I keep getting distracted by freeze tag.

Owen was complaining about not getting a swing at school and when I asked him why he never got one, this was his reply.

If there is a phrase to describe our weekend, it is Happy Birthday. Owen has been to three parties this weekend and there is one more this afternoon. Its been a great weekend for him! Yesterday we realized he didn't eat lunch, just two helpings of cake and ice cream.

We went out to Lake Nokomis for the fishing opener last weekend and Walter caught his first fish. He actually caught 3 before deciding digging in the sand was more enjoyable.

On Monday we celebrated Great Grandma Donna's 85th birthday. She and Bruce are 85 and no one ever knows where they are still as they are always jet setting around the globe! It was an extra special night as cousin Isabelle was in town to help celebrate.

You are one silly Mommy, Mom.

Oh sweet, sweet Walter...

And oh, sweet, sweet progress! The Muffin Man has torn out the wall separating our existing kitchen and addition and put in the header that will offer support instead of a wall. Every time I walk into that room I feel like we've moved to the burbs! It just feels so huge!

We got to see my cousin from Colorado this weekend, and a few other close by cousins, too. We met at the MOA and watched the kids smile and laugh on rides. Owen is an adventurous man and loves the crazy rides, thankfully Jer is willing to go on with him, as I, am not.

Ta-tay-moes

This is how Walter says potatoes. Cute, huh?!

It was an exciting day in the construction department here...we have a new patio door! I thought I should share some progressive photos. Don't let the adorable kids in the first photo trick you, the room was not cute and will be much more functional when its all said and done!

(free babysitting...well, kind of!)

Can we go to the tile shop after the doctor?

Walter asked me this yesterday. This question pretty much sums up my life over the past few weeks...tile shops and doctor visits!

We had a lovely weekend together celebrating May Day. Saturday the boys and I made May Day baskets at Bachmann's and then went around the neighborhood delivering them. Sunday we went to the May Day parade at Powderhorn Park. Its a big peace love party and is so fun to people watch at!

Phonograms

Owen brought home some work from school yesterday - some beautifully written words with highlighted phonograms. I'm telling you, he is blowing me away lately. Today he told me he was going to be doing long division...seriously?!

My sweet Walter continues to be a big help around the house. We did some window and mirror cleaning this morning. He loves spraying that spray bottle and almost equally enjoys rubbing the cleaner away. I am enjoying this while it lasts.

This is the best day ever!

Last week as I was starting to gather our stuff to go get Owen, I realized Griffin had gotten into his new arthritis medicine and eaten the entire bottle. So, Griffin got in the car with us and we made an emergency trip to the vet. (crazy pooch!) After the vet, we were on our way home and the boys saw a park and asked if we could play. When I said yes, this was O's response. I love how little things can make their days. We've been living freely during the week lately...there is something about Owen being in school all day that makes me just want to really BE with him once I pick him up. Today after school, we played some at school, got some fresh fruit for tomorrow's lunch, hit up a park and then some tennis courts. We got home in time to eat a quick dinner, take a bath and read a couple books in bed.

I'm hoping to make tomorrow and the next and the next the best day ever! :)

Big News!!!

Owen lost his first tooth this morning! He crawled into bed this morning and we were cuddling and talking, asking about his tooth. As he showed us how far he could move it, it 'popped'. Jer asked if he could give a little tug, Owen obliged and out it came! Pretty exciting!

I'm handy.

It's official, we are remodeling our kitchen, extending it into our addition which will also become our dining room. We have been talking about this idea for quite a while, one of us more than the other...and its starting! This weekend Jer began tearing off the tongue and groove and ripping out the old insulation. There were piles and piles of boards that came down and needed to move to the alley so the boys helped out hauling small boards one by one. Eventually they decided to pile boards on the backs of their bikes to haul their loads. As they were working vigorously, they said "I'm handy" over and over again. Honestly, they were quite helpful and handy!

Friday, Jer & Owen locked up Owen's bike at school in the morning and we rode our bikes to pick him up in the afternoon. We had an enjoyable bike ride home with a few pit stops along the way. Of course we had to stop at DQ for an afternoon snack. (Owen got a huge banana split!) Later we stopped to listen to the frogs and watch a few of them swim. Its really fun to have Owen cruising along side you on his bike. His legs sure work hard and swiftly!

Tufted Puffin

After lots of contemplation and discussion, Owen started full days at Sunny Hollow after spring break. He absolutely loves it and talks about school now more than ever. On Monday he came home and immediately got his bird watching kit out after school. He then climbed up a tree with all his gear and watched for birds. Yesterday, he brought his bird field guide to school and he and a friend compared field guides and drew birds from their books. The guide is still in his locker at school as he used it again today and plans on doing it again tomorrow. I asked him which was his favorite and he said today's favorite was the 'Tufted Puffin.' I am anxious to see all the drawings he's doing. He told me he is compiling them and plans on making a book out of them. Gina (his teacher) said there was a group of 5 children and their field guides drawing and working together this afternoon. They would try and find the same bird and then figure out how many eggs the bird typically lays, the habitat it lives in and what they like to eat. For this reason, and many, many others, I love Sunny Hollow.

I turned 29 for the 6th time on Monday. The boys treated me well with very little bickering or whining and lots of hugs and kisses. Jer made delicious fajitas and Kindi brought over an amazing cake...that the boys enjoyed helping blow out the candles on.

I just need another kiss.

Walter is the king of stalling and is becoming more and more mighty. Tonight after about 7 attempts to get out of bed and get me in to their bedroom, he said this to me when I came in for the 8th time. He then got out another time! Luckily he is so sweet and cute.

We had a full end of the week and weekend. My grandma was recently diagnosed with ALS and was down here for an appointment with a few specialist. Although unfortunate circumstances, it was great to see my grandma and many other family members - including uncle Kurt, who lived with us for a bit when Walter was a baby while he redid our basement for us.

It was a treat to see my grandma for sure. She has the best, most genuine smile and tells it like it is. I've been thinking about her a lot since learning of her diagnosis...she's a great person to have on one's mind. If more people would be like her, there would be much more living and less wanting in the world. There would be lots of Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash and yodeling, too! :)

Keep that chicken little.

When we play war, Owen says this every time he loses with a 2, 3, 4 or 5. He says Daddy taught him that one.

Wednesday we headed out to Chaska for playgroup at our old neighbor's house. The kids had fun playing with their friends and us moms really had fun catching up. On our way back to Minneapolis, we stopped by Al's office for a tour and a mini lesson on landscape architecture.

I could do this all night.

Owen is a gamer. He loves playing sport games, board games and his latest love is card games. He was at Joanne's this weekend and she reintroduced him to the card game 'war.' Tonight we were playing probably our tenth game of war for the day and Owen said this to me.

We have been really enjoying Owen's spring break this week. We've been to the golf range and to a couple different parks. Primarily, we've been enjoying our amazing yard and patio! It is so wonderful to have a place to run around and play in without having to pack up and go anywhere. All this playing and warm weather means its popsicle and frozen go-gurt season at our house. Stop by for one if your in the neighborhood!