The Easter Bunny...

Yesterday Jack and I went to do errands, which included a stop at the mall. Well, what do you know...the Easter Bunny was there. Roo was pretty excited and wanted to visit him..it.. (I was because there was NO line) so he "hopped" right into the bunny's lap. I love this picture..Roo's personality really shines!

The picture isn't the best, I do not have a scanner and had to take a picture of the original picture. No, Jack does not have red hair!!

WHERE IS SPRING???

The boys need, need, need, NEED to get outside! They were stir crazy this weekend and picking on each other, Sam was mouthy (which is so NOT like him) and they would not listen to JB or me. So last night, the straw broke the camels back....the boys were taking a bath and they like to turn the jets on in the tub...doing so, makes a ton of bubbles. I told Sam that they could have bubbles, but stop the jets when the bubbles get to Jack's shoulders (I showed him on Jack when to stop.) Well, when I went into the bathroom to check on them (about 3 minutes later) the bubbles where pouring over the tub...and I lost it. Sam was ordered out of the tub and straight into the shower. I must share that it was one of those moments that JB and I had to try so hard not to laugh. When Sam got out of the tub, he was covered SOLID from head to toe of bubbles. He looked like the stay-puff marshmallow man. Jas and I actually went around the corner and burst out laughing. Now time to deal with Jack...

Icky Zoo Pictures...

When you go to the zoo, there are always the gross and icky things...I must remind myself that the zoo is for everyone...here are some of the icky things I saw...

There was an area in the zoo call Night Walkers. It is all animals that are "active" during the night. Just to top it off, it is in a swampy set-up...wooden walkways, water, eerie noises.At one point, you walk through a cave area and there are bats all over (in screened in cages.) I stopped to take a picture (remember it was dark in there) of the bat that was hanging on the screen...that was all that was there. Later, when I looked at the photo, I saw that a second bat (full wings spread) had flown up under the first bat. I was very pleased with my photo..now it just grosses me out (or up!)

When I push my photo button half way down, the flash comes on for a few seconds. I had the camera pointed down, it lit up this bat stretched over the food bowl...freaky. I figured out they were fruit bats... After these photos, Sam got a little bothered by it all and we had to exit quickly...which was just fine with me!

If you know me I am absolutely frightened, scared-stiff of snakes... (right now I am all tense with this picture) Roo, obviously is not. The snake is behind glass (I think it was a python) but it was moving around...a lot. Roo got right up to the glass to watch it...I couldn't even crop, fix or edit this picture because it bothers me so bad....

A Christmas Photo...

At the zoo that we went to, they had a rockin' gorilla area! I could have sat and watched them all day. The big guy below sat against the window and wouldn't turn around. So, we just decided to take a picture of the gorilla with us anyway!! Wouldn't it be the perfect Christmas photo! (SOME DAY, Jack will look at the camera when asked!!!)

Jack and the Monkeys...

Jack LOVES monkeys, so when we went to the zoo, I thought he was going to pass out with all the monkeys around him! This is a picture of when we first got there and he saw a monkey (he is astonished, not about to cry!) Look at that smile the monkey is giving Roo!!

Jack just had to have a new monkey, so he got this little one (that has a very annoying monkey howl when you push its tummy.) Its name is Fred-X (I have no idea..)

Jack thought it would be cool to show the orange monkey (below) Fred-X. I don't know if he was sacrificing Fred-X for friendship or just what was going on here...

This monkey was busy swinging from tree to tree...

...Jack was hypnotised by the swinging monkey. He just sat and watched...

and then when we headed to the aquarium, he was out. Swimming fish do not compare to swinging monkeys!!

Sam at the Museum...

Oh dear...my computer has been behaving badly lately. It keeps freezing up on me and needs to be restarted constantly!! So, I have gotten a bit frustrated and called it quits before I could get my "important" computer work completed! I am hoping that I can get something posted before my computer decides to be Mr. Freeze again....

