Cherry Blossoms

This afternoon the temperature got up to about 60. So, we decided to grab some sandwiches and head to the tidal basin to see the Cherry Blossoms in full bloom. Enjoy the pictures. There are no pictures of Lincoln and Ethan. They were either stuffing their faces with food or crying to go "HOME."

Some don't like it hot, hot, hot!

The boys made it through daycare today. Ethan had a good day. His teacher said, "He's fine!" Link's teacher told me, "Lincoln is VERY sick." She took his temperature every half hour, but he didn't have a fever. Nate and I have taken off sooo many days, he has to get better. We can't afford to take off for a runny nose. So, tonight Nate took him down to the steam shower after dinner. Ethan and I could hear his screaming upstairs. Once he came up, he looked at me with his red face (the color was not adjusted on my camera...it's really that red) and said, "HOT!" Hopefully, the steam shower and nasal spray will clear him up.
In an effort to jazz up therapy (I am burnt out), I bought three new preschool board games and three new interactive books. I decided to try them out of my own boys before I take them to school. We played a game called Go Away Monster. Ethan LOVES it. I also got Crocodile Dentist. The basic premise is that you push his teeth down with hopes that he doesn't chomp down on your hand. Lincoln loved it sooo much. He loved it when it chomped down. Ethan freaked out and wouldn't do it. What a little wussy! Before bath he told me, "You can take that crocodile game to school, but leave the rest of them here." I hope those preschoolers are entertained with one new game.

What a Sunday!

Just when I think that I hate this place....my kids are always sick and my dog is going down hill from the move...we have a day like today! Both boys are on the mend. Ethan actually ate some solid food today. Ethan's teacher at church (who is AMAZING), told me about two bald eagles on the GW parkway. They built their nest right off the Potomac River. So, when I got home, Nate was ready to get outside...and man was it a gorgeous day. We loaded up and found the nest.
A few people told us that they had not seen the eagles in some time. We saw a seagull fly to the nest, so they may be gone for good...but the nest was neat to look at. The trails and scenery were amazing...and to think that the founding fathers were on this trail was overwhelming.
We thought we had some time before naps, so we decided just to drive over and see the Cherry Blossoms. We hope to have a picnic around there soon, but it was such a nice day, we had to go look. On the way, the clouds started forming. The Washington Monument went from bright white to gray in a matter of minutes.
I guess a lot of people had the same idea we did about seeing the Cherry Blossoms. I was still able to get a few pictures from the car. By the time we got back on 395, I noticed this guy....knocked out!
God always gives us just what we can handle...nothing more!

The Infirmary

Last night, the boys were on the upswing. Everyone was feeling good and playing. Nate and I layed in bed to read and watch TV last night with the hopes of getting a good night sleep. My plans for today were to CLEAN this nasty house that is full of germs! At 1:30 am, I knew that my Saturday plans were shot! From 1:30-3:30 Ethan was throwing up. At 3:30, Hunter decided to pee on the floor. Nate and I ran downstairs and actually mopped the floor at 3:30 in the morning. That's all the cleaning that was done today. At 4:00, Lincoln started crying and didn't stop until 5:30. We slept until about 6:45 when both boys woke up. I stayed up until 7:30. Nate and I decided to sleep in shifts today. At 9:30, I woke up but Nate got a little wind and decided to finish up taxes, bills, and some laundry. At 1:00 we put the boys down for a nap...and Nate and I followed. I feel like we are in the twilight zone because the phone rang 45 minutes into our nap. Although we didn't answer it, Nate didn't go back to sleep. 45 more minutes go by and Link wakes up. This picture was taken a few minutes after he woke up from his nap. The house is still filthy, the kids are still sick, and we are exhausted! To top it all off, I volunteered to cover Ethan's room at church tomorrow. Tonight has to be better, right??

