Recap

We have been so busy lately! So much to blog, so very little time...

So, to briefly recap events of recent:

Lunch in Indy with Diane (aka HONEY) and Shelby, my Mom, McKinley and I. Buca Di Beppo. Shopping at Castleton. Awesome! It was a gorgeous day and we really enjoyed spending time with Diane & Shelby. I love this pic!

Another fun outing was our impromptu dinner with the Douglas Fam. Cary, McKinley and I had a blast that evening visiting with our friends. The night was complete with Baby Ollie sleeping peacefully the entire time while our ditzy waiter danced around us and gave us over sweetened tea (YUCK. I HATE SWEET TEA), extra rice and a heart attack as he bumped Ollie's car seat, nearly toppling the newborn. YIKES! Aside from that, it was so great to spend time with them, as always. The boys (McKinley & Lincoln) were as cute as usual, arm in arm, being cheesy for the camera. So cute!

Finally, it's that time again! Spring Planting! This year McKinley picked out a pumpkin, a sunflower and a watermelon to grow from seeds. McKinley really enjoyed the entire process: moisten peat pellet with water, allow to expand, place seeds in peat, cover with soil and wait for some action! I'm happy to report the sunflower and watermelon have already sprouted and need planting this week! That was fast!

It certainly is an extra busy time for us right now! We are blessed with wonderful friends and family, fun events and special times together, and are grateful to have so many great opportunities to report!

Happy Spring!

Lynn

EGGcelent Family Activities!

As unreal as it may seem, it is Easter Weekend. I'm shocked at how quickly it has crept up on us. Seriously! So, it is time once again to dye the Easter Eggs and hit the City Hunt!

Last night we did our Egg Dying - and how sweet was McKinley wanting to do it all 'myself'!!! He colored on several eggs, then we dipped them together. I wrote our names on 3 eggs, and into the bath they went! McKinley chose when each egg was 'done' or needed 'more' color, then together we set them aside to dry. He was so excited this year! What a big boy!

Today, it was time for the City's annual Easter Egg Hunt. I wasn't so sure we would return after last year's experience, but it's right around the corner and why not?! Right?! So, off we went! It was rainy and wet, so McKinley donned his favorite galoshes and an extra layer of clothing. I wasn't surprised that the turn out was not so great as last year - the rain took care of that, but there was still a big crowd! We got in line (after family friend and photographer for the newspaper took our pic), and waited. The waiting took MUCH longer than the actual hunt, but it didn't matter when I saw how giggly and happy McKinley was while hunting for the eggs. He scored quite a few and when we opened them we found that he won a little rubber bunny. While we were still there a staff member brought us an arm load of more eggs, where McKinley won a train whistle! He already has one, but hey! TRAINS! He loved it.

This evening we will go visit the Easter Bunny one last time before he visits our home this evening! Wonder what the Bunny will bring our boy?!?!

Lynn

Perfect Mommy & Boy Day

What fun I had with my boy today! Most Saturdays Cary has to work, so that puts a damper on things when we can't all be together, but McKinley and I definitely made the best of it today. Another Build & Grow Clinic was scheduled, so we headed off to Starbucks for McKinley's favorite pumpkin bread and a nice skinny mocha for Mommy. At Lowe's, we picked our carpet squares and started hammering away on the cutest kaleidoscope! McKinley was a great little handy man, helping me with the instructions and hammering together. And as usual, he loved helping pick up at the end of the clinic. The result was this adorable kaleidoscope and a very happy little boy.

After Lowe's, I needed to do a little shopping...so my little helper tagged along with me. It was so fun! Once in the car I asked McKinley if he was hungry. Yes! Then I asked him what he would like to eat. Mac & Cheese and salad! Okay! So, how about Panera? YES!!!!! Panera it is! We split a mac & cheese and salad and a yogurt parfait with fruit and granola. YUM!

