April 28--Clean Carpet & A Memory

Today we had our carpet cleaned! When we looked at our house one of the things we loved about it was the cream colored wool carpet. It cleans up well and is impressive in its ability to stay clean when you consider the color.

After the Chem Dry guys left I wanted a photo to show off the carpet and I've been wanting to take a picture of the above items for awhile. Here is their explanation--My Grandma and Grandpa Lee both passed away within the last couple of years. They were both so influential in my life and I think about and miss them almost every day. There are so many reminders of them throughout my house, but I think this is my favorite. When we went down to help my dad clean out their house last year I wanted to find something that would remind me of the memory I had of each of them. I picked out this bowl that my Grandpa made. He was an amazing carpenter and also made a few shelves, a dresser, and a grandmother clock that are in my house--but this bowl and the beauty in the wood show off the talent he had for turning wood. The necklace is one that my Grandma wore all of the time. I'm not exactly sure why, but it brings up memories of the way she dressed, how she did her hair, and the energy she always had. These items sit on my dresser and remind me of how lucky I was to have had them in my life.

Checkers Anyone? for April 27

Forgot to get out the camera today so here is a old post from a rainy day in February.

Ian has been on a game playing spree lately. His favorites are Chess, Stratego, and Checkers. Yes he is following in his daddy's footsteps when it comes to games. Scrabble and Boggle are next I'm sure.

While Ian and Daddy are playing their games Miles and I opt for Hungry Hippos. We are both very good. Miles is good at eating the most and I'm the best at eating fast. We can each run two hippos at once and since the orange one is the fastest we rotate the hippos on each turn. Maybe we could enter a mother/son contest sometime. Go Miles! And go Hippos!

April 26--Panic Button

April 25--Summer Temps & Toe Freedom

Time for those summer shoes and toes that can breathe some fresh air. Here are Miles' favorites for now. So cute!!

Ian goes for the hand me down flip flops from his cousin Max who is 4--can you see his toes hanging way over the edge. We will be shoe shopping for him soon. I do think his toes are happy to be free though.

Here is Wes trying to wiggle his toes free. Do baby socks ever stay on? At least he won't need socks soon and I can oohhh and aww over his cute toes all the time.

I'd post my toes, but they are in desperate need of a make over from winter--and they are so long they look like cheetos!

April 24--Tall, Skinny, & Big Eyed

Took Wesley in for his 6 month appointment--yes he is almost 7 1/2 months, but mommy has been tired of going to the doctor--once a week is plenty. Anyway the little bugger has lost weight!! Here I am going around bragging about how big he is and he weighs in at a whopping 13.5 pounds! He actually lost weight! He's about where Miles was at his age, but my goodness he is going to be in the baby car seat until he is two! We-the Dr. & I-discussed how he won't eat baby food and he told me to keep trying. Actually he said to set the timer and make sure I try to shove something in his mouth every three hours. Here he is trying some carrots. His face is not messy because he ate a lot of yummy carrots, but because the two spoonfuls I gave him he spit out and rubbed all over his face! If anyone wants to come try to get this kid to swallow something give me a call.

Oh--he is 85% for height, and 120% for eye size!

April 23--We Love Noodles & Garlic & Lemon

Made Pasta with Lemon Zest & Garlic for dinner tonight. This has become one of my favorite meals and the boys love it to--well actually the boys pretty much love anything made with noodles.

Quick instructions--

Cook any kind of pasta according to directions.

Melt a good amount of butter--1/4-1/2 cup in a sauce pan.

Stir in minced garlic 2-3 cloves, juice from half a lemon, and lemon zest from one lemon (I hate zesting a lemon to I usually only get a little bit, but it looks prettier with more zest)

Drain noodles, add butter mixture, 2-3 chopped green onions, and about 1-1/2 cups parmesan cheese (don't use the powdered stuff). Toss to coat pasta and serve.

April 22--Teaching Piano & Cute Smiles

On Thursday afternoons I teach a few piano lessons. It is the best job around! The kids I teach are great, I get to teach something I love, and my kids get to go play with their friends for awhile--so they get a break and so do I. My last student on Thursday is Alicyn. She is my sister-in-laws niece so we are kind of like family. Her dad was running a little bit late this Thursday so she babysat Wes while I ran to pick up Ian & Miles after her lesson. The boys were so excited to see her and as you can see Wes had a great time. Oh, and Ali will be playing "Canon in D" and "The Prayer" at our upcoming recital. She is so quick at picking up a song when we find something pretty for her to play and she is going to sound amazing at the recital!