Smiling at the Zoo

Spring weather hit us this weekend, so we hopped in the car and drove 90 minutes to the zoo. It was Mike's first time to this familiar spot of ours and the boys & I had fun showing him all of our favorites.

Miles & Griffin were our navigators. Miles was in this serious stance for about 5 minutes (check out his arm resting against his forehead).




Except for the tigers, all of the animal were out & about. Lions, elephants, giraffes, mere cats, monkeys, exotic birds, penguins. You name it, we saw it!




The playground at the zoo is great place to run around and be silly. Its the perfect spot for an old fashion game of 'chase'.




We took a ride on the carousel. Our boys prefer the view from the carousel bench - but both were occupied, so they plopped down on animals. They did not beg for a second ride. :)




The plants & trees were beautiful! It gave us all Spring Fever.




Two signs of a GREAT adventure: little boys sleeping & a mother with a big smile!

Up for a Quick Dip?

Couldn't resist taking it, or posting it.

In Cahoots

As I was cleaning up the kitchen today, Noah and Griffin were playing in the mud room. I overhead Noah say, "do it, Griffy! Do it!" Upon investigation, I found Griffin chomping on dog food and Noah squealing with delight. Noah kept saying, "he likes it! He likes it!" Oh, brother.


The two of them have developed quite a mischievous bond.



And, we can't assume that Noah is always the instigator. Check the eyes on Griffin....

Got Germs?

Another Sick Day?!

Miles has been out of school for 3 days this week and he just secured another one. He was out sick on Monday & home (feeling fine) on Tuesday so that he could be 24 hours "fever free". I was planning to send him to school today, but we got a 'dusting' of snow (= canceled school in Charlotte). I assumed he head back tomorrow, but Miles' doctor's office just called to say that he has strep throat and can't return until he's been on antibiotics for 24 hours. Ugh! Since he feels perfectly fine, should I get my supplies together so that we can make a MASSIVE volcano?! :)

A Little Home Schoolin'

Miles skipped school today (recovering from croup, vomiting & fever yesterday) and we decided to make a volcano. The boys loved it & Miles has already asked to make a "big one with lots of red lava!". Sounds fun to me!

(Miles decorated the outside of the volcano by coloring paper and then taping it around a glass. The "body" of the volcano? One of the champagne toasting flutes from our wedding. Gotta keep using the sentimental stuff!)

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The First & Cutest Thank You

January was a s-l-o-w month for me. I felt extra tired, very sluggish and couldn't get myself motivated to do much (weird!). I finally took the Christmas wreaths down from our outside windows on January 3oth and I still have not written our Christmas thank-you notes. They will be sent out this week -- likely in the form of Valentine's Day cards. :)

Miles came home from school on Friday with one of his in-class assignments. It's a picture and commentary of a Christmas present from Gram & Pop. I'm deeming it 'the first thank you note of the season' and a very cute one, at that!

Kiddos can be so cute, even when they're "nasty"

We've creating a "crying room" in our house, where the kids have to hang out if they want to whine or cry. A few minutes ago Noah demanded that I help him with something and I responded calmly by saying, "Noah, that sounds really nasty." Noah looked at me with sadness & resolve and said, "Where is the nasty room?"

A Trip to the Doctor for a Soulful Discussion

Noah, Griffin and I went to the pediatrician today so that Griffin could get a few immunizations. Noah and I had a couple of cute conversations.

Brooke: Noah, please be careful of Griffin in that chair. If he falls, his head might break.
Noah: You mean all of his hair would fall off? Then he would look like a baby!...or like Pop!

*****

Brooke: Noah, please be careful and don't jump (he was holding chopsticks...don't ask), I don't want you to poke your eye out. If that happened we would have to rush you to see one of the doctors here.
Noah: And then I would say, "ow! I can't see!" Then God would send me away.
Brooke: Where would God send you?
Noah: Jail.
Brooke: Jail? Huh. I thought Got sent people to Heaven.
Noah: If God sent me to heaven, I would have to die first.
Brooke: Oh, right. What else do you have to do to go to heaven?
Noah: Love God. And have Jesus come into your heart.
Brooke: Does Jesus live in your heart?
Noah: Yes.

I almost cried. Noah flashed me a huge smile as he said Jesus' name. It was the sweetest little discussion we've ever had.

The Stockpiler

While I was cleaning up from dinner tonight, Griffin climbed into an empty chair and grabbed a couple of pieces of chicken off of Noah's plate. I smiled, assuming that Griffin was about to finish Noah's dinner. When I turned back around, this is what I saw:


When I removed the grate to clean up, I was shocked to find: 2 forks, the remote control to a car, a large train and two decent-sized stuffed animals. Clearly, Griffin has been stockpiling. Does he have a tip on an upcoming storm, is he resistant to share or is he just that mischievous? Time will tell....

A Visit from Grandma Peggy!

Peggy's good friend Pame had a swim meet in Charlotte over the weekend, so they both came to stay with us. The boys loved having Grandma here....Mike and I got out for a date night with some friends on Saturday night....and Pame gave Mike and I and an amazing swim lesson (in preparation for our upcoming sprint triathlon). An all-around awesome visit!

Mother/Son Getaway (Sensational Saturday)

Here is part 2 of my weekend getaway with Miles. We joined my neighbor, Shawne, and her kids (Evan & Sydney) and her mom, Claire, and her husband, Don.

The kids started the day with some fun in the "hot pool" -- shaking things up with cannon balls!





Next, the kids explored the grounds around the cabin.



And of we go a-sledding! We got a tip on a free local sledding spot with man-made snow. It rocked! Miles wanted to tote his own sled and loved every run (that is, until we skidded through a puddle and water shot into his coat...he'll be armed with a scarf next time!)



Then, we set off to Beech Mtn for another skating session --- but instead the kids decided to wrestle in a jumpy castle. This weekend had everything!


We had a great time Shawne, Claire, & Don!

Mother/Son Getaway (Friday Fun)

Miles and I had a GREAT get-away in the NC mountains this weekend. We joined our good friends & neighbors Shawne, Evan & Sydney as well as Shawne's mom Claire & her husband, Don.

Checking out the scene....heading to check out the mountain....



The kids LOVED skating. Fortunately the rink was equipped with with ab-roller-looking helpers for the kids. After a decade or so off the ice, I'm surprised I didn't need one!

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Miles enjoyed his snack, while he watched in awe of the skiers on the mountain.


The kids and Shawne relaxed in the "hot pool" after a tough day on the ice.


The perfect Friday ended with a Scooby-Doo movie...what could be better?!