Time to head home for a nap, we piled back into the car and went home. While McKinley napped I got ready for my first overnight trip away from McKinley and Cary EVER. It was a friend's bachelorette party in Indy. I found much comfort in knowing that I had been fortunate enough to spend a beautiful day with my son doing some fun things and making great memories. I also found much comfort in knowing that my son's evening would be spent with his Daddy, making more fun 'boy time' memories.

Life is good. I count my blessings constantly. Today was the perfect day for me and McKinley. And as always, I look for more beautiful days like this to come.

Lynn

More Picnicing!

Lately Spring has happily relieved our winter blues/cabin fever. With another gorgeous day, and Wee Read on the sched, per Kylie's suggestion, the Douglas boys & Mommy, Semmler kiddos & Mommy and McKinley and I met at the park for a fabulous post-Wee Read picnic.

The weather was AWESOME! Still cool enough to wear a jacket but sunny and breezy enough to make you think this spring thing is going to stick around for a while.

We lunched in a shelter and the kids loved it! They didn't/couldn't stay still for long though, soon McKinley was begging to walk the little train tracks. So, I told him to ask his friends' Mommies if they could go and off we went, leaving Robin, Kylie and baby boys behind to rest and bond.

We had a blast chugging along the track together. Midway through, the kids started getting a wee bit antsy, so I rounded up four great sticks, handed them out and started directing traffic. We did some great little activities, ala simon says, and the kids were loving it. Then we marched. And we marched. And we marched....all the way to the little train garage where we each had to knock on the garage door (wonder who's idea that was??? Trains. Garages. McKinley.) We headed back to the babies and mamas and it was time for Lincoln to head home for naptime. Savannah and McKinley decided they should hit the playground for a bit, so Robin and I packed everything up and hit the playground! The kids played together for a long time, it was sweet to watch. They climbed, they swung, they pretended to sleep in the tunnel (much to the chagrin of a young cowboy-boot-wearing boy who just really wanted to play in the dang tunnel).

Very soon it was past naptime, so we headed out...not without some major protest from McKinley, despite being given several 5, 3 and 1 minute warnings from Robin and me. It has been so long since we could all run and play freely without risking frost bite, I can't blame the kid too much!

It was a fabulous day spent with wonderful friends and adorable kids (obviously...look at the pic!). Can't wait to do it again!

Lynn

A Little Preview...

...of the serious cuteness to come:

This evening Cary and I took McKinley to be fitted for his tuxedo for a friend's wedding in May. Let's just say that there has never, in the history of ring bearers, been a more handsome choice. I am sure of it.

I couldn't quit oohing and ahhing in sheer amazement of how adorable our son looked in a tuxedo.

I mean look at him:

Need I say more?
Lynn

Are We There Yet???

Road trip!

We spent today in northern Indiana visiting friends, The Joppek's & Family. And from the moment we pulled OUT of the DRIVEWAY, the next 2 and half hours were filled with, "Are we there yet, Mommy & Daddy?" and "Where's Lila's HOUSE???". I was so excited to be invited to Valarie's Baby Shower and even more excited to be able to see my friend Vanessa and her daughter, Lila. Sadly, we had to miss Lila's 3rd bday party because of the last snow of the winter. I was so disappointed then, but everything worked out so well!

I had a lovely time at the shower. While I was there, McKinley & Cary had some bonding time. On Vanessa's (awesome!) suggestion, the boys headed to Tyler's Tender, a train themed restaurant geared toward children. Hello, PERFECT! McKinley LOVES trains - any size, any kind, any color, real or pretend - so this was UP HIS ALLEY.

According to Cary, the set up was similar to a Chucky Cheese kind of thing, order your food and play. As you can imagine, there was little eating on McKinley's part. Instead, he spend his time admiring the HUGE model trains, playing in the arcade with Daddy (shooting hoops to be specific) and riding on the BIG kiddie train - as the CONDUCTOR, no less. The very first thing he told me when he saw me was the he pulled the horn! Truthfully, I think he told me eleven times about pulling the horn...I think he liked it.

