spring break

I picked Henry up from school on Monday - his first day back to school after a nice, ten day break - and he had this balloon practically attached to his face {a little favor from a classmate's birthday that day}. He would blow it up and let it deflate, blow it up and let it deflate; cracking up each time at the noise and the flying spit. Which let me tell you is no treat in an enclosed minivan on a 30 minute drive.
I asked him if any of his friends went anywhere fun or exciting during break. He said yes, Lola went to Disneyworld {or Land, whichever}. And then he piped up,
"and me too. I went to Rockfart."
Just as serious as serious can be. He told his class he spring-breaked in Rockfart, everybody.

visitors on the farm

We love it when friends come to visit us on the farm. Last week was spring break. Erica and Ben came to the farm and spent a couple of nights with us.

I loved the mornings with them; the boys waking up together, sitting on the couch, drenched in the morning sun.

Ben is always such a good sleeper. This defies Henry's understanding, as he is the earliest of early risers. He asked nonstop in the mornings when Ben would wake up; he just couldn't wait to play with his little buddy.



Ben loves trains. We set up the tracks and William loved playing with them, too. Usually train tracks don't last long around here; they get bulldozed or knocked down so the boys can drive tractors or racecars on the table instead. I liked having the tracks set up and watching the boys play.


While William napped Wednesday afternoon, Henry read Ben this book. Ben was so sweet to listen through all of Henry's sounding out and decoding of words. The main character's name happens to be Ben; sweet little Ben thought that was so silly.

Wednesday was warm and super sunny. The boys played outside at the farm for a bit, and then we went to the little park in Farmer City. All three boys ran around the empty baseball diamond and in and out of the dugouts, then we spent most of the rest of the time on this tall slide {the same one Patrick slid down as a little boy!}.

I loved every minute of their visit. Erica and I always wish we lived closer so we could have coffee together in the mornings while the boys run around and play in their pj's; last week was just a little taste of that dream.

cattle farm

{There is an alternate route home to the farm house. If you take it, you'll drive past this little cattle farm. It's only a few minutes from our house. Patrick went to high school with the boys whose family owns it. One night last week we stopped there with the boys to show them the cows. Ever since they have been begging to go back; so we took them  yesterday evening.}

{The thing about cows that really surprised me is that they're social and very curious. They watched us very closely while we were there. They were a bit skiddish though and didn't like us to get too close too fast. Sweet things. Makes me a little bit sad to eat another hamburger.}

{There are also cats at this farm. Wild and free farm cats. Henry has really taken a liking to the mama cat. He begs us to take her home and says she will sleep in his room and not shed a single hair. He's a lot like me as a child. I used to love cats and beg to bring them all home.}

{William also likes the cats. But I'm afraid that he has scared this sweet kitten away.}

waffles and nutella

Henry is on Spring break this week. It's nice having the break from the routine. His break started Friday. We spent that morning in pj's. The boys helped me in the kitchen. We whipped up some waffles and William and I slathered them with nutella {yum}. I have a fear of crepes that I need to conquer. I love to eat them but feel too intimidated to make them. Sara makes the most delicious crepes and makes it sound so easy. But they make me nervous! So I need to add learning to make those to my to-do list.

all things b

b is for:
Bangs. Lately I am loving a more full bang.

Heidi and Reese are rocking them. And J Lo looks great, too.

Did anyone watch "The Bachelor"? At the reunion "Girl's Tell All" (so dramatic) show, cute Ashley H {from Maine!} came back with a whole new 'do. I love it and think it's so darling; the darker hair color and thicker bangs.

And while I'm at it, b is for:
Brunette. And I'm wishing I could really pull it off. I tried in December. But after Henry cried and Patrick kept asking me if it was red {which is beautiful, but wasn't my intention} and I just couldn't see myself when I looked in the mirror, I caved and went back and added a few blonde highlights. {And the girl who made it dark told me she knew I'd be back. Ugh.}
b is for:
Beautiful day. We just had one. We spent hours outside today and I loved every minute.

