Monday, August 13, 2012

Super fun weekend - Grandma time plus two parties!

Another super fun weekend around here. Grandma C came to visit and allowed Tim & I to have some fun and she also helped out with the boys. 

Saturday morning (really early!) Tim & I headed to a Stand-Up Paddleboarding lesson. I have been wanting to try it for a long time and when a Living Social Deal came up in June, I snagged two lessons so we could try it together. It was a 2 hour lesson and we finally made the time to go. When the lesson started, we sat on the boards and paddled out a bit to deeper water. We had a life jacket on and a paddle in our hands. Going from sitting to standing was a little tricky but not so bad once the instructor gave us tips on how to do it. I can only give my account but I was a little wobbly when I got up. I didn't want to be the first of our group to fall in the water! Once we got up, it was time to do a little paddling. Not too bad....as long as I was a "rock" and didn't move much on the board. Then it was time to learn to move a little on the board. Oh my. Not as easy as just standing still! I slowly shifted my feet around and tried to work my way to the back of the board to pop the nose of the board up. Apparently that makes turns quicker and tighter. Well, all it did was help me fall off!! Once I fell off, it was no big deal to fall off again. It was difficult to get back on the board the first time but trust me when I tell you, I pushed my limits enough to fall off plenty of times and I mastered getting back on the board!! We paddled around and just worked on skills. Near the end of class, we got everyone together (2 instructors and 10 students) and formed a line by overlapping our boards. We were like one big caterpillar - forming over an 11' paddleboard. Cool, we all got together. THEN it was time for everyone to stand up! We all did it and paddled around like that. It was very neat. Now the only way to break the line was to do above mentioned pop wheelie of the board. And yep, you guessed it, I fell off again!! Tim didn't fall off nearly as many times as I did but I told him it was because he wasn't pushing himself. My motto was that if you didn't fall off, you weren't trying hard enough! We had such a great time and I was very sore Sunday. My legs haven't had that type of workout probably ever. Imagine balancing on a wobbly board for two hours. Great quad and core workout!!

Before our lesson
After our paddleboarding lesson - so much fun!!

As soon as we got home from paddleboarding, Grandma & I headed out with the boys to Cole's buddy Jack's birthday party. It was a pool party and both Eli & Cole were ready to go play. The pool was really nice and had a toddler area with a shallow pool and water features. The big pool had a big slide and diving board. Eli went down the slide a lot of times. I stayed somewhat near the bottom so he could swim to me and then swim to the side of the pool. He did pretty good but definitely needed me there. I caught him in line for the diving board once and it about gave me a heart attack. Still some work to do before he can dive and swim to the side by himself. Soon though, very soon!

Loves the pool
Nice club - toddler area here, see the big slide in the background
little water boy
This was a fun water spray feature
Not a big fan of birthday party hats
Birthday Boy Jack!
Cole threw water on Grandma C and I LOVE his face in this picture.
He wasn't very happy when she poured water on him though. 
Love Grandma!
Hitching a ride
I was surprised that Eli kept going under this but he loved it.
Cole giving it a try. 
Do I have a future swimmer on my hands? 
Great shot with Grandma
F-U-N!!
Cole and Jack
Cute 3 year olds!

When we got home, there was a birthday package awaiting Cole. He was excited to open his new hockey set from our friends in Vermont. The boys had a blast playing with it on the back porch. 

Let's go play hockey!
Supervising Daddy
while he pressure washed the concrete.

Sunday morning, we all went to church and the boys crammed in more fun play time with Grandma before she headed home. Then, while Cole napped, Eli went to his friend Gray's birthday party at Pump It Up. Summer is party season for us!! So much fun!
Swinging and playing upside down
Grandma versus Grandsons
Upside down Cole-man
Soooo thankful for Grandma - we love you!
Headed to Gray's party - Mr. Hollywood in his camo shades
All of the kids love this new wind machine.
This shot cracks me up because Eli is holding his hair like Evan but Eli's hair isn't long enough to fly around!
78.4 mph
I think I should try it sometime!
Climbing to the top - at least trying!
Party gang
Eli & Evan - cute shot

Friday, August 10, 2012

Eli

Smart, Silly and Sweet. Some shots of Eli from today.
My little builder
This was his Trio block fighter ship. Between Trio block and Legos, he is quite the creator!
Silly clown boy! Dress up is fun. Usually it's SuperHeroes but today was clown boy. 

