Love Dad

This week was super busy at work (the norm lately); looking forward for VACATION. Still way behind on my shows- would rather read or scrap when the kids go to bed.

Tuesday, Kaleb and I went to Dr. C as he still has that lingering cold/cough (since April) and I was coming down with that yucky bronchial cough. Sure enough, the antibiotic prescribed for the baby didn't clear everything up, so he is on the z-pack. I have what I thought I had and I am on the z-pack as well. I mentioned that Jake had a double ear infection on Memorial Day, so he took a peak at his ears and decided to put him on meds to clear up the remaining fluid.

Todd had a good day at home with the kids on Friday. My appt. with Dr. Mac went well and I am rounding the corner on my month long back spasm (it is near my lower spine and is very painful!). Jake woke up just before dinner with a fever of 102.4 and with some Tylenol, it went away. After he felt better, he and I went shopping at Kohl's "Late Owl Special" (or whatever they call it)- he was so good!!

On Saturday, he and I ran errands in the morning, went to the library (almost time to sign up for the summer reading program), and finally grocery shopping. I had a chance to sneak out (sans the A/C in 90 degree weather..yeah I have problems- Marvin actually told me if I start wearing black again I might feel better!) and head back to Kohl's. Todd enjoyed prime rib for dinner (my clam strips were not good..Thurs night they were under cooked and Sat night they were over cooked..either way I got sick both times, think I am having a problem again with fried foods).

This morning we enjoyed our usual Sunday "Big Breakfast". Quiet day today...I had a chance to get some reading and scrapping done. We found that Kaleb is actually getting 4 teeth in at once and not 2- would explain "fussy week".

My parents stopped over for dessert:

Jakob made them a scrapbook- love how he spelled "Grampy and Grammy":

Jake and Grammy:

I bought size 2T shorts for Kaleb because his 24 mo ones are getting a bit snug. As you can see, these are not snug- he walked around like this all day:

Jake's last day of school is tomorrow!

Memorial Day Weekend

Most of the weekend was spent relaxing, cleaning, and reading and so was the intention for today. Jakob's ears had other plans! The ear pain began last night a little after 10 p.m.- neither of us got much sleep during the night. I headed to Walmart at 6 a.m. to try and find some ear relief- nothing..had to wait for the pharmacy to open. Phoned the Dr's office and the Dr on call suggested we head to the ER if it couldn't wait until Tuesday. In the mean time his temp had dropped to 101.4 from 102. The drops picked up seemed to work a little, but it was hard to tell because one minute he said he felt good and the next he was crying. Headed to the "Convenient Care Center" at WWBH and was in and out with a script in 1 hour! Can't beat that- I am sure it is going to cost though. Yeah, we missed the parade in town (Jake was on the couch..Kaleb had just woken up..and Todd was still sleeping).

Yesterday we were gone most of the day at a birthday at one of Todd's friends children. Jake enjoyed the pinata and kids. The sun felt good! Took the scenic route home...saw parts of MA I didn't know existed.

Egg-citing Day

We had a small dinner (Nana, Candi, and Grammy) joined us for some yummy ham and other goodies. We were so full, there was no need for dinner! (While Daddy and I prepared the meal, Jake and Kaleb enjoyed the "Bee movie"- they just loved it). For dessert we enjoyed Grammy's carrot cake...YUMMY!

Jakob told me last night before bed that we needed to make sure the house was nice and clean so the Easter bunny had room to hop around!

St. Pat's

Kaleb hasn't been cooperating lately for "brother shots"...

This is as good as it got as we celebrated 2 days prior.

Breakfast with the Easter Bunny/Egg Hunt

We finally had breakfast with the Easter Bunny! The Lion's held their annual pancake breakfast with the Easter Bunny. Breakfast was good, but nothing like we have on Sunday's at home!

After we ate, the boys had their picture take with the Easter Bunny..I mean Peter Cottontail (that's what Jake insists on calling him)- it was a Polaroid, so it didn't come out or scan well..neither did the one I got. Jake had so much fun! He was one of the first kids back with 10 eggs (of course, each was filled with CHOCOLATE!!).

