Mulch Madness, a sewing accident and the Race that wasn't

This weekend's excitement started early Saturday morning when a big dump truck arrived with some new playground mulch for the boys' swingset area. They loved seeing the truck and then helping move the mulch in place (and driving their own dump trucks all over it). Shortly after the mulch arrived, Ryan and Carol came over the hang out and play for a bit. The boys all had fun, played their hearts out and were able to have lunch together. At Cole's nap time, Eli & I ran to pick up my race packet for the triathlon I was to do on Sunday morning. We picked up my numbers, shirt and then drove the bike course so I could see what was in store. Once we got home, I started back working on their Halloween costumes. About 5:30pm, I somehow sewed my index finger on my left hand. At first, it just hurt and was bleeding (thankfully I didn't say any bad words with the kids around). Then I realized that there was a hard spot and when Tim checked my sewing machine, part of the needle was missing so it was obviously in my finger. NOT on the plan for Saturday night. I started looking up Urgent Cares and finally found one open until 8pm so off I went with an ice pack on my hand. I felt so stupid but that's why it's called an accident. Anyway, at Urgent Care they took an x-ray to get an idea where it was and how much. The doc felt confident she could get it but left it up to me - it was either let her try or go see a hand surgeon on Monday (a HAND SURGEON - Oh my gosh!!). Of course, I let her go for it. It didn't take long and she pulled out a 1cm piece of needle. Could not believe it. Apparently when it went in my finger, it hit the bone, broke and stayed in there sideways. After that, it was off to get my pain meds and back home. Doc advised that I not do the triathlon due to the swim portion and possible infection. I took that as God's sign to me that I didn't need to be racing so I heeded the advice and stayed home with Tim & the boys. It was odd because it was my first DNS (Did Not Start) ever.

Today miraculously we all slept in. Granted, Tim & I were each upstairs in bed with a kid but we managed to sleep until after 7am. Had I been racing, I would have left the house about 6:15am. After some hang out/read the newspaper/watch cartoons time, the boys & I walked to the school playground to play while Tim went on a bike ride. After lunch, I went to see our friends Mike & Mary and help sort through baby clothes and help them get ready for their daughter that will be here in less than a month!!

Tonight the boys were super crazy but we finally got them to bed. Cole has been acting more like his cute happy self which is great because he has been off since he was sick. Eli just gets bigger and smarter before my eyes. Last night, at bedtime, Tim told me that Eli said a prayer for my hurt finger. That made my heart so happy. He's such a sweet boy! We're trying to mentally psyche ourselves up for another week. Eli will be happy to get back to school tomorrow because he has been blankie-less all weekend, apparently leaving it there on Friday. We really did have a great weekend. For the next two weekends, we have Grandparents coming to visit - YAY!

Driving to the top of Mulch Mountain

Cutie Patootie Cole

Big Boy Eli

The boys tried taking some mulch in their dump trucks. Daddy was much more effective with his cart.

Brothers

Boys and their dump trucks.

Daddy and his fan club

Lots of work

Cole-Man

Eli helping

Needle in finger - not good.

My numbers from the Race that Wasn't.

Being this cool.....

Eli & Cole always enjoy running over the wobbly "bridge"

Cole is getting much better at it.

Hi Mommy!

Cone-head Eli. He thought he was quite funny.

Primrose Goes Pink

This past week the boys' school went Pink to support and raise money for the fight against breast cancer. There were different activities each day, fundraisers and a walk on Friday. Friday coincided with Lee National Denim Day so the boys both wore jeans to school and their pink penguin "Fight Like a Girl" shirts. The walk was really cool because each kid had a sign on their back walking for or in memory of someone. I know the boys are too young to understand what they were raising money to fight but one day they will know and hopefully by then, the outlook will be much better. You know they do have a Mom, Grandmas and will one day get married. After the walk, the classes had their pink parties and everyone had fun with their pink treats. Such a great ending to a worthwhile week.

Eli's class coming out

Cole's class - Cole's buddy Wyatt in the awesome pink Cookie Monster shirt

Waiting their turn

Cole's sign on his back

Eli's sign

Eli & his buddy Evan walked together for a lot of the walk. Super sweet.