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Cookie Monsters

Aside from eating chocolate chips, cookie dough is everyone's favorite part of Mommy baking cookies.
My sweet cookie monsters!

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Fun at Ryan's 5th birthday party

Tonight was Eli's buddy Ryan's 5th birthday party at Frankie's Fun Park. Such a fun place! I took Cole to swim lessons while Tim took Eli to the party. Then Cole & I joined them for some cake and games. 

On the mini-golf course
Apparently Daddy didn't/couldn't win Eli something out of the machine.
Cake time - blowing out the candles. I guess Eli thought Ryan needed help! Happy Birthday Ryan!!
Canucks jersey cake - Ryan's mom, Carol, made the cake and I helped make the logo. 
I have no idea what this was about but you can tell it was hilarious! This picture just makes me smile. 
Intense air hockey game
Cole - my little guitar hero
Beep Beep!!
Learning to play skee ball - had to teach Cole to roll it underhand, not throw it.
Not sure if you can see Cole's face but he was not happy with Daddy coaching him. He wanted to do it his way.
"Look what I did!"

Monday, August 6, 2012

Silliness

You never know what is going to happen around here or what mood may strike. Here was tonight....
Both boys wanted to sit next to me at dinner so I sat at the end of the table. But that wasn't enough - they had to actually sit BESIDE me. 
They set up a game in the living room with towels and some could be stepped on and others could not, they'd blow up if you stepped on them. But it ended in playtime. Cole "riding" Eli the horse. 
Then getting bucked off. 
Then Eli took a ride on Cole the horse. 

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Grandma & Grandpa N plus lots of weekend fun

Grandma & Grandpa N came to visit us this weekend and we had a great time, as always! Friday night, after dinner, I threw a fast ball at them. The boys wanted to watch tv so my "idea" was that they watch one show with Grandma & Grandpa and then straight to bed while Mommy & Daddy snuck away to Barnes & Noble. Yep, I did that. I blindsided Grandma & Grandpa with a quick night of kid-sitting. :-) And man, it was soooo needed. Tim & I actually went to Kohl's for a little back to school clothes shopping and then B&N. I had a gift card from my birthday that was burning a hole in my pocket - it matched up wonderfully with some "wish read" books on my list. 

Saturday we did chores at home and just hung out. The boys loved watching / telling Daddy what to do. The boys all went to the store for a new outdoor ceiling fan and then supervised Daddy & Grandpa installing it. Sunday morning we went to church and then had lunch before Grandma & Grandpa left. It's always great to see them and the boys loved the extra attention! 

Sunday afternoon we had a fun soccer session / run around in the back yard before our friends Brian & Kara came over with their kiddos - Owen, Faye & Iris. Eli & Cole love playing with Owen & Faye and let me tell you, Faye can hold her own with the boys! It was a really nice weekend. Thankfully the boys were completely worn out and went to bed easily. How is it that I'm more tired than they are at the end of bedtime routine?! 

Friday night cartoon time
New Star Wars pjs = Happy little boy
My book selections
Daddy's helpers (kind of!)
Hello Mr. Cool
This happens ALL the time - a little brotherly love
turns into giggles
and some wrestling
flopping onto the floor
and finishing the "match". Yep, I have two crazy boys!!
After the boys cleaned up the backyard toys, they told Daddy it was time to mow. Tim hadn't planned on it but apparently my little Project Managers had it on their schedule!
"Need some help Grandpa?"
Supervising
Love Grandma & Grandpa!
Tim had to move his truck and the boys LOVE when they can catch a quick ride (even just down the driveway) in the front seat.
Silly Cole
One on One against Daddy
little soccer boys
Eli vs. Daddy
Run Run Run!
Eli flopped over - it was pretty funny. He was so tired!
Working on "headers"
Fancy Footwork - good job Cole!
Hello Cutie!
Two on one - kind of
Crazy on the swings. I have no idea what they called it. They might have been pretending to ride horses.
Picking up pine cones with Owen & Faye

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Cole's 3 year report card

Not sure where the time has gone. I forgot to post about Cole's 3 year check up! We went on July 13th. All was great, he's super healthy and where he needs to be.

Height: 38-3/4"
Weight: 37-3/4 pounds
Blood pressure: 94/56
Heart rate: 92

All perfect for our 3 year old bruiser!! He's not quite as big as his brother at three but he holds his own against Eli. He's his own kind of big. =) Love our Cole-Man!!!