First Bike Ride of Spring

We had some lovely, warm, spring-like weather for about 2 seconds last weekend, so we got the bike trailer out and went for a ride! Quick! Before it's winter again!

I can't stand how cute this is! And no, we don't love Sophie more. We STILL need to get Owen a helmet. It's on next month's Target list.

We ended up stopping at a nearby Catholic church/school playground. I hope they don't mind that we're protestants.
The rubber boots made climbing a little difficult, but Owen managed.

I think my family is the cutest. Partly due to the following three pictures. Also because the kids are not biting, hitting, screaming at each other today (so far).

We had a lot of fun enjoying the out-of-doors. But now it's winter again. When I woke up today it was 18 degrees out. Blech.

Visiting the Grandparents: Part 2

Right after the kids got home from Black Grandma & Grandpa's, we re-packed and headed off to visit Yellow Grandma & Grandpa. We stayed for most of the week, even getting to watch Grandma do a radiation treatment. Sophie will tell you that the machine was giving Grandma medicine, but without a poke. We were on the go every day.

We spent one morning playing at the library.

Owen helped Grandpa get the grill ready for pork tenderloins.

We got sucked into American Idol and Dancing with the Stars. The kids loved "The Singing Show" and "The Dancing Show." Me too (secretly!).

We had treats. Owen didn't really enjoy his ice cream cone after this initial lick. I took care of it from there.
Sophie didn't share hers.

We visited a fun toy store in town.

The bride veil and window clings are courtesy of the dollar store, which we also visited. Grandma gave the kids each a few dollars to spend on anything they wanted. Sophie chose the veil, a huge sparkly ring and something else I can't remember. Owen came home with a new ball (which we forgot at Grandma's!) and a pirate sword + eye patch. We had a lot of fun, and there were still things we didn't get to. We decided to save a nearby children's museum for another visit. Maybe next time...

Visiting the Grandparents: Part 1

A few weekends ago, Greg took the kids out to his parents house for a visit so I could have some alone time. Well, mostly alone time. I had my college girlfriends over for a retreat at my house one of the nights. It was wonderful! Then I was a hermit for the rest of the weekend. That was wonderful too! I love to be by myself!

Here are some pictures Greg brought home to show what they did while they were missing me (yeah, right!).

Breakfast with Great Grandma C, who came up to visit

Playing at Grandma & Grandpa's library

We are hearty people up here in the frozen north!

I'm guessing that this is Russ trying to run away from the fireworks he just lit.

I'm also guessing this is my children watching said fireworks from the safety of the house.

Taking the ceremonial first bite from the new (homemade!) loaf of bread. It's a tradition.

Owen too!

The kids had great fun at black Grandma & Grandpa's house. Then they got home and I flurried around to unpack them, do laundry, and repack them to go to my parent's house... the next day. Visiting the Grandparents: Part 2, coming soon!

My Favorite Peeps

I am way behind on blogging, man! Here are some pictures to tide you over.

Reminder

Hey ladies! I've been out of town, so I missed my half-way through the month reminder...it's time to do your breast self-exam! I've done mine, now you do yours. Now... I mean it... Unless you're somewhere in public... Then wait... But do it!



Here's a reminder if you forgot how to do it. But seriously, it's not difficult.

Institute of Art

Our family went to an art museum downtown last weekend. I've been wanting to take the kids for some time now, but I wanted our first trip to be with reinforcements (ie. Daddy) just in case it didn't go so well. It actually went very well! And it was free (always is!). Unprompted, Sophie even said, "Can we go there again sometime?"

Even Owen did well. He did not run or touch things--my two biggest concerns.

(He was really only touching the protective glass here)

We saw a lot of statues...

...and paintings of "princesses."

But Sophie's favorite thing was this sarcophagus. We had to visit it 3 times. A sarcophagus, you say? Why on earth was that her favorite??! It was the sarcophagus of Ching Cheng, a Chinese prince. Still not sure? Sophie kept saying, "I want to see the coffin where the prince is buried." In this picture, she was trying to see inside the "coffin," but alas, there was no longer any prince inside it.

The museum also had a family center where the kids could relax a little and play with baskets of fun toys. Our kids loved these very cute wooden animals.

And I liked finally getting to sit down...even if it was on a tiny bench.