Spring Break Stay-cation

With Daddy out of town for conferences, a cast, and family coming in town to celebrate a baby shower, we decided to stay put for Spring Break this year, but we made the most of it.

It kicked off with a day at the lake with our extended family. The boys always have the best time playing outside with cousins and come home exhausted. This time was no different. Mommy loves that ... and spending time with so many loved ones. 

We drove home into this beautiful sunset.

The next few days were rainy, and we almost went stir crazy....almost. But we made it! We celebrated St. Patrick's Day with a very green dinner for the boys and corned beef sandwiches for Mom and Dad.

Blended up some spinach and added it to the cheese sauce for a healthy spin on mac & cheese.

We didn't get dressed and watched movies with popcorn.

Busted, Jude! Hahaha!!

We played dress up and colored.

Jude finally asked for a cast, "like Eli"                                                                     And Jude is drawing people now! This is Jude and Eli holding hands. Sooooo sweet!!

And I got busy crafting for Aunt Kristi's baby shower.

Finally, the rains stopped in time for a trip to a barn on Wednesday morning to feed, groom, and ride horses with some friends. Eli's buddy, Elias, comes in town to visit his grandma (my dear friend, Gail) each year. The two boys catch up quickly and are two peas in a pod. They get along fabulously despite only seeing each other once a year. We thought we were just going to feed the horses, so the mini lesson for Eli (what broken leg????) was a definite treat and bonus. All three boys enjoyed the time there. Jude was a little disappointed to not be able to participate in all of the fun, but Jonah was thrilled as he loves animals and there were dogs, cats, and horses all around. 

That afternoon, we decided to go bowling with our buddies Christy, Jordan, and Avery. The kids all had a really great time....though they eventually lost interest in bowling and enjoyed pretending to play all of the video games instead. Crazy kids. 

Thursday, Mommy finally got brave enough and agreed to a trip to Chuck E. Cheese with Elias and Gail. The boys all had a blast spending tokens and playing games.

These two boys are crazy and so alike. Their friendship has been fun to watch grow....they hugged goodbye and said, "See you next year!"

Friday was a picnic in the park day. It was a beautiful and sunny day, but the pollen really got to Mommy. I was on the couch much of the afternoon from a crazy pollen-induced headache. Yuck.

All of my sisters were in town at this point as we prepared to shower Aunt Kristi and her sweet baby girl. Our evenings were spent with them and finishing up little shower details. Eli and I did sneak away for a little date to see a movie on Saturday afternoon. 

So even though we didn't have an out-of-town adventure or any beach time, we still managed to fill our stay-cation with all kinds of adventures and fun.

Health Updates

This kid got a clean bill of health at the doctor yesterday.....kinda....

Strep test was negative (FINALLY! Wahoo!) .... but his tonsils looked puffy, so we may not be out of the woods yet. Yikes.

And Eli was scheduled to get his cast off today. Sadly, his follow up x-ray revealed that neither of the broken metatarsals had fully healed yet. {sad face} I had prepared Eli for this possibility, but to say that he was disappointed would be an understatement. I watched his eyes fill with tears, but he was a trooper and picked out a black cast with a red stripe this time.

We go back in 10 days for another recheck....and the possibility of another $40 cast. Sigh.

Feel free to shower us with advice about supplements or vitamins to help heal broken bones. And throw in some prayers too. Thanks. 

And He's Off!

A couple of weeks ago, Jonah started taking little baby steps. Now I find him letting go on his own and walking where he wants to go instead of crawling. He tries walking as far as he can, falls, and then crawls the rest of the way. The progression in just a week or two is amazing.

He is not very stable yet, but loves to be upright...making his way around...inside or outside. Besides walking farther and farther, this week, he has also been working on getting himself into a standing position without pulling up on something. It all happens so quickly. Amazing. 

Funny Faces

Hi guys! Jude here today. I sure do love posing for Mommy and making all kinds of funny faces for her and her camera. Mommy seems to like it when I do it, so I do it a lot.

Sometimes she calls me a goofball, but that is OK because I really like being silly.

I am doing my best to teach my baby brother how to make all kinds of great faces too. He is not as good as me yet, but he is getting there.

Did you see Jonah's crazy static hair? He doesn't always look at the camera, but I am a pro.

My big brother, Eli, taught me most of what I know. He still likes to make faces, but he usually does them in the mirror when he is supposed to be getting ready for school or for bed. Instead of taking pictures, Mommy is usually hurrying him up.

And did I tell you that I had strep froat....again?! The doctor had to put the stick in my mouth to see if I needed medicine again. I told Mommy that my froat hurt and that I needed more medicine. I was right. I had to take two kinds of medicine this time. I didn't like this kind. Yuck. But I have been brave. I have to go back to the doctor again on Fursday. Mommy said they will put the stick in my mouth again to make sure I am all better. I do not like that stick in my mouth. I cry all the way to the doctor's office and while I am there. But I am brave, and I get stickers. And if I am really brave, Mommy will sometimes let me get a milkshake or smoothie, but that is a secret. Shhh!

Winter Sun

This winter has been a crazy one, weather-wise....and otherwise. The polar vortex has been taking the entire country by storm, and Florida was not left out. But between the blasts of chilly air and rainy days, we have had gorgeous sunny, winter days. Blue skies, dryer air, and plenty of sunshine with temperatures getting well into the 70s. I think we may have even hit 80 one day. Perfect for getting out and enjoying the day. We do our best to take advantage of these days when we can.

Jonah has become more and more mobile...still not walking, but getting much more confident in moving around. Outside has become a favorite place for him to try out his new skills. He loves everything about it...the sun, the breeze, the trees, the critters, and even eating the dirt and grass.

We've had bubble blowing fun. What a perfect first birthday present. Jonah was mesmerized by the bubbles and would giggle and squinch his eyes shut as they flew all around him. And of course, Jude was more than happy to help provide the bubbles and fun. He is sure this gift belongs to him.

Eli got to test out his balance, coordination and bravery on the Tree-to-Tree course again at the Junior Museum. (Thanks for having such a fun birthday party, Kent!) He rocked it. He is desperate to be big enough to do the higher course. Thankfully, for Mommy, he is a few years away still.

One morning, I finally gave in to the begging, and let Jude change in to his swim trunks and flip flops to play in his water table. Why not? It was a gorgeous day, and the boy loves anything to do with water and mud. 

Our sandbox has been getting a lot of use as well. Jonah is the newest member of the fan club. I cannot wait to get him to the beach again (soon!). He is going to be in heaven. And of course, if Jonah is in the sandbox, Jude has to be too. Can't let little bro have all the fun, now can he? 

More, more, Mommy! He really does love it.

But along with the crazy weather has come a lot of other crazy. We just can't seem to stay healthy and well around here these days. Our latest victims include Eli and his broken foot. 

He is in a {glow-in-the-dark and camo} cast for a month and on crutches for a week. Sadly, he missed his karate belt test and the start of baseball practices. Eli has been looking forward to both, but he is doing great and taking it all pretty well. The lack of activity is starting to take its toll, and it might be a very long month. 

Jude has also fallen victim to Scarlet Fever for the second time this year.  He tested positive for strep and had the start of the rash. Thankfully, we caught it pretty early and he is on his third round of antibiotics in 2014 (2 cases of scarlet fever sandwiched a double ear infection with ruptured ear drum....)

Between all of the illness and brokenness, I have become a regular at the doctor's office and the staff just loves us now. I am hoping that after this batch of yuck, we will be done for a while. 

The rain and cold are back again too, but we know it won't stay for long. The sun will be back out again soon. Spring is on its way.