Bubbles!

The boys were excited that the easter bunny brought bubble wands this morning. We got some great pictures from the egg hunt that we'll upload later.

This is what IKEA will do to you.

A successful shopping trip has ended in very tired kids!

Celebrating Spring

Click the picture for more photos!

Tonight we decorated a few eggs for the Bunny to hide on Saturday. Pictures of diggers and rock crushers were rather popular by a certain small boy. The egg hunt is in the morning and dinner is late afternoon on Saturday. Call if you are coming.

Spring is here!

Sorry for the poor quality of this picture- it was taken in a sneaky fashion through the craft room window. James went with his papa and picked out flowers for the window box today, then got the fun of planting then once they got home.

One lucky train fan

The basket of trains and tracks has remained a favorite, providing many, many hours of creative play.

Morning snack

Two little boys in two little chairs enjoy bananas before breakfast.

Snuggles before bed

The boys soak up some papa time with kisses and tickles.

The Secret of Staple Head

Leland has had many nicknames (Sugar Bum, Lee-Lee, Piddle Bum Bum, and so on), but the newest was bestowed upon him by Marco Polo - Staple Head. We now think of him as a Super Hero with powers of, um, well, staples? Well, it at least sounds cool.

So, we were having a quiet morning when Leland decided that breakfast was no longer entertaining. To add excitement to our day, he catapulted backward off of the stool at the counter and tested the strength of his head against a potted plant. I believe the potted plant took this round...

Head wound are scary. Lots of bleeding and crying. Of course Leland was more calm by the time everyone was ready to go up to the hospital; he was asking for shoes and a jacket - seriously. He had calmed down and was ready to go in the car. Alissa and I were not as calm.

Our pediatrician directed us to the Emergency Room. After taking James in last year, we should have had the routine down... Anyway, they got us right in. Leland was fascinated by all of the lights, especially the finger sensor for the pulse reading. The doctor and nurses were great. James and I hung around until the actual stapling. We bailed for the cafeteria for much needed coffee and French toast. Alissa snuggled Leland and the staples were done in seconds. I had not even finished breakfast with James when they found us in the cafeteria.

Leland is doing fine and will have a cool scar under his hair. And although the staples come out in a few days, he will always be our hero, Staple Head!

Who is Staple Head?

In this season of action hero movies, we ask, "Who is Staple Head?"


Hint: It is one of the boys...

Cuddle spot

This chair is the very favorite snuggle spot right now. This morning James invited Leland to cuddle in with him.

Coffee Dance

Leland used to be afraid of the coffee grinder. Then he learned to dance as it grinds. Recently our electric grinder broke and we've been using this hand grinder to grind coffee, and apparently it's good for doing the coffee dance too!

Papa's barber shop

The weather is so beautiful this evening! We're bbq'ing out back and the barber shop is open. It feels great to be outside!

Bunkbed!!!!

The Wonderful Bunkbed

Above-Opening his gift from Papa. Click the link above for even more bunkbed pictures.

Much deliberation and planning ensues. Originally they were going to build one. Then we found this one at the Habitat for Humanity Restore, and two things happened- 1. We realized we couldn't build one for the price of this one, and 2. James was in love with it. He came home talking about it. It didn't take us long to make the decision to purchase it.

Setting up- the boys were bonkers with excitement! We finally had to ban them to the other room because they were runnning back and forth bonking into the mattress leaning against the wall and trying to climb on the half built bed!

Finally it's together- well, I mean obviously we got the bottom mattress on later, but for the boys this was the important part: getting to climb up to the top! Yay!

Train toy ride!

First time on one of these rides.

Where did they go?

That's what the boy silhouetted in the window wants to know. He shed the tears of a younger brother too little to participate, as his Papa and brother headed off this morning to a Tumbling Class. James is SO excited, "I'm going to learn to cartwheel Mama! And how to...uhh...how to tumble!"

What I realized when they left is that it really is very rare for James to go anywhere without his little brother. Even when Michael or I offer to take just James on an outing, "It'll be special, just you and me," we'll say. James doesn't want to go without Leland. He often will flat out refuse to go somewhere if Leland can't go. So this is an odd experience for Mr.Lee to be left behind! It should be a lot of fun for James and Michael though, and I'm sure Leland will quickly realize the benefits of having Mama all to himself for a bit.

The Boys' Favorite Activity

Playing with Papa on the bed.

 

Once, last year for Micahel's birthday card I asked James what he really loved that his Papa did. "Plays on the bed with me!" was his quick reply. I don't think that answer has changed yet.

 

 

Watching the inauguration

James would rather be watching his garbage truck video, but I'm torturing him.

Friend fun

Having snacks at Stella's house.