Muddin'

We spent the whole weekend with family and the weather actually cooperated... yesterday. We didn't see a whole lot of Tyler. He was too busy for us. The trampoline was a big hit. Hi Mom!

Actually, Ryan was well taken care of too!! It sure is nice to have older kids and other adults who want to spend time with your kids. Fine by me.

The big kids put together an Easter Egg Hunt for the little kids. They had a blast.

Ryan especially enjoyed himself. Every picture I have is with his mouth wide open. Yippy!

Run, run, run... and sleep, sleep, sleep later!!

Check out my egg!

Oooh! Goodies!

The spring showers... or torrential never-ending rain storms... have resulted in some great mud. You know it is good mud when you can stir it. Yikes!

Ryan really got into his work. Good thing we were warned and told to bring boots. Yuck!

That is a lot of mud. Can't you hear it slurp?? You can't really see it all in this picture, but it was everywhere. Nose, ears, chin... no part was spared. I thought he got some down his pants, but no... that was a different kind of mud.

Messy, but so worth the fun.

Play

Friday afternoon Dan took some time off and we headed out to the Museum of Play. We were hoping for naps in the car and less crowds later in the day.

Before we left, we took some pictures. I love this one so I have to share. Tyler and George are still close.



The only exhibit we were there to see was the Tinkertoy exhibit since it is temporary and leaving soon.



They boys enjoyed themselves making all sorts of creations and playing with the human plinko.

I am always impressed with the temporary exhibits because they pay attention to the details. The classic Tinkertoy can was used everywhere. This was a huge tin that was open on one side with a computer game inside. Others were used as benches. It was a very cool exhibit.

But, we couldn't stop there. We had to check out the big airplane.

And, Elmo's car.

Wegmans is always a hit. Remind me not to let Ryan help with the produce!! Pepper bowling anyone?

This area was an unexpected bonus. Basically they filled the center hallway with these no-end pieces and let the kids (including some big kids) go at it. Ty and Dan built a boat with smokestacks and all. It was very cool.

I really had to hold myself back from running out to buy Tinkertoy, no ends or Lincoln Logs. I have to remind myself that we do Lego's in this house. Lego's, Lego's, Lego's!!

Unfortunately the nap in the car didn't happen so this is what 5:30pm at the museum looks like. Yes, we were that family.

Despite the complete meltdown, we had a great time at MOP, as usual!!

Hair - 15 Weeks Out

My hair is coming along. I've reached the early stages of shaggy. I don't have enough to cut, but the edges are not as neat as I'd like. Bed head has returned. And, the color is a bit odd. It isn't black. It isn't brown. It is sort of a dark gray with white tips. Hmmm... stainless steel? Titanium? Oh, and the cowlicks on either side of my forehead make it look like I have a widows peak... but no, it is just the hair in the middle growing straight down!! What a mess. But, it is hair so I won't complain.

We took the boys for a hair cut this week and afterwards Dan pointed out that we all have the same cut. Wasn't that nice of him??

I've had time to think about the last 7 months and I've decided that I hit the cancer sweet spot. I was old enough that my family was complete, but young enough to stay strong physically. And, my children are young enough not to be impacted. I am thankful for the timing.

Hopefully in a few more months my hair will no longer be a daily reminder in the mirror and I can truly leave this behind me.

Spring Break

SPRING break might not be the best description especially if you were looking out our kitchen window on Monday... YIKES! We may be paying for our beautiful summer last year with no summer this year.

But, so far we've found our fun. Grandma and Grandpa W popped in for a day. Grandma brought these wonderful things for each boy...

Yes, these make noise... really annoying buzz quack noises and both boys got one. Thank you Grandma! She always manages to find the gift that keeps on giving! She is the reason that Ryan sticks his foot in my face yelling "eat it" while I'm changing his diaper. Yup, my mom thinks it is funny to nibble toes causing a little person to laugh uncontrollably while rolling around with an open diaper full of poo. That must be the difference between being a grandma and a mom.

They sure do have a lot of fun.

Grandpa got in on the fun this trip and colored eggs with the boys.

He was brave and let Ryan help.

We put the finishing touches on them this morning. This was Tyler's "world" egg. I think it came out pretty good. I might even get him to eat an egg after all of this, but I'll have to report back on that later... we're slowly working our way up to it. (Notice the lack of snow today... it has been replaced by water. We literally had ducks swimming in our yard this morning. Aye!)

Ta da!! Here are our speckled eggs all ready for the bunny.

This morning the boys decided to do some dress up. Ryan was very excited to put on the "super man" costume.

Aaaarrrrgggghhhh Matey! We won't tell him that it was upside down and ruin his fun. For that matter, who is Spiderman anyway??

This afternoon we checked off another "to do" off of my list... The Herschell Carrousel Museum!! Is there one R or two in carousel? I think there is only one, but they spell it with two so we'll do it their way.

Aunt Donna joined us for our adventure. Lately Tyler likes to ride on the "spinner" rather than a horse.

But not Ryan. He knows you are supposed to be on a HORSE on a carrousel.

I believe Tyler is finally big enough to have outgrown some toys, but he hasn't figured that out yet.

Back for one more ride.

That face...

It was a neat place. Turns out there was a sign on the door of this room not to take pictures. My 6 year old pointed it out. Oops. But, the picture was already taken so here it is. Ryan was too cute in this room. He just couldn't understand why he couldn't ride these animals. Sorry Ry, no batteries.

I love that we have all of these things around to discover.

DONE!

Our temporary situation is over. Active treatment was completed as of 8:15am today. The cancer has been poisoned, cut out and sufficiently zapped over the last 7+ months. Do you think it got the picture that it wasn't welcome here? And, just to be sure that door stays closed, I'll be taking a daily medication for the next five year. So there!

Tomorrow is a new day.

Swing

This past weekend was beautiful. The sun was shining, it was warm... so nice!

Yesterday is officially the day that Tyler learned to swing under his own power. Finally.



Swinging is very serious business.



Very very serious.



Beautiful!



I believe spring has officially sprung! ...now watch it start snowing...

April Fool

Sometimes you just need to inject a little fun into your normal routine and April 1st is a good excuse to do so.

I had considered a number of different pranks I could pull on Tyler and finally settled on one simple idea... I switched his shoes for an identical pair I had purchased and set aside for Ryan.

The set-up was unintentional, but perfect. I laid his clothes out like normal, but the shirt was too short on his arms. He told me it was because of that "growing pain."

Finally it was time to get their shoes on. We were all in the back room and I was putting Ryan's shoes on as usual.

Me: Tyler, hurry up and get your shoes on.
Tyler: I can't get my foot in.
Me: Would you just undo the velco??
Tyler: I'm trying, but it doesn't fit.
Me: Come on, Tyler, we don't have time for this. Get your shoes on!!
Tyler: Mom, my toe is hitting the front. Feel it.
Me: Tyler, you just had these shoes on yesterday, did you really grow that much overnight??
Tyler: Yes!
Me: Well, I don't have any other shoes for you so you are just going to have to go barefoot. We'll go shopping tonight.

The look on his face was priceless... and I let him off the hook. April Fool!! Ha!

Now I have to be extra vigilant. I know he's going to try and get me back. Knowing Dan, he'll probably help...