Anyway, we survived our mini vacation! With all of my complaining, we did (even myself) had a great time. I could share tons of pictures...which I plan on doing...but not all in one day... Lucky you! So, today's "focus" is on Sam at the Children's Museum we visited. This museum was AWESOME! The kids had a blast and all the activities worked!! (amazing!)

In the theater area, the kids could dress up in different costumes. The costumes were fabulous...Sam enjoyed being a wizard! But, I must admit, I did wonder how many other kids had put on that hat....

Next was Ball-A-Mania. There were thousands of balls...endless things to do with them and to put them in...it was insane, but again, complete fun! Even the adults enjoyed this area (JB practiced his juggling.) Here is Sam and Jack at the floating balls...(yes, of course Jack put his face over one of the tubes and he looked like he was riding a motorcycle at 60 mph)

Next stop, Imagination Station. Here the kids could be firemen, play at a farm house or go to the grocery store. This grocery store rocked (I wouldn't even mind shopping there!) Here Sam has already completed his shopping and was checking out. The conveyor belt actually moved by turing a wheel and when you slid your food across the "reader" area, a sound beeped. The cash register even worked! This was a favorite place! (I did get a good laugh at the little girl that came up with her cart filled to the top with cucumbers! She bought out the whole store!)

Sam and his friend decided to man the Bakery. Kids would come up to them and ask them for different breads and pastries...I see a future at Hy-Vee!!

Jack at the Museum...

Jack's experience at the Children's Museum was a little different then Sam's...his focus was on how many of the costumes he could possibly try on during our visit.

"Mom...I REALLY can put on all these costumes?! Let's go!"

First, Roo dressed up as a fireman (helmet, coat and boots) and drove the firetruck...

Off to the farm house to be a dog...

and a duck...and a mouse, a donkey and a ladybug. I would share those, but the pictures were too blurry...

Tomorrow...the zoo (may need a collage for that post!)

Poor Roo...

I think Roo is very confused about the weather...last week, he announced that he was going outside to play. I told him he needed to bundle up because it was only about 15 degrees out (remember that day!) Well, he replied, "It is sunny mom, I don't need to bundle up. There isn't any snow!" So out he went with a sweatshirt, sunglasses and sandals. I took this picture (through the window) while he was sitting on the lawn chair..I am thinking he is wondering why the sun is out, but it is still so darn cold! He came in about 20 seconds later...and said, "I am cold. I think I need an umbrella." (WHAT????) This weather is messing with my boy's mind!!

St. Patty's Day Parade...

Yesterday, we all headed down to the annual St. Patty's Day Parade. Neither JB or I had ever been to one, so we thought it would be a fun "outing" for the family. Plus the weather was unbelievable!! Here are some shots from the day!!

Sam kept checking JB's watch to see how many minutes until the parade started. It started 10 minutes late...welcome to the world of parades!!

A quick beer run started the parade!!

Sam waved like a true politicain! They don't throw candy at this parade (which is so OK with me) but they throw necklaces!

Roo sat in his stroller during the parade. Some parade participants walked the sidewalks. Roo scored a rubber duck from a big walking duck and two dollar bills from the "Bill" campaign.

Sam and the necklaces he caught...he made sure we all had some to wear!

Roo on the way home...

Happy Birthday Dad!!!

Happy Birthday Dad!!

(Sam is 4 years old and Roo is a year old)

(Sam is worried that there are fish around him!)

312 Cards...

Sam has discovered building homes using playing cards. He gathers all the cards he can find (which with this house was 6 decks) and begins to build. Guess what the biggest challenge for us is...you got it...Roo. We need to distract him with something else, so Sam is able to build his creation. After Sam finished this little number, we quickly took pictures, before the "little tornado" came through. Yep, Roo would run past the house as fast as he could to "make wind" on "accident." Thankfully, there was little damage.

The Germ...

Sam created a germ in art class at school and it was chosen to be in a local art show this week. He was so proud (as we were, too!) It was great fun to see other kids' art work...Roo's favorites included the paper boxing gloves, the gigantic candy ring and he pretended to drink from a three foot drink box (imagine that!)

