May Happenings

We've been enjoying Spring (even though we go from 50* to 80* depending on the day).  Ted and Eliot put together a nice garden for me for mother's day which we planted cucumbers, pumpkins, tomatoes... and I think some lettuce and melons too.  We'll see what grows.  I've been trying to turn my brown thumb green (with a little help from Eliot).

What else have we done? Well, Eliot decided our windows needed washing so I fashioned something to help him with that:

We've done some scooter and bike riding in the driveway:

We've gotten out to take some photos (Woohoo!):

We had an impromptu photo session before school one day:

AND.... Last, but not least Eliot's school rented out space at the YMCA for "Not a Box Day".  There is story called "Not A Box" where the little boy plays with an empty "box" and his Dad always asks him what he is doing with the box and the little boy always says "It's NOT a box, it's  A.... (rocket ship, dog house, etc.).  So, for Not a Box Day, Eliot, Ted and I worked collaboratively on this masterpiece:

 

And a few others I wanted to include:

 

Easter Fun & Our New Addition

We felt it was time to add to our family... again.  What was missing? A dog presence.  Once again, we adopted through Pittie Love Rescue and found ourselves a wonderful, loving, & sweet 4 year old pit bull named Odie. 

Odie has been awesome.  He's a snuggler and loves to play with sticks, frisbees, and with his indoor doggie toys.  So far (knocking on wood), he hasn't chewed up anything except for his own toys.  I think he's pretty smart, knowing what's his and what isn't :)

We didn't get to celebrate Easter with family this year as Odie was/is sick (good thing that my good friend, Kerri gets me a discount at the vet's office now).  We're not sure what's wrong-- maybe he just has a sensitive stomach (we hope), but he's definitely had some tummy troubles on and off since we got him in March. 

I did get a few Easter pics though!  One of Ted's ex-coworkers works at a bunny rescue and lent me this bun for some Easter mini sessions:

It's Been a LONG Winter!

Here it is, May 6th, and I haven't posed on this blog since Feb 1.     Yikes.  This Winter wasn't a great one.  With my chronic head pain and other "stuff", time got away from me.  I want to at least update with a few photos.  Here are some from our annual Florida trip:

I hope to be back soon with some more catch-ups!

Indoor Winter Fun

Winter is well underway and that means finding creative ways to occupy a very active four year old.  Thank goodness for Pinterest (a website with tons of creative ideas for every avenue of life).  I found an idea that I thought would be right up Eliot's alley-- marshmallow construction.  I got out the mini marshmallows, and some toothpicks and told him to go to town.  He had so much fun!  He made some letters, shapes, and other objects (maybe a boat? I honestly don't remember, which is why I need to keep up with this blog a little better!)

I made a cat. 

Continuing along with my brainstorming on how to have fun indoors on a cold Winter's day came my brilliant idea to have the cousins over for a cupcake party!  I bought (too much) candy, frosting, and cake mix.  I whipped up about 36 cupcakes (thinking each of the cousins would want to decorate 4 or 5 each plus I needed some for Eliot's school since he can't have the cupcakes others bring in for their birthday celebrations in case of an allergen being in the ingredients), and left them unfrosted.  I made three different color frostings and placed different candy in muffin tins for each set of cousins (as not to share Winter germs).  

 The cousins came over on MLK Jr. Day and as soon as they were all here, they went straight to Eliot's room to play.  Forget the cupcakes, they were way more interested in playing with Eliot's toys (and under the covers on his bed).  

 Finally, we decided it was time to come into the kitchen for some cupcake decorating.  The kids had fun for maybe 15 minutes and they all (except for 1 I think) decorated ONE cupcake each... and that was it.  They were finished.  Back to playing in Eliot's room and then a game of hide-and-seek broke out throughout the first floor of our house.  

 It was a good idea in theory, but I guess our house is much more fun than decorating cupcakes, especially when the cousins don't come here often.  I'm currently  brainstorming a way to occupy them for more time next "party."

 And Lilla read us a poem that she learned at school (complete with props and audience participation).  It was adorable!