Rainbows

Why do rainbows always make me feel happy? And everyone else too?

Tonight, we had another set of beautiful double rainbows. Gavin and I were bickering with each other (yes, I was bickering with a 4 year old) but as soon as we saw this, we both stopped to enjoy it. Evie and Patrick also joined in - watching these beautiful rainbows for almost 5 minutes. The kids were singing and laughing and everyone just brightened up!

Easter

We had a very nice Easter. It was made even better with the fact that Daddy was home ALL day! It was a gorgeous afternoon and we had some friends come for dinner. The Christensen clan, Nita Smith and her daughter JJ and us. The Fincks were supposed to join us - but little Sam was sick, so we just took them food afterward.

The kids loved the egg hunt and loved all the candy and gifts the Easter Bunny brought! Patrick and I loved the Mimosas he left too!

Sad passing

Mr. Doodle - Sept 19, 2006 - April 11, 2009.

Mr. Doodle (aka pacifier, nuk, binky) was 2 1/2 years old. He was born unto Evelyn McKenna Bull at Riverside Methodist Hospital, and stayed a true companion to her for all of his years. In 2007, he graduated from newborn to big-girl pacifier, being by Evelyn's side during naps and bedtime only.

He was preceeded in death by his other 2 friends, Mrs. Doodle and Doodle Jr. within the month. Evelyn would place Mrs. and Jr. on her eyes, while Mr. Doodle was be the lucky on to get sucked on. Some believe he died from a broken heart from the passing of Mrs. and Jr - but I say it was Evelyn's teeth that tore him apart.

Services were held in Evelyn's crib as she cried for hours on end about his passing. I can still hear her now, screaming his name - "Doodle, Doodle, please come back."

His family requests, that in lieu of flowers, everyone should please make a donation to Evelyn's Orthodontic Fund, set up for the future of Evelyn's teeth.

Dr. Bull...paging Dr. Bull

How stinkin' cute?!?! I got this when we were back in PA a few weeks ago. The Please Touch Museum is now located about a mile from Patrick's medical school, so I stopped in to see a friend and also to check out the book store for any gifts for the kids that had PCOM on it. How perfect was this find - the last pair of kids scrubs on clearance...and exactly Gavin's size!!!

Pardon the scabs/scrapes on his face...he biffed it at the zoo earlier this week and got a nasty abrasion from his chin to his forehead...mostly just on his nose now. I think it makes him look tough!

Fliptastic Easter Party

Tonight we joined the Christensens and the Youngs at the Fliptastic Easter party. This is Evie's gymnastics place so she was so excited (too excited) when we got there. Gavin was also thrilled that he got to come along, because he stays at home when she is in class. They had a cute Easter egg hunt in the little gym room (where Evie takes class) and then the main gym had lots of other fun games and face painting and of course, lots of candy! We were lucky enough to be near the front of the line for the Easter egg hunt and the kids got to go in together and each find 5 eggs. McKenna helped Evie find some of hers and then we all went and played games. The hard part for me was making sure the kids didn't sneak a piece when I wasn't looking since there were lots of candy with eggs and/or peanuts!!! But we succeeded (after many lollipops and tootsie rolls)! The kids were on a massive sugar high - so we left after about an hour. It was really fun - but I wish Patrick was there to enjoy it too (but he is taking an extra moonlighting shift and making money - so I'll show him the pics :-)

gymnastics update

Tonight went much better than the first two sessions. Hopefully she has turned the corner and we will not get kicked out!

gymnastics

We signed Evie up for some gymnastics classes at Fliptastic, a local gym. She is so excited to go each time (we have only been 2x so far) and looks so darn cute in her leotard. But...she gets a little too excited! She never wants to sit and stretch (which is required before they start) and she freaks out when they have to sit and receive instructions. She is pretty disruptive (even if she is only 2 1/2 years old). We have received a gentle warning about her screaming and crying...and I have a funny feeling she will be the 1st to be asked to leave! But until then - I love watching her actually do the gymnastics part! She is so flippin' cute!

gorilla

"Dad, you look like a gorilla. When I grow up to be a dad, will I have hair on my face, and legs, and back like you?"

MIA

WOW! It's been almost a month since I last posted. Slacker! But I guess that means that we have been pretty busy - so that is good. Patrick finished his last month of trauma and is finally around again. I forgot how nice it is to have a husband :-) This post is going to be very sporadic since I have so much to blog about and not enough time to do it appropriately!

Gavin had spring break the last week of March, and since Patrick was never home, we decided to visit our family and friends back in PA. We had so much fun - but it was quite exhausting with all the stuff we try to cram in.

