One step closer to a garden!

The weather has been gorgeous lately and that means it is time to resume our 2012 Tour de Longmont Parks!  A couple of weeks ago Ian got to check out the park by his BFF's house and it was a hit. 

Casey + Colin got together to build raised beds in our backyard.  Woohoo!  When I lived in Wisconsin, I really enjoyed gardening.  I believe I still do, but I can't seem to get used to the Colorado climate.  My lack of a green thumb will not defeat me though!  I can't wait to plant seeds with Ian + Milo and to see the delight on their faces when our plants start to grow and the yumminess that will ensue from the meals we make with our own homegrown fruits + vegetables! 

I packed up Ian and we headed to Ella's house while Milo napped.  Ava was also napping, so Ian + Ella were happy to get in some "big kid" time.  There were a few Fireman Sam episodes involved and I got to catch up with Kate too.  Then I took the kids to the nearby park so Kate could work on dinner while Ava was still sleeping.  They loved it!  If only the weather had been better, we could have stayed longer.
                                               
                                                   Peek-a-boo!
                                
                                         Fascinated by Fireman Sam
       
                             Happiness is a new playground to check out!
                               
                                              Our garden to-be

Easter 2012

Easter weekend was pretty chill at our house this year.  We didn't have any family visiting, so there was no entertaining to fuss over and we could make our own schedule.  It is always nice to have family around, but I have to say I also love avoiding the hustle + bustle that holidays bring. 

I consider Easter to be the sure sign of spring.  The days seem longer, the weather is warmer, tulips start to pop up and the trees are blossoming.  Plus, you can wear white shoes again without getting a ticket from the fashion police!

For Casey, it is more like a sure sign of motorcycle season!  And he has 2 boys who want to be able to ride with him!  Ian is close and we are considering a helmet for him this summer, but poor Milo has a bit to go yet.  The curse of the younger brother.  They are both happy as a clam here (and don't fret, the motorcycle isn't running with the garage door closed...only the headlight is on)!

Saturday was a little windy, but a nice day so we saddled up the boys and took a walk downtown.  It was risky, as Milo was approaching nap time but we took a chance anyway.  Like I was really going to be able to take a leisurely stroll downtown and check out some of the new shops with 2 little ones in tow anyway?  Ian loves to sit on the goose whenever we take a walk and now Milo is big enough to join him.  Happy little boys they are:)

Easter Sunday was a blast!  Ian was so happy to find that the Easter Bunny did make a visit while he was snoring the night away.  The boys got squirt guns, beach towels, silly string and some candy.  Milo inhaled a Cadbury creme egg before 9 AM and Ian was sure there was more candy to be had.  He was right, but he had to at least wait until after breakfast...

Pancakes! 

After breakfast, we headed to the skate park.  We got lucky because no one was there when we arrived which meant the boys had the place to themselves.  We forgot Ian's helmet, but he still had a good time riding the board on his booty.  Next time we will make sure to remember the helmet!  I would actually prefer a full suit of armor, but he might get funny looks from the other kids.

Once more people started to show up, we moved to the playground area where they could run + play to their heart's content.  Soon it was time to return home so Milo could nap and Ian could have some quiet time.  Mommy + Daddy had to get ready for our afternoon guests and Easter egg hunt!

We got the call around 3:30 PM.  The Easter bunny wanted us to know it was time to grab our baskets and head outside to hunt some eggs!!! 

Ian and Ella were all about it.  Ian still stops to eat what is in the eggs before moving onto another one.  I assured him he would still have candy leftover, but if he took the time to eat what was in each one he would inevitably have not only a stomache, but miss out on all the other eggs.  Milo + Ava weren't too sure what was going on but they got into the spirit a little bit. 

I love that the girls were dressed in their Easter best, whereas my boys had on their not so best.  Milo was napping when everyone arrived, so I just kept him in his PJ's (mainly because it was already his 4th outfit of the day and I didn't want to keep changing his clothes every time he had chocolate drool!) and Ian dressed himself - the mismatched socks were on purpose.  Ha! 

Ella + Daddy

My Spider Monkey!

Milo + Ava enjoying dinner together:)

Spring Break 2012

My sweet Milo!  He is so much fun and absolutely adorable.  His personality
+ independence are blossoming.  Every day there is a new discovery!  Right
now he loves to:  stick out his tongue, "drive" Mommy's car, playing with his
big brother and by that I mean, stealing whatever his big brother has in his
hands, kiss pictures of Ava, and eat anything he can get his hands on (including
wood chips!).  Keeps us on our toes, for sure!  His favorite words at the
moment are:  Ian, no, airplane, and motorcycle.  He is also into reading books
about the alphabet - Star Wars ABC + The Sleepy Little Alphabet are two
favorites.  He also love "The Little Pink Pup", although we have never made
it past page 4 before he moves on. 

 

 



                       
Casey has been trying to get me to cut Milo's hair for a few weeks now
and I refuse.  I am not ready to have my last first haircut, so I will hold
out as long as I can.  I love this picture above because it shows how
crazy his hair really is.  ha!  What an adorable silhouette.
_____________________________________________________________

My spunky Ian!  So full of life.  He is the funniest, kindest, sweetest, and
most imaginative kid I know.  He makes me laugh every day.  He loves to
"work" and kept reminding me during spring break that he didn't have to.
Now that the weather is beautiful on a more regular basis, we spend a lot
of time at the park.  We had an old favorite get a makeover + he so patiently
waited to check it out.  He lovingly calls it the "choo choo park" now.  The
new play structure looks like a train.  We would do a drive-by every weekend
to see if it was open yet and alas, last weekend it was finally open and we were
there Saturday + Sunday.  Saturday was the test drive, Sunday was the time to
share with Ella!  He has also gladly passed down his car seats to his brother +
rides in style with his high back booster.  He is such a big kid!




                   

Brothers - they really do have a lot of fun together.  They each have
their moments + I am confident it will be a recurring them in our lives,
but Ian is such a great big brother.  Milo is one lucky boy!  I just adore
this picture of them - both crashed out in the back seat with their blankies
from Grandma!

                   

                   
Ian is raising the roof, celebrating the warmth of spring + popsicles!

And now for my favorite picture of 2012 thus far...cousins!  My brother
got this picture while we were at their house for a picnic a couple of
weekends ago and I love, love, love it.  The expressions on each of
their faces is hilarious!