upon turning 33!

Just last week I celebrated my 33rd birthday! To start the day, my honey made me breakfast in bed!! It was delicious and such a relaxing way to begin a fun day. He also decorated for me--balloons, a banner and flowers!! Sooo sweet!! Prior to my big day, people kept asking me what I was going to do on my birthday. Since Thursday was not a school day for Luke, I had both boys. It was supposed to be beautiful outside, so what better place to go, than to the zoo? I love the zoo!! The kids love the zoo!! Our friends love the zoo---so they came along too!!

As we were driving to the zoo, I was telling Luke everyone that was to be joining us. Turns out, his boy buddies couldn't make it, so I was playing up the fact that he would be surrounded by girls (aside from little Charlie and little Charlie's buddy, Knox). He said "Great" and then followed it with, "But I love Daddy, and he's a boy. Can he come to the zoo too?" Awww, precious love for Daddy! We had lots of fun at the zoo and my sweet friends and all the kiddos serendaded me with "Happy Birthday" and passed out cupcakes for all to enjoy! I am so thankful for such sweet friends!

That evening, my parents, sister and her boyfriend all came over to have dinner and celebrate with us. Chad, once again, played chef---and made delicious steaks (I was going to be happy with pizza, but Luke requested steaks--no lie). He and my mom teamed up with the rest of the meal and we had a lovely evening (well, minus the Tigers losing)! It was a special way to celebrate! I love you family!!

Waffles and berries--yummy!!

A little dark, but tulips, a banner and balloons---how exciting!

Totally candid---the kids decided the giraffes were stinky---led to a lovely conversation about animals and poop!

Mommy and her sweet Charlie---who's also going to have a birthday soon!

Uh-oh!

Little Charlie's first word is "Uh-oh!" He loves saying it when he drops toys or food off of the high-chair. Today, he's been saying it because he heard me talking to Luke's teacher on the phone. Around noon today, Miss Erica called. My greeting to her was, "Hi"--thinking, I love his teacher, she's sweet, why is she calling, then to WHY is she calling?? So my next response was "Uh-oh, what's happened?" Charlie was sitting in my lap getting a bottle and immediately starts saying "uh-oh" over and over.

Sure enough, Luke had an "uh-oh!" On their way in from the playground at school, Luke was running and fell on the concrete. They didn't actually see it happen, but he apparently he was initially gripping his arm. They looked at his arm, which does have a bruise and a scrape, but then saw his head, freaked out and wanted me to come get him! He has quite the goose-egg! Poor little thing. I'd say it's about the size of a half-dollar in diameter, but protruding from his head the size of a golf ball. He seems to be fine now---says it doesn't hurt, etc. It looks terrible---these pictures definitely don't do it justice. Dr. said via the phone, to make sure he's not vomitting, his pupils are the same size and he doesn't complain of a headache and he's good to go. So far, so good! My brave boy!!! And yes, Charlie, Luke had a BIG "Uh oh!"

A big ol' egg just in time for Easter! Poor thing!

music for Aardvarks

As a Christmas present to the boys, we decided to sign them up in Music for Aardvarks, a music class for kiddos. Lots of our friends have gone through the class and it came highly recommended! We started the class in Januaryand it ran one day a week for 10 weeks. The boys and I had SO much fun! Every class was filled with fun songs to sing and dance to. There are even a couple of parts where the kids get to play different instruments and have a jam session to some rockin' music! A little cautious at our first class, Luke was livin' it up by mid-session--requesting songs, playing Mr. Joe's guitar, and dancing like a crazy man! Charlie loved it from Day 1, picking up the shakers and bouncing up and down! We looked forward to every Tuesday afternoon from January-March. It was a special, beat-the-cold-winter-blahs treat!! Sadly, our last class was yesterday. Thanks for all of the fun, Aardvarks!! Goodbye to all our special friends, we'll see you soon! You made an ordinary day, seem special too!

feeding the ducks!

This past Monday was beautiful! The day was sunny and mid-70's, so we took advantage of it and headed to the park to play and feed the ducks! Daddy was even able to join us for a picnic lunch! Luke had a great time feeding the ducks and geese and Charlie had a blast in the baby swing!

Don't fall in, boys!!

welcoming March with snow!!!

This past weekend a winter wonderland hit our city! By now you all know that I LOVE the snow and even though Chad was in Mexico--I wasn't jealous--because we were playing in the pretty white stuff!!! We did miss you though, honey!!

Our little section of the city reached about 7 inches---way more snow than we've seen in a long time! Even my old roommate said they saw pictures of our snow on the news all the way up in Indiana!! Luke and I had a blast running around making trails in the snow, eating it and building a snowball fort! What a fun, completely unexpected welcome to March!!!

My snow bunnies!

Knee deep in the white stuff!!

A snow fort in the making!

Yummy!!!!

Though some had melted, proof that the snow was

actually at our house!!