Just get me outside!

We have had an extra-long rainy season this year. When it is not raining, we all want outside! One afternoon. we played on the deck with tractors (from Mike's childhood). Most afternoons (after a long walk) we play in the grass and on the play structure. Will and Nate both take off in different directions which makes it interesting especially neither has any fears or any sense of danger. They both will try to walk off stone steps or run down the hill. Mostly though they all want to explore and feel dirt on their hands. D moves the lawn and shovels dirt, Will eats the dirt, and Nate just giggles and bangs on things. Every afternoon we have 3 dirty and happy boys. The best part, the yard is fenced in so they can't escape. Now bring on more sun!

Mother's Day tea

Friday was the mother's day tea for Derek's class. The kids sang 2 songs for their mommies. They also gave us clay pots that they have painted and shared cookies for us. Derek has loved singing the songs at home. They are pretty cute. Here are the words:

I love Mommy, I love Mommy
All I want to say is Happy Mother's Day
I love you, I love you

I have a very special friend and Mommy is her name-o
M-O-M-M-Y M-O-M-M-Y M-O-M-M-Y
and Mommy is her name-0

Surprise Daddy but we are going to change the words a bit so Derek can sing to you for Father's Day next month.

I really enjoy Derek's sweet singing voice and the special snuggles he gives me afterwards.

Working hard

Derek has been working hard lately (his words). He has been busy using his "dig dig" to move dirt around the yard. It also "doubles" as a riding mower which he enjoys. The best part is that it is a john Deere which is the coolest brand in his world. Just like his Daddy and his Bumpa, he loves to work outside. He is quite serious in his endeavors and about his plans. He is having a grand time.

Hives

Well both Will and Nate are allergic to penicilian. Nate got his first hives on Tuesday morning. In the morning he had a few small red spots. By the afternoon (and our dr. appt.) he had lots of angry red hives. He was put on benedryl which made him hyper and not tired. By Wed. morning he also puffed up so he resembled the pillsbury dough boy. He then got steroids which helped tremendously. Will got hives 48 hours after Nate so were able to give him the steroids right away so his hives were not nearly as bad. So here it is Saturday and both boys look pretty good. They even both slept great last night which was a huge improvement. We are very thankful that they have no breathing issues during the reactions and both were able to eat and drink well. It was not such a fun week but we are much better today!

Sandy

As part of Mother's Day weekend I really want to watch Derek experience Build-a-bear for the first time. As it turns out, I liked it there much more than he did. He was a bit wary of the stuffing machine and a bit hesitant overall. When it came to picking out the outfit, I thought he would want a fireman or a policeman (Mike was trying to sell him Darth Vader). But no, D was adamant that the golf outfit was the one. We then asked D what his name was- D said Sandy. When we got home, it was declared that Sandy was to change all the light bulbs and his real name was Santopino. What? Mike kept forgetting his name and calling him San Pellegrino which kept cracking me up. D was sure it was Santopino. No he is not to sleep in my room, he is to change light bulbs and sleep in his box. Well at least Will and Nate like to play with Santopino.

That should have clued me in for the whole weekend. It played a bit like a sitcom without the laugh reel. Mike tried so hard to make it a great day for me. He painted a huge flower pot for me and had the boys put their handprints on it. He also cooked breakfast for me. It was a good morning. The afternoon was a bit of a bust though. None of the boys took a nap (a first for us). Therefore, as the afternoon went on it got long. We ate an early dinner and started bath time at 5:30 but not before all 3 melted down and cried for various reasons. We also had 2 black eyes and a huge knot in the forehead by the end of the weekend.

Should I feel guilty that my favorite part of Mother's Day was lying on the couch with Mike at 8:30 and enjoying silence?

Walking walking walking

Will and Nate are now confident walkers. They walk with their hands down at their sides and quickly stand up (on their own) when they fall down. I don't think anything is crazier around here, just different. The 3 boys enjoy playing together and really amuse each other. Derek does a great job interacting with them. When D needs a break, he plays at a table or goes downstairs to the other living room to play alone for a while. D is really a great helper. Will and Nate are quite the independent little guys.

Now that walking is mastered, Will is climbing and talking more. This weekend he climbed up the step ladder to stand next to Derek and also climbed on the couch to stand in the window. He is also more chatty and trying to use more words. Once Nate decided to walk, he did, and has been steady ever since. He is also very chatty and loves to sing. If you sing a chorus to him. he will echo the notes back to you with different "words."

Fun picnic

On Sunday we went to Pittock Mansion. We went to have our pictures taken by Kati (bean and sprout photography). We are very excited to see our fun pics in a few weeks. We stayed after our pictures to have a picnic. The grounds and view are gorgeous there and we had lots of fun. It was also a great morning with the sun out and warm temps. Will is in stripes and Nate in solids. Our 3 happy boys loved exploring and running around.