From the backseat

Tonight we were driving the boys to swimming lessons, when Ethan's serious voice popped up from the backseat, "Dad, I just really need a crowbar."

Mike said, "What?"

Ethan's reply, "A crowbar. The Littlest Pet Shop toy is stuck inside the Dragon Fortress and I have to get it out."

Because of course that would be the first solution, a crowbar!

Words of Encouragement

This afternoon I was working on finishing up my latest P90X workout, the plyometrics. Brutal on a hot, humid afternoon! Colin was exercising with me, and watching me, and yelled out, "Mom, just do it for the cheese curds!"

Overheard

Mike: Hey guys our little garden is coming along nicely. Colin, your blueberry plant is looking good. Ethan, what do you want to plant next year in our little garden?

Ethan: A Kit Kat plant.

A moment in our life...

In the last ten minutes...

Mike decided to clean the gutters... in the rain! (I asked him if he was Terry Mundt.) Needless to say I was NOT happy with this unsafe choice. As I was running to the porch to tell him after I noticed debris flying off the back roof, I ran right into the screen door. Please note, my nose is not broken, my lip is a little puffy, and the screen seems to be intact. Ethan landed in time out yet again today for being, shall we say a bit sassy. He's already off of anything dessert related until Monday for helping himself to a handful of chilling cookie dough. "I was being sneaky!" And our Colin is laying low having been diagnosed with pneumonia/bacterial bronchitis. He's floating around trying to clean up toys and figuring out if he needs more medicine.

All in the last ten minutes. Never a dull moment!

Makes Mom & Dad Proud

On Friday, Mike, Ethan and I attended Colin's first ever performance at school. He decided to participate in "Forensics for Fun" an enrichment opportunity provided through the school. It was his idea to be a part of this, and it was his idea to do a demonstration speech. The topic? The Star-Spangled Banner, of course. Because that's what every 6 1/2 year old boy is interested in right? (The other speeches were about hunting, animal trapping, and how to build a volcano.)

He told me what to type out as far as the speech was concerned and then he practiced at home, and practiced, and practiced some more. Friday morning we were a buzz with excitement and he had to make sure he had an outfit, "that will make me comfortable."

Here's the official video--quality is poor due to the fact that we take videos on our little digital camera! We were so proud of him. And for the record, now he wants to learn Yankee Doodle.

Fun Times in STC

Last weekend was a busy one... we drove down to St. Charles on Saturday afternoon. After playing in the sun, a fabulous dinner, and a trip to Colonial for my birthday PBF Chipper, I got to go out! Mandy, Mike, Steve, Denise and I headed to Alley 64 to hear the Lazy Maybes. It was great catching up with Jake Brens while they band took a break. We had tons of fun! Who knew STC has such a happening nightlife? On Sunday, we celebrated Grandma and Great Grandma Smith's 95th Birthday. It was wonderful having everyone together and she was tickled with the whole thing--especially her "younger" brother (who is 92) who surprised her at the party!

(Side note: I'm not sure why these photos appear so much smaller... work in progress!)

Ethan doing his tricks on the scooter. He's our wild man!

Posing of course!



The sweaty, hot, but oh so happy boys.
We're actually going out! To a bar! On a Saturday!


Me and my beautiful sister!

It's 1am... of course you must eat a doughnut!

This is Mike cheating on Tony Horton after fun times, a few beers and a shot at the bar!

Mandy, attempting to show Mike that she too could do at least a few push-ups.

Grandma's Party!Uncle Bob, Aunt Judy, my Mom, Kim, Denise and Steve

The cake.

Sweet Miss M played her violin for Grandma!


The boys... Colin and Ethan adored spending time with their big cousin Mitchell. He's "so cool". And Alexander is holding his own too! (These boys are outnumbered so they have to stick together!)

Eric and Teresa hold down the fort with little Alexander and the girls. Their matching outfits were adorable!

The May birthday girls!