The Excitement is Building

We had such a fun morning with Isaac and Grace. We got up this morning and took the kids to Dunkin Donuts for breakfast... something we have NEVER done. They were so excited. Isaac ate his donut fairly well, but Grace was more interested in the egg from my sandwich. After that we headed to the party supply store to look at decorations for their birthdays. We had so much fun looking at the many different characters and favors and accesories. In some ways it was overwhelming the number of choices. Isaac chose to have Thomas the Train for his birthday again this year. We thought he might pick something else since we did Thomas last year, but he said "when I'm 4 I'll still like Thomas" :) Good thing since we just redid his room!!! Gracie chose Sesame Street decorations. She likes Cookie Monster and Elmo a lot. So, now in the next few days we'll print off some pages to color to make the house decorated, I'll try and come up with some creative cake ideas and hopefully everything will fall into place for a couple of nice parties. :)

The Littlest Things

Isaac and Grace are so cute. It doesn't take much to get them excited. Tonight after supper we took a drive to go see the lake. Once we got to a place where we could see it from the car, we stopped and just looked at it for the longest time. Grace loved seeing the waves crash against the rocks and the water splashing up in the air. When it was time to go all we could hear from the back seat was "bye lake, bye water" etc etc. We took different roads home and we saw a horse that was being trained. That was exciting for them to watch, too. Earlier in the day, when Isaac was in Sunday School, Grace and I took a walk with our friends. Grace and Brett were facinated by every stick on the ground and leaf that blew by. Tonight before bed a tiny ladybug was found in our living room. They took turns having it crawl on their hands and laughing at how it could walk upside down. So many little things today to experience through their eyes. It's nice to be reminded that they don't need new things or big exotic adventures to have fun. For them, all they need is a drive around town, a walk around the block, or a displaced ladybug to be excited and bring them joy. :)

A Blast from the Past

A dear friend of ours from Houghton came to visit today. It's hard to believe that it has been almost 2 years since he last came to visit. We've talked on the phone and Francis has even met him for lunch, but he hadn't been here to see the kids in that long. What a fun afternoon of fellowship we had. We spent some of the time remembering all of the fun we had, especially the first year. It's amazing the things you forget, but once reminded of them the memories come flooding back. It makes me excited to reconnect with everyone again... maybe this summer even! Isaac and Grace just loved having a new friend to play with. Isaac's first question was "do you want to play with me?". He automatically assumes anyone who comes over is his new playmate :) Matt was a good sport and played trains and read stories to them. Isaac has affectionately called him "Uncle Matt" and as he drove away Isaac said "I'm going to miss Uncle Matt". Hopefully we'll get him back here sooner then this last time! :)

(this picture was taken at our last visit 2 years ago!)

The Other Side of Spring

What a rainy day we had today. Just another reminder that spring is here. It was so nice to hear the rain hitting the windows. We made the most of the day despite it's dreariness. We read a lot of books, the kids both took great naps, and I managed to get the house looking semi-decent... it wouldn't be a catastrophy if somebody just popped in! :) I am so thankful we have such a big house, especially the downstairs. Even on days like today, when Isaac and Grace aren't able to be outside running around, they were able to get some laps in between the living room, playroom and kitchen. It amazes me how much energy comes out of there little bodies... they just keep going and going and going. We're looking ahead to quite a busy month for us. I hope some of their energy will rub on to us. With 3 birthdays and parties and friends and family visits and our regular weekly activities we are going to be on the go. But it should be filled with lots of fun, laughs, and memories.. and maybe even some posts that are a little more exciting! We shall see... :)

1st Day of Spring...

Today was the first day I felt I really got to enjoy Spring! Isaac and I went for a walk while Gracie took her nap this afternoon. It was just so beautiful out... it was warm with a little breeze and there was plenty of sunshine. We spent time looking at different flowers that were peaking out of the ground. We were spying shapes that were formed by the cracks in the sidewalk. And "we" were overjoyed by the number of school buses we saw. :) After we got back from our walk all of us went over to our friends house and enjoyed some time outside with our kids. These friends of ours have 2 sons, both close in age to our kids, so it is always fun to get together. You could really tell the kids have missed being able to run around and play. They were all tired and ready for bed when we parted ways after supper. Spring is definitely my favorite season. I love the warmer temperatures, the new life you see all around you, and the chance to be outside and enjoy it all. Spring is here... get out and enjoy it!!! :)

Best of Friends?

Isaac and Grace are so fun to watch. Some days, or should I say some minutes they are laughing, playing, having fun together and a second later all I hear is screaming, screeching, and yelling. They are slowly learning how to play together and when they listen to each other and work together they have a great time. The hardest thing they are having to learn is to share. Neither of them usually want something until the other one has it, or even if they look at it! Grace is definitely an instigator. She will usually do something to Isaac (take a train, move pieces, etc.) and he will start yelling or crying or chasing her. She thinks it is the greatest thing and is laughing and running from him. Sometimes Francis and I just can't keep from laughing ourselves. We are trying to teach Isaac that she thinks what he does is funny, so she tries to do it again. If he would just ask us to help it wouldn't be as much of a game to her. At the same time, we are trying to teach Grace not to tease her brother and to leave his things alone when he is playing. There are days it feels like a never ending battle. Then there are times like tonight where they were both dancing and laughing together, giving each other hugs and having a great time... and that is when we smile and enjoy the moment for how ever long it lasts! :)

Playgroups

Today we had playgroup with some friends from MOPS. 5 of us moms gathered together in the basement of the house and just had some mommy time. Yes, there were 14 children running around, but we still managed to share with and support each other in the different places of our life. One is pregnant and due to give birth any day now, one just had a baby 5 weeks ago, one mom just took in 3 foster kids on top of the 6 of her own she had already, and then there was me... who was just forced to give up nursing her little girl! These girls supported me, they knew exactly how I was feeling, and they allowed me to feel that way without judgement. It was wonderful and I am so thankful for them and for the friendships I have with each one of them. :)