A sign?

Monday afternoon after work, we headed to the mall to do a few things and let the kids play in the play area. When we got home, we asked Lucas if he was ready to play on the cat playhouse again? He replied that he would love to, but had to do his homework first. "Homework" was a paper from school that they didn't have time to finish - tracing the alphabet - both upper and lower case letters. He had finished about half at school. I got him the paper and crayons, and he went to work by himself. He was so immersed in the task. I'd check on him every 2 minutes or so, and he'd say he was fine and that he'd come play when he was done his homework. Too cute! Let's hope the same persistence in schoolwork is still around when he's 7 or 8!

Playhouse for who?

Earlier this week, Tony decided that he and Lucas would build the cats a playhouse. We had one that he made when we lived in Massachusetts and we and the cats loved it. Our main motivation this time was to give them something to claw up other than our sofas. Lucas was thrilled at the idea! Tony drew up plans on the computer, in true geek fashion. Then there was the trips to Lowe's to get needed building supplies. Pop was gracious enough to let us borrow his woodshop Saturday to get our build on! Lucas even had his own toolbag to take!
We headed down Mommom & Pop's Saturday morning, and Lucas, Tony & Pop went to work. Mommom, Charlotte, and I headed to the mall. We picked up the kids' pictures that were taken 2 weeks ago, and I tried one a bathing suit. Then we went to Gigi's for a visit. When we got back, the boys were still working, so Lottie went for a nap at Mommom's house. I went back to the mall to try on more bathing suits! By the time I got back, the guys were done and Lottie was up. So, we went to the fabric store to get a covering for the cathouse. The rest of the day was spent finishing the house and watching some March Madness basketball...
Pretty nice, huh? Only problem is that the cats can't get a turn because the kids have deemed it a jungle gym for them!!!

Strike!

We went bowling this morning. For the first time, the grown-ups didn't bowl. There was a tournament at the alley yesterday and they changed the oil pattern for it. We didn't want it to interfere with the way we'd bowl Thursday (yes, we are that professional now!), so we sat this one out. Lucas bowled 2 games by himself, and let Lottie take about 8 turns. She'd walk up there with him and "help" push the ball, then run back to us! Super cute... She even had a fit when we left, screaming "stay there" all the way home...

Tee Time!

It was 70 degrees out Monday, so after work/school we played a round of mini-golf! Lucas was mega excited and did great. Kept focused on the game, took turns, etc. He did do a little cheating such as moving the ball, but hey, he's 4. We got a little club and ball for Charlotte too. She used it for maybe 2 holes at most before chucking them aside so that she could climb rocks, jump off hills, scale bricks, etc. At one point she found an old burger bun in a bush and took a bite before we saw her... Gross! But it was fun ; ) And I would've taken more pics, but my camera battery died...

Shoe Fetish

In case you hadn't heard, Lottie has a shoe fetish! She loves ALL things shoes... She wants to try everyone's on... Wants to put shoes on the second she wakes up (that had to stop due to some severely stinky toesies) and screams when it's time to take her shoes off... Lucas got out his crocs from last summer, and Lottie became instantly obsessed. So, Sunday we headed out to get her her very own pair. There weren't many choices, as she wears the smallest size they make, so we had to get pink. She now has to do things by her "SELF" as she will tell you, so she spent Sunday afternoon mastering the crocs...

Excited to try them on:
Mad they won't do what she wants:
Success at last:

Our Weekend...

Saturday morning, a local park was hosting a mountain bike race. Tony tried to sign up, but was too late and the race was already full. But, he still wanted to see what it was all about. So, Saturday morning we headed to that park anyway... Played on the playground for quite a while first. Then, once one of the race groups started, we hiked a waterfall trail and hung out waiting for the bikers to ride by on that part of the trail... While we waited, the kids threw rocks into the water, had a snack, and Lucas rock-hopped his way across the river... resulting in wet feet :)
Finally, the bikers came by. We got to watch them come through a little downhill section,through the river, and then up a rocky hill. Tony and Lucas cheered and yelled. Lottie like watching and would quietly mutter what the others were yelling... Have you ever heard a 2 yr old yell "dig dig dig" as bikers go by???
In the afternoon, I took the kids to Gigi's house where they got to open all the summer clothes Gigi got them for their birthdays! Sooooo cute - thanks Gigi!!! We'll be so stylish this summer!
We finished out the weekend having dinner at a neighbor's house and then letting the kids run around with the neighborhood gang...

Lottie turns 2!!!

On St. Patrick's Day, we celebrated Lottie's 2nd birthday! Hard to believe she's 2 already... And it seems like instantly on her 2nd birthday she all of a sudden seemed so much bigger/older???

