What to do???

We are heading to Chicago in Two weeks. We are actually going to stay in Schaumburg because that is where Legoland is located. So our main goal of course is Legoland but since we are going for 3 days we are looking at more fun things to try out. We have already taken to the Shedd Aquarium twice so I'm looking for other options. I think we may hold out another year before we try the Field Museum because I would hate to get there and have them be bored. I'm HOPING that we get good weather so we can go to Navy Pier. I think they would think that was fun. I know they want to go to Rain Forest Cafe for dinner and they have one in Schaumburg also so that is nice and convenient. I am on mission to find other options......If you have some please send them my way! Thanks:)

Mommy Guilt!

This afternoon I brought the boys to the park because the sun finally came out and we were ready to get outside and enjoy it. We went to a park that is close by but not our "usual" park. They were thrilled for some place new to explore. I kept finding myself being torn between who to pay attention to. I must have heard "Mom look at me" and "Mom Watch This" like a bagillion times. I'm not sure if it was because it was some place different or if it was just because things have been a little hectic with them being in school and me working but I felt like I was stuck in the middle and couldn't pay enough attention to each of them to make them happy. Every time I would go watch Sam go down the slide Parker would start getting upset because I wasn't watching him climb up the ropes. And vice versa. It just went on and on the ENTIRE time we were there. I am not going to lie, it was rough.

Back before I was working, now granted I am only working 11 hours a week but it does eat up most of my "Day time" on Tuesday and Friday's so lets pretend that I work 2 "full" days a week, and before the boys were in school I used to have my Mom come over 2 days a week to help out. It started that I was having her watch them so I could run errands, grocery shop or just run around the mall and get some quiet time. As time went on and the boys got older and more adaptable I was able to get all my errands done with them in tow because for some reason my boys LOVE going to Meijer. Ha! So when my Mom would come over I would usually have one day to myself and then have the other day as a special "Mommy & Sam day" or "Mommy & Parker Day". It was AWESOME. I would get to spend a lot of one on one attention with them and they soaked it up like a sponge. We would come home from one of our "dates" and I could just tell that it helped improve not only our relationship but their moods. I can always tell when they need attention because it gets very LOUD in this house!!!

So as I have noticed the volume level RISING here at home and the "Mom watch MEEEEE'S" being said constantly it occurred to me that it has been a long time since we have had some one on one time. I have been so focused on them being in school and the fact that I'm enjoying my new job and getting all of my needs met that I have kind of neglected the fact that they need that special time as well.

I am vowing (to all of the internet) to make sure over the next week that I spend at least 2 hours away from the house with each child and making sure that they know how much I love them and appreciate them for who they are. Not just "Sam & Parker" or "The Boys" or "The Twins" (which they call them at school and it bugs the hell outta me, ha!) but Sam. And Parker. Two unique individuals who need special attention from their Mommy!

Sneak Peak

A couple of weeks ago I won a facebook contest for a free photo-shoot with a photographer who happens to be Kari (one of my bff's) sister in law. Well tonight she did a photo shoot with the boys. I was so nervous because I wasn't sure if they were going to sit still but they were troopers. They lasted a little over an hour and were posing really well and the best part is that they didn't throw any tantrums. We took pictures at a barn and then in an apple orchard. The setting was so beautiful because all the Apple trees were blooming. Lila was AMAZING. You can tell that she has kids because she was so patient and just great with how she handled them and she knew when they needed to take a break. Parker fell in love with her right away of course and hasn't stopped talking about her:) Ha! That's our Parks!!!

She already sent me one of the pictures which of course I had to post . She said she took a ton so I can't wait to share more and if you are interested in pictures this is a link to her blog with more info I HIGHLY recommend her!!! She was Fabulous! Check out her amazing pictures HERE!

Weekend!

Today we took the boys to see "How To Train A Dragon"

They LOVED it!! And so did we. It was such a cute movie and very entertaining even for adults. Then we shopped @ the mall and went to Logan's for dinner. The boys were great, so well behaved and so much fun to be with. I cherish these times because we have been having some "Days" that I feel like we are just arguing with them all day.

We also decided to book a little weekend getaway to Chicago in a few weeks. Did you know that Chicago has a Legoland? Well they do and I think its going to be a blast!!! Plus we are going to do dinner at Rain Forest Cafe one night since it was such a hit in Florida. If we have good weather I'm hoping we can hit Navy Pier as well. We are all SUPER excited to have something scheduled. Plus its a good bargaining tool to get the boys to try and get along and be nice to eachother. Ha!

