Spring Program

Carson has his spring program this morning. Based on our experience with the Christmas program I wasn't expecting much. You see he didn't sing, dance or move at Christmas mostly pouted. This morning at breakfast we told him he better sing loud so mommy and daddy could hear him. His response was for us to sit in the front row. Sneaky devil. We didn't quite make it to the first row. Some of those parents must show up at the crack-o-dawn to get their seat because we were there 25 minutes early and they were all gone. Ah, the pressure of being the front row parent. But we did get ourselves an end seat so that was a plus.

Mr. Carson some how scored himself the all important position of Line Leader as they all came in.

And he got to stand by his best friend Andrew so all was right in preschool world.

Watching 36 preschoolers sing and dance is hilarious and so entertaining. Some barely moved and were very stiff (like the boy in the tie on the bottom left) others were singing at the top of their lungs and dancing like a crazy child, one child when the teacher announced what song they would be singing shouted, "not again" (I think its been non-stop practice for a few days) and yet another child was jumping off every step of the bleacher. What a hoot! I can't wait for the next program.

Playing the hand bells (our camera batteries died on us so its a short clip).

Singing Whose the King of the Jungle.

My favorite song they sand...I Just Want To Be A Sheep.

20 Weeks

20 weeks down, 20 weeks to go. Or maybe only 19 weeks to go considering the baby is measuring about 6 days ahead. God help me if this is another Carson.....9lbs 6oz and about 60 lbs gained. I lost 60+ pounds once I'm not certain I'd be granted that good fortune again. Either way the baby is healthy (and if gaining that weight means a healthy baby, I'm ok with that) and looking good, at least what we could see of it. Seems the peanut is facing down and looking towards my back so we couldn't see much of it's face. But we did get to see its little arms flailing about. So precious. Heartbeat was right at 154 (the boys were 155 the whole way through).

I've been blessed with the opportunity to participate in a study through the University of South Dakota so we will actually get to see the baby 2 more times before he or she makes her appearance. For now here are some of our pictures.

The spine is across the top on the left and its face is looking down on the right.

Best sound to a pregnant mommy....the Fetal Heart Rate and a picture of a healthy heart.

2 little (but they actually look kind of big) baby feet.

And a profile shot with its little fist sticking up in the air.

And me in all my glory at 20 weeks.

Future Artist

Carson's last "real" day of preschool was yesterday. Tomorrow they have a school program and next Tuesday is a park/fun day. So yesterday was the big day that all the school supplies and every last paper came home in his backpack. He was so excited about it that it was the first thing out of his mouth when I picked him up and the whole car ride home (which included a trip through the car wash). When we got home he ran right upstairs with his backpack and insisted that I sit next to him so he could show me all his stuff.

He pulled out his supply box to show me all his markers, glue, scissors, crayons and pencils. I noticed that all (seriously ALL) the crayons looked like they were brand new, just like when I sent them to school back in September. I asked him if he even used his crayons and his reply was, "No, I like my mawkews bedda." Really? He has to be the only kid who comes home with perfect crayons after 9 months of school.

The teachers did put together a portfolio for each kid to let parents see their child's progress in name writing, cutting, tracing and my personal favorite, self portraits. I took some pictures so you could see just how far our budding artist has come, it's quite impressive.

This was his first attempt at a self portrait in Sept. No mouth, just some eyes and a nose.

October's version included some arms, legs, mouth and even some hair.

January is pretty close to October just a little bigger. But his arms are now coming out of his head.

And this my dear readers would be April's version. He's even got feet and ears!

I love this weather.

I'm not going to complain about the fact that it was almost 90 yesterday and that is supposed to be 90 today and again tomorrow. But holy crap....it's hot and I'm pregnant and it's only May 19th. Enough said.

It was so nice out last night that we let the boys do this.....

I'm fairly certain he is praying to God that he does not have to go back through that sprinkler. He's not a fan.

But this one the other hand couldn't get enough.

Note to self: A plastic sprinkler cannot withhold the weight of a 40 pound toddler.

He may just be taking a swing at me. Maybe.

Baseball, Park and the Zoo

I'm wondering how many posts in a row I can go with pictures of the kids at the park. Looks like I am at 3. Tis the season for park adventures I guess. For the record....none of these pictures in the last 3 posts have been from the same park. That has to count for something right?

Oh roller slide.....how the boys have missed you all winter. No need for fancy parks with all the bells and whistles. Just give them a roller slide and they will be entertained for quite awhile.


-------------------------------------------

Baseball...our new favorite thing to play at home.

Keeping his eye on the ball.

Even Declan likes to play.

But not when he gets hit in the head.

-----------------------------

Carson's last field trip of the year was today. A trip to the zoo!

I have no idea how we managed to line up 15 4 year olds for this picture.

Carson and his best friend Andrew.

Fun at the Park

A whole lotta catchup

Spring! It's here! I love spring. It smells good. It looks good. It feels good. It is the BEST season. Today we didn't get in the car to go anywhere, we didn't need to go to the store or Target or run any other kind of errand. We got in the bike and went to the park. Then we came home and had lunch on the deck with daddy. I love spring because it makes me appreciate being a stay at home mom even more. Days like today are simply the best! As you can see the boys were thrilled to be outside. So much stuff to climb on, so many places to run around and so much energy to use up!

I even tried to snap a picture of the boys by the river. They, along with most children I assume, have difficulty taking a decent picture. It either turns out serious and weird....

or goofy! Good thing they're so cute.

Tomorrow I will be 18 weeks. I feel MUCH better. Thank Goodness!! But man has this been the longest 18 weeks of my life. I've felt a few small kicks here and there and we have our ultrasounds scheduled for later this month (no we won't find out the sex). I must be showing enough or my neighbor is very brave. She came out on the porch today and yelled across the street wondering if I was pregnant. Good thing I was otherwise that would have been a major open mouth insert foot moment.

And some random photos I have to share.

Despite cutting off all his hair Declan still has the ability to sport some crazy hair.

Go Twins!


I was left alone this weekend for the WHOLE weekend. Yes you read that right...no kids, no husband, no poopy diapers (but we have had 6 between both boys since their return, I've changed and wiped all of them.), no early morning wakings, no tantrums, no whining, no PB&J making, no lego playing...you get the drift. It was GLORIOUS! My biggest project for the weekend was painting the bathroom. I don't really want to talk about it, let's just say I am NEVER painting a bathroom again. I love how it is turning out but it was one big pain in the butt and took me ALL DAY on Saturday.

And here's a sneak peek of our new blue bathroom. I'm still trying to put it back together and put everything back where it belongs so until that is done this will have to do. I'll hopefully be back later this week with some before and after photos of our new blue bathroom.