In Case You're Wondering...

In case you're wondering if I'm ridiculous enough to let my kids play in the water on a cold day...

you're only partially correct.  These pictures were taken several weeks ago on one of the "warmest" winter-time days we've had.  It was probably "too cool" for our activities, but we had a brief reminder of some spring-time fun.

In case you're wondering if Evan is kissing his brother...

that would be NO.

In case you're wondering if that is indeed a toad...

that, too, would be a NO.  It's only a rock.

In case you're wondering if these two constantly competing kids are actually playing together...

why YES.  They are.  Although it is an "I'll stay on my side and you stay on you're side" kind of deal.

In case you're wondering if this goofy kid is actually drinking the water from the toy boat, with all of it's leaves and grass and dirt...

Yep!  He is.

In case you're wondering if this other goofy kid is trying to climb up into the boat and into the water...

Probably so.  Wouldn't surprise me.

In case you're wondering if this kid is adorable.

Why YES.  Of course he is!

In case you're wondering if Evan is now drinking the water...

It appears as if he is.

In case you're wondering if that is a tire...

Yes it's a very small tractor tire that came from oompaloompa land.  Some poor oompaloompa probably has a disabled tractor now.

In case you're wondering what Evan might be thinking...

Yeah...so am I.

In case you're wondering if he is chugging some water...

I wouldn't call it chugging.  His ability to actually fill the bucket very full is limited and based on the amount of water down his front I'd say most of it went towards the cold shower he just took.

And finally...
In case you're wondering why one of my children has on a nice warm sweatshirt (albeit very wet) and one child has no shirt on during this wet spring-time-type play on this brisk yet toasty warm winter day...

I don't know...you'll have to ask him why he won't keep his clothes on.

Blogger Problems--A Rant!

If Blogger doesn't get their act together I'm going to change to a different "blogging service-provider". I can't tell you how many times over the last few months I've tried to upload a picture or 2 to the blog only to wait ten or more minutes for it to tell me there was an "ERROR" . Blah. Earlier this evening they uploaded but would never post! Since I've started school it's not like I have an over-abundance of free time anyway. I sure can't spare and extra 10 minutes or so to blogging malfunctions!

So there's my RANT!

Sickly Evan

Poor little Evan has been having a rough go of things so far this year.  He has just recovered from a week or two long bout of the hand, foot and mouth disease.  He had horrible blisters all over his hands and feet.  He's been congested off and on since the start of the year, but most recently he's been very congested over the past week.  Today he started puking.  We thought he was gagging on phlegm but as the day wore on he puked more and more.  He stopped puking around mid afternoon.  Now the little guy has a fever of 102.  Poor little boy.  Say a little prayer for the little man if you will.  I'm ready to see him all back to normal again. 

Cold Winter Day

2 Boys

2 boys bathing...

2 boys fighting...

Camping

Just like the fishing thing... I hope to do some real camping with the boys too!

Old Coach

Cheesin' It!

Lovin' The Weather

Growing Up

Sometimes this little guy amazes me.  Too often I look at him and see a "big boy".  I probably expect too much at times.  I sometimes expect him to act like an "all-grown-up-big-kid".  I love and play with him but I don't caudle him much.  I comfort him when he needs it but I sometimes forget that he still needs to just snuggle and be picked up and held from time to time.  He's not my baby anymore. He's my big boy.. But then I take a step back and remember that he is only 4!  Four is still pre-school...a very young child...not much older than a toddler.  4!  He's 4...going on 5. 

Today, however, I saw in my little boy a much bigger, older child.  And it wasn't my expectations of him.  It was slowing down to watch and listen and realizing the reality that he's growing up.  Today I took the kids to the school where I will soon be attending.  Ryan has expressed great concern about me going to school. 

Just the other day:
Ryan:  "Mom I don't want you to go to school."
Me:  "But Ryan it's so I can become a nurse and take care other sick people.  It will be hard for a while but it will be better for our family when I'm finished."
Ryan:  "But I don't want anything to happen to you..."

So I took the kids to the school for them to look around and explore a little.  I was hoping Ryan would feel more comfortable about me being away at school if he could explore where I will be going.  We enjoyed our time there but towards the end the kids were getting tired and losing interest.  I bought them a little bag of candy to share and when the last piece was gone Ryan was mad.  Very mad.  And hateful.  When we got to the car I pulled him aside and told him that if he couldn't straighten his attitude and find some happies that I would help him do so with a spanking.  Irritated, he plopped himself down in his seat. 

A couple miles down the road and out of his fit, a big kid emerged:
Ryan:  "Mom I'm really really sorry."
Me:  "What are you sorry for?"
Ryan:  "I'm really sorry for getting mad and for not trusting you that everything is going to be okay."

I was speechless.  Teary.  All kinds of emotions. 

After visiting the Sunflower Market and picking up a few things we then went to the park.  And once again my 4-year-old was all but grown up.  The park was packed on such a gorgeous day.  He didn't gravitate to the preschool aged kids.  He wasn't interested in the other 3 and 4 year olds running around.  He ended up playing with a couple of boys (probably 7 and 10) as they played dodge ball with their dad.  He didn't understand the game but he added a keep-away twist to their already exciting game and they all enjoyed it.  Ryan really enjoyed playing with those boys and their dad.  A bunch of guys doing what guys do.  Playing.  Running.  Conquering.  Throwing balls.  A dad and his two sons...and they were gracious enough to adopt my little boy who's growing up fast into their clan.  Wow! 

Decorating

I let the boys decorate their present to their dad.

They turned out pretty cute. 

And the newly painted table-dancer was pretty cute too!

Fishing

One of the things I hope to do this year in 2012 is to take my two boys to do some REAL fishing.

This just doesn't cut it!