Let's Get Real...

Ok, I know it's been some time since I visited my little corner of Blogland.   I came by last night and read through old posts and remembered things about my kids that I had already forgotten.  I also came to a few conclusions.  I started this blog as a way to vent some of the frustrations that are inherent with attempting to raise (and who am I kidding? just living with) the smallest people in my home.  It has been a venue to document the good, bad, and often slightly ugly happening in our lives, but a place where I can also (eventually) see the humor in most of the daily situations of family life.  

I have also used this space to attempt (not always so well done) to keep connected with friends and family.  I have been a little frustrated at times with the lack of comments and wondering if anyone ever bothers to have a look at the antics of our home.  After strolling through the past few years online last night, I decided I don't care if anyone looks or comments.  This has become (at least for me and hopefully my husband and children) a chronicle of the little and not so little events and memories and precious moments in our lives.  

I decided to recommit to posting more often.  I'm not going to say how often, but I realized the importance of this family journal, even if this blog is just a place to keep it safe for awhile.  Life is busy, crazy busy in our house, but I don't want to miss out on recording and preserving little snippets of my children as they grow.  

With that said, our little family has grown since the last post.  More to come soon!

Half-pint Makes His Debut in the Art Show...

Half-pint's illustration was chosen favorite by his principle to be part of the school district wide art show that was showcased and open to the public at the local outlet mall a few weeks ago. We were so proud of his work! There was a reception one evening during the show's run and we were able to see his art on public display! For now, it hangs in the library at his school, and eventually it will be returned to Half-pint. Way to go Kiddo!!!

below text taken from Half-pint's school art show web-page.  thanks art teacher!!!

" “...The Three Little Kittens Have Lost Their Mittens…”  Do you remember this fun nursery rhyme? Third grader (Half-pint) used this as inspiration to create his very own illustration. This illustration really captures the essence of that story and communicates it’s message extremely well. Not to mention that it is an adorable illustration. "

Blood Moon...

A few weeks ago, I happened to be awake for the lunar eclipse and woke the older two boys up to see it.  Thankfully, we could see it from their bedroom window so they didn't even need to go outside.  Half-pint tried to figure out why on earth I was wide awake at 2:00 in the morning and excitedly telling them about the eclipse.  I simply replied that I had been awake for awhile (actually for nearly an hour when I woke them up!).  I did go outside to set up my tripod to get a photo or two.  It was another hour or so before I got back into bed, to have Half-pint wake up screaming from a particularly bad nightmare shortly after I dozed off.  It ended up being a short night of sleep for me, but the eclipse was pretty cool.

Happy Easter 2014...

Grandma, this one is for you!

Here's the boys this morning before church...
We had a great day celebrating with family after church.

Checking out their Easter baskets: Legos, Book, sidewalk chalk, small chocolate bunny, and some M&Ms

Stuck Between A Rock And A Hard Place...

Zoo Day....

I took the boys to the zoo for a little summer fun.  It was fun...but very HOT!  We had to stop for ice cream just to cool down!

We ate our way through the park, with specially bought snacks just for the occasion (Oreos, Twinkies, Chips Ahoy-Soft (that soft is VERY important...2 stops to get the correct cookies), beef jerky, crackers, yogurt, etc).  We ate SO much junk, the boys said "Don't tell Dad" and "We better eat a really healthy dinner tonight!"

We did have fun, despite the heat!  We basically wandered the entire zoo that hot, hot afternoon.  

Here's my little hoodlum - complete with crooked hat and sagging shorts...eaten' it up.

And my 3 monkeys checking out the Great Apes

They had a great time watching the Gibbons swinging all around it's enclosure.  We all agreed that it would be pretty fun to brachiate like they do!

This is my personal favorite to see...the Cassowary (or "Dinosaur Bird" as I like to call it).  It has HUGE feet with SHARP claws...And I just think it looks pretty primeval.

And this is something you don't see everyday, as Half-pint put it when showing the pictures to Daddy.  He's right though, I've been to the zoo a lot and I don't think I've ever seen this before!  I'm sure it happens--Tigers can climb--but it was fun to come upon it.

Look carefully in the center of the photo...then below for a closer shot

Close up from inside the building...

Easter (Just a Little Late)...

Okay, so I haven't been very good about posting recently (I still need to post about all the reasons I haven't been posting).  Here's the yearly photos of the boys together on Easter!  Since Half-pint was baptized earlier this year (a post on that later...I promise) he has been wearing ties to church...so we make Quarter-pint wear one as well.  Peewee-pint doesn't want to be left out and insists on wearing a tie "like big boys"!  I think it's adorable!

After church, we headed to Grandma's house for a nice dinner, and the traditional Easter egg hunt in the backyard with cousins.  

Peewee-pint even had it figured out this year.  
The boys got a new pair of pajamas in their Easter baskets; Quarter-pint and Peewee-pint insisted on wearing them to Grandma's house.

Half-pint won the Egg War this year.  He beat Aunt C5, and he was pretty pleased with himself!

We also enjoyed Carrot Cupcakes that Aunt C6 helped make. 

They were delicious!  I think each of the boys ate two or three!