Playin' Dress Up...

This is the new favorite thing to do around here...

Maybe I should invest in some boy dress up stuff?

Silly Joshua...

Today was even colder, and poor Joshua was itchin' to get outside.

I ran out in the cold to get the mail,

and when I got back to the porch I saw this in the window...

so of course I had to grab the camera.
(Try not to notice how bad my windows need a wash.)

I love this kid.

Bipolar Weather?

What's up with this weather?!

Yesterday felt like Spring.

Summer had a playdate with Emily,

which included ice cream cones and the sandbox.

And Joshua was so happy to be outside.

But, today looked like this...

(that is snow on the sandbox)

So, we stayed in today and made these...

Yum!

The Cut Heard 'Round My World...

YAY - I found the camera, FINALLY!

So here is one of the changes made around here lately...

I chopped my hair.

(and I feel a little silly posting all these photos of myself, but upon multiple requests, here goes...)

(cheese!)

So, I like it.

Ryan - not so much.

And Summer like to mess it up.

Luckily, it's fast and easy - nice!

Update...

Well, we are finally feeling better around here.

YAY!

I can't seem to find my camera, though. As soon as I track it down, I'll have to post a picture of some of the big changes we've made around here (that's all I'm going to say, you'll just have to wait and see).

Toodles.

Sick Again!

The good news - Joshua finally got feeling better.

The bad news - Summer got sick (again).

And, more bad news - Mommy got sick, too.

Fever, chills, aches, and a lovely cough.

Hopefully, we'll all be healthy soon!

I Feel Pretty... Oh, So Pretty...

So... we were going to meet G&G Trujillo for dinner.
I said, "Summer, we gotta get ready, go get your shoes on."
She surfaced wearing this lovely bright shade of Mommy's lipstick.
Apparently, she has learned that "getting ready" means putting on lipstick.
She told me, "Don't worry, Mommy, it's not your expensive kind."
Mommy laughed. Daddy rolled his eyes.

Happy Birthday, Dear Grampy, Happy Birthday To You...

92 Years Old!

The kids and I had a wonderful afternoon at Grammy and Grampy's yesterday, which included lunch from Carl's Jr. Drive-Thru (love their fries!!), and a nice walk with Grammy.

A birthday kiss

Summer with her great-Grammy

It was a perfect day for a stroll up the lane.

Joshua and Grammy

WE LOVE YOU!!

Happy Easter

Here are some fun Easter facts to get us rolling:

Easter is always the 1st Sunday after the 1st full moon after the Spring Equinox (March 20).

This dating of Easter is based on the lunar calendar that Hebrew people used to identify passover, which is why it moves around on our Roman calendar.

Based on the above, Easter can actually be one day earlier (March 22), but that is pretty rare.

This year is the earliest Easter any of us will ever see the rest of our lives. And only the most elderly (95 years old or above) have ever seen it this early. And none of us have ever, or will ever, see it a day earlier!

The next time Easter will be this early (March 23) will be the year 2228 (220 years from now!). The last time it was this early was 1913.

Now, don't you feel a little smarter?

And now, for some cute pics...

Saturday night... coloring Easter eggs

(Joshua retired to bed early, and so missed out on the colorfully stained fingers)

Sunday was a beautiful day...

She was so excited to wear her new Easter dress

and take her matching purse to church (full of goodies, of course)

And, Joshua looked so dapper wearing his first necktie.

We hope you had a wonderful Easter too!

(Thanks, Grandma Dorothy, for spending the day with us!)

Let's Go Fly A Kite...

Daddy got home a little early, so we took advantage of the windy weather to try out our new kite.

The Kite

(a Costco item we couldn't pass up)

(notice Summer's leg warmers - she'd wear them all day every day if I let her!)

We had lots of wind, but it was a little chilly.

Look how high!

Followed up with some hot chocolate at home, what a great time we had!

$15 Sucker

So, the kids have been sick.

(I have never seen so much snot in my life!)

Summer got feeling better after about a week, but Joshua's boogers just kept lingering.

He had a fever over the weekend, and he's so grumpy. I always hesitate to take them into the doctor at such times, because I know what she'll say:

"It's just a virus - it just has to run its course."

But this time, I thought I'd better be safe.

What if it's an ear or sinus infection, etc. etc...

So, a $15 co-pay later, we get this...

&

"It's just a virus - it just has to run its course."

Princesses Night Out!

When: Saturday, March 15th

Where: Applebee's & Energy Solutions Arena

Who: Sara & Aunt Alisa, Summer & Mommy

What: Dinner & Disney's Princesses on Ice & Sleepover at Sara's

We missed Emily, who is in Hong Kong with Grandma Oakes. But Summer and Sara had a blast together!

No No, Joshua...

We don't eat crayons!

(but the black ones are so delicious!)

What a Trip!

A 3-day "Mommy Break" was just what I needed.

I missed Ryan and the kids, but had so much fun

watching chick-flicks,

staying up late talking with Kimi,

sleeping in,

eating TONS of Easter candy,

shopping,

and eating at restaurants without the kids.

But, the best part of the weekend was Jacob.

What a cutie! He only peed on me once.

Me and Jake

I got to meet up with some old girlfriends for lunch.

We had so much fun reminiscing and catching up.

Alma, Me, & Donna

Thanks, Mom, Jen, and Kimi

for an absolutely wonderful weekend.

I love you tons!

And, for being such a good little helper while Mommy was away, Summer got a treat!

California Dreamin'... on Such a Winter's Day

So, I'm headed off to California to visit Kimi. I'm so excited for our "sorority weekend." Mom and Jen and I fly out in 3 hours. I am so excited and so ready for a mommy break, but I must admit, I'm a little nervous about missing my little stinkers and my hubby, whom I'm a little worried about. Cross your fingers that he can hang in there for 3 days without Mommy. I know he can do it! Summer has promised to be extra good and helpful... we'll see.

Just wanted to share a few cute pics before I leave...

(Yay! Daddy's home)

Reading bedtime stories

Ryan was out of town earlier this week, so I was flying solo. While I was putting Joshua to bed, Summer went to her room to wait for me. When I went in, she was passed out.

Joshua in Summer's dress up

I'll miss you!!

Extreme Makeover: Blog Edition

Ta-Dah!

Mighty Oakes got a makeover!

A huge thanks to my very good friend

Laurel

Graphic Design Diva!

Thanks for a very fun day - I love your guts!

My Little Stinkers At It Again...

So I was at the door with a neighbor, and the stinkers seized the opportunity.

After closing the front door, I went back to the kitchen where I'd left the kids with their snack. To my dismay, they weren't where I left them...

Here's where I found them...

in my room, in my jewelry...

I asked, "What do you think you're doing?"

Summer replied, "We like your jewelry, it's pretty. It's pretty, so we like it. We just like to mess around with it." (word for word, I had to write it down!)

It's hard to be mad, when my stinkers are so cute.