Off to Mississippi

The weather the past two days has been wonderful!  Cool, breezy, and sunny.  Too cool to go to the pool, but that's fine by me because I've been busy getting ready for our trip to Mississippi. Very early tomorrow morning Owen, my mom and I will be on a plane to Atlanta, and from Atlanta to Jackson, Mississippi.  There we will rent a car and drive to Meridian, MS to see Anna and Jesse.  On Friday, Jesse will receive his Naval Aviator wings.  We just found out he and Anna will be moving to Japan for his next assignment- flying F-18 Hornets.  So proud!

Owen is beyond excited.  I put him to bed at 7:30pm and he's still awake at 8:42pm and he didn't nap today.  About half an hour ago I went in to check on him and he was changing into the clothes I had laid out for him to wear tomorrow.  A few minutes ago I told him to try reading, maybe that will help him fall asleep.  Now I hear him at the top of the steps.

I am a little sad and nervous to leave Adam, but I know it will be good for both of us.  It will also be good for me to spend quality time with just Owen.  Adam requires a lot of my attention and sometimes I feel like Owen is short changed.  Tonight while I was rocking Adam I explained that I would be away for a few days and he seemed to understand what I was telling him.  I also promised him that when he turns 5 I will take him on a special trip :)  He liked that idea.

This morning, Adam had his first dentist appointment.  He cracks me up all day long with the things he does and says.  Before we left for the dentist I was explaining what was going to happen.  I told him he'll have to open his mouth really wide so Dr. Sim can see and count his teeth.  Once we got to the dentist, he wanted to sit on my lap in the chair.  I think he was a little scared.  But the minute he sat down he opened his mouth and wouldn't close it.  Dr. Sim said he was one of the best 2 year olds he's seen.  He can be such a handful for me, so it's refreshing to see him be so cooperative for other people.

Happy Tuesday!

Just some pictures...

A couple nights ago a "cold front" was supposed to come in leaving us with much cooler temperatures.  The sky that night was one of the prettiest I've ever seen.

 

It's not as humid as it was before the "cold front", but it's still just as hot.  Which is fine by me because we've spent so much time at the pool this past week.

In fact, Owen is finally back to swimming without his backpack.  He was going off the diving board last summer and swimming in the deep end of the pool without his pack, but he said he forgot how to swim since it's been so long.  He's finally remembered.

Last night I cut up watermelon for dessert and as soon as I gave each boy a piece, I told Mike I had to run in to get my camera.  He just rolled his eyes at me and laughed.  He knows I love me some watermelon photos.  I think I took well over 100 last year.  Here are some of our first (and probably not our last) watermelon photos of the summer.

 

This morning, Owen and I had a date at Sheetz before going to church.

Oh my!  Check out those eyelashes.  Don't know where he got those.

Today was Community Day at the Riding Club.

They had pony rides, Alpacas (I really think we need to start an Alpaca farm), and all sorts of different types of horses.

Camera in hand

We were there for the Clydesdales.  So pretty.


After that, they did a therapy horse presentation, but Adam was in desperate need of a nap and Owen was headed to the pool with Mike so we went home.

And... that's all.  Back to reading on my front porch.

Today's Activity: Visit a Museum

We've done so much today, and it's only 1 o'clock!

First, my mom and I took the boys to Long's Park in Lancaster.  I had never been there before and it was really nice.

We played on the gigantic wooden playground, had a little snack in the park, and then went to the petting zoo. 

The animals mostly kept to themselves, but a few times I had to grab Adam because all of a sudden there were goats and donkeys running toward us.

Adam having a conversation with the goat.

I gave Owen my old camera and he had a BLAST taking pictures.  I will have to do a separate post with some of the pictures he took from our trip today.  Some are hilarious.

He seems much more enthusiastic about what we are doing when he has a camera in his hand and can take his own pictures.  We had to explain some picture taking etiquette to him... like don't just walk up to people and take a picture of them without asking first if it's ok.  It may weird them out.

 

After that, we headed over to the North Museum which is part of F & M College to check out their bug exhibit.  The museum was better than I expected.

The first thing we did was go to the planetarium.  Neither of my boys had ever been to one before so it was a really neat experience.  They had a Sesame Street show that talked about different constellations, the moon, sun, stars, etc.  After that, we explored more of the museum including the bug sculpture exhibit.

Cave cockroaches

They had some cool (live) reptiles, insects, dinosaur replicas, bones, and Owen's favorite thing... the archaeological dig.  I think anything that involves sand and a hidden treasure is his favorite.

We even got to see a real bee hive, up close.

That was probably my favorite thing. I could watch those bees work for ever.  Amazing.  The boys watched The Bee Movie in the car on the way to Lancaster and we're pretty sure we found the "Pollen Jocks" (or Pollen Jars as Owen calls them). 

After the museum, we stopped for lunch at the Olive Garden.  Yum yum.  And my mom and I managed to keep both boys awake on the car ride home (another plus) so I am enjoying this quiet time to myself before going to the pool later on. 

