Another PNO

Did I ever write how blessed we are to have such wonderful neighbors... seriously, they rock. They are our peeps, good people. We had a superb evening with great conversation, lots of laughs, strong drinks, yummy food, and no kids!!!

Steve and I love the time we get to spend with them. We are a dynamic group, but get along well and our kids play great. We all look at our newly built houses and want to kick ourselves in the you-know-what when we hear what similar homes are selling for in our area. Then we stop and look at our lives and our kids' lives- you can't put a price on great friendships, and that's what we have. It's more than worth it! Cheers to another PNO!!

Boo-boo & Loopee-Loo

I knew this day was coming... Benny had his first set of stitches. Ahhh, boys, crazy boys. He was taking a bath and out he comes and slips on the tile and bam- smacked his eye right on the toilet. I hear the scream, the different tone of scream where you better run because it's something other than the usual bang/hit. So there he is screaming with blood dripping down his face. So off to urgent care where it was a complete waste of time because they wouldn't touch it... liability. His gash wasn't that big but right in the corner of his eye. So ER we went to. We spent a couple hours there where Benny was entertained until 1am. He really was a good experience for him and you know how sensitive Benny can be, he was worried. Versed was our good friend that night, and Benny enjoyed it. Steve didn't like him in Versed mode at all, but he was definitely a funny character. He was in love with the bears on his hospital gown and the fact that his finger was glowing from the pulse oximeter probe. He says in a slur, "Wow mom I'm happy, right mom, I'm happy." Fo sho he was. We wouldn't have gotten through the 3 stitches without it, he laughed while he was fixed up... much better than crying.

Spring Break 2009

Is over... whoop whoop!!! Just kidding, we really enjoyed it... even though the brotherly love/hate relationship was emphasized this week, it really was a great time for all. The week before Benny was out of school we went to a Cub's spring training game. We got lawn seats as always so the boys could run around when they needed to. I looked over at Benny at some point during the day and did a double take. When he smiled I saw a great mix of: licorice, mustard from a hot dog, sno-cone stains, and cotton candy.

Spring Break officially all started off with me working over the weekend (three in a row). Steve was off so the boys spent some good bonding time together, however... waking up from the night shift coma on the second day I could feel the tension in the air between the three boys. They were all sitting stone cold on the couch with no expression when I woke up then dad sighed and Benny goes, "mom, your going to work again, ahhh".

So Tuesday was the start of spring break with me and the boys all together. We went to our neighbors house for swimming on St. Patty's Day, where Jamaican Sunsets were going down way too smooth. :)

Wednesday Benny had a play date with a friend from school and we took them to Bounce Jungle, where there was a plethora of bounce houses, which was entirely too much fun for them, plus we followed it up at this high class McE D's, if there is such a thing.

Thursday was the zoo. It was hot. It was fun. It was smelly. Benny had a blast. The fav was the "Manta Ray Bay" where you got to pet the manta rays, super cool. One even splashed Benny. He is still at that age where animals are interesting and fun, and I cherish that. It took Sergeant Stink a bit to warm up to it, but I don't think the zoo is his thing. I don't blame him.

They have a splash pad at the zoo, where we took the boys to rest our tired legs. Benny was a riot, seriously. He kept going back to this same stream of water and getting angry at it for spraying him so he would hit it. It would start to go down because that is what they do, but he really thought he was knocking it down. :)

Friday we went swimming with some great friends. Stink has a friend that goes to his school, plays on the same football team and goes to church with him. We would all see each other seriously everywhere we went. So we finally spent some leisure time together and it was good. We went to a new pool by a nearby high school and let the kids play all day and had a picnic lunch. Then the boys and I watched Beverly Hills Chihuahua until 11pm eating candy and popcorn in the nest.

Now today we are going back to the pool and spending some time with new neighbors having a BBQ and watching kids play while us adults play. Fun times!

One thing that broke my heart was Stink when he came up to me yesterday and I asked him, "So did you have a fun spring break?" He told me he wanted to play with me more because he didn't get too a lot... ouch. So maybe I planned too many outings with friends and need to have a bit more time with family next time. Hard lesson learned by Ms. Imperfect, it will take a while for that one to heal. Happy Spring!!

Our Pictures From the Week:

Funny

I just love going through my boys' school work they bring home. Occasionally I will get a hysterical laugh at some of their work because it's just too cute. Here's the latest:

Steve's New Toy

OK, I guess I'll confess it's mine too... we love it. Meet our newest Craig's list purchase. Plus it fills that ginormous empty room we have had for a long while. Steve has waited literally years for this day. We were going to buy a new one, but then I thought why? So we were smart and saved closed to thousands on something we will use for a long while. After seeing my man play I think he should professionally... he's that good. Or maybe I'm that bad, I dunno. I am noticing during our pool plays I am standing a lot with the stick watching him get ball after ball in. The boys are becoming pretty good too. This is a great addition to our home and I look forward to the moments and conversations with the people I love most as we all get better.

Sweet Benny in Soccer

So this season Benny told us he wanted to play soccer, so here he is on the "tigers" team.

I love watching him play mostly because of his sweet personality (mostly used in public). Benny is all smiles, hugs, and kisses. He shares, he says please and thank you and truly has a wholesome and pure soul. Not to mention he is very sensitive. So watching Benny when he is trying to get the ball from someone and kick it in his team's direction is quite amusing. The look on his face: ummmm is it okay to take this away from someone and ooooo should I do this or not shines right through my sweet Benny as he frantically looks at his opponent and shuffles his feet, love it. He is thoroughly enjoying this new sport...