A day of bo-bos and movies

He's on the upswing. This morning he layed on the couch crying "BO-BO." Link napped this morning, but his older brother slammed the door four times this afternoon. He decided "NO NIGH-NIGH" after the fourth slam. Now's he's running around calling "EEEEE." Of course, Ethan is sleeping now. We definitely need to get out of the house tonight. Lincoln and I are going stir crazy!

The coming home ordeal.

Ethan's school is having a book fair this week. So, when I got there this afternoon, I took my checkbook into get him a book. Ethan, his teacher, and I go to the bookfair room when I notice his pants are soaked. I ask him if he has had an accident and he says, yes. We leave his teacher to go change. He has soaked everything down to his socks. When I ask him to take his socks off, he FREAKS. He won't put his feet back in his shoes. He is sooo mad he hits me. After a "discussion" with him, we go back out to his teacher. She and I try to figure out what happens but he doesn't give good answers...I still don't know. When we get to Lincoln's room, I notice he is sitting in his teachers lap softly whining. He perks up when I get him. We all head out to the car. I open the door and ask Ethan to hop in. For some reason, he throws another fit. Again, I still don't know what was happening with that boy today. I got him in with stern words. We leave. We are about a mile from home when I hear major gagging. I look and Lincoln is throwing up EVERYWHERE. It's all over him and the carseat!!! I get home, park in the driveway, and roll the windows down. I know that I HAVE to get Hunter out first or he will pee everywhere. I go up to get him (he can't hear us come home), and almost step in the pee he already left for me. I call him down, get Ethan out, grab a towel and get Lincoln out. I get in the house and remember I forgot Hunter. I set Lincoln down, and go out to get Hunter. He is pooping in the middle of the neighbors front lawn. He finally comes in and I stick Lincoln in the bathtub. I call Ethan in and he throws another fit. After everyone gets a bath, we get in my bed to watch a movie and guess what...the vomiting starts all over again. To end this crazy saga....it's 7:00...I just got the pee cleaned up and Lincoln went to bed semi-happy. He hasn't throw up in about 45 minutes. Cross your fingers it's just a 24 hr. bug.

Tra-man

This boy is OBSESSED with men...little people, lego-men, geo trax men, pirate men...any kind of men. For some reason, he started out calling them "man" and now he has moved over to "tra-man." The only thing I can think of is trash man??? I'm not sure. Regardless...he loves them!!

Brotherly Love

When I got to daycare today, three different teachers told me how the boys were crying on the playground. MY kids, I thought?? On the playground?? What??
I have pieced the conversations from the teacher and Ethan together. Apparently, Ethan was crying because Lincoln was trying to go up the big slide and he was afraid he would fall in the sand. He wanted him to come down. After, Lincoln either came down or didn't make it up, he walked around with Ethan hand in hand. When it was time for Lincoln to go in, Lincoln started crying because he didn't want to leave Ethan. While I love that they love each other so much, I really do wish they would get along this well at home!

Good-bye Mar

We all had a great week with Marilyn. The boys played and played and played with Mar. They were exhausted each night and took good naps every day. I just hope they didn't wear her out too much for work tomorrow.
If you love Mar, raise your hand.
If you love Mar, raise your hand!!

Pedis and Playgrounds

Today was Fish Pedicure day!! Last summer in Dayton, Marilyn and I saw the Good Morning America where Diane Sawyer got a fish pedicure from a couple of brothers in Alexandria, VA. We talked and talked about coming to get it done! FINALLY, today Marilyn got her pedicure. Shelley's mom was in town and they joined us today!
It tickles so much as first, but it so relaxing after the first minute.
After dinner, we headed to the playground. Lincoln refused to look at the camera today. He's usually my poser, but not today! Tomorrow is Mar's last day...we are all sooo bummed!!