First, we went to the Poconos to "Whiff's" house. Whiff is what Gavin calls Wil. It was amazing. I was very sad Patrick wasn't there, because it was right up his alley. Wil and I got to go out on his new 4 wheelers (Yamaha Grizzlies - AWESOME) and mom and the kids went for a ride in the heated Gator cart. It was supposed to be in the 50s - but it was really cold - so we couldn't do too much...which was fine by me. Gavin's allergies were really bad though, so it made sleeping in the same room pretty tough!

Then we went back to mom's house. Evie got a nasty cold and was pretty miserable, so we laid around in pjs all day on tuesday and did nothing! I had a dentist appointment (no cavaities again) but we just rested and chilled which was great. Then we went to the Please Touch Museum in philly with Eileen and Eddie! It was perfect for the kids. Yes, I was THAT mom that brought her sick kid to the museum - but she liked it. So who cares how many other kids we infected :-) Later on wednesday I got to meet up with one of my BFs, Emily and her boyfriend for dinner which was super fun.

The kids and I also got to hang out with my dad for lunch on Thursday, but that was really all the time we got to see him :-(

I got to go shopping at the amazing outlets near my mom which was a treat! She spoils us! But it was so nice to just sit around, eat dinner, drink coffee and watch tv. I miss her a lot! We talk all the time, but there is something so soothing about hanging with your mom.

On friday, we packed up some stuff and headed for the Elmwood Park Zoo (super cool) and then to the Bull's house! Evelyn was a riot with PopPop Bull - hugging and kissing him, saying "I love you PopPop"...she just melted him. She is going to get her way with the gentlemen all her life I bet! She melts her Daddy too!

I had a morning to myself on Saturday and met up with Eileen again for our annual spa treatment. We went to lunch afterwards at PF Changs which was very yummy! When I got back, we had Patrick's sister and her family (all the cousins) over for dinner and then I stayed in and played games with RyRy and MomMom! It was fun!!!

Sunday I had a get together with the alumni of my sorority, D Phi E. I caught up with some of my old roommates, my big sister, and even my real biological sister. I then went back to my moms and had the other sister (and her kids) and my girlfriend Michele over for dinner. It was a great way to round up the end of the trip. We drove back on monday - but didn't get to see Daddy until Tuesday - because he was still on call!!!

Pictures from Lynn

One of my girlfriends from college used to live in Columbus (she actually stayed here in Hilliard) and was visiting her inlaws who still live here. She came to the house on saturday and we had an amazing visit. Easy talks, catching up, and good eats! Her 2 favorite places to eat were on the agenda (since she is 17 weeks prego - it was an important part) but she also took time to snap some shots of the kids with her fancy dancy equipment. She would love to become a pro photographer - but it will have to wait for now! I am posting her awesome pics! She got more of Gavin than Evie - but anyone who has tried to take a picture of her would understand!

I was so glad she visited, it felt so good to have someone linked to my past visiting in my present!!!! Thanks for coming Lynn!

Swinging into spring

These past few days have been so much warmer than any weather we have had in a while. We have taken full advantage by going to the zoo, Homestead park, and just spending HOURS outside in our backyards! Evie is growing up so quickly and is now only interested in the big kids swing! She does pretty well, but I still don't push her too high. They grow up so darn fast!

Grateful

Today I am grateful for:

- An awesome outlet for my kids to run off some energy during crazy winter months.
- Fun friends who we look forward to seeing every week (and often more than that).
- Women who help each other through tough times;
when you are sick (or your other kids are) and need a break - they watch your kids;
when you receive terrible, life altering news - they make you dinners for weeks;
when your almost 3 year old throws a tantrum - they help get your other kids to your car;
when you have the winter blues - they make sure you get out of the house and go to playgroup;
when you are missing your husband because he is on call every so much - they remind you this is just a "season";
when you are trying to sell your house - they take old toys;
when you are sad because your "baby" is now a big boy - they cry with you;
and when you didn't get enough fries for your kids - they share theirs.
- Gavin's amazing school that celebrates every child's achievements and good deeds and that teaches him about filling up other people's buckets and focusing on positive things/deeds in life.
- 40 degree and sunny weather after a long bout of cold weather!
- Having the perfect park right around the corner to play at after school.
- Having friends join you at the drop of a hat to play at the park.
- Having friends that bring Cafe Mochas to share on a 40 degree day at the park!
- Gavin choosing the dinner for tonight and making yogurt parfaits with granola, strawberries, blueberries, bananas, pineapple, cantaloupe and raisins!
- Patrick taking the kids to play after dinner so I can put the laundry away (aka - blog time and facebook :-)
- Kids who would rather play outside than play video games (which then turns into kids who go to bed at 7 because they are exhausted from play).
- A quiet evening to spend with my husband however we choose ;-)

