Mother's Day 2015

Today Chris and the boys put together such a thoughtful Mother's Day!

The boys picked roses, we had breakfast at First Watch, then took family photos I'm always wanting to get done. First "pro" pics since Gavin was born!

Then the stomach bug the boys had last week arrived hit me like a bus. Afternoon festivities of handprints in stepping stones and dinner are postponed.

Enjoy the pics of the happier moments of the day! So grateful these three guys made me a mother!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOW we have a fifth member of the family!

Okay, we had a little hiccup, but now we've found our family dog! After seeing the boy's disappointment saying goodbye to their first dog, Chris and I knew we needed to do what it took to invest in the right dog for our family. The right breed and the time and energy needed to raise a puppy to have the traits that match our family.

Meet HERSHEY! A 14 week old purebred standard poodle!! No froo froo tiny dog here, this girl will be able to keep up with the boys in this house.

Named by Pennsylvanian born and bred Chris and voted for by the chocolate loving boys. (They thought my idea of Snickerdoodles was a joke and vetoed it). Hey, at least I got a second girl in the house.

She's soooo soft, like down feathers, and playful, and gentle!

Here are the boys teaching her how to roll down a hill behind our house.

 

 

She thinks Gavin is a puppy from her litter. I constantly remind him to stand up so she doesn't tousle him like a fellow pup.

Bad shot, but here's Gavin with a wastebasket on his head giggling "Tee hee! You can't lick my face now Herseeeee!!"

She cheered up Ethan from his fever today.

Sitting at his feet as he watched Wild Kratts. (I'm not letting her on the couch...yet).

But her puppy friend Gavin happily had the energy to show her around.

Her litter was adorable, so I can see why she that Gavin was one of them ;)

The boys are potty trained and I'm glutton for punishment, so let's house train baby! And we are just starting to sleep through the night around here, so better get a puppy before we are too used to it!

Welcome home Hershey!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

View videos, photos, and more on our family blog:www.livingingear.blogspot.com

 

Outside and it feels sooo good!

Look ma! No coat,  gloves, or hat!

The Four S's of our Christmas Morning: Science, Sports, Sensory, and Superheros!

Right on time. 6am. The boys woke up with their heads on a swivel, happy as can be!

Santa brought Ethan his tornado machine and Gavin his fast Microcharger dome!

They played with these two toys and the stocking trinkets for an hour. We had breakfast and had to point out the abundance of gifts under the tree! They didn't even notice.

All in all, we opened gifts one by one, playing with each one, for four hours.

It was so fun seeing their different personalities in play. Ethan was the "elf", handing everyone their gifts and getting more joy out of giving gifts than opening his own. Gavin tore through his gifts with super sonic speed. He'd open one halfway and exclaim, "Next present!!!" Boy he was pissed when Ethan was left with a pile to open at the end! We were mirror images of my sister and I as kids, Tina loving giving gifts and I diving right into opening mine.

The boys loved their ceramic whistles I made at pottery class, a sting ray for Ethan and a rhino for Gavin.

My little elf.

Ethan loved his science gifts, a microscope, slides, a Magic School Bus chemistry kit, and a plasma ball.

 

He also loved all of his sensory gifts!

Look at this little sensory seeker putting together his wrist weights, his wiggle seat, and their Bosu ball.

Gavin was fiercely into the super hero gifts, which included books, action figures, and a Flash mask! All essential for the Rhino Rescuer character he has created.

Superhero underwear included.

This was the first year the kids picked their own gifts for Chris and I too. Here's the M&Ms Ethan chose and wrapped (and labeled with his spelling of "surprise").

And Gavin picked a football for his daddy, in his favorite color orange.

They were obsessed with their Uncle Nick's golfing set!

 

Gavin got his balance bike and Ethan his bigger boy bike (under $25 for both!)

When they rode home, they realized the reindeers had eaten the carrots.

Perfect Christmas.