Sam and his germ.

The germ up-close.

And Roo...I didn't ask him to stand there after taking Sam's picture, it is just that he is so trained, that he stood where Sam was and said, "Cheese." (he is enjoying a cookie.)

A Star Wars Collage...

Yesterday, Roo was entertaining himself with Star Wars stickers. Sounds good to me...nice and quiet and busy (so I can do important computer work.) This is a close up of Roo's Star Wars collage. Nice work....

Just a little step back from the collage...still looking good...but, can you see where this might be going?

Now a little further back...yep, at this time, you can probably tell what he used as his backdrop to stick his Star Wars stickers.

Jack pointing is his beautiful Star Wars collage that he created on the hallway WALL!! Oh well, JB and I were planning on painting it at some time...sooner then later, now.

Awesome Paper!

I have been waiting for Memory Bound to get in the Obama paper and ta-da, it came in on Tuesday when I was working! Isn't it awesome! I bought 5 sheets (for starters)...I think I am going to frame one sheet and use the others to make an Obama album.. I am so excited!!

The Boys...

I am still doing a lot of playing around with my new camera and lens. The other day when the weather was just right...I got a few fun shots of the boys. When Roo gets his picture taken, he automatically says, "Cheese," and pulls down his lower lip - this is perfectly caught on the first photo! That would be a good post - all the "cheese" shots of Roo...especially during x-mas!

I think I have core muscles!

What? Well, the other day (well, maybe after jack was born 3 years ago) I notice that when I ran (or walked briskly) down the stairs my mid-section would bounce to the beat of the steps. It really grossed me –up! So I have finally decided to do something about the bounce. Nothing worse then when you stop moving, but your body just keeps on going.

So, I am partaking in the 30 Day Shred video with that b*$@# Jillian, from the Biggest Loser. It is a 20 minute work out and I mean WORK OUCH!! JB thought, “Yea, can’t be that hard…it’s only 20 minutes!” After he joined me for a work out session, he was dying!! I mean lying on the floor, breathing heavy with a sweaty t-shirt. On the video, there is a level one, two and three. The premise is that when you feel strong enough, you are to advance to the next level. So, at this time, I do level one the first day, level two the next day and then a day off …sometimes two days off…because I can barely move and I can only take 3 Advil every 6 hours. I was vacuuming on my day of rest and thought my arms were going to fall off…No, it is because it is a hard work out..NOT because I haven’t really exercised in 10 years and my muscles are basically atrophying.

So after working out tonight..I went up the stairs, fairly slowly (oh – maybe that is why my mid-section is no longer bouncing to the beat…since I am moving so darn slow!) my mid-section ached..which I strongly suspect where my core muscles!! How exciting!! I grinned to myself (or grimaced.) I will get to that level three….I did watch it the other day while having a snack and I may just actually be content with being a level two-er!!

First Spring Scrape...

The weather has been beautiful the last couple of days and the boys have been outside non-stop enjoying every bit of the weather. As you know, with playing outside brings scrapes, bumps and bruises. Well, we have had out first spring scrape! Roo was climbing up the plank of our swing set and bumped his face on the board that is across the top of the plank. (see photo 2.) When we put that contraption up , I wondered why in the world does a company put a board across the top of the plank and the slide?? Anyway, Roo cried a bit and we put ice on the top of his forehead because that is where he said it hurt. Well, he woke up this a.m. and had a scrape across the bridge of his nose and the corner of his left eye. OUCH!! I know that this is the first of many for the season, but knowing that doesn't make it any better!

Thank You Cards Part 2...

Here are the cards, again, that I will be teaching for a class in June at Memory Bound. I posted the "first set" awhile ago, but I had a "brad" problem. I couldn't find brads that matched my paper...yea, something as little as a brad can put your whole card class in a tail spin! So I had to choose different paper (shown on the left) that the brads would match. This probably doesn't mean much to 99% of you, but if you have encountered not being able to find matching brads...it is a pain to say the least!

This is a 4x4 card.