Nate has started to book some trips for the upcoming spring/summer. Its going to be a very busy couple of months so we are going to have to try and sneak in as much fun as possible!

Field Trip!!!

Tuesday Nate and I tagged along with the boys on their first field trip with their pre-school. It was to the Fredrick Meijer Gardens. We had the choice to drive and meet the rest of the class, drop the kids off and let them ride the bus and then meet them there OR ride the bus with the boys there. We went with option #3 to ride the bus with the boys there. Is it weird that there was NO way I was allowing them on that bus without us? I mean for crying out loud they are only 3 years old! So Nate and I hopped on the the bus with all the kids, parents and teachers. This bus was PACKED! Sam had to sit on my lap on the way there because there were so many kids. While driving on the highway Sam looked over to me and said "Mom this is NOT safe" not sure if he was referring to the bus drivers driving skills or the fact that he was not buckled up but he was quick to point out the safety factors!

Anyways Sam and Parks had a blast but the bus ride was BY FAR their most favorite thing about the field trip. How in the world did my little babies get old enough to ride a freakin bus already?????

Boarding Their FIRST Bus Ride!!!

Sam and I on the Bus!

Parker in the seat in front of me with his Dad!

You Don't think Sam is excited do you???

Nate showing the boys the butterflies. This was the only picture I have of them in the butterfly area. Sam didn't really like it because he HATES bugs (I'm right there with ya buddy) and there were seriously HUNDREDS of kids running around that place. Nate took Parker back in their later while Sam and I played in the Children's Garden.

Parker out for a stroll

Checking out the tulips. The boys is 1/4 dutch after all!

Sam's loved the boats. I am going to bring him back here for our next Sam and Mommy Day because he could have spent hours playing in the Children's Garden. PERFECT place for him!

Parker just checking things out!

YIKES! He looks like he is about to fall in! So many of the kids were soaked from playing in the water. My two did pretty darn good, they were pretty careful, not sure if they were scared of how I would react or if they realized that it was only 60 degrees out and we didn't have a spare outfit on hand!!!

More Sam

I thought I was going to have to drag him out of that area kicking and screaming but he was totally fine, but he did make me promise him to come back!

Giant Robins Egg......Nope folks its not real!

Playing the drums!

Not really sure what he is looking at?

Gimme Five!

Giant Tongue? We weren't sure why but we just went with it!

My little buddy Sam. I'm so thankful that I got to spend the day hanging out with him! We are very fortunate that we get to enjoy all these fun things with our boys and that Nate works for a company that is as flexible as they are so he is able to leave work and not miss out on the fun. Of course he didn't have a camera but him and Parks had a blast chasing the butterflies around.

Frustrated.....

This was Sam and Parker 3 1/2 years ago and I am

NOT kidding they seemed to have these same faces all day today!!!

I'm having one of those terrible days that I'm sure ALL of us parents have. Completely frustrated!!! The boys have been fighting ALL day, I can't do anything right, they seem to have forgotten all their manners and whine NONSTOP!!! Then to top it off Sam has been having some bathroom issues. Without going into TOO much detail I'll just say that a certain type of medicine was involved and it doesn't go "in" via the mouth:( Ewwwww......

I am praying that this grouchy phase ends soon. I miss my sweet boys that love to snuggle me up and let me kiss on them. I miss the please and thank you's, I miss them getting along with eachother. I would LOVE to have a day that doesn't end in me wanting to run out the door to the nearest liquor store. I have been praying every night for patience!!!

Our First Bikes

So ever since we got back from Florida the boys have been saving up for their bikes. And by saving up I mean begging their Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and pretty much everyone who enters our house to dump their pockets into their piggy banks. They LOVE change right now!!! This morning we decided today was the day. Toys R Us had bikes on sale and the weather has been nice so we figured it was time. Nate has been dreaming about this day ever since we found out we were going to be having boys. He LOVED riding his bike as a little boy and could not wait to bring the boys to pick out their first one. We started the day by emptying their piggy banks. We took out all the dollars and then gave them their bags of change to take to Meijer's "Change machine" Yes we are that lazy that we didn't want to count and wrap up all that change and bring it to the bank.

