The Weekend

I still need to blog about our Easter, but we had a great weekend and really enjoyed the nice weather!

Friday night was low key.  Wally had a game and the kids and I watched Mary Poppins.  And then you will never believe what happened?!?!  Paige pooped on the potty!  We have had the little potty out for quite awhile now and she likes to sit on it with her diaper on, but on Friday, I was in the bathroom and she came in too (I mean, are we ever alone in the bathroom again???).  She insisted on taking all of her clothes off, including her socks, and I figured I might as well encourage her.  And sure enough she pooped.  I seriously could not believe it!  I was freaking out and of course made it a huge deal and kept telling her she is a big girl.  I think she was a little confused and grossed out!  I am sure it was a fluke, but we might go with it a bit and then do the 3-day potty training method we did with Luke at some point - we'll see!

On Saturday, Luke had gymnastics and Wally had only practice in the morning.  The afternoon consisted of lots of outdoor fun, filing our taxes (leave it to the accountant to wait until the last week!) and then we headed to Morris to meet our friends for dinner.  Apparently Chili's is one of very few restaurants there because it was packed.  I think they thought we were crazy when we told them we needed 12 seats and 4 high chairs and we weren't willing to split up.  So after over an hour wait, we were finally seated.  And I can't even say enough how good all of the kids were.  We were even complimented by our server before we left.  So proud of our kids, but we might try to find a better gathering place next time!

Daddy's and their baby girls!



Patiently waiting!



8 adults and 8 kids!



Sunday was a super productive day.  As always, we were up early so I headed to the grocery store and then we were off to church.  Since it was so nice out, we walked over to the park by church.  Then it was lunch time and some backyard fun while Wally did some yard work and I washed some windows and outdoor furniture.  During Paige's nap, Wally and Luke headed to the front yard for some more yard work and I worked on finishing up gathering and tagging the items I am bringing to a consignment sale this week.  Once Paige woke up we headed to our neighborhood park.  Two parks in one day?  Luke was thrilled!  We grilled out for dinner and called it a night.  Super great weekend!











And then the nerves kicked in as they do every year when we get outside - the climbing! There is no stopping Paige this year!













She loved the slide! She kept saying "one more"!



Then it was time for a picnic!
  






Oh and I had to share this picture:



He is getting so good at writing our last name!  (just missing an "S"!)

Going way back here - Siesta Key Vacation

I am trying to get caught up on the photo books that I always have plans to do every year but never get around to it.  I have had a couple of coupons for free 8x8 books so I thought I would start easy with a book on our vacation to Siesta Key, FL way back in 2010!  (By sharing this on the blog I also get another $10 off coupon!)
Luke was about Paige's age on this vacation.  Look at those chubby cheeks - he was so little!

Click here to view this photo book larger

Create your own personalized photo books at Shutterfly.com.

Baseball in March

Last year, baseball in March looked like this (so little and so Summer-y):



This year, it looked like this (so big and so Spring-y):



But at least it was warm enough that we could get outside.





Luke was really paying attention for the first inning.





With Wally's move up to Varsity this year, I am actually excited to get out to some games.



Although, most of the time, these two kids make it a little difficult to actually watch the game.







(Deep thoughts with Coach Z. at the end of an inning!)



I had many parents come up to me to first comment on how cute Luke and Paige are (and to remind me how quickly time passes) and second to comment on how excited their sons were to have Coach Z. at the varsity level this year.  It is so nice for both Wally and I to hear that.  Baseball is time consuming, but I think we both know that the returns are worth it.

The Thunderbolts came out on top over Marian Catholic (the reigning state champs - they beat LP last year at State) 14-2. 



And as I am putting this post together, I am listening to the Cubs kick off their season - it's baseball time!!!

Deep Thoughts with Luke

(This was a conversation that I want to remember so I wanted to get it written down as quickly as possible while it was still fairly fresh in my head.)


In the car afterschool today:

Luke: We had prayer service today, but it was dark and we looked at pictures. We can go to church on Good Monday (he meant Friday) and look at pictures and when we are done we can kiss the statue of Jesus.

Me: Oh so you looked at the Stations of the Cross in church?

Luke: Yes

(quiet)

Luke: Mommy, will you die?

Me: Yes, I will. Everybody dies, but we will live a long time yet and spend lots of time together.

Luke: You will die?

Me: Yes, but not for a long time when I am very old.

Luke: When you are 100?

Me: Wouldn’t that be cool if I was 100 years old? That would be a pretty great life.

Luke: (laughing)Daddy will die because he is way older than us.

Me: (laughing) Maybe, but he will be around for a long time still.

(pause)

Luke: Will you come back?

Me: No, but I will be in heaven waiting for you.

Luke: I will go to heaven?

Me: You will, but not for a very long time.

Luke: Why won’t you come back?

Me: When you die, you go to heaven to see Jesus and God and the all of the angels and it is so beautiful.

Luke: What is it Mommy? What did you say?

Me: (I repeated myself.)

Luke: Where will we live there?

Me: Oh, I bet they have some pretty neat houses in heaven.
(pause)

Luke: You know the good superheroes get rid of the villains.

Me to myself: I guess our conversation about heaven and dying is over.

_______________________________________________________________________________

I immediately got a terrible feeling in my stomach when Luke asked if I was going to die. I wasn’t expecting this conversation and how sad for a little boy to think about his mommy not being here. But then it made me smile to have this conversation with Luke. I shouldn’t be surprised that he was asking these questions. He is very inquisitive and it is the Easter season. He is learning at school and from Wally & I, through Easter books we have been reading, that Jesus died for us and then came back. I am sure there is some confusion since he knows Jesus died and came back, but then I said I wouldn’t be coming back. I just followed his lead though and did not give him more information than he was asking for or could process.

Hopefully I answered his questions in a way that lets him know I am not going anywhere anytime soon, but when we do die, there is a special place for us (so long as we deserve it, right?).

What I do know for sure, though, is that Wally and I have a very special little boy.

Chocolate Love

As I mentioned in the previous post, we made brownies on Sunday.  The kids like to help stir and of course lick the bowl and spoon.  Everything was cute and sweet and everybody was clothed when we first started!








But then clothes started coming off (don't worry we were the only ones eating these brownies so we shared our germs!). 





































And then clothes had to come off because of chocolate faces like this!



And then things started to get a little crazy! 





Luke decided he was done - either he is a very sweet brother and decided to let his sister have the rest or he had his chocolate fix for the day or he decided it was more fun to watch her than partake anymore himself.

Now is the time in the post where you will be bombarded with chocolate covered Paige pictures - she was having way too much fun I couldn't stop her!  I just kept snapping away.  I only had my phone at first but finally decided I better grab my camera to capture these chocolate-filled memories!  Enjoy!



Oh yes! The foot went in! Wait until you see the video down below!







She even offered to share with me!









I just love this girl so much! 




She loved every second of it! (and so did I!)