Week 1

Last week when Todd drove off to D.C. he took part of me with him. I wasn't sure how I would handle being on my own, but oddly enough I found some inner strength and independence I didn't know I had.  I began waking up about an hour before my alarm even went off, getting a jump on the day. I decided to go back to Baby Boot Camp . This is an exercise class that I have attended periodically through the last year. I love Kira who leads the class and all the mom's who attend are nice and welcoming.  I even made the Daily Progress on my first day back!  

I think this was the best decision I have made.  Exercise always makes me feel better, and it's nice to have other adults to talk with in the mornings.  Monday after class I got a call from Olivia's school, she was not feeling good and I needed to bring her home.  The next morning Olivia was still sick and poor Claire who had a mild case of poison ivy, seemed to erupt into a severe case of it! I wasn't even positive it was poison ivy. So I ended up keeping everyone home with me. Paige was fine but stayed home so she could be my helper. We all went to the Dr. Let me tell you how much fun that is! (heavy sarcasm)  Olivia had just a virus as I suspected, but good to know it wasn't strep.  Claire indeed had poison Ivy. Bumps all over her hand and ear.  Her ear had an infection from scratching and it was red, hot and swollen. We did oatmeal baths throughout the day, took allergy meds, an antibiotic both cream and oral, and benadryl cream for itching. Wednesday everyone was well enough for school, Claire was still breaking out, and by this time it had spread to her face and her right eye was swollen.  

This was taken right before school.  Poor girl. She felt fine, but was itchy and mostly embarrassed about the rash and eye.  I was happy that the kids at school just showed concern for her.

Our week continued with the usual, I kept busy with my house work playing with the boys, making real dinners. I figured I would revert to cold cereal or chicken nuggets most nights, but not a chance.  After dinner the girls would take turns doing dishes with me, or watching the boys.  They were such good helpers.  After bedtime I found myself sewing and doing other little projects that normally I don't have time to do.

Friday morning I was running errands like a crazy woman. Grocery trip, exercise class, target, liquor store with two kids in tow.  Yes I always feel like a winner when I take my kids to the liquor store, but I wanted to have dad's favorite drink on had when he got home so we made do.   Then the school called and Claire was so uncomfortable that I picked her up early. I called the Dr. and I am thankful they put her on an oral steroid. Which in two days all the rash was completely gone!

We were so completely thrilled to have Dad home Friday evening.  I had planned out our entire weekend. It went something like this...

Saturday

9am Breakfast

10am Strawberry picking

 We went out to Chiles Orchard and picked about 8 lbs of Strawberries!

12pm lunch/ naps
1pm girls gymnastics make up class
3pm Kal's Birthday party

Sunday
9am Breakfast
10am Swimming hole/ picnic

We were going to go to Mint Springs which I think would compare to Sandy Shores at lucky peak in Boise, but last minute we changed it to Sugar Hollow. We didn't want to fight the crowds at Mint Springs.  The water at Sugar Hollow is cold, but on a 90 degree day it feels just right.  Aaron was fearless climbing rocks and even sliding down the small falls.  One thing I learned though is that snakes like it there just as much as people. Copperheads to be exact.  There was a gentleman there that saw three of them two rocks behind where Aaron is standing in the first picture.  I was a little uneasy the rest of our time there.  Making sure the kids didn't go off exploring on their own.

It was such a great day and we ended it with games at home and a movie.

Monday
Anything but there must be a mandatory BBQ

We did a little yard work. Todd mowed, and I went crazy spraying weeds. I would like to avoid any more outbreaks of Poison Ivy thank-you very much.  The kids played in the pool on and off all day.

Followed by a little child labor.

Dad was there for reading stories and tucking in.  He left at 4:30am this morning.  We had a nice breakfast together. Saying goodbye was a little harder this time, but he will be back in just 4 short days.

Virtual Dad

This is how we do things now.  Tonight after dinner Dad did the bedtime routine.  There must be songs of course..

and story time!

Easter, Mothers Day and everything in between

I guess I need to back up even further than Easter if I want to cover everything.  So here goes, my parents came out to visit mid March. It was wonderful to have them here when it was warm and beautiful!  We were able to show them around Charlottesville while they kept the feeling in their toes!

Todd and Grandpa had a boys night out and took the boys to Monster Jams.  Ben still goes nuts looking at the pictures from that night.  I have claimed the lovely ear muffs as my own.  When the kids see me put them on, they know they need to keep it down if they want me to take them off. It's like magic.

We were able to go with them to Virginia Beach and Williamsburg for a few days.  It was a little foggy and cold for our beach day but we still managed to find enough sun for a mild burn!

Brushing up on history in Williamsburg is always fun... for the adults 

After coming back from Williamsburg we discovered that the girls had picked up head lice from school! My skin still crawls thinking of it and I can't brush their hair with out being on the look out!  I can't tell you how thankful I was to have my mom here.  She began washing everything we could possibly fit into the washer. Stuffed animals were thrown into the dryer, I didn't even care if they made it out alive. While mom was busy washing and bleaching everything I sat on the couch with a six bulb lamp pointed at the girls head. I didn't move all day long.  Honestly it was like ten hours, and my eyes felt like they were going crossed.  I did plenty of washing hair and flat ironing, and picking only to repeat every other day or so.  I made Todd check my hair daily convinced he wasn't looking carefully enough.  And the boys, well Dad got out his clippers before I could even check them.  We had a bit of fun with Ben's hair. Here he is before...

Then with the balding look...

And the mullet...

Here is a final shot of both the boys sporting their early summer hair.  So glad to have that behind us.

We were able to get out and do one or two more fun things before mom had to leave. There is this little organic tulip farm out in the country and I took mom out to pick some.  It was so beautiful.

Finally this brings us to Easter.  Here are my little pastels.  Have I mentioned that Aaron is still obsessed with the color pink?

 Saturday after church we had a picnic in Pen Park

We had a traditional Brunch on Sunday, and our good friends the Masse's joined us!

 Aaron has also been doing swimming.  I have been really surprised with how well he is doing. He went from being afraid to get his head wet in the tub, to doing everything the teacher has asked. He has completed both Level 1&2 on the first time through and will be starting Level 3 this summer.

May 6th Ben turned two.  Since it was so close to Cinco de Mayo, we had a fiesta and called it Dos de Ben.  Todd's Parents were here and our friends the Masse's and Wood's joined us. It was so fun and Ben was thrilled. He helped us sing to him and did a great job blowing out his candle's! You will have to take my word at this because (major mom fail here) I have not one picture of him at his party!! What!?  I know it's true.  :(   I did get a little video so I am hoping that will save him from a life of thinking mom doesn't care!  Because of course I do.

While Grandma Pat was here she did what she does best and made us a little garden!  The kids LOVED planting with Grandma, and are doing a great job of keeping up on it's progress. In just about 20 days we should have radishes!!  There is also carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, zucchini, spinach and lettuce, with a bit of basil.  So excited, I have been wanting a garden for so long now.

Mother's Day was spent doing nothing but enjoying the 5 fruits of my labor!  Grandpa and Daddy cooked crepes for brunch along with other breakfast goodies, and they made a Turkey Breast for dinner!  In between eating we hiked the trails up by Monticello.

Life is good, we are happy and blessed!