May 3rd, Brandon's 5th Birthday

May 3rd, was the final day of Brandon's birthday weekend and happened to be his actual birthday. We were in for another busy day. We had Sunday School and of course, since we didn't take cupcakes to his school, we decided to share with his Sunday school class.

After Sunday School, we rushed home to get lunch so that we could grab the cake before heading to the Bowling Alley for his actual party. Did I mention that I was up since 6:00 am, finishing his cars birthday cake? Fortunately, it turned out pretty cute, even though I had to run to the Grocery Store at 7:00 in the morning. Who goes to the grocery store that early on a Sunday Morning? Desperate Moms trying to make their baby's birthday special.

The bowling alley was fun for all...

After all the bowling fun, we ended the day with Brandon playing with his presents at home. It is amazing to watch the boys grow and I am astonished that Brandon is now 5 YEARS OLD!!!

Day 2 of Brandon's Birthday Weekend

May 2, yet another day Brandon thinks is just for his birthday. The day started off as normal, however it was not to last. After lunch, we all headed out for haircuts.

Once the boys were ready to shower off, it was time for the pool. They are still taking swim lessons, but since they know they can get all the help they need from the teachers, Brian and I need to get in the water every once in a while to force them to swim on their own. They are getting much better, can almost swim the entire length of the pool, even if it is little scoops.

To finish this evening off, we headed to the Mauk's House for dinner. The kids all played and ran around the house while the adults got a chance to play cards. Unfortunately, Ben and Carter would not be able to make Brandon's Bowling Party, so we topped the evening off with a dessert of cake batter waffles and sang Happy Birthday to Brandon. Every one was full of food (thanks to Jessica's BBQ Ribs) and tired from all the playing.

Day 1 of Brandon's Birthday Weekend

May 1st was the official start to Brandon's birthday weekend. After dropping Logan off at school, Brandon and I headed to the Coffee Shop to get some tea and Hot Chocolate and then off to the Bakery. After selecting a dozen donuts to share with our friends we headed to Natalie's house.

We visited Logan at school for his Reading Celebration, where Brandon was totally happy while the girls in Logan's class took care of him. Already hitting on the older girls... I bet there is going to be a lot of competition as the boys get older.

After Brian got home from work, we all headed to the Tacoma Rainiers Baseball Game. We had great seats since we were sitting right behind the bullpen area.

To make the evening more memorable for Brandon he was given a ball by one of the players. The ball was actually found under his pillow the following morning, guess he was afraid Logan would try to take it from him while he was sleeping.The evening ended with a great display of fireworks.

Back to School

I am happy to report that we have finally seen the sun around here. It was a beautiful day yesterday although I was inside most of the day. Today is supposed to be even warmer and as soon as I decide to move away from the computer, I am off for a run outside. It seems like forever since I actually wanted to run outside. Well, let me correct that: I don't usually want to run, but since I have to for my triathlon training, I have to force myself. Since the weather is usually crappy around here, I opt to run on my treadmill, well not today. I will OPT to run outside. So by default I want to run outside. Yeah, I know I am procrastinating.

Another happy note, the boys have returned to school. Spring Break is finally over. Two weeks is a very long time and I think confuses the kids. Logan asked last night if he was still in First Grade. We had to let him know that he was returning to the same classroom, with the same teacher and friends. He was a little relieved about that and somewhat excited to return.

Hopefully everyone will enjoy this nice SPRING Day!

Logan's New Look

I am not sure what to say to introduce Logan's new look, so I will start with the picture.

Is he not adorable? Yes, I know I am his mother and therefore am very bias, but am I wrong? He is just so cute.

We picked up his glasses this afternoon after school. He asked to put them in his case before swimming (so responsible) and then as soon as we got back in the car he asked for them again. I couldn't resist giving them back to him, so he wore them all the way home and could not wait to show Daddy. He kept saying Daddy is going to ask "what are you wearing?" if Logan was not constantly telling me this as we entered the house, I am sure those would have been the exact words from Brian, but he was already eagerly waiting for Logan to come into the hallway to check them out. He is so proud of them. Of course, Brandon has now stated that he would like his own glasses too. Guess there are worse things that he copies from Logan.

Now we just hope this helps Logan with his focus and concentration when he is doing his schoolwork. If I keep making Logan wear his glasses, I am afraid he will start reminding me to wear mine. Ugh...

If I looked this cute in my glasses, I would maybe consider it. I do have a cute picture on my phone, so if you would like me to send you one, just let me know.

Not so happy start for 2009!