b is also for:
Buds on trees! Hooray for that sign of Spring!
b is for:
Brooms. Or just broom, singular, for the one that Farmer Grandpa used to chase Dolly out of Farmer Grandma's flower patch this afternoon {after she followed us there post hot dog feeding}. Guys, you've got to see him chase that dog. I literally had tears and was bent over in half, laughing so hard.
b is for:
Books. William still loves curling up with a pile of books. This morning we read this recent favorite from the library lots of times. {Amazing Animal Alphabet, Brian Wildsmith}


Tonight, before bed he read it to me. For I, he calls that animal a "Starbucks". Every time. Ha! Might someone have a coffee addiction? I'm not going to point any fingers :)

I also love that I'm reading this book - a hands down favorite from my childhood - to my children now. {The Best Nest, P.D. Eastman}
lastly, b is for:
Big deal. Henry read me an entire book tonight for the first time! He has been working hard on learning a bunch of sight words and has been gaining more and more confidence. He beamed as he turned the pages of 'Jen the Hen', reading me the entire story. I am so proud of my big boy. Part of me feels nostalgic, like it's one step closer to manhood {ok, boyhood} and a step away from little boy preschool-hood.

today

I splurged and bought myself these tulips.

And I went to the library with this boy and read books.

I'd like to tell you that we read them together, but the truth is he kicked me off that comfy bench and told me to sit on the floor. He wanted space to sprawl and space for his books.

I did grab my coffee and oblige.

honorable mention {4} Destin, Florida - 10/2010

For my 30th birthday we took a family vacation to our favorite beach spot {at least in the continental U.S.}. We were there for one week, and celebrated first William's 3rd birthday and then my 30th.  We left on a Friday afternoon around lunch time and drove half way to a hotel in Birmingham, Alabama.

{On Saturday morning we watched these hot-air balloons from the gas station as we got our first fill-up of the day.}

{The boys were both such troopers on the road. They listened to books on tape, colored, watched dvd's - we stocked up at the library before the trip-, ate lots of snacks, watched for landmarks and cheered for "Welcome" signs to each new state line we crossed. William napped frequently and Henry stayed wide awake the entire time.}

{This was a fun rest stop just over the border in Alabama. We stopped late in the afternoon on the first day. The boys loved being so close to a rocket. And there were beautiful, well groomed lawns for Henry and William to stretch their legs and run on. Henry got a black eye the day before we left when he fell into his dresser playing tag with William. Go figure!}

{This is "the bridge" as we call it. Crossing over this long bridge into Destin, and all of the sparkling ocean water  means you've arrived.}

{The Mediterranea of Destin; this is the where we stayed. It was the perfect location. Literally kiddie corner from our very favorite restaurant - possibly on earth, but for sure in Destin - Pompano Joe's. Our condo is on the left (looking at the picture) on the 4th floor. We had a perfect view from every balcony. That gazebo looking thing in the middle is the beach access site; we had to cross the street and walk down some stairs and were in the sand. }

{We made one stop at a beach side store to stock up on shovels, buckets, beach balls and brightly colored generic Crocs before finding our condo and unloading our disheveled mess of a van. We tore through suitcases and bags to find the appropriate swim attire and made a bee line for the beach. This was Saturday evening; our first night in Destin.}

 

{The boys literally dumped their shovels and buckets and ran straight for the water. Such simple joy and beauty.}

 

{I was pretty stinkin happy to be there too. Truth be told, I always take this deep breath when I first arrive and feel like this is right where I belong. I also always say, "we live this close to the ocean? why don't we come more often?" As if a 13 hour car ride is really that close.}

{Feeding the seagulls. I'm sure our family is the one people hate to be sitting by on the beach. I'm totally that mom that lets her children feed the gulls. Lucky for us, in October, the beach is pretty empty and the gulls are plentiful. It's fun to watch them swoop in for crackers, and I'm always amazed by how fast the word gets out that there's food to be had and they multiply.}

{I do caution though, that this is a fast way to go through a box of Cheezits. William ran out and started throwing cups of sand to them. Not quite the same effect.}

{Patrick is the ultimate giant hole-in-the-sand digger. The boys still talk about how daddy digs huge holes on the beach and mommy reads :)  They started this hole on that first night and kept digging, making it deeper and wider throughout the week. This hole even had a slide.}

{My favorite morning breakfast spot; on the balcony, first thing in the morning.}

{When we weren't at the beach, we were at the pool. This sweet little fish jumped, floated and just did his thing. He proved to be fearless and feels so at home when he's in the water.}

