Mommathon

Sean took off work today and tomorrow so we could do some things together as a family. So, Sean stayed home with the kids this morning so that I could go visit with his mom who has been in the hospital all week. We got in trouble with her doctor for talking though (she needs to rest her throat) so I didn’t get to stay too long. I made lunch for everyone when I got home and then we headed out the door to go bowling. We had a great time bowling, but I totally lost. Completely. Then we played putt-putt. This is the first time the boys have ever played putt-putt and they had a blast. We didn’t keep score, which was a good thing. Colm did come up with his own scoring system though, which I never did quite figure out. After that we went and explored a new park. It has a park/playground area, but then if you walk up the path a bit there is an old one-room schoolhouse, a nature center and a camping ground with these really nice cabins you can rent. There is also an amphitheater where the boys, Sean and I performed dances made up by the boys. (I am sure anyone who might have been watching must have thought we were cracked…it was fun though.)

From March 2009

From March 2009

I love going to Korma Sutra and one of the reasons I love it so much is because of the mango lassi. I had to buy some frozen mango for a recipe I made for dinner tonight, but had some left over. I was trying to figure out what to do with it when I had a lightbulb moment…maybe I could make my own mango lassi. With a little help from Google, I found a recipe that I could handle. I whipped one up and it was super yummy!!! Then I had another lightbulb moment…maybe I could make mango lassi popsicles. I think it would probably work. The boys would love them and they would make awesome treats to have around the house this summer.

Today the kids and I had lunch with Sean at work in their cafeteria. Oh, what fun!!! The boys love cafeterias…there’s so much to choose from and they always get more than they could ever possibly eat. Then Sean took us on a little tour and let the boys play in his office for a few minutes. It was time to say good bye to dad so we headed over to Matt Ross to go swimming. I have never seen so many people there. The boys had a good time. They spent most of their time in the lazy river and going down the slide. They loved the slide because it is usually closed when we are there. I guess I had an okay time, but there were just so many people there that I felt like I had to be on high alert the whole time just to make sure the kids were safe. (No, I don’t think the teenagers with the Lifeguard shirts on could effectively watch all of those people.)

Look at all the food on Colm’s tray! No, he didn’t eat all of it.

From March 2009

Hanging out in Dad’s office while testing the new software…Liam is a beta-tester. 🙂

From March 2009

Today we went to Kaleidoscope. This was Colm’s first time. He really enjoyed it and Liam liked showing him around. Then we met the cousins at Antioch Park, had a picnic and played and played and played. And if that wasn’t enough, then we went to Sheridan’s.

Playing with some really strong magnets at Kaleidoscope.

From March 2009

Being crafty

From March 2009

Making his puzzle..that was always my favorite part

From March 2009

Climbing at the park

From March 2009

Custard!!!

From March 2009

We did absolutely nothing all morning which was AWESOME!!! We finally got ourselves together, went up to church to play on the playground, went to Mass, then went to Waldo Pizza. Then we went to Reading Reptile, Brookside Toy and Science and then topped it off with some ice cream. Then we came home, had a potty break and headed to the neighborhood park. I am loving this weather!

Typing it old school at Reading Reptile

From March 2009

He loves that green chair

From March 2009

Can you tell he was eating chocolate ice cream?

From March 2009

Sunday-Migas with Bacon, Cantaloupe
Monday-Rotel chicken with rice
Tuesday-Spicy Chicken and Mango Stir Fry
Wednesday-Southwest Tuna Casserole
Thursday-Sloppy Joes and Cole Slaw
Friday-Fish Fry

Liam had a violin concert this weekend. (Thank you, Candy, for taking pictures.) Liam played Bach’s Minuet 1 and he did a mighty fine job. When he saw the pictures of himself that Candy sent to us he said, “I DO look pretty nice.” Cute, talented and humble.

From March 2009

I read somewhere once that sometimes children, as they start to reach their birthday, start to act out. Their body and mind are going through various changes and sometimes that results in the child acting like another person entirely. I hope that is Colm’s case right now. He has lost so many privileges this week. I kind of feel bad for him because it seems as if the privilege loss doesn’t seem to be working and he is a bit defeated, but how much can you take away from a preschooler? I can’t take away his car, or his iPod or restrict his iChat time. He has lost TV time and his books at bedtime. I have even threatened to not let him go to kindergarten next year if he keeps acting like this because I wouldn’t ask a kindergarten teacher to put up with this kind of behavior all day. He was upset when I said that, but not upset enough to change his ways. (Heavy sigh.) I remember going through something like this last year as Liam’s sixth birthday approached. (He did manage to get through his seventh birthday unscathed.) So, please God, let this be a phase that will soon pass.

I would like to introduce the newest member of our family…JellyBean. Okay, actually she is one of Colm’s class pets, but we are in charge of caring for her over Spring Break. I hate to say it, but I love her already. I want one of my own. Look how cute she is. Did I mention that we already have a dog and two cats? I’ll just have to enjoy the next ten days. Also, the boys are ecstatic that she is with us. Colm is a little too overzealous and I had to reassign JellyBean to the kitchen from Colm’s bedroom. (I wasn’t sure he could be trusted in his room alone with her. After only turning my back long enough to go into the garage to get something out of the car, he had climbed up on the island, taken off the top of her cage and put three toilet paper rolls in there for her to play with. She can have toilet paper rolls, but not three at the same time and he clearly doesn’t get that she needs to stay in her cage and that if she gets out the cats and/or dog will eat her.) Now you see why she has been stationed in the neutral area known as our kitchen.

From March 2009

I never read the prologues in books; I just want to get to the story. I am so glad I did with this one. I don’t know why I did either. Honestly, I think it was because it was short. Anyways, this is such a good story. The first chapter or two may not draw you in, but stick with it…it picks up from there AND it has a fantastic ending. I would have never guessed the ending…ever.