Christmas Day

Luckily, the kids weren't up at the "crack of dawn"! As you can see, Kaleb was sound asleep at 7:30 a.m. and we had to wake him to go open presents. (Jakob was actually in his room watching tv until it was time to go downstairs..?).

I have more video than pictures this year =(.

Although Kaleb wasn't into the unwrapping part, the kids loved their presents. Jake was a little disappointed with the train that came with his new Thomas movie as he had it already...and he was quick to point out that Santa brought a game made exclusively for Target (uh, Santa had to shop at Target in the North Pole!). Jakob ended up playing with Kaleb's toys and Kaleb played with Jake's. Maybe I should rethink the gifts for next year...

Todd looking for the chap stick he lost.

If you know Todd, he would have searched all day if he had to....

Grammy and Grampy arrived first, then Kevin and his family and finally Nana and Candi. We had lasagna, meatballs, and Italian sausage for lunch. After we ate, we opened gifts. Here are my favorites (dig photo frame, photo stamps, and Japanese Cherry Blossom from Bath & Body Works).

After gifts we enjoyed cheesecake, chocolate cream pie, Mexican hot chocolate, and cookies.

Nana playing a game with Jakob and Shawn

Resting after a busy day!

Christmas Eve

I decided to save my wrapping for tonight...it's pretty late, but had to wait for my Dad to pick up hamburger on his way home from work. Just realxed today, ran an errand with Jake. Todd came home around lunch time.

The boys each opened one gift (both from Scott & Rachel) tonight.

Before bed, we sprinkled "Reindeer Food" in the backyard with the thought that the shiny glitter will sparkle in the moonlight and the smell of oats will guide Rudolph to our house.

Jakob left cookies for Santa...

And yes, matching jammies...

As visions of sugar plums danced in his head...

A Charlie Brown Christmas

Today was the Charlie Brown Christmas Party. We had a good time. We met Buzz Lightyear (Kaleb was the only one who wanted his picture taken), played games, did Christmas crafts, and snacked on pizza and cookies (Kaleb loves brownies...). We drove around and enjoyed the winter landscape on the way home. Later on, Jakob and I headed out to finish Christmas shopping.

Jakob eating his sno-cone.

Kaleb and Grammy

Kaleb and Buzz Lightyear

Enjoying the scenery

Happy Thanksgiving

The temperature outside read 73 degrees as the turkey was being cooked in the fryar. It was warm and beautiful out!

My brother arrived early and my parents were late. I did most of the cooking this year as I didn't want anyone in "my kitchen"..hahaha...and my Mom was able to relax for once! Kaleb enjoyed a little bit of everything for his first Thanksgiving meal....Jake at a few things..Shawn ate hardly anything.

After dinner, everyone relaxed; I had the house put back together by 3 p.m. Nana came after 5 for dessert and leftovers. She and Kaleb enjoyed a little nap.

*click the yellow person in the lower left hand corner of the slideshow, then click on the album name for a larger view

Fourth of July

We decided to keep it low key today..have been running since Saturday.

Enjoyed some time outside playing with toys and blowing bubbles. Todd cooked dogs and burgers for lunch...Jake even ate a cheeseburger!!

For dinner he grilled yummy chicken and we also had squash, corn on the cob, and pasta salad too! Even though it started raining later, we could here the fire works from the lake.

It wasn't exactly the way Martha's came out, but this was dessert...(the biscuits are shaped like stars).

Pooped!

The boys pages will be updated with more pictures of them from today.

Happy Father's Day!

Memorial Day

We walked into town this morning to see the parade. It was short, but nice. There were 3 marching bands, 3 Fire Departments, the Ambulance & Forestry Companies, Brownies & Scouts, to name a few. Todd and the baby headed back on East Main while Jake and I took the "long way back" (all of the side streets on North Main to get to East Main). On the way back, we saw fighter jets...they were really low!

Top of the monument in Fanning Park in memory of soldiers from our town.

Lets not forget the true meaning of Memorial Day! Remember a moment of silence at 3 o'clock to remember those who died while serving our country.

“ Last Monday in May”©
By
John T. Bird

We pause to remember those who died
With so much courage, so much pride

They’ll never come back, yet memories endure
To remind us of freedom: fragile, pure

We’re worthy of their sacrifice if we pause each day
Not just on the last Monday in May