A new-found respect

I think Patrick gained a little new found respect for me and all other stay at home moms today. We got a great little surprise when he ended up not having to go into work until almost 6pm (he was supposed to go in at 6am - but the other guy on call did rounds for him since he was already there, and then there were no traumas until 6pm). Anyway, he went to the grocery store, made breakfast, read the paper, went to the library with the kids, ate lunch, took a little nap, played Wii, played games with Gavin, taught Gavin how to play Guitar Hero, built a train track, talked on the phone to friends, and by 3 o'clock - was TOTALLY BORED! He didn't know what to do. He was so antsy and just wanted to go outside but it was too cold. He wanted to exercise, but didn't want to wake up Evelyn. He wanted to go to a store, but didn't want to spend money (that we don't have). He felt bad that he was losing ideas to do to keep Gavin busy, let alone himself.

All in just ONE afternoon. Imagine that day - after day - after day. I think he now understands that when I call and practically BEG him to let us come to the hospital to eat dinner with him, it is not because we miss him terribly (I mean we miss him some - but can deal with it). It is because I AM SO BORED and need to get out of the house, break up the mundane routine!!! I think he finally gets it.

humongous!

Another Daddy-Gavin shower conversation:

Gavin: "Daddy - your butt is humongous!"
Patrick: "Oh yeah, what about Mommy's butt?"
G: "Her butt is pretty tiny."
P: "Good answer."
G: "But she doesn't have a penis."
P: "No, she has a vagina. Girls have vaginas, and boys have penises." (side note - we decided to use proper anatomical terms for teaching purposes - but we also have silly names like Shina).
G: "Hmm. I think that vagina means tiny butt in spanish."

Potty Training Pitfalls

Now that Evelyn is potty training - she feels she has free use of the toilet. Point in case, as I was typing out an email, I hear her in the bathroom...

"Bye Bye poopy". - Hmmm, I think to myself, I know she didn't go so she must just be pretending.
"Bye Bye pretty (what she calls her hairbands)".
"Bye Bye watch".
"Bye Bye tooth brush". Now I think it is cute that she having a conversation with herself.
Then I hear the flush, in which I immediately jumped up and ran to find the toilet overflowing with hairbands, a watch, and a toothbrush - and Evelyn waving proudly. Luckily there was no poopy or peepee...but for now, I think I will continue to keep the bathroom doors shut and locked.

blue

February - the shortest, yet LONGEST month in the year.

I always get a little blue this time of year. Post holidays. Pre sunny weather. It sucks. I know everyone else gets bummed around here too. Days blend into each other. It doesn't help that Patrick is on trauma (the worst rotation) and is working on call every other night. That means weekends don't exist. Which makes the week even longer. I swear I am so in cycle with my routine, I don't even know the day of the week. I just know it as Spanish lesson day, or Pilates day. I come up with stupid things to do - like go to Target to buy diaper wipes - just to get out of the house. I BEG Patrick to let us come visit him at the hospital and eat dinner with him so it breaks up our mundane evening. I do lessons out of the preschool book. I let the kids watch tons of movies and play countless games. The kids bedtimes get earlier and earlier. I facebook to feel connected since so many people hibernate here. I go tanning to feel some warmth. I go to the gym for fun.

March 20th cannot get here soon enough.

Out of the mouths of babes...

After getting out of the shower together and drying off, the following conversation was said between father and son.

Gavin: "Daddy, why are you so hairy on your body?"
Patrick: "Well, that's what happens when you get older - you get hair on your body."
Gavin: "You must be REALLY old because you are REALLY hairy."

5 amazing things...

Here are 5 amazing things that Patrick did for me this Valentine's Day:

5. Bought me PINK roses.
4. Made sure the kids got me a card and something sweet.
3. Watched Fireproof.
2. Bought Evelyn the sweetest card.
1. Snuck home from his trauma shift to make me homemade buttermilk pancakes!!!

He also cleaned, did laundry, and remembered our first Valentine's together - 8 years ago. We were only friends at the time, getting together for lunch at the mall for a work project. At lunch, he gave me one of those cheesy valentine's cards that kids give to each other, but when I went out to my car there was a single red rose with a very romantic card....the beginning of our story.

V day mailboxes

Last night I finished up the mailboxes for Gavin's class party today! They are from the dollar spot at Target, finished with some stampin' up designer paper, and some punched out hearts. Each mailbox is stuffed with yummy cupcake treats (3 cups strawberry yogurt blast cheerios, 1 1/2 cups melted white chocolate, 1/2 cup dries strawberries), snack sized candy bars, some hershey kisses and a valentines card signed by Gavin. They took a while - but I am sure the kids will love them!

Double Rainbow

Tonight we got to view an amazing site...obviously it was much cooler in person. The one rainbow was so bright - it almost looked fake!