Washington DC

Daddy was away all last week in DC. To say we missed him would be an understatement. You don't realize how much Daddy helps until Daddy is gone. We kept ourselves busy at the house while he was away . . .So we planted flowers  . . .

We went shopping for new hats because Wyatt is obsessed with hats

We went fishing with Poppy
We went out for Ice Cream
We snuggled the boys.

On Friday morning we left to meet Jeff in DC for the weekend. We went to the National Zoo on Friday afternoon and had a blast.

We had dinner Friday night with my friends from college and little man was not a fan of sleeping in his pack and play so he had a sleepover in Mommy and Daddy's bed. Needless to say, he was the only one who slept. On Saturday we went to the Natural History Museum and the Air and Space Museum. It was fun although there wasn't a ton for toddlers. The Natural History Museum did have a discovery room which was neat.

Here we are measuring the alligators head while some other kid is trying to snatch the tape measure out of Wyatt's hand.
After the museums we went to the National Harbor (looking back I wish we had just gone there Saturday morning because they have a children's museum but by the time we got there it was too late in the day to go. We had lunch at a restaurant called "Ketchup" looked at the boats and then headed home.

This was the perfect place for the two of us since Ketchup is our favorite food :)

Thankful we can travel with Daddy but Thankful Daddy is home!

What a difference a year makes. . .

I decided it was time for some new clothes for the little man. I hate spending money and I can pretty much count the number of articles of clothing I have bought him on one hand in the last 18 months of his life. Obviously my love language is not giving gifts and yes I do admit I have an issue with spending money. He pretty much looks ridiculous right now in his mismatched hand me downs that are all too big and his hillbilly baby mullet hair cut that I gave him. So, I decided that if I couldn't fix the hair maybe the Gap could fix his style. . . Once shopping I  realized that I don't have a baby anymore but a little boy. I had to shop in the front of the store instead of the back, how sad :(. He's growing up so fast and I literally can't keep up. I was downloading Easter pictures and realized what a difference a year makes.

 Last year's Easter Egg Hunt

This year's Easter Egg Hunt  (yes this is the best picture I could fine because he doesn't sit still long enough for anyone to take his picture)

 Last year's Easter Basket

Finding this year's Easter Basket

Happy Easter 2013 

He's talking up a storm, literally repeating everything you say like a little mini parrot.
I want to be a good mom and write down all the fun words he says but there are so many I lost track. One of his favorites is Truck. Pronounced chuck. He loves his  Poppy's chuck! He loves being outside and asks to play outside from sun up to sun down no matter the weather. I'm glad summer is on its way and I can't wait to spend every waking minute OWESIDE with this busy little man!

Valentine's Day

 He's a heartbreaker alright . . .

We needed an excuse for a playdate so we used Valentine's Day. . .

 

we made Valentine cards

 read Valentine books

 and had lunch with friends

Muriel . . . Jean . . . My Mammy

Disclaimer: I wrote this post almost a year ago and it was too painful to finish. I decided that it needed to be completed and needed to be published.

To some she went by Muriel, to others she went by Jean. To us she was Mammy.

She wasn't a typical Grandmother. She wasn't old. She was young and spunky. She could make anything she set her mind to.

She's made teddy bears, purses, curtains, bedspreads, pillows, watches, dresses, socks, sweaters, headbands. . . You name it she's made it!

I am so thankful for the things that she made for me over the past 27 years.

Like the corduroy jumper she made while visiting us in Michigan when I was in the 2nd grade.

Or the plaid prom dress that I just had to have for my Sr. Prom.

Or the bedroom set that she made out of this random fabric that was accidentally delivered to her doorstep for my room at JMU.

Oh and the teddy bear with my name on the foot, the purse made out of a placemat

The apron that she made me when Jeff and I got married

My bridal bag that she then took apart to use as a pattern to make another (she was always doing that)

The cowl we knit together just a few months before she died

The beautiful baby quilt that she mustered up the energy to finish days before she died.

 

After she died my Mom bought me a sewing machine. She wanted me to be able to create things just like my Mammy did. Sometimes when I sit down to sew all I can think about is her. Usually its because I've screwed up and wish I could take it to her to fix. Sometimes I avoid using it because it makes me sad. Sometimes I avoid using it because I have a complex and I'm afraid of making a misake. Its almost been a year since she's been gone and I still think about her and miss her just the same but hopefully this year I'll muster up the courage to use my machine a little more.

Boston

Wyatt and I were lucky enough to accompany Jeff on one of his real estate trips recently. We debated whether or not to take Wyatt because traveling to Boston in th emiddle of winter is not always the best idea. We decided to go, packed lots of warm clothes and blankets and hoped for the best.

 

 

It was cold, there was snow but it was worth it.

 

Jeff worked during the day and Wyatt and I explored all of the children's museums in the area. We played with puppets, went to aquariums, painted, read books, went to markets . . .

I feel privileged to be able to see so many new sights with my boy!

 

At night after Jeff was done work we enjoyed exploring the city together and even had the chance to grab dinner with one of his friends from highschool.

 On the last day we spent the day at the children's museum in Boston. If you're ever in Boston I highly recommend checking it out. Wyatt had so much fun and there are exhibits for all ages. Here they are pretending to fly an air plane!

We loved our time in Boston I hiope our next trip is a little warmer!

Fruity Play - doh

One of my favorite memories as a kid was making fruity play doh with my mom. I used to make it with my students and couldn't wait until Wyatt was old enough to make it with. Its super easy. Here's the recipe:

 

1 c. flour

1/2 c. salt

3 T veg oil

1 package of kool aid

1 c boiling water

Mix the flour, salt, oil and kool aid first then add the hot water. Knead until dough forms.

 

 

Its funny how scents tend to trigger memories and smelling the scent of the kool - aid packet took me back to a happy place :).

It smells so good and is safe for accidental digestion by toddler or dog ;)

Its about time. . .

I realized its been way too long since I've blogged. I've been busy decorating our house and entertaining my boys!

Wyatt has grown up so much. He's walking and talking and has a little mind of his own!

He's quite the picky eater these days. Only eats what he wants to eat when he wants to eat it. Unless ketchup is offered. Then he'll dip anything and everything. hmmmm, I wonder where he gets that from??? :). 

He says baby, Mimi, Nana, Mama, Dada, All Done, Ollie, Please, Cheese.

 I love that little man more than life itself!

A bittersweet day . . .

Today I went back to school to gather the last of my belongings.

I thought I was ok but started to get choked up the minute I walked through the doors.

I've walked through those double doors every morning for the last 4 years and every afternoon I left with a smile on my face. I loved my job. I loved the people I worked with. I loved the kids I taught. I love the families I befriended.

It was bittersweet as I said goodbye to this chapter in my life that I loved so much. That I felt so much satisfaction from.

I would be lying if I said I didn't miss it. I miss the kids, I miss knowing that each day as I walk out the doors that I made a difference in someone's life.

I know I'm making a difference in a very special little boy's life. I am very thankful for that. I am thankful that I get to see his face every time he wakes up in the morning. I am so thankful that my Jeff works so hard so that I can stay home.