

We watched the 3D Dino movie and then we were off to the zoo! Yes, the science museum and the zoo on the same day!!

Tyler insisted on using the hoe and putting all the hay in a big pile.

And, he just had to sit on this turtle... I think he sensed my desire to head home to beat the rain so he implemented every delay tactic he could.

One quick stop at the balloon guy and then homeward bound!

I bet you're thinking all of this is pretty good, so where is the bad and the ugly? Well, let me tell you, there have been some rough moments this weekend! Check this out...

I have a lot of work to do before Dan arrives! And, unfortunately it isn't just the living room that looks like this!

Here's some of the other random events that we have survived while he was gone:

1. There was a mystery smell in the kitchen. I sanitized the sink, I changed the garbage, I removed the children... and then I found the rotten potatoes! YUCK!
2. Ryan has been searching for Dan for 5 days straight! It is so sad. He asks for Daddy when he wakes up. He looks all over for him saying his name. He points to trucks while we're out sure he has found his Daddy. But, no Daddy. Poor kid!
3. I got stung by a bee this morning while driving to the science museum! Luckily I'm still not allergic and I did not crash the car!
4. We went to the library. DO NOT GO TO THE LIBRARY ALONE WITH TWO BOYS!! Oh my!!
5. I must have thrown towels in the hamper before they were completely dry. Ugh, stinky!! Luckily my homemade laundry detergent works really well!
6. First thing Saturday morning we went to a local mall to see the Reptile Guy. And I discovered that I can no longer sit on a hard floor for longer than 15 minutes! Ouch!
7. Ryan just woke up from his nap and I'm TIRED. Do they really need dinner and a bath tonight??
8. And, lastly, I haven't gone to the grocery store yet...