A special surprise

I am finally able to sit down and type more than a few sentences. I am not sure where the time has gone, but it seems to have been more than a week or two since I last wrote. Two weeks ago, I had wanted to write about the arrival of Nana and Papa, but I was unable to share that news since my mother is a frequent reader of this blog. This would have tipped her off to the fact that it would be a possibility for me to join her and my sister in Vegas. This was a surprise we did not want ruined. Here is how it was all planned out: My mother recently celebrated her 60th birthday (sorry, mom had to share the special occasion). She also made the jump to retirement. Since this was all happening just after Christmas, we decided to combine the three gift giving holidays into one big one. My sister came up with the idea to fly our mom to Vegas for a long weekend. This event was shared with anyone who was willing and able to join us there. The big secret... she had no idea I was part of it. She knew I was helping pay for it, but that was where it ended. Why would this be a big deal if I was there? Well, for starters it would be the first time, I would be away from the boys. Not the easiest thing I ever did either. Secondly, Brian and I are usually not quick to throw a couple hundred dollars out there without a lot of thought given to it. Thirdly, Brian's job does not exactly allow me to just go out of town, since his schedule can change at the drop of a hat. By planning three months in advance, we were hoping to have covered all of our bases, the hard part was trying to keep my mother from finding out.

We bought my ticket, arranged for my in-laws to come for the weekend (well, Nana would be here longer, but that was just bonus time), and even coordinated with my sister so that the flights would be arriving in Vegas within an hour of each other. After everything planned and ready to roll, I had to prepare to say good bye to my two little ones for the first time (I had tried to go on a trip once before, but ended back home before going to sleep). They seemed to be doing better than I was, I guess it helped having Nana and Papa and their crazy Saturday Morning Activities to keep them busy and distracted. There were very little tears, which surprised me that I was not crying.

I arrived to Vegas just a half hour before my sister and mom arrived. It was close, because their flight was almost an hour early. My sister was able to get off the plane before my mom and friends. We made eye contact and then I watched as my mother exited the plane. She looked right in my direction and never saw me. I proceeded to follow behind them. Our friend, Cindy saw me and pulled my mom into and hug so that she was forced to look back in my direction. After she backed away she finally looked right me and completely started to turn away and then turned back and before anyone else knew it she was screaming. I am sure we got the strangest looks from passers-by, but mom did not care. She actually had tears in her eyes. I don't think in all my years, I have ever seen such a look of surprise on my mom's face. For the next hour or so, she kept pinching me to make sure I was really there. I guess we were all able to keep it a secret. It was the best surprise we could ever have given to my mom.

Hope everyone had an enjoyable St. Patrick's Day. The boys enjoyed the messes the leprachauns all made. Lots from this weekend coming very soon.

After keeping a secret for the last three months, i was finally able to surprise my mom in Vegas. First time without the boys. Love and miss them. Happy birthday mom!

Nothing Exciting

Nothing really exciting has happened here today. Brandon has had an upset tummy all day and it doesn't seem to be any better as he heads to bed. We will see how he feels in the morning. Not sure if I will be taking care of a sick little boy or helping Logan in his class. We watched the Absent Minded Professor this evening. The boys thought it was very funny. It is great to see them enjoy some of the older classics. It seems as though Brian is enjoying watching the movies that were his favorites as a child. Up next? Bedknobs and Broomsticks, one of my favorites.

Our internet and cable have been out all night. No big update to report on this end.

Boys are Yellow Belts in Aikido

We are definitely raising some great martial artists. (Is that what those who do martial arts are called?) The boys have taken their belt test in Aikido this evening and have earned their yellow belts.

The boys were a little nervous about taking their tests this afternoon. Actually I was a little nervous for them. I am not sure they knew the techniques as well as they should have. When we were taking Tae Kwon Do, they knew everything about the test inside and out. This time, not so much. But they certainly knew enough to make us proud. Be sure to ask them to show you their forward and backward rolls the next time you see them. They are definitely becoming more agile.

Here is a picture of the boys with their friend Ben. Ben is the whole reason we got started with Aikido in the first place. After Tae Kwon Do stopped, the boys really missed doing martial arts. I was missing the confidence that all martial arts seems to instill in one's self, especially Logan.

Once again, Brian and I are very happy to display the boys accomplishments and to show how proud we are of them.

Both of the boys loved the play Annie. It was a great performance. We are even going to try to find the movie so they can watch that too.

Missed again...

Not sure what I was doing last night that prevented me from writing a quick note, but oops! Nothing really exciting here, the boys and I are going to be attending the play Annie tomorrow evening. Logan was so happy after his field trip and he said he really liked it, so we thought it would be nice to take Brandon and of course, I wanted to go see it too. I am not sure I will be able to tell you about it Friday evening, but I will let you all know sometime this weekend. Probably not Saturday either, that day is totally crazy. Crazier than normal.

Happy Birthday Dr. Suess & 100th Day of School

Can you believe it? Today Brandon celebrated his 100th day of school. (Logan has been in school 102 days). They had a big day of making fruit loop necklaces, 100 Day Smarter Hats, and they brought in 100 things of their favorite item. Brandon chose a 100 marbles. He loves little BB beads, but since 100 of them seemed like such a little amount, he decided on marbles. Can't wait for those to be returned, because I am sure they will be completely over the house.

It was also Dr. Seuss's birthday today. Everyone was very excited, the Cat in the Hat greeted all the students by waving to them from the roof of the school.

Once the Cat in the Hat finally made his way down from the roof, he paid a visit to Brandon's Class and shared Fox in Sox with all them. They thoroughly enjoyed the treat. The kids are very lucky to have a great Principal this year.
I don't have any pictures of Logan from today, but he started the day with a Field Trip to see the play "Annie". He was very excited for this day. Since they had the field trip they could not wear their pajamas like the rest of the school, but they were allowed to bring their favorite stuffed animal and their favorite Dr. Seuss book. Of course, Andy was the one to accompany him to school and he choose One Fish Two Fish. So glad he is able to read those tongue twisters on his own now.

Totally forgot to write last night. But some exciting news today: Logan has his first loose tooth. He can't stop wiggling it. He hopes it comes out tomorrow.