 

{Our days pretty much went like this - wake up, head to the beach, rinse off sand and go to the pool, nap and repeat. Henry loved using goggles for the first time. I even strapped some on and taught Henry how to have "tea parties" under water. One of my favorite things to do with Erica in the summers when I was a little girl!}

{Tea party ready!}

{This is the afternoon before William's 3rd birthday. His last nap as a two year old boy. I was feeling very nostalgic about making the leap from two to three (what's new?). This same afternoon, poor sweet Henry came down with a fever. It ended up lasting for about 24 hours and completely wiped him out. Poor guy.}

{William's birthday morning. He opened presents and we ate cinnamon rolls and watched his birthday video, from the day of his birth in 2007. So thankful for another year of life with our sweet boy. He is so full of life; he loves tractors, loves to cuddle, sing, read books and swim. He loves animals and superheroes.}

 

{The birthday boy gets to choose how we spend our day. His requests were to go to the beach and the zoo (technically, his birthday wish was to "feed the giraffes" at the zoo). Since Henry was still feeling a little sleepy from his fever, just William and I headed to the beach early that Tuesday morning. It was a beautiful day.}

{Birthday boy on the beach.}

{Later that afternoon we drove to the zoo, about an hour away from our condo and William got to feed the giraffes.}

{And the camels.}

{William blowing out his birthday candles. Henry was so sweet and celebratory with him, even though he didn't feel his best.}

{Henry on the beach. He is turning into such a big boy. Such a handsome boy!}

{Henry and William met some little friends from Minnesota, a little 5-year old boy and a 9-year old girl. They were very sweet children and the boys loved having friends to play with on the beach. They were very, shall we say "friendly" children and by the end of the week, Patrick and I were ready for some peace!}

{One night we skipped a formal dinner in exchange for a quiet walk with the boys at sunset. We loaded them up, clad in pjs,  in the double stroller with some frozen waffles and fruit and just walked on the sidewalk on the road alongside the beach.} 

{You can rent these cute little cars. We haven't done it yet, but it's on our future to-do list!}

{Patrick waded in the water and caught some very large crabs. Henry and William were completely in awe. People passing by on the beach told us to bring them to this certain restaurant to have them cooked for our dinner. Ha!}

 

{But we threw them back in.}

{Henry showing me how the crab's claws looked.}

{Pompano Joe's. This is the restaurant across the street from our condo. The windows are open and as you eat the sea breeze blows in. It's pure lovely. Not to mention delicious. I don't love seafood, but I love the blackened mahi-mahi from here. Delicious!}

{One night we took the boys to a family "fun park" with mini putt and go karts and arcade games and small rides. Henry loved mini putting and he did so well! William, well, he mostly just laid around on the green.}

{Riding the go karts. Drivers had to be at least 16 years old, so Patrick and I drove, and the boys were our passengers. The first time, William was terrified (see picture on left), but both boys loved it once we started. We went a few times around on different tracks. Henry and I were cracking up. It was so much fun. I wish I had a picture of Henry but he was my passenger and was sitting too close for me to get a picture.}

{My birthday was on Friday. It was the perfect day, truly. I slept in and when I woke up Patrick and the boys brought me a grande Starbucks latte and big slice of cinnamon-swirl coffee cake. Then, book in hand, I went to the beach all by myself for a few quiet hours. I read and lay in the sun, just soaking it all in and reflecting on what turning 30 means for me. Later I was joined by Patrick, Henry and William. We spent the day playing on the beach and in the pool and at naptime I stayed at the pool to soak in all of the warm sun I could. We ate dinner at Pompano Joes - surprise, surprise, right?}

{And, as is tradition on our last night, we took some family pictures on the beach.}

{Henry took these of Patrick and I. He did great weilding that great big camera!}

 

{William on the beach on our final night at sunset.}

It was truly a wonderful vacation. I love getting away with my family and just being away from everything. I like my laid back vacation self, too. I don't make beds on vacation or worry about wrinkled baskets full of clean laundry or even doing dishes or cooking healthy meals. Cheetos and wrinkled beds are made for vacations. I'm so thankful for this time away to just soak in the sun and listen to the waves and lay on the beach and to just be with my boys every day with no set schedule or agenda.