Cole & Wyatt

Eli & Evan at the party

Mommy and her super sweet pink boys

Around here

Things have been crazy busy around here. Work continues to occupy all my non-Eli/Cole time but we are having lots of fun as much as possible. It's really hard to remember what we did yesterday (ok well not technically yesterday because I DO remember that but you know what I mean) so I'm going to let some of the pictures from my camera tell the story of what we've been up to.

Bicycle races in the back yard - Eli challenged Tim and Tim took the challenge. They chased each other around the back yard.

Face off of the red bikes.

Hanging on the back porch - the boys have been really cute sitting together a lot. Eli is definitely taking his role of big brother seriously.

Baking time - I think this was chocolate chip cookies. The boys love helping me. I think it's mostly eating the chocolate chips. =)

And lots of dump truck races. Eli & Cole love to run around the back yard with their trucks. They've even started to stage crashes and run into each other.

No words do this justice.......those cheeks, those eyes, my sweet Cole.

Eli hanging with me on Sunday afternoon while I had to work. Fortunately for him, he had more fun on "his"computer watching Bookflix.

Naturally sweet, No Sugar Added.

Last week, Cole was sick a few days. Once he started getting some strength back, the only food that we could get him interested in was cheese balls. Whatever it takes when they're sick, right?

The makings of Eli's Angry Bird Halloween costume. He is SO excited that we're making it together. Hopefully we'll get it finished this weekend.

Cadel and my sketch (the final version). Eli wants to be the yellow bird, of course.

Saturday morning, after the Y, we went to the park to meet Eli's buddies. A cute shot of he & Ryan tag-teaming goalie responsibilities.

Here Eli, Cole & Ryan were playing together. Shortly after this, we had an unfortunate clash of wills and Mommy won promptly dragging Eli out of the park and home. I was super bummed but you know, sometimes you have to stand your ground and this one was big to me. Eli ran off, out of my sight and wasn't listening - that is unacceptable no matter where we are.

While Eli was upset about leaving, Cole kept giving me nice toothy smiles.

With the weather getting cooler (YES!), Eli is back in love with his Patagonia vest (thanks Aunt Cary!). Here he was set up to go on a little bike ride.

Our last garden harvest. Lots of carrots. The next day, these were quite yummy in our pot roast.

The boys have a blast running to their swings and then flying. This was a particularly cute shot where they were trying to hold hands.

Eli & I went shopping together last Sunday and while we were at the store, he saw marshmellows and asked for some. He wanted the super huge ones (have you seen them?! They're huge!) but we negotiated to the middle size. Cole was hilarious b/c he kept going "boingy boingy boingy" and making the marshmellow bounce.

Cole in jeans for the 1st time this fall. Such a cutie! Oh yeah, sporting his new truck shirt too!

Our bake sale goodies. The boys' school is having Pink week and raising money to fight Breast Cancer. We baked pumpkin whoopie pies and chocolate chip cookies (again!). It has been a great week at school with activities every day and tomorrow we'll celebrate Lee National Denim Day, they have a walk at school in the afternoon and Pink parties. Such a great cause!

Eli being big brother. He is so amazing with Cole. Just watching him talk to Cole and try to teach / explain things to him. I love it. Here he was helping Cole take his shoes off so they could get ready for "naked time" before bath.

Last night, we went to the airport observation park. It has been a while since we've been. Cole absolutely loves airplanes and the boys were so excited that we went there right after school.

We met Ryan and Carol out there. Eli & Ryan were jumping off the yellow spider playgym. I tried to get a picture of both of them but this one is great of Ryan's face.

Picnic time. The CFA drive through was MUCH easier than trying to eat in the restaurant, especially when I had the boys by myself. They loved running around and stopping to eat as they wanted. It was a fun night.

This shot sums it up - crazy boys, airplanes and a picnic.

This morning, the boys sweetly asked to watch Bookflix. We let them watch two books before getting dressed.

They were funny pretending to sleep in our bed. Notice the smile on Cole's face as he closed his eyes.