Where do I even begin? How about at 5:30 this morning, when our alarm went off... (yes this was after New Year's Eve, so you already know it is going to be bad).

We only snoozed the alarm once, which was pretty good if you ask me. Brian started his shower first, I found myself wanting to just crawl under the bed so no one could find me. After I finally got in the shower, I started to feel a little better (not much because I am still fighting a stomach bug since Monday). We made it to the airport by 7:00am, plenty of time to check in and settle down for an 8:55 flight, keep thinking it will get better right? While Brian was trying to check the luggage, I was frantically searching all of my bags for my ids, thought for sure we were going to need to call the Guise's to go home and bring it back to me. Still more to come: The airlines screwed up Brian's frequent flyer stuff, so we had to walk between Continental and Northwest to try and get it fixed, did I mention we had to find a bathroom along the way?

After Brian just giving in and deciding to deal with it afterwards, we checked our bags and started to walk through security. (Thank goodness, no delays there). However, after we told the boys we would get hot chocolate closer to the gate, Brandon stops in the middle of the concourse and cries wanting someone to carry him, buy him hot chocolate or pull his bag? Who really knew what he wanted. Brian always the more patient one with the boys, tries to help him out. I am just in search of another bathroom before we get to the gate (which is at the VERY END of the concourse). Finally get there and Brian gets hot chocolate for the boys, only to have the water and the hot chocolate get spilt within ten minutes of each other.

We board the plane to find me frantically searching again...This time for my cell phone. (YES, we have not even left Cleveland yet). I speak with the Flight Attendant who calls up ahead and tells me to try and make my way off the plane. We are at the back of the plane and she wants me to walk through everyone climbing on board, yeah not making many friends this time. I do make it to the front of the plane and another flight attendant has managed to find my phone in the waiting area. Thank goodness, once again. (although I would not have minded a new phone, just not the way I would like to get it).

After we take off, we thought we could relax and let the pilots do all the work. Well, Brandon needs to go to the bathroom (no problem, I can do that). Logan tells Brian he needs to go to the bathroom (OK go with Mommy). I turn to watch Logan walk up behind me (I'm gonna be sick). OK hold on a sec, nope not gonna make it, (Lady should have moved). Logan got sick right in the middle of the plane, not really concerned about that right now, he is about to get sick again. Make it to the back of the plane to get a big plastic bag, I try holding it open for him as I am trying to fight off getting sick right alongside of him. Wouldn't that have been a scene? Brian makes it back and I try to get back to Brandon, oops, yeah we forgot he still needed to go to the bathroom. Thank goodness, he has a strong bladder. I get him in the bathroom and then I try cleaning up the aisle way (poor people sitting right there, really sorry, fortunately most of them were sleeping, at least they were in the beginning).

So we think there is nothing left in his stomach, yeah it is amazing what stays in a little boy's stomach. Won't go into many more details, because well that is sick, but let's just say we probably could have taken stock in the little barf bags they have on the plane. We had to ask for more about three times.

We get off the plane, get our bags, get to the car and get to Taco Bell for lunch. We were really thinking we would make it home without any more incidents. This story would just not be very good if it ended here. We had to go to Taco Bell, because the McDonald's we were heading to was no longer there, again our problem came from Brandon, not happy when he doesn't get what he wants, when he wants it. We order our food and sit down, then I practically push Brandon out of the seat to get to the bathroom again. Come back to watch Logan eat very quickly and yep, gets sick AGAIN! I am really over this whole day, but we are not even home yet, actually it is not even 1:00pm yet (darn extra three hours with the time change). We decided he needs to just be done eating and we head to the ferry. I believe the boys were fine on the ferry, I spent most of it in the bathroom.

Get off the ferry to drive home and Logan is asking for some water. I am frantically (yes, frantically) searching for my water bottle. Brian hands me another bag to give to Logan and we keep asking if he is going to be sick (really, we should be smarter than this). Brian is asking if he should pull over, I can't get the yes out of my mouth fast enough. Logan only gets half in the bag and the rest all over himself and my BRAND NEW CAR!!! Yes it is less than a week old for me (since we were gone for two weeks). Guess it doesn't have that nice smell anymore. We finally made it home, Logan has had a little bit of Coke to help settle his stomach, we are hoping it will work. We had another Christmas, I will save those joyous moments for the next blog. Would hate to have this one end on a positive note.

For those of you who have finished reading this to the end, please remember how my 2009 started and help make the rest of the year much better.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year

Just wanted to wish everyone a very Happy New Year.