Snow Cones are yummier with a friend.

This picture makes me wonder what Danny just said to make Molly laugh.
At our recent Volunteer Dinner at Hope, Danny and his friend Molly strolled around the front lawn of the church for about 15 minutes working on their snowcones. It was pretty cute watching them walk around and talk. It is nice to have friends that our children really enjoy each other. It means moms and dads get to enjoy time talking with adults and all parents know that is key to survival.
Thank you God for good friends.

Blueberry boys

Remember that girl in the willy wonka movie that has to be rolled away looking like a blueberry? I feel like that could be my little Joshie today after our time at the farm.
What a day of picking berries, playing with friends, having a picnic, and sleeping in the car all the way home. I love summer days!

Can I eat it?

We were going to a "little house on the prairie open credits" look! And that was only some of the kids!

About that berry filled baby of mine....I am seriously wondering how many he ate! Every time I turned around he had a hand in his mouth. What must be going through his little head? Thank you mommy for bringing me to eat lunch off the tree. Do you think they account for that in the cost of berries you purchase? I had to buy a homemade peach salsa in the store, b/c I felt bad. Well, that's what we are going to say. It has nothing to do with the fact that I love love love fruity salsa. And I do not have to share it, since I am the only one in the house that loves it.

It is days like this that are full of moments that the boys will remember forever!

We be Pirates, Matey!

Ahoy, me herties!  We be thinkin' that this her' day be a grand ol' day for some swashbucklin' with me scoundrel of a brother.  Arr, we be hangin' our Jolly Roger in thar livin' room and go a hunt for some treasure and doubloons.  After ye' mommy lass gets ready and we visited the glory hole, we will board our furner and go on a account to join our brethren of the coast for some playin' and grog at the market .  Shiver me timbers it is goin' be treasure o' plenty for 'Ol Capn' Dan and his corsair brother, Capn' Josh.  Be no day for the ye lily-livered as we be splashin' in thar fountains.  Grab ye' peices of eight and set ye sails for Stoney Point Cove.  Arr, mateys!

Unless you want me to run over your toes, please kindly step out of my way.

My cotton candy filled cutie!

We made our first summer trip to Busch Gardens this week. It was a fun time and a good start to hopefully many more trips like it. We have VA resident summer passes + free preschool children passes for a fairly reasonably priced summer of amusement park trips.
We went with 4 moms and 8 children and had a blast. But when 3pm rolled around and children started into the "I haven't had a nap, so I am going to start being a pill" phase, we all decided it was time to hightail it out of there. But one problem. We were on the complete opposite end of the park. There was about 1 mile and many large hills between us and the air-conditioned cars.
So, we started our trek. About halfway through I realized that I was pushing two kids in a double stroller and had a 3 year old on my shoulders. I wonder what those people we passed thought. In our group of 12 people, kids were crying, drinks were spilling everywhere, and mommies were focused on the end goal of getting out of the park. At one point I thought to myself that if I didn't lose at least 3 pounds of that leftover baby weight, then I want my money back.
I also know that I might have been a little rude to people, but when you have a 38 lb kid on your shoulders and are pushing a hard-to-turn stroller with a good 60lbs of kid in it, then you should get the right of way.
Crazy mommy coming through!

Can we go back next week?

How would you feel?

Time for another Danny story....some day I want all my family and friends to be able to read this blog as proof that even at age 3 1/2 Danny was a very smart little boy. Here is a photo of my little question asker in serious mode.

And for me to post this story is a little difficult, because it does not paint a pretty picture of his mommy.  I think it pays to be honest though and through openness comes growth.  So here goes....

I was making breakfast one morning and was busy at the stove perfecting my oatmeal.  Danny wanted socks on and he wanted them on now.  I had very little time for things like putting on socks.  Especially since it was already warm outside and I would love to not have to wash another pair of socks.  So, after I told him to wait and I would help him later, Danny decided to take matters in his own hands and get his own socks from the drawer.  He comes downstairs and is whining about how one of the socks will not go on his feet.  I was already starting to feel myself get tense(it was only 8am...geez!) and so I told him he could wear those, but not for long, because they looked ugly with his outfit.  I know, I know.  There were so many better things I could have chosen to say.  Like, "good job on getting your own clothes" or "maybe white athletic socks would be better than those dressy colored socks with your play clothes".  We all have those moments when we say what we shouldn't and it is hard to turn back the clock on our poor choices.
Danny proceeds to take off crying for the upstairs.  If you live in a house with a 3 and a 2 year old, then you can understand why I didn't chase after him.  They cry all the time about all sorts of silly things and sometimes they just need their space.  After about a minute of screams and cries I realize he is really upset and I call up the stairs to him.  Danny whimpers his way down the stairs and stops half way "Mommy, I need to tell you something" 
uhoh. 
"How would you feel if someone told you that your socks looked ugly?"
what?