Toys R Us kind of was a bust because their selection was TOTALLY picked over. Sam already had his bike picked out. He wanted the Hot Wheels bike. Parker wanted the Spiderman bike BUT it only came in 12 inch and 16 inch. Of course the 12 inch was too small and the 16 inch was too big. We had a very nice young guy "Fit" them for bikes. We all agreed the 16 inch was too big and would be too intimidating for them this summer. So Nate took off to find Parker a bike. Ummm yeah so Mr. Cheapy pants bring back this fancy Tony Hawk Tricked out bike that I knew was going to cost us! Almost double the price of Sam's Hot Wheels bike but Parks fell in love with it and I kind of think Nate thought it was pretty bad ass too and secretly wanted to live out his child hood "dream bike" through his son:) HA! Anyways we bought them pre-assembled. BEST $10 we spent all day. They were so excited they couldn't stand still to try on helmets so we decided to just get out of there and get the helmets tomorrow.

They each fell right away. Parks got RIGHT back up and kept riding. Sam was kind of spooked. But he kept on trying and by the end of the night he was getting so much better. Parker on the other hand is already asking Nate to build him jumps and can't wait to lose the training wheels.

Trying to get them to calm down and take a picture with the bags of $$$

WAY To hyper for pictures!!!

They really enjoyed the change machine!!

We had to hurry Sam along because he wanted to put it in ONE BY ONE!!!

Parkers Piggy change total was $43. Total they had almost $120!!!

I'd say thats pretty good for only two months of saving!

I think Me and Nate need to get our own Piggy Banks!!!

Sam new he wanted his "Hot Wheels" bike before we even got there.

Parker literally fell probably 10 seconds after getting out of the car. He didn't care he was right back up again and riding away.

Not scared at all!!

Sam looking like such a stud on his cool new bike

Dad fixing Sams seat.

Sam's bike say's

"Small But Dangerous"

Very True!!!

Parker is like an old pro

I swear this kid is 3 going on 13

Ride Sammy Ride

So proud!

Messing with that bike again. Probably trying to make it faster??

Sam would get off the bike and then run right back to it.

He is going to have a sore booty tomorrow!!

Triplets would be a lot of work!!!

On Wednesday my good friend Dana dropped off her little boy Logan to spend the day with us while she went to work. The girl that watches him normally was on spring break. All 3 of the boys had so much fun but WOW it was a busy day. I cannot even imagine how crazy our lives would have been if we would had Triplets. Logan is almost the exact same age as the boys, I think 3 days younger? And we have been having playdates since they were like 2 weeks old. They all seem to get along so well and they just have a blast playing together. I hope they continue to be friends as they grow up because they can say "we have been friends since we were born" Ha!

Annoying Me!

GUESS WHAT TIGER???

I don't Give a Damn!!!

OK so maybe I should clarify. I'm just sick of hearing about him. He is a big fat CHEATER!!! I don't care how much money someone makes or how accessible cheating is to them. HE made the decision to do it, I'm sure there are plenty of bizzillionaires that do NOT cheat on their spouses. And lets face it, it's not like he made a mistake and did it once, there are like what 50 women now coming forward to say they had affairs with him. I have NO respect for him. I don't care if he is the best friggin golfer in the entire solar system I look at him and see a cheater. Now get off my US Weekly so we can get back to the serious news like what Brittney is up to or where Brad and Angelina are traveling too this week:) Thanks!

Easter Afternoon

Easter Afternoon we went over to my parents house. We got to visit with Auntie Beryl for a short visit but she couldn't stay for dinner. Gary and Kylie were there and Vicki and Mike also got to join us which was extra special because they live in Cleveland so we don't get to see them as much as we would like too. We went on a nature walk behind Grandma's house to check out the little "River/creek" and then had an Easter Egg hunt. Sam, Parker and Kylie all got Zhu Zhu pets in their baskets and they had an absolute blast playing with them. I have to admit they are pretty fun!!!

Kylie, Sam and Parker posing for pictures

Love this one!!!

Parker is always the one with the funny smirk!

Best Bud's. Sam and Kylie are big time buddies!!!

Grandma and the kids with their new Zhu Zhu pets

Winkie, Jilly and Nugget! Ha!

And of course Winkie and Nugget need to have a kitchen and a bathroom!

Hunting Egg's

Lot's of Cash and Candy in these baskets!!

Ready for the nature walk!

Kylie and the boys.

I'm pretty sure Sam is giving me the finger in this one?!?!?? Maybe too many pictures for him!

Running!

Brothers!

Posing! Not sure about this funny face on Parker. Its a new one!

Me and my boys!

Mike and Vicki and the kids. Kylie is just pretending to sleep!