And Jack is Six

 Cinnamon rolls for breakfast baby!  Griff doesn't like cinnamon rolls, but Jack and Steve are all about them.

 This is the bus segment that followed the train ride into Chicago.  It was hot and sweaty and totally stinky.  What could be better?

 Went to the moon for his birthday too.  Just can't say "no".

 Can you see the pebbles flying in all directions???  He couldn't get enough of it.

 At the beach by the Planetarium.  The water felt nice and thankfully the thunderstorm didn't break while we played.

Jack's pumpkin Viking cake.  It was a hit!

We packed so much into this birthday, but it was very fun!  Steve took the day off and we took him to work (The Field Museum).  We hit the Planetarium, which is so amazing and has lots of exhibits for kids.  Griffin screamed through the Galaxy show, but Jack and I got to enjoy it.  Then to the beach and finally back home for pizza, cake, presents and a viewing of 'Charlotte's Web'.  Maybe friend birthdays are easier.  :)

On a Jackson note, I have to say that he is truly amazing.  Obedient.  Clever.  Artistic.  Musical and more.  He asks me to take him on walks so he's my best friend.  Happy Birthday Kiddo!

Griffin's Third Birthday

So many more awesome snapshots.  You should have been there.  The bottom picture is the gift that Jack gave to Griffin.  He wrapped it up and put it in the pile of gifts.  Griffy is completely different than Jack.  I know, I know, that's no surprise, yet everyday I'm taken by surprise.  He is full of love and wants the entire family together all the time.  He's naughty and runs the opposite way when I call and he absolutely adores Jack.  Happy Birthday Griffer-Doo!

Robin Eggs

Around the corner and tucked into a pretty, great, cluster of branches we found a nest and two Robin Eggs.  We've been keeping tabs on these eggs.  We just innocently meandered down the sidewalk, turn the corner and proceed to climb the tree like crazy monkeys.  We push each other down to get the first look, boost bottoms, strain necks and plunge into branches.  I don't remember if I've ever seen eggs in a nest.  It seems like I have, but have I really?  This is one, perfect, little nest.  Cozy and snug and symmetrical.  Good luck to the two little ones!

Sidenote:  This is our 5 o'clock Griffer Doo.  Just tuckered out.  Jack and I just sit by him and try to pry his eyes open.  It's great fun when I should be making dinner.

Birthday Birthday

This is a smidge late, but not a whole year late. Turning the big 3-0 turned out to be a big event (thanks to Amy and Mom--party planners!). We met at a cabin on Lake Michigan in Michiana. The Lake is absolutely beautiful and we could catch sight of Chicago. Steve made an amazing Lemon Coconut Cake and Amy made homemade Strawberry ice cream. Homemade hamburgers completed the menu. There was a fantastic hula hoop contest and a little sandy dunes cliff jumping.

Happiness is Flying a Kite

Can't believe how happy our little kites have made us. The weather doesn't hurt a bit, either.

The little boys don't hurt, either.

Sledding this weekend was so much fun! Jack can take on real hills this year. Of course I push him off at the top and Steve stands in front of the one, scraggly tree because we are totally crazy parents. Griff just sat at the top of the hill and asked me to wipe his nose occasionally. This is the best happiness of winter and an activity I couldn't enjoy if I were still pregnant. That's finding a silver lining for ya!

I guess this is what it looks like half way around the world, where the world is enjoying a season called Summer. Maybe Steve will post more of his great Thailand adventure!

Happy Anni

I felt a little like this...

Why? Did Steve forget our anniversary? No. Did he pick his nose on our date? Nope. I was just plain moody. I'm not a moody person...not usually, but I was on Tuesday. A

good friend told me that they celebrate birthdays for a week. This systems helps to work around moody, yet well meaning wives, kids throwing up and your run of the mill special day hijacks. So I'm calling a do over. Next date night.

It really says something about the person you love; when they can love you through the bad days. There's one good thing.

Griff is just a stand-in for Steve.

Fall Flings

I'm fired from blogging along with other things. Here is a glimpse of our beautiful October activities:

Church Trunk or Treat:

These boys mean business.

That is not LUKE! Gag!

October is one, if not, my favorite month of every year. I love how tangible the colors of the leaves become. The weather is still forgiving and Halloween is a holiday that I really enjoy. I'm going to be sad to say good-bye to this month. I'm already missing the lengthened, light days.

Mustaches are In

Steve knows that mustaches are "in". He just finished sporting his latest model. Today I made an after-school smoothie. The boys and I sat in the back and gulped down our concoction in camping chairs. I can't believe how wonderful smoothies have been all summer long. Jack calls them shakes and he can't get enough. It's been the best way to sneak in more fruit to our summer diets and the throw together ingredients never go wrong. Here they are:

Strawberry Banana Smoothie

* frozen banana chunks (1 banana)

*6-8 large frozen strawberries (Costco's are amazingly fresh!)

*1 C milk (add more to thin as you mix)

*small dash of vanilla

*large tablespoon of sweet raspberry jam (or splash of OJ)

*handful of ice cubes

Yum!

Big changes 'round here

If only you could see the tears in Hailey's eyes as she sent her firstborn into the cold and cruel world.

He survived.

The Witching Hour

Sometimes I'm a really good mom; ridiculously wound with energy, clever, creative, patient and versatile. Sometimes it's just time to make dinner and often you hear, "WHY are their TOYS in my kitchen? MOVE IT OR LOSE IT! Where is your daddy..(whimper, sigh)?"

The other evening aka 5:30pm, Jack and Griffin were playing on the patio as I began the whole dinner process. They were sharing, even happy and it was quiet in my kitchen. This scene is lovey, but short lived. I'd say five minutes and then Jack's face started turning red and he screamed something about Griffin being a banana peel. Now I'm trying not to laugh and suppressing my own anger at their constant rifts.

We came inside and made The Pioneer Woman, Buttermilk Biscuits. I thought it couldn't be done, but somehow it was the most magical event. Both boys helped pour, mix, roll, press and place the biscuits. They even mostly ate the biscuits (which are wonderful) and somehow in all this pleasure Daddy came home. So sometimes I really am a good mom. Ha! (still convincing myself)