One year older and wiser too....

At least that is what the song says right?  Well, I’ll take the wiser part…

Thanks to Martha oh oops I mean Mike - the party planning master (I am easily confused b/c he did such an excellent job).  I had the perfect birthday BBQ with my family, some friends and yummy food. 

If you want to count the cupcakes and think that is my age I say SURE!

Mr. Kite Master

Move over Ha Yiqi (world champion kite flyer).  There is a new man in town...

And we are off!

I was singing in the kitchen today and Blake walks in.  

He says "Mom, I am turning the music off" Then pushes an imaginary button.  

You have to love the honesty of children!

Kick your rain boots off and come on over!

No puddles here...

Blake has had ZERO accidents today!!!  

"Going potty" is a big step for Blake.  So to go a day with no accidents is a great accomplishment for this stubborn but sweet-tempered child.

I am just greatful this was never an issue!

Toilet + Bum = Happy Mum!!!

The Unexpected Visitor

We were playing in the jungle of our backyard today 

and found an unexpected visitor.  

Mr. Snake

Blake really liked him...

Until they came face to face.

No love for you Mr. Snake...

That is unless you are looking away from me. 

Like I said, keep your distance.

Sometimes you just need to be

DONE!!!

This has been a super difficult semester. We are just anxiously awaiting for it to end and dreaming of what it will be like when it is over.

When spring break came, we got down to cleaning buisness. It felt pretty good to get our lives organized again, but when we were done, it was time for a break!

Awwwwwwwwwwww just what we needed, a break.

An hour drive away to paradise.

That is Amish paradise.

We took a couple of days and just enjoyed the time off in Amish country.

A morning walk through town

A nice afternoon swim at the pool

An evening look at the Canadian geese.

A relaxing night after a fun day.

A next morning stop at Shady Maple on our way home.

Green Day

To celebrate St. Patt'y day we went to our towns parade

Blake was very excited about the "Green Santa"

Aparently I was the only one who remembered to wear GREEN.

When we asked Blake what he ejoyed the most about the parade, he said "I got a BIG sucker".  

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Spring cleaning

It feels a bit weird referring to the current point in time as "spring" considering we just had several inches of snow dumped on us just last week.  Nevertheless, spring break has arrived and the weather has been great.  

Mike and I made a spring cleaning chore checklist to keep us busy for the next few days.  We have been rolling out of our beds each morning ready to tackle this list.  I have to say it feels pretty good to achieve as much as you can in one day.  Usually when Mike has time off of school we try to sleep in as long as possible.  We take turns getting up with Blake in the morning then just chilin' for the rest of the day, doing whatever we decide at the moment.  I like being lazy at times but it's been pretty fun and rewarding accomplishing our tasks.  Our garden is ready to be seeded, the basement storage is organized and the house is clean - well - minus the dishes in the sink.  We are going to have to reward ourselves - once those dishes are done!

Happy cleaning!

Here's a good one!

My Grandma posted this on our family web page.  I thought it was cool enough to share with you all.  

1. While sitting at your desk in front of your computer lift your right leg off the floor and make a clockwise circle.

2. Now, while doing this draw number "6" in the air with your right hand.   Your foot will change direction every time.   

Here is another one Mike and I just can't figure out.  

Do you see 12 or 13 men?  Wait for iiiiiiiiit.....  then count again.

Do you know a solution for this?  Please tell if you do. 

Yea for warm days!

Some of Blake's friends came over to play today.  

It was such a warm day - windy but warm, so we 

went to the park.

I love these blue eyes!

Cabin Fever

Who can't wait for spring?

Happy Valentines Day! 

My Birthday Boyz

My 2 favorites boys just celebrated their birthdays.

I like when Mike's birthday comes around. Not just for the party but also because for 2 1/2 months Mike and I are the same age. It makes me feel, well, not as old. Silly I know, but true.

-Ginnie, I think we borrowed that candle from you last year for Mike's bday. I guess we are borrowing it again this year.

Blake, apparently was born on the most depressing day of the year. According to NBC.

I guess we made that day a brighter one. It is now one of the best days of the year for us!

carrying on the spanish tradition.

Lily was the hard hitter of the night and busted Elmo open.

Really, every year I buy our birthday cakes (refer to pic #2). But since it was the one thing Blake asked for this year, I thought I would do it for him.

I also belong to this group on facebook called the great cake makers and have never in my life made a great cake. I have no idea why I joined the group, but I guess now I have a cake I can add to the mix.

Happy Birthday to you both.