Happy Friday

Many things have made me happy already today and there are many things I am looking forward to about the rest of the day...

1. Waking up with two happy boys ...very close to 7am!

2. Heading out for the zoo - just me and the boys. Spontaneous, spur of the moment, and simple. Sun shining, suntan lotion on all three of us, and lunch packed! A free outing!

3. A call from my good friend Molly. She is the proud mother of another girl! Mallory Skye, 9 lb. 1 oz. 21 inches long! Can't wait to meet her!

4. Nap time for Henry, mellow time for Charley, and time to get a few things done around the house.

5. And I am looking forward to this evening. Ed and I are having date night at a mexican restaurant we can walk to. Bring on the chips and salsa and pitcher of margaritas!

These past few weeks I have decided to try and slow down our daytime lifestyle and be more simple. I know I have signed up Charley for several summer activities...all of which begin at 8am and so I want to remind myself before all of this starts that when I chose to stay home with my boys I was committing to being home with my boys-- not out and about all the time, not hosting playgroups all the time, not travelling all over, not scheduling our time every day. I have noticed a difference with Charley's ability to keep himself busy, he has even started choosing to nap, our days are happier, and I am enjoying being home more. I was getting so wrapped up in having kids over to play with Charley that I was losing the chance to just play or be a family here. That is not to say that we still love having friends and playdates....just not every day! It is going to be a great summer and I am vowing that with all the busy activities that we don't lose touch with the simple summertime experiences - riding the bike, walking to the park, picnic on the deck, sandbox play, sprinklers, chalk, friends, and more.

My New Favorite Happy Song

This song is the BEST! It makes me happy! I played it a lot at my mom and dads. I like to play it in the car with the boys. It puts a hop in your step. What is your favorite song these days! Thanks Kelly for the fun mixed cd...and bringing this song into my life. What a happy one!

It's time he gets a few angels!

This morning we hung out with "Charley's Angels". It is the name of our playgroup. The name is hilarious because it really is Charley and a bunch of beautiful young ladies. They let him chase them around with a water gun this morning (no water involved). Yesterday some new friends popped over to borrow our wagon for a few days and we threw Henry and his little friend Charley (a girl named Charley -even spelled the same!) into the wagon together. Henry's facial expression didn't change too much. Charley gave him some attention which he seemed to deal with just fine. So he is starting his own angels.

How Can I Not Love Him...even when...

He demands to play at 4:30 am by crying for an hour off and on. So we get up and play. The kid is making his mama run on 4 -5 hours sleep and all I can say....ugh! Babies and toddlers are cute for this reason...they can push us to the brink and we don't lose it completely because their little inquisitive smiles, their attempts at communicating with words, and their little eyes with the gorgeous eyelashes peer up at us with such adoration that it is impossible not to forget the agonizing hours from 4 am until 8 am when finally, exhausted he naps. May he sleep like an old man tonight.

My adorable early riser!

Bonus

We get a bonus visit with Uncle Mike and Aunt Becca now that they live so close to my parents. Just under a two hour drive and BAM! they are with their new cousin Morgan. So excited to see her and the little changes that have occured. She is still a very precious, tiny, petite, little gal. Mama Becca and Daddy Mike are so relaxed and calm with her. She is a very content little lady. Slept during dinner out at a noisy restaurant. Hung out in the backyard and hopefully made the journey home smooth too.



Charley has always idolized his Uncle Mike and today he got a little time with him playing baseball, a board game, and whatever else they could squeeze in. Henry was hesitant at first but warmed up quickly. He ended the evening in an almost matching t-shirt.


A heart to heart with his Uncle Mike


It was a fun visit. We can't wait until Morgan is a bit older and can enjoy a boat ride or some beach fun with us. But we will not wish her bigger because this time is so precious and will go so fast. Thanks for making the trip and visiting!

Already loved by many...

My sister is going to be a mama! It was so fun to see her this weekend. Her belly is bulging and the time is drawing near! EEEEEK!

Grandma Barb and Grandpa Bob's

We arrived on Wednesday evening. We had pizza and ran around before bedtime. Once again a long drive but we were here. Thursday morning we took the boys to the beach ...Henry's first time being independent on the beach. He wasn't too sure of it. It was really windy which didn't help. He sat on my mom's lap most of the time. Charley on the other hand was very busy.