When the boys arrived to pick me up, I brought them inside so we could give Lila her belated bday gift. The kids played and squealed and hugged and chased for the longest time. It was so great to see! I can't believe these babies, four months apart...and a sentimental journey for me to have been pregnant at the same time as Vanessa...are now 3 and 2 1/2! Looking back to their first 'meeting' at McKinley's baptism, we all laughed as Lila kept pulling McKinley's paci out of his mouth. He totally let her, didn't mind a bit. They were so taken by each other! Look! A fellow baby! Babies no more, these kids were having conversations about the golf course just outside the window, and about cake and birthdays and 'all kinds of stuff', to quote McKinley.

Soon, we had to leave to head back to the Haute (but not until we got our Target & Boston's Pizza Fix...Pesto's, we'll see you next time! Sorry we missed ya!), but it was so nice spending time with Vanessa, her expecting sister and their families. The boy-time was an added bonus!

What a great weekend! Pics below!

Lynn

Be Irish & Have Cupcakes

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

Today McKinley and I hit Wee Read with Robin & Savannah. The kids were seriously cute bedecked in their St. Patrick's Day t's. I mean, WAY cute. McKinley was sporting his 'Mommy's Lucky Charm' hat, some Paddy's Day beads and shades and a huge smile. Savannah was too cute in her mary jane's, green pig tails and beads too.

After Wee Read, Caboodle Cupcakes was an absolute must - I mean, they had GREEN VELVET CUPCAKES complete with shamrock sprinkles! So, we skipped lunch for a treat! Rare, but fun...and so worth it. Savannah & McKinley got 'into' their cakes, as is the norm, and the owner was smitten. We even picked cupcakes for Rick (Savannah's Daddy), Cary and my Mom. McKinley picked the Green Velvet for Daddy & Nonna, they were boxed so sweet and ready for delivery.

When we bid the Semmler Girls a jolly goodbye to our Top O'The Mornin', McKinley and I placed the cupcakes inside the car and set out to be Daddy & Nonna's leprechans. McKinley was so excited to give Daddy his cupcake while he was working. It totally made Cary smile...and me cry a little...so special. Next we headed to Nonna's house. I had to call her to ask if she would meet us in her courtyard, sans the dogs. I knew pretty cupcake would be pretty smooshed, licked and slobbered-on cupcake if there were remotely close! Again McKinley was beyond excited to be the delivery boy with the Green Velvet cupcake, and Nonna was obviously happy. Poor Luther & Hadley watch (and slobbered) from the front door. Not sure they got a taste of that one...Caboodle Cupcakes and sharing do NOT go hand-in-hand.

Soon, it was time for our little leprechan to have a little post-treat lunch, then a nap. This St. Patrick's Day has been so fun! Here's to many more Irish Blessings!

Lynn

Car Wash, Yeah!

Workin' at the Car Wash, Yeah!
Okay, so it's a wee bit early for some front-yard car washing, but the nice burst of warm weather (and some new wax) gave Cary a great idea! Get that nasty winter gunk OFF the car! So, he grabbed McKinley, who happily donned his new boots, and off they went.
I was getting ready for a little girls night with Robin, but looked outside and saw the following, so cute! I could just hear "Car Wash" playing in the background!

Those are my boys!!!

Lynn

McCutie & Lucky Girl

We Love Lowe's Build & Grow Clinics! Today my Mom and I took McKinley & Savannah to the clinic to build an adorable little tabletop basketball goal - it even keeps score! We got inside and settled and McKinley & Savannah wanted to wear their aprons. I caught the cutest photo of them sitting side by side, Savannah resting her head on McKinley's back. It was a darling moment! Soon, we opened our little project packages and got to work. The kids were so good and so eager to share the duties of 'banging' together, they even took a little 'snooze' break, pretending to nap while we finished up the project. Having two toddlers assembling a wooden project takes a little longer than the 'recommended' 7 and 8 year olds, so we were the last guests in the room. McKinley & Savannah were THRILLED when my childhood friend, Amanda (who happens to run the Build & Grow Clinics at our local Lowe's) asked them if they would like to help her put away the carpet squares and pick up any trash left over. They did such a great job and were a big help to Amanda!

