It's the thought that counts right? ha ha...

The boys are out back... I'm preparing dinner (ok..well, it's on the counter WAITING to be prepared) and Drew comes busting through the back door to tell me that he picked flowers for me. Apparently, we have a few lovely yellow weeds, I mean dandilions, in our back yard. I do, however, love that he's finding the art of picking flowers for mommy finally... and so in he comes... bolting through the door....flowers in hand... runs to me...

"MOOOOOOOOM, I picked fowers fo you"



he hands them to me so proud of himself...

I say, "Oh thank you so much that's so sweet!"

And he replies, "we picked them in dog poop."

:) Oh yes... as I'm holding them in my hand... does the cliche still count? LOL

Look Mom -- A SNAKE -- April Fool's... NOT

Josh got in trouble at school today so he's banished from playing in the front yard (pity too because it's beautiful) so he was sentenced to a week of outside play in the backyard with his brother. (ha ha... there is a method to my madness, no?)

So they're digging for roly polies - Drew's new addiction and Josh screams he found a snake. I'm sure it's an April Fool's Day joke.. but alas, no... it's not. :) So, say hello to my little friend:







Aaahh, the joys of boys. Gotta love it!

Dont you love hypocrites?

Yeah, me too... they're right up there with hemmerhoids, flat tires, aemobic dyssentery, you get the pictures.

My neice is having her first communion so I posted a comment to a mom's on-line message board so that I could get some ideas a) what it's all about... b) are you supposed to send gifts... c) insight b/c I'm not Catholic.

My request for information basically said that I wasn't Catholic nor did I ever intend to be so spending hours on research behind all the ceremonial aspects of all their "things" wasn't something I was prepared to do so I'd rather ask those that are in the know to enlighten me... My neice is having her first communion.. what's the deal with the child/bride dresses... is it called a service... ceremony...?? is there a special term for it... ??? etc. etc. etc.

And pardon my frankness but some witch writes back: I found this request incredibly offensive, and no, I am not a hardcore Catholic. The 1st Communion is considered a sacrament (sacred); the first time a child is old enough to understand the meaning of Mass (celebrating the Last Supper and all that Jesus' sacrifice means to us) and partaking of it. Normally children are gifted with something of a religious nature like a cross or Bible, but please, send nothing. Your disdain for the worlds largest Christian religion is obvious and you would not want to be hypocritical, I'm sure.

And honestly, I WANTED to respond back with:

a) gee, you're obviously a religious person... forgive me!

or b) let thee who is without sin cast the first stone ...

or perhaps even c) and I'm sure sarcasm loaded with contempt is highly favored in the eyes of Jesus...

LOL.. but I didn't... I wasn't going to give her the time of day. But what I will do is pray for her because she obviously doesn't have an ounce of compassion.

Thomas The Choo Choo Train

We woke up early today and got ready to meet my best friend Sarah and her son Noah to caravan to the Grapevine Vintage Railroad for a ride on Thomas the Tank Engine. One small stop at the donut store for breakfast (yes, I let my kid sleep instead of waking him up early just to eat becuase he was up LATE Saturday night since momma was out! (with Sarah too -- poor Noah! ha!!)) So, one chocolate milk, one dozen donut holes and two chocolate donuts with sprinkles and we're on the road baby!

We get there, find a place to park and our first stop is a look at the model railroad station. It was pretty darn cool. They had about 6 or more trains going at the same time. I'd love to have a big room to create something cool like that! I guess I am just a big kid! :) Would I want a big room full of Barbies and a huge Barbie house? Heck no! Give me a train room ANYDAY! I think Drew and Noah agree.


After that we journeyed over to the Imagination Station where they could play with a train set...


do puzzles... and yes, this is the face I get now when I ask for him to smile. :) he loves to ham it up for the camera now.


Then it got close to time to board so we went to the maze of a line they had prepared and these two little monkeys just wanted to get on the train. NO patience... if anyone knows where I can BUY some for my kids, I'll pay my weight in gold for it! :) They were growing quite impatient until we heard the conductor call "All Aboard"... and they were very intrigued...


Once on board the train, Drew loved looking out the window...


Smiling at me..


Being a great role model for Noah's future photo sessions...


but mostly just having a good time with his best friend.


And I promise he really IS saying "cheese" in this... he just wants to look out the window.


Which I let him do right after we snapped that.


Here's he's saying... SEE YA SUCKERS!


and I just LOVE how this one came out (esp. in black and white!)


After the train ride we went to a little "train" ride that was self propelled. They had a great time.




Then we checked out a black smith's shop and of course, made a final stop at the bouncy house. Where he rediscovered how much fun it is to fall down.


All in all, it was a pretty eventful morning. The afternoon was kind of exciting too! :) Shopping at Macy's for pillows! :) They had pillows on sale for amazing prices. And boy were they needed! A stop off at Souper Salad (one of my favorites) for an early dinner and whew...I'm ready for a shower and bed!)

:)

Earth Hour - Will you participate?

(Taken from http://www11.earthhourus.org/)

On March 29, 2008 at 8 p.m., join millions of people around the world in making a statement about climate change by turning off your lights for Earth Hour, an event created by the World Wildlife Fund.

Earth Hour was created by WWF in Sydney, Australia in 2007, and in one year has grown from an event in one city to a global movement. In 2008, millions of people, businesses, governments and civic organizations in nearly 200 cities around the globe will turn out for Earth Hour. More than 100 cities across North America will participate, including the US flagships–Atlanta, Chicago, Phoenix and San Francisco and Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver.

We invite everyone throughout North America and around the world to turn off the lights for an hour starting at 8 p.m. (your own local time)–whether at home or at work, with friends and family or solo, in a big city or a small town.

What will you do when the lights are off? We have lots of ideas.

Join people all around the world in showing that you care about our planet and want to play a part in helping to fight climate change. Don’t forget to sign up and let us know you want to join Earth Hour.

One hour, America. Earth Hour. Turn out for Earth Hour!

Testing

I created a siggy with my name and just wanted to see if it worked. :)

Peter Cottontail Came to Town...

And I thought you'd like to see the madness that ensued...

These are my adorable little boys when asked to sit together and let me take a photo. Don't be surprised to see this as our Christmas card photo this year. ;) I like this THAT much! ha ha... captures the true essence of my little men



Then they did cooperate for a better one... still with bucket headss though.


Before "the hunt" poor little Drew went into yet another one of his coughing fits (he's been sick for like... EVER!) We just can't seem to shake the cold at this house. He was coughing so hard that his eyes were watering. It was so sad.


They completed the hunt (not exciting photos there... we all know what kids look like when they're looking for eggs.)

I WAS actually able to get photos taken of me with my kids! :) WOW... I was excited. :) Now, granted, I STILL couldn't get a picture with BOTH of them. But hey, at this point in time, I won't be picky!




Then, of course, the fights broke out (Silly String fights, that is)






Drew posed for a few shots (we love making faces now)



Josh loved his stuffed Peep (isn't it cute?)


Me and dad...


and last, but certainly not least, Drew broke into the basket the Easter Bunny got him -- a pirate's themed basket... and he was running around saying "arg" for the rest of the day. This is before the earring and eyepatch.