Thursday afternoon both boys took a nap and I escaped for a little shopping...by myself and for myself. It was such a treat. I have been really good about not shopping for myself and was due for a few new items. It was such a gift to be able to ride in the car for 40 minutes and listen to music...shop (which I did in record time because there was no one to keep my eye on)...and then drive home listening to more good music.

Friday we ran to a few garage sales and then prepped for the sale we were throwing together at my mom and dads. We went down in the basement and emerged with many memories and lots of stuff to sell. We made our first sale on Saturday morning at 6:58. It was a nice day spent lounging around with the family selling a few items. We had a surprise visit from my Uncle Gerald and Aunt Marydonna from California and my Uncle Gary and Aunt Mary...along with them came my Grandpa! He does't go places much anymore so it was such a treat to have him surprise us. Actually, my dad took Charley to his favorite local restaurant for lunch on Saturday and when they got home Charley said, "Mama, I saw great grandpa!" I had no idea how he would come up with this as a trick and sure enough...it wasn't a trick. They ran into them downtown eating.

My dad and his brothers


My Grandpa


The Sale



Aunt Raina was here to hang out and have fun during all of this. Last night Raina and I both admitted to wanting to pay monopoly. So we got out that old game from the basement and gave it a try....three hours later I was proving to be the most powerful player and we ended the game. It sure was different playing as an adult!

This morning Charley, my dad, and I went fishing for a few hours on the lake. We didn't catch anything and didn't even get a nibble. But the lake was beautiful, Charley got to drive the boat, the sun was shining, and I of course love to look at the million dollar homes and dream.








It has been a busy visit so far and there is still much fun to be had. Obviously the boys are busy and having fun because Charley has napped two days here! Lovin' that!

This afternoon the boys are napping and we are waiting for the arrival of Uncle Mike, Aunt Becca, and baby Morgan. So excited to see her!

My New Hair

Yes, last week I cut my hair. I came home and felt more like myself in a long time. I am glad my sister encouraged me to cut it off again. It is so easy and so comfortable for summer. Anyways...it has been a few days and I have warmed up to it again and don't shock myself when I see my reflection in a window or mirror. I am ready for summer!

Hometown....

I was born in Des Plaines, Illinois and I grew up in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. I loved Sheboygan and always thought it would be a great town to move back to and raise a family. When in college my parents moved to a quaint tourist area in southern Wisconsin. I have loved the area they live now since they started looking for a house in the area.

I ache from time to time ...missing the house I grew up in, the yard, the closeness of Lake Michigan, the frequent stops around town that I grew up making with my mom. I wish at times I could return to the town I grew up for any old weekend so I can run into friends from high school without it being a huge deal. However, I think of their home now as my home town now. Like they say...it is the people that make a house a home. In college when I returned home I focused my time on my family so coming home was never consumed by friends.

I came home here for a month before I got married, was married here, and came for week long visits during the summer when I was teaching. When I had the boys I have raised them to endure the long drive to Grandma Barb and Grandpa Bob's. I have the things I do every time I come home. I love bopping around the towns here and my parents house is filled with things that remind me of our home in Sheboygan. I love that they chose to live in this quaint town that is close enough to Milwaukee, relatives, and friends. I love that they have acquired hobbies that include boat rides and fishing with Charley (and someday Henry).

Even though I would love Charley and Henry to know the house, the bedroom, the basement, the yard, and the lake (Yes, Ed, Lake Superior is a great lake but Lake Michigan is pretty darn great too!), I absolutely love coming HOME to visit.

Note: We are at my parents right now and have been consumed with a garage sale, visiting with Aunt Raina, Schneider relatives, and today Uncle Mike, Aunt Becca and Morgan. I will catch up on blogging soon.

Maybe no one else does that in the world

Tonight Henry started fussing after I had quietly put him down. Probably hearing all the hubbub going on out here getting ready for a massive garage sale. My mom went in to lay him back down and she came out and said,

"He takes his two nuks and tries to stick them in his eyes?.?"

Yes, that is something he does when he is really tired.

My mom replied, "Maybe no one else does that in the world."

Very true! These little things are the things I want him to know about himself...