After the Clinic, we headed off for a quick errand, to grab lunch and then meet up with Savannah's Mommy, Robin and her brand new baby bro, Austin for the Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade, near our home. Thankful to have that picnic blanket once again (man, has that thing come in handy), we spread the blanket down and let the kids sit to wait for the parade. They didn't sit long! Once the parade (and candy throwing) commenced, they were on their feet!
McKinley & Savannah were seriously STINKING cute in their matching shirts (McCutie & Lucky Girl) that I made, along with their green shirts, socks, head and neck gear. ADORABLE! Even Robin, Austin and I got in on the wearin' O'the Green!

The parade was a hit - much larger than last year, though it was really cool and my Mom spent most of the parade inside our car for warmth. The kids were too busy looking at all the floats, displays and CANDY to be bothered by the cool weather, they were having a blast! I'm amazed at how quickly they really caught onto the candy-catching. This morning, on the way out the door, I grabbed a little bag to put McKinley St. Paddy's Day garb in...it came in very handy as our designated candy bag. The kids were eager to throw their captured candy into the bag. At the end of the parade, we easily had between 8 and 10 POUNDS of candy - the bag was full, to the top!

Soon, the parade was over and it was time for Austin to eat and McKinley & Savannah to take a nap. It was a big day! Lots of fun with the kids, family and dear friends. I just wish Cary & Rick didn't have to work and could have joined us! Oh well, they reaped the candy rewards at least!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Lynn

Resume picnicing

After a brief hiatus for winter, today we resumed picnic season. Yay!!! Our lovely day started out with Wee Read at the library. McKinley and I always have so much fun, though today we definitely missed our friends, Kylie & Lincoln and Robin & Savannah. Both families have just had beautiful baby boys and were unable to join us today.

After Wee Read, we came home to load up some yummy goodness for lunch. I packed a basket of pbj, hummus pita, snack mix, an apple, yogurt and drinks. Perfect! We called Nonna to see if she and her crew wanted to join us, then we were off! McKinley helped me choose where to sit, no surprise that he wanted to be as close to the little train tracks as possible. May 1st isn't coming soon enough for him - that's how much longer we have to wait for the train to reopen. Boo.

We all arrived at the same time, Nonna and the boys having walked over to join us. It was a gorgeous day - GORGEOUS! Luther and Hadley (Mom's new addition) were all about taking in the spring smells, all the fellow dogs walking in the park with their families, and trying to sneak a pretzel or two from McKinley.

After lunch, McKinley (SURPRISE!) requested that we walk the little train tracks. We met a new little friend - a boy just a few months younger - and his family. The little boy loves to walk the tracks just as much as McKinley! Matter of fact, they came to the park just to do that!

We had such a nice afternoon together! When we arrived home, it was time for McKinley's nap and it was so nice out that I opened up all the windows to let the perfect spring air inside.

What a nice day to share with my boy!

Lynn

Almost...

What a lovely taste of spring we've had over the last few days. It has been so nice to see the sun, even be warmed by its rays! It has been a long, snowy winter and we have all had some serious cabin fever.
On a whim (after being hounded several times by McKinley), I decided it was time for us to hit the park. We didn't stay long (still chilly), but it was long enough to give us a healthy dose of Spring, Sun, and the sweet outdoors. McKinley had so much fun walking the little train tracks with his "park stick" and running like the wind.

I'm hopeful that this weather sticks around for a while. Come on SPRING, you're ALMOST here!

Lynn