Wordless Wednesday

Today's Activity: Baking

I checked the weather yesterday and thought today we'd be able to go to the pool only to wake up to chilly temps and light rain.  Luckily I had a back-up plan because I've found that the day seems to go much more smoothly if we have something to do or some sort of activity.

Paige, Ella and Sam stopped by for a bit and it was so nice to see them and spend a little time with them.  After they left we had lunch and then got started baking.

Adam was clapping for Owen during his turn to mix

 Linda and her crew are having a lemonade/bake sale tomorrow and all the money raised will go toward helping a little girl named Emma that was born with Sturge Weber Syndrome.  Last year, the money raised from the lemonade sale went to Levi.  I think it's so neat that she does this every summer.  The boys won't be there tomorrow, but we'll definitely stop by.  We were happy to have a reason to bake some yummy treats today.

First we made rainbow cupcakes.  I got the idea from Cara Carroll.  Basically, you just use a box of cake mix and separate it into various bowls and add food coloring.

Pretty simple, but the boys LOVED watching me add the dots of food dye and then they got to stir it and watch the bright color appear.

I've found it doesn't take much to excite them.

We kept a couple for ourselves and packed up the rest for the bake sale.  
Next, I made oatmeal, caramel, chocolate chip bars.  Mike and I refer to them as "heart attack bars" because of all the butter, which is why I only make them a couple times a year.  However they are probably one of the best desserts I've ever had.  Again, we kept a few for ourselves, gave a few to Papa (he loves them), and packed up the rest into individual baggies for the bake sale.

Tonight was Owen's last tball game of the season.  We thought it was supposed to be at 7pm under the lights at a different field only to show up and none of his teammates were there.  After a few calls, we found out that they were playing at the regular field and had already started by the time we got there.

 Luckily he didn't miss the entire game and got to see his friends one last time.

I really enjoyed watching him try a new sport and as slow as it was to watch, I'll miss going to tball games.

All the kids got Ritas Italian Ice after the game and Owen didn't want his.  Adam was happy because that meant he got it.

I took this picture last week because we were sitting on the porch talking and his eyes looked very blue (more than they usually do) and I just love the dark blue circle he's always had around his eyes.  He looks so old in this picture.

Wedding Weekend

Mike and I just got back today from a trip to Rehoboth Beach for a wedding.  Mike was one of the best men in his friend's wedding.  We had the best time.  I missed the boys, but it was so nice to get away and not really worry about anyone, but myself.  I could sit on the beach, in my beach chair for as long as I wanted and read or fall asleep or go for a walk along the water.

The boys playing some beach soccer.  There were red flags up all weekend and no one was allowed in the rough ocean.

Shaggy now lives in Colorado so there were quite a few friends from there that came in for the wedding.  Some of them have never been to the East coast.  A few of them dug a REALLY deep hole.  It made me nervous because you hear of all those horrible stories of people suffocating when the sides collapse.  Luckily, no one was injured :)

We took our bikes and rode them to and from the beach.  Friday night we all met in Dewey at  Que Pasa for tacos and margaritas.

Then, we headed to the Starboard for a little meet and greet party.  It was so nice to catch up with everyone and I know Mike especially enjoyed seeing so many of his close college friends.   It's not often that everyone gets together so when we do, it's definitely a good time.  Plus, my cousin Maddie was there.  Another special treat :)
Afterwards, we got pizza and took the Jolly Trolly back to our hotel with Karen and Brett. 

Saturday, Mike went for a run with Crab while I walked with Tushanna.  Then we spent a little time on the beach, went to lunch, and by then it was time for Mike to get ready.  Even relaxing in the hotel room or sitting on our balcony people watching was fun to me.  I was alone, without kids, it was quiet, and I was going to take full advantage of it.

The wedding was so pretty and afterwards we all loaded on school buses to go to the reception.

Karen & Brett

The reception was outside at a historical society and luckily we had perfect weather.  There was a 10 piece band and they were amazing and so much fun.

The dance floor wasn't empty for long.  I think Mike and I danced for 3 hours straight.

The cute bride and groom

Carmelina, Pope and their adorable daughter Sofia Lorena.

This made me laugh so I had to take a picture of it.  Five guys all sitting around Sofia.

Slippery Rock crew.  Not sure what pose Mike was going for in this pic.

At the end of the night, we all were given sparklers and Maureen and Shaggy walked down the path.  It was pretty.

Then, we all loaded back onto the buses for our ride back to Rehoboth to the after party at the Summer House.  We danced like crazy people for another 2 hours and by 1:30am we were starving for some pizza.  After that it was about 2 am.  Yes, I stayed out until 2 am, and we were very tired and ready for bed.

It was a great time and what helped to make it so much fun was knowing my boys were having a great time here at home with Aunt Beth and Eric.  I'm so thankful they were able to spend the weekend with them and I can't wait to return the favor one day.  I was definitely ready to see my boys.  I missed them so much and I think Owen may have missed me a tiny bit too, or else Aunt Beth told him to act like he missed me and not be disappointed when we got home :)