ok, I have lots of experience with preschool age children and I know that they are not capable of reasoning at that level in most situations.  Most children do not understand beyond their own troubles enough to ask you how you would feel if it happened to you.  They still live in a "me-centered" world.  Apparently mine is a little beyond his age. 
And is it possible that my 3 1/2 year old was disciplining me that day?

Richmond Squirrels

We have been to two Squirrels games in this weekend.  One was a date(really nice!) and the other was with the boys, Nana, and Max(also nice!).  We went to Buzz and Ned's BBQ for dinner.  Sitting outside to eat dinner at picnic tables, a baseball game, a pool party today, and ice cream after dinner....it is really starting to feel like summer.  Here are a few photos from our fun Memorial Day weekend! 

Quick funny story first.  So, Danny and Josh were both very distraught when Nana and Max decided to make their departure for MD from the park.  We are in the car and Danny is trying to keep them around as long as possible.  The windows are up and Daddy has shut the door to drive off and Danny starts yelling "But Nana, But Nana!", which of course was implying he had something to tell her.  Funny thing is the words came out too fast and slurred and to us it sounded like "Banana, Banana!"  That fruity Grandma of ours.

My child talks....alot.

It is not normal....but it is really wonderful.
I like to celebrate his independence and freedom to express himself.  And his intelligence.  He really is one smart cookie.  I want him to feel able to speak up and share.  I like that he is willing to ask questions.  He has a quest for knowledge and information that is admirable.
But sometimes I need a break.
When you are watching a Braves and you can count your child ask 35 questions in under 10 minutes, you might understand(seriously, I counted!)
Kid, mommy needs a break from the questions.
Today in the post office line, Danny learned the names and reason for being in line of every person there.  And believe me, I did not start any of the conversations.  I know I have a reputation for being a bit of a talker....ok, ok, so I do talk alot too.  But Danny is in a league way beyond me.
The other day in Walmart Danny told a very very old man that he "looked old".  (where can I hide in a situation like that?)  Fortunately, this old man happened to be willing to play along.  He looked Danny straight in the eyes and said in a gruff voice, "well, I AM old!"

I feel like we walk a fine line between being full of wonder and being a little beyond our years(maybe even rude?).  I was encouraged today when one of the post office customers from today stopped me outside and encouraged me to keep "feeding the wonder and questioning".  He was adamant that I continue to encourage Danny that his questions are ok and his fearlessness is an important life skill. 
Thank you sir.  I needed to hear that today.

I love how this captures them in a moment reading, not even noticing mommy lurking with the camera!  Check out that quest for knowledge...

My new brother

Dogs in my home are like children.
No, we aren't crazy people. (at least I don't think so)
We just love our pets well.   I spent many moments of my youth talking to my dogs, dressing up my dogs (think golden retriever in dad's old t-shirts....poor thing), and treating them like a member of the family.  It gets lonely as the only child, so it was always nice to have a dog "friend" around.
Now that I have children and pets of my own, I think the tradition continues in my family.  I call Pollack my baby and he is always going to be Nana and Max's  favorite granddog.  I really believe Pollack can understand me and just assume he knows everything I am saying to him.  Right?  Dog people out there can relate.  They know so much more than we think they do!
My parents have always loved having a dog in their home and they love to nurture the same type of relationship with their animals that I grew up with.  So, you can guess it didn't surprise me to hear my mom say "Daddy's home" to their new dog Sam while we were chatting on the phone.  Ok, so maybe it made me laugh a little.  I guess now that their little girl is all grown up they have to find new people or animals to care for and call their baby.
Can't wait until the next time I get to see my little brother!

Isn't he cute?

Here are the happy parents with their new baby.

Happy Cousin Time.

We had a great time with our cousins this week.
Aren't they cute?

I love this town.

I love our parks.
I love the history.
I love the weather.
I love the family atmosphere.
I love the closeness to beaches, mountains, etc.
I love the smallness in comparison to the big city amenities.

But it is days like this that really seal the deal.

Just hanging out on Browns Island in the middle of downtown playing ball. What a superb day!