She woke up all smiles and wore a fancy dress - that also had green in it!
She spent the morning with Ms. Dineyli and Rachel as usual... But Daddy picked her up before nap and took her to the park to ride bikes with Jenny and Chucky (our old neighbors). They rode a while and then played on the playground while they waited for me and Lucas to show up!

Lucas was also dressed in green and had a St. Patty's Day party at school. He had a shamrock tattoo on his cheek, an O'Lucas hat, a bag of toys, and a sugar high from all the green snacks!
We finally got to the park and played some more... on the playground and down by the river on the swings... It was a lovely day - almost 70 degrees!
Charlotte finally started getting tired, so we headed home. Mommom and Pop came over for a cupcake party and to open presents. Char was very excited to be sung to and blow out the candles, but then didn't even look at the cake again... Jumped right down from the table to sit with Pop :) I think she's in love!
Grammie sent a cute jacket, a toy camera, and cool wooden car ramp (good thing, because with every present she was opening, she'd yell "car?"... Lucas had a bit of a hard time letting Char open things by herself...
And she finally got to open her purple ladybug pillow pet from Mommom and Pop... maybe now she won't steal Lucas' every time he lets it out of his sight.
Then, Tony and I went bowling and the kids got to hang out more with Mommom and Pop!!!

It's a fuzzy pic taken by Lucas, but I figured I should have at least one pic of me with her on her birthday!

Lucas' 4th Birthday Bash!

Friday morning, Tony emailed me at work to say that we were going to head to Lake Anna, VA camping as soon as I got home. It was supposed to be in the 60s and any little boy would love a surprise birthday camping trip! Tony had the outdoor gear ready and in the truck by the time I got there. I got changed and packed my and the kids' stuff and was in the truck in 19 minutes... pretty impressive if I do say so myself!!!

We went a different route than normal in an attempt to bypass DC traffic. It worked, but we still didn't make it before it got dark. Luckily, Tony just got some nifty lights that made setting up in the dark much easier...
After getting set up, we got a fire going... it was freezing! We think the lows got into the upper 20s. Brrr!!! Usually, Charlotte sleeps in her own little corner of the tent. Once we came to bed and realized how cold it was, we scooped her up and brought her to bed with us. She's never slept in a bed before, but handled it just fine. Tony, Lucas, and Lottie slept while I stayed awake til almost 3 a.m. freezing to death even though we had 3 sleeping bags and at least 5 blankets.

Saturday morning was still pretty cold. We grilled hot dogs for breakfast, then played around the campsite a bit.
Then, we took a walk down the path towards the lake. We stopped for a minute to listen to Lucas' lecture at the outdoor podium. He hopped right up there and began to yell "I believe..." followed by some silly saying... Like "I believe round pizzas fall from trees" or "I believe poop smells bad".
We eventually made it down to the playground by the lake.
Then, back to the campsite.
Lucas got in a good bit of bike riding... It was great, as there were only about 3 other people camping. In the summer when it's crowded, there are tons of cars around all the time. But with nobody around, Lucas could ride his bike all over the camp loops. He did a fantastic job... There were some hills and turns, but he loved riding "laps"! Lottie thoroughly enjoyed being carted around too...
After some hard bike riding, it was time for some relaxation in the swing.
Of the 3 other people camping, one turned out to be a group of disc golfers. Go figure! Tony and they made an impromptu course out of the campground, where instead of aiming for chain baskets, they aimed for fire pits. It worked and turned out to be tons of fun!
After dinner, we had to break out the glow sticks and go for a walk... Wouldn't be a camping trip without glowsticks...
After the walk, Lucas stated that he was ready to go to bed... I started to get nervous.... Lottie was going to have to sleep in the bed too... It was only 7:30 - way too early for us to go to bed with them. She'd never been put to bed in a real bed, especially with another little kid... Turns out I had nothing to worry about. They didn't move a muscle after I put them down, and when we came to bed, this is what we saw... Isn't it the CUTEST THING EVER?!?!?
Luckily, this night wasn't nearly as cold as Friday night, so we all got some decent sleep. Sunday morning we played some and packed up for home. We stopped at The Grange, hoping to play 1/2 round of disc golf to wear the kids out so they'd sleep all the way home... No luck - the course was closed. But we did stop for a minute to say hi to Cricket the dog!

After getting back, we played the game of unload, unpack, clean, and grocery shop. Fun! Mommom and Pop came over later to have a mini-celebration with us for Lucas' 4th birthday!!! He requested strawberry ice cream and cupcakes - chocolate cake and green icing... with pirate cupcake papers.
Then it was time for presents. From Grammie and Grampie he got a red/black jacket, a trash truck, and CARS matching game...
Mommom and Pop got him the Pillow Pet (or Pablo pet as he now calls it) that he's been wanting for months!
Can't believe the little guy is already 4!!!