We Now Return To Our Regularly Scheduled Life

TONE' IS HOME

Life can now get back to normal......however abnormal normal is.

This past weekend I went to the Women's Retreat with my church at Cannon Beach, and I had an absolutely wonderful time. I actually slept for more than two hours in a row at ONE TIME! In fact, I slept 7 hours in a row, both nights I was there, plus took two naps. How I needed that! Everything about the retreat was wonderful; the speaker, weather, scenery, food and especially the people I was with. I came back home refreshed and ready to have two little boys climb all over me again. Coming home was made even better since Tone' didn't have to immediately leave for the week and instead was able to make me dinner and help me get the boys to bed.

Sunday also happened to be Tone' and my 12th anniversary! We did exchange, "happy anniversaries" to each other, but that was about it. Pretty lame, I know. Maybe we'll do better next year....

So now we all have to get used to living together again, and after 7 months apart it's going to be a challenge. The boys have had a bit extra leeway with me in charge, like going to bed late, eating lots of chocolate and sleeping in mama's bed. Suddenly, things are a changin' for them, sorry guys:( I'm also used to not having a reason to be at home at dinner time, let alone having it ready! So things will be a bit different for me as well. I'll take the changes, however, in order to have my other half around.

You might not be seeing anymore posting at 3 AM now!

Here Little Birdie!

The boys loved chasing down those crazy seagulls at the beach. It was so funny to watch, especially little Lukas, as he really thought he might just catch them birdies.

I just love those little footprints.

Check out that hair!

Almost!

Hmmmm, maybe if I walk realllll slow....

I can't help myself, I'm going for it!

Awaycation

My friend, Sheri, decided one day that she needed a vacation, and not one of those silly "staycations" that have suddenly become popular. No, she needed a place to go where she didn't feel guilty if all she did was lay around all day doing absolutely nothing. The beach sounded like just that type of place, but going alone to lay around on the beach all day for 4 days sounded relaxing, but lonely. That's where I come in! Sheri, the boys and I spent 4 days and 3 nights at Glenedan Beach, just south of Lincoln City, in a comfy home which was just 2 blocks from the beach. The weather was absolutely perfect; warm, slight breeze and blue skies.

The first day we headed for the beach the boys were more interested in the walk, then getting to our destination.

Oooooo, storm drain! Tastes good too.

UhOh, the tongue's out,
(he's thinking hard;)

We played in the surf

the sand

and chased the squirrel

Mama got some exercise in as well

and some handwalking

training a future handwalker
With their daddy out of town, I have become quite
used to being climbed on.

And This, Is Why We Wear Helmets:

Nikolas has been riding his bike without training wheels since June and has been doing really well with only one fall that scared him. He has become more and more daring on that little bike of his, (well, actually his buddy, Wyatt's) and has been standing up while riding, braking and turning suddenly, and just today he decided to wave at me while riding. We're thinking he's just about ready for some dirt tracks and jumps;)
On this beautiful, sunny Sunday afternoon, he was riding along and suddenly I saw him turn his wheel just a bit too sharp causing him and his bike to fall so fast I couldn't believe it. The really scary part was that I saw his head hit the pavement so hard and fast that it bounced off the street about half a foot or more and then his bike came crashing down on top of him.

Thankfully, Tone' and I are into protecting our melons and so we always make sure
we all wear one. Even though Nik is less than 3 feet off the ground he still created enough force to break his helmet. Imagine if it was just his head hitting the ground and bouncing off it?

Nik's head was so well protected that he didn't even think about that part of the accident, instead he was very upset by the scrape on his arm.

Guess we could have been extra cautious and had him wearing his elbow and knee pads, but my theory is: skin and bones regrow, brains don't.
So we're throwing the broken helmet away, (or should we bronze it?) and we'll use one of his other helmets. In fact, Nik was quick to point out that he has a Thomas the Tank Engine helmet he can wear. Thanks Aunt Karen and girls!

Evil Darth Papa vs. Luke I'mAWalker & ......Batman?

Six moons after the evil Darth Papa left the Gibson Galaxy
to remodel a distant space station called, Fred Meyer,
he returned one short weekend to reclaim his rule
from the young Jedi's in Training Pants. He
heard from Queen I'mtheMama that they
had been collaborating together to
overthrow her rule by refusing
to wear clothes, taking over
her bed and eating all of
her ice cream. This
rebellion had to
be stopped!

The fighting begins:

Luke I'maWalker contemplates his next move:

Batman, er...RiNIKulas, (as in: Nikolas the Ridiculous), holding Darth Papa at bay:

While Luke I'maWalker continues to do what he does best: Look contemplatively cute

In spite of his extensive knowledge of the force, and his skill with a light saber, Darth Papa is growing weary while the young Jedi continues to fight relentlessly.

The battle is over

and the two young Jedi continue their rebellion as Darth
Papa must return to his Far, Far Away Home. It won't
be long, though, my young padiwon learners, before
the Evil Darth Papa returns, and with him, will
come order to your universe, once again.
Order, in the form of a wooden
"lightsaber"

Mwwahhhahhhahhh!!!!

Boys In Boots

These two boys always keep me laughing with their wardrobe styles. It is so rare for Nik to be fully clothed that when Nik has more than underwear on our neighbors comment about how much clothing he is wearing. Lukas is learning the trait as well, no doubt from older brother, but Luke prefers to be diaper free and just run around with a shirt on.

Today, they mixed it up a bit, in honor of the rain, of course.

The rain stopped and out they went to munch on the abundant raspberries we have growing currently.

Mmmmm, a boy who absolutely loves fruit! I'm glad about it, except for the part about him devouring them all before I get to them......good thing he isn't tall enough to reach the very top of the back row:)

Potty Man!

Little Lukey is learning to use the potty like a big boy! Though, really, he had going on the potty down when he was just 5 months old. He was using the potty 5 times a day and I rarely had to change a poopy diaper, it was great! Then, unfortunately, at 12 months old he came down with diarrhea for a week, so that ended that streak. Now I am back at it, hoping he will be out of diapers by the time he is two. It would be nice, but if he isn't ready, no big deal. He'll get it soon enough, which is why I start loosely potty training so early, so they won't think it is a big deal when they are older. It seems to be working well for me, and my boys.
Anyway, sorry if this is TMI....it's amazing what excites a parent....

Hanging out

Admiring a job well done

Bye Bye Poopy!


Nice work, Lukas.

He's so proud:)