The Men Head to the Arboretum; May 2014

Monday, May 5th was like Good Friday for us. Seth had elected to work the holiday of Good Friday and take May 5th off in place of it because it was Austin's parent/teacher conference at school. It was nice to have Seth along because otherwise I'm relaying all the information and he thought to ask questions that I didn't. Afterward, the boys dropped me at home and headed to the Arboretum (thanks to AM and Mike, we have a family pass again). It was a nice time at home by myself and the boys had a good time exploring together. And Seth managed to get some pictures!

Cute Pic Post -- April 2014

April was a full month! We had Easter, Bluebonnets, and Soccer. Georgia got her spring haircut, Seth was out of town for two separate weeks, Graham turned into a super duper climber/runner, I started a photography class (it's free!), we're newly involved in a small group, I ordered new glasses, Graham had a double ear infection, Austin had pink eye (or something), Seth had a sinus infection and then both boys got a 24-hour stomach bug. Whew! We need a break around here.

This kid is a climbing fool!

And he loves dipping his chips in salsa.

He wanted a picture of him with his new "cumbrella" Nonnie gave him.

A. Climbing. Fool. Just found him sitting up there!

chocolate EVERYWHERE

bubbles!

I'm in a photography Facebook and the theme this week was Get Low. I got some fun shots of the boys just from sitting on the floor!

He's reacting to something on tv.

climbing, climbing, climbing

Austin actually makes it up that whole thing!

Not complete until there's a sleeping picture.
And he's sound asleep in this picture.

And so is Graham in these pictures.

Shamrock Shake Month!

Outside playing and eating popsicles.

Red/Gray, Gray/Red
Unintentional, of course.

Georgia got a badly-needed haircut!

We were at our friend's house and they played with the remotes and until they got something to happen!

I found this a month late, but it's still gave a great picture!

Sound asleep during Home Group.

This is how soccer starts... some rules remindering.

"no, I'm not sleepy."

Funky First eye.

He loves to sit on laps!

School pictures came in. SO CUTE!

Shopping for new glasses. I chose the smaller of the two by unanimous vote!

I started putting his backpack on him with hopes that it'll slow him down.

Funky Second Eye.

A brother-induced accident left this giant mark. 

Not. Quite. Right.

I love that I caught Graham smiling at the tv.
Two boys under my blankie in their jammies.

A great day to go planking!

I love that these came in so well this year!
And I love that my husband has started using his green thumb!

Easter Season 2014

Easter was a little different this year. Instead of us hosting it (like we have since we moved to Dallas), Spencer and Cheryl decided to host. And they went. to. town! We don't own many Easter decorations, so I have a wreath and a fake flower set in the guest bathroom. But the table at S&C's was gorgeous and there were fun decorations all over the place! It was so fun to see their house (we hadn't been there in forever, even though it's only 40 minutes away) and to see it all decorated was extra fun.

So this was our day: we got up, went to church, came home to Easter baskets (I hid them and they had to find them) and some playing with our new toys, we dyed eggs and then ate lunch and laid down for naps. When the boys woke up, we changed back into our Easter Clothes and headed to McKinney. We did an egg hunt there basically right away, before the rain that was scheduled for later that evening, and I managed to get some good photos of that (which is basically my number 1 priority for the day! lol). And then we went inside for Nonnie presents followed by dinner and Frozen. Yes, we watched Frozen. It was raining at that point, so it was a fun way to connect. And a special highlight for me was when Delaney needed her hair brushed. She let me do it AND let me braid it. Such little things I don't get to do with my boys...

Enjoy some pictures from our day!

Graham's basket was "hidden" in their sleep room under the desk area. I think I'll keep to small things that fit into the basket from now on.

Austin's was hidden behind my chair in the green room.

Buster Introduction from Sena Spofford on Vimeo.

Graham getting into his basket:

Then Austin found his and we started playing. (I managed to get zero pictures of Austin "opening" his basket.) Graham soaked his clothes with some poor water-drinking, so his clothes went into the dryer to wear again later, so he's sorta naked in the next few photos.

Graham's t-ball set

He knew exactly what to do!

They each got a pair of sunglasses.

This is the best I got of both boys wearing their Easter Clothes.

loves his goggles! Aunt Carrie, we're ready for your pool!

A bubblewand instantly becomes a sword...
which is then used on a grumpy brother.

Best I got of all three men.

Then we played with the bubbles for real!

And more t-ball. Austin's really good! And usually bats left-handed though we've never encouraged one way or the other.

Then we moved inside to paint eggs. This was a fun change this year!

Seth's

mine

Austin's

Graham's

Then we went to Spencer and Cheryl's and it was time to hunt eggs!

He had no idea what to do at first, but hauled that basket outside with purpose.
And then immediately handed it to Gramps. lol

Once he figured it out, he was great!

Austin was great too!

All 5 cousins: Graham, Austin, Ireland, Turner, Delaney. Ages left to right: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9.

Nonnie Presents time!

I know he's blinking, but I loved this face he was making.
The toy dances around to The Chicken Dance.

Looking back, I very much enjoyed the day. Having an Easter Supper was nice because it meant we could spend more time together just our little family. I wouldn't dye eggs ON Easter again because it made things too tight, but we just hadn't made time for them the day before. I think we might dip-dye them next year, but I really enjoyed the painting, so who knows. I will continue to hide their baskets, but plan on incorporating a bit of a scavenger hunt like my mom used to do for me. I also enjoyed that they both got naps because it made staying together as family much more enjoyable and less-stressed for me (because if they miss a bunch of sleep, they turn into terrors and that affects me in the day-in, day-out of life). I didn't feel the pressure of they-aren't-getting-enough-sleep-tomorrow's-going-to-suck. I will also absolutely get a picture of them in their Easter Clothes. Not sure I did that in years past, but I love that one of them. And I love the one of them with their cousins.

Did you do anything new this year? I love to hear how people celebrate life!