BYE-BYE

Every night this week Lincoln has gone to the stairs and said, "BYE-BYE." He has been wanting to go ANYWHERE!! So, we gave Marilyn a few options for dinner/entertainment tonight and she chose Chuck E. Cheese...like any good aunt would do for her babies.Marilyn thought this helicopter was hilarious.
Ethan loves driving with daddy.As a motivator to leave Chuck E. Cheese, Daddy took everyone to Krispy Kreme. Those mini donuts are the PERFECT size for our guys....well ok Lincoln. Ethan ate three of them. :)

***This picture's just for fun***

Day 6

I told you she was going to wear them out!
Lincoln has not stopped talking since Marilyn got here. Day by day she is learning the language. She has learned quickly the phrase, "Show me." Today he broke her heart when he asked for "happle" (apple), and they were all gone. We made a run to the grocery store tonight, so he could have his happle.
I noted two funny things Ethan said today. The first one was the morning when he woke up. Marilyn was still downstairs. He asked if he could go wake her up. I told him sure, but noticed he wasn't going all the way down. He turned and said, "Nah, mom, you get my breakfast. Marilyn's too slow." We figured out he saw her light on and didn't want to go down if she was already up. He wants to wake her up. The second one happened before bath tonight. He held his Lightning McQueen race car up to her and said, "Mar, do you want to sleep with Lightning or not?" Of course, Marilyn enthusiastically said, "YEAH!"
The boys are having a ball!

Happy St. Patty's day!

After dinner at Peking Gourmet (yes...it's Chinese), we headed to the playground. The weather has not been that great since Marilyn arrived and they haven't got out of the house much. They love, love, love the playground.
We were talking about how different both boys are. I seriously could have a blog just on their differences. One blaring difference is their comfort level at the playground. Ethan just recently decided he was comfortable enough to go down the big slide. However, he wouldn't do the jungle gym tonight.

Lincoln on the other hand, has NO FEAR!!! He was in charge of the playground today!!!

Mar's cookies day TWO

The children all hyped up!

Amy's cookies

Our neighbor in Dayton, Amy , made what Marilyn calls tea cakes. They were DELICIOUS. She recently posted her recipe on her blog and Marilyn has been making them at home. Today, she made a batch for us.
Ethan was super excited to pick out his cookie cutters. Lincoln had to get in on the action too!
The end result was great!

Monticello

Today we took the drive to Monticello in Charlottesville, VA (about two hours away). We knew the weather was going to be questionable so we dressed the kids warmly.
Ok...maybe we went a little overboard. Luckily, the faux fur snaps off. Once we got into the house, Lincoln wanted out of his stroller and wanted to be into everything. The tour was pretty quick. By the time we got out of the house, the rain was drizzling.
The farm was really neat. It would be nice to come back when the weather is nicer and the kids can really run around.

Run them ragged

Ethan woke up at 6:30 ready to go. He wanted to go get Marilyn so bad! When I called at 9:30, they were upstairs playing. When I got home, Marilyn told me that they had played all over the house and outside with everything. She said Ethan actually asked for a nap. She needs to pace herself...she has nine more days to go!!!

Marilyn's here!!

Marilyn had an uneventful flight in. She flew into Reagan and then took the metro to the closest metro stop for us. The boys and I picked her up in the Kiss and Ride parking lot (so appropriate).
On a side note...this was a conversation Ethan and I had on the way to pick up Mar.
Ethan: Mom, I grabbed Linky's feet when he was on the big slide so he wouldn't smash his nose in the sand again today.
Me: Has this happened to him before?
Ethan: Yesterday, he smashed his face into the sand.
Me: What did Link do?
Ethan: He cried so I took him to his teacher.
I thought this was the sweetest thing! They really do love each other!

Last day of sick leave

Memaw and Pappy hit the road. They were such a huge help! The boys are fever-free. They are not 100% but good enough. They go to school for two days and then Marilyn comes!
Lincoln tried out the big red car for the first time. He was loving it!
The weather has turned nice and they have been able to play outside each day. Ethan has become the sports junkie. He's hitting baseballs and making baskets with ease.

RESCUED

Ethan's fever has broken. Memaw and Pappy came to save the day! The boys are in heaven. Nate and I were both able to go back to work today.