Uh oh

Doctor looked at Ethan's growth chart and wants him to put on a pound in one month. She told him to have ice cream every day.

This means trouble. For me!

Ethan's a role model student

In swim class!

Gavin and Ethan just finished swim classes through the county (thanks Pops!) and both did really well. Gavin was fearless and everything clicked for Ethan this time! 

Gavin can blow bubbles underwater for 5 seconds and Ethan can swim on his front and back for 5 yards and float!

They are thrilled with themselves.

Now I have to figure out how to pull this off again. Ethan needs to advance a class and they no longer will have the same schedule. And trying to keep one out of the pool while he watches his brother swim is NOT my idea of a good time.

But reading how Ethan is a "model student" sure is!

I jinxed myself

Remember when I declared "I totally nailed today"?

Never doing that again.

Gavin just woke up vomiting all over his bed.

Out of no where.

Bloody karma.

Thank you God

As read by Gavin.

Gavin reading "Thank you God" to Daddy: http://youtu.be/salSCMNJMuA

I totally nailed today!

When the boys woke me at their usual 6am, I saw the forecast of high of 49 today!

I decided I was going to rally and make this one successful winter day!

We started with their new favorite game,  Basement Obstacle Course.  I time them against their own best times and change up the course once they reach their best time. Watch each one's run here.

Watch "Basement Obstacle Course" on YouTube
Basement Obstacle Course: http://youtu.be/r9N8tE5-wEw

And

Watch "Gavin's obstacle course" on YouTube
Gavin's obstacle course: http://youtu.be/SrDMDHd8jtU

After everyone was worn out,  Gavin went down for his nap and Ethan and I settled in for our traditional weekend afternoon snuggles. Soooo much more comfy on our new couch! Major win- Ethan actuality slept!  That never happens! I, of course, immediately joined him.

Then we met up with our neighborhood pals Thane and Dan for sledding,  snowballs, and snowmen.

About 5 seconds after they proudly posed with their snowman classmates Thane and Ethan pummeled and demolished it.  Frosty, and Gavin, didn't see it coming. Tears quickly flowed. Kindly,  Dan made Gavin a new one 2 minutes flat.

I couldn't because,  you know,  Floridian. But boy I'm faking this winter thing best I can! 

Enough already

We headed outside as the forecast said the snow was going to transition to sleet soon. I wanted to clear the driveway so Chris had somewhere to park in the morning.

I shoveled the whole driveway filled with 6 inches of snow.  They look cute, but those two clowns thought it was the greatest fun in the world to leap into the mounds of snow I cleared, sending it tumbling back on to the driveway. I sent them to shovel a very important section of grass to keep them busy.

Finally it was cleared. The neighbors came and played while the snow continued to fall heavily. When I walked them home 45 minutes later I couldn't see the driveway! Ugh! ! The picture with Chris' car in the backround was an hour later at 5pm. It's 8 pm now and a few more inches have fallen and still at it.

Sorry Chris, your turn in the morning. I tried!

I felt so bad

Waking this little guy from his nap.

Putting on all his winter gear as he lay on the couch just trying to sleep.

Sitting him in the stroller knowing he was about to ride outside in THIS weather to pick up big bro from school.

Sorry little brother.

Kiss off winter

Wind chill -15 tonight. School delayed two hours tomorrow and for once I agree. At afternoon pick up it started to feel painful waiting outside in the wind for ME. I saw a kindergarten teacher holding hands and huddling together with the kids sent to school without hats or gloves to keep them warm.

Feels like 13 degrees

Gavin couldn't put his arms down.

All three boys had a powder snowball/snow kicking fight.

Until Gavin discovered his "shield", chanting "You missed!"

Hot chocolate followed of course.

Happy Valentine's Day 2014

Thank you Suz for the gift of a rare date night! She even brought crafts!

The boys didn't even realize we were gone with our celebrity guest. They were fighting for turns with Suz snuggles by the end.

I built an addition on the house in one day

Okay, not QUITE. But it feels like an addition. And I did do it in ONE day (including IKEA run for shelving!)

We had this grimy enclosed area in our kitchen hiding ductwork we used as a broom closet.

I'm embarrassed to show the before but, gulp, I will.

Well the kitchen was spilling over and something had to change. So I decided to convert it to a pantry. But there was no way I was going to put food in there.

It had to look like a new room, so that's what I did.

I primed and painted the walls, door, and ceiling with left over paint. Then the fun began.

Spray painting the ductwork with high heat resistant spray paint. Cough cough! Man that was nasty. But the result was completely worth it.

I installed some shelving, including on the back of the door.

And ta-da! We now have a pantry!

It feels like we built an addition. I keep opening the door to admire it.

Home improvement in progress

I realized midway I should be wearing safety goggles, but it was too dark and cold out to look in the shed.

So I took Ethan's from his Magic School Bus chemistry set. Shhh!

Stay tuned for my big one day project reveal!

Cuddles may resume!

Remember how I shared that we broke our sofa after 6 years of snuggles and show watching?

Today we found it's replacement! In the as-is section of Bob's Discount Furniture. (Hey, we still have two small boys, now's not the time for a bigger investment!)

It looked deep and comfy in the store, but seemed to grow in size once it tried to fit in our car!  The loading crew told Chris, "sorry, man, no way that will fit!"  Then they sat back and watched.

Chris made it fit. Nothing stops us from a good deal!

Our friend helped us move it in and, woah. This couch is way bigger than in the show room. I mean we measured and all but WOW.

Just more room for the boys to grow and still snuggle!

We've broken our sofa

With too many morning cuddles.

Seriously, we are shopping for a new one that can handle the snuggles.

The Cowboys Have a New Mascot

Gavin switched his helmet for a cowboy hat and put his Cowboys cape over his Romo jersey.

Bouncing away on his horse, he hollered YEEE HAAAAAWWWW! GOOOOO COWBOYS!

For 45 minutes.

What's the address in Dallas for the audition tape submission?

I'd take being sick any day

Over my baby being sick! 

The cold turned out to be strep.  Who knew strep was accompanied by vomiting? Apparently that's par for the course along with his fever, chills, aches, and of course, very sore throat.

Three days out this week, two days out for pink eye a week ago. Remember what I said about how do parents keep their jobs?!

I had one very nauseous snuggly boy and another very active boy who wanted the couch cuddles to end and "TACKLE!" 

Sorry Gavin.  I promise we'll play football tomorrow.

Cootie Costume

Ethan caught the cold. I think Gavin's pulling out all the stops to scare away the germs.

No sick leave here

A little hot tea and honey to keep going during my cold. Blech, I'm feeling miserable.

Using a mug I made in pottery class brightened my day though!