Drip Drop

219
drops later and I am finally done with my eye drops.
Woo Hooooo!

Happy Birthday Mommy

I can't believe I am another year older. Time flies when you are having fun and chasing after two kids and soon to be three. I wish Rob and I would have taken the camera when he took me out to dinner this past weekend to a restaurant called Mahogany Steakhouse. It was delicious and we got star treatment by being seated in the wine cellar. They had a table set up for two in the wine cellar and it was very secluded and romantic. It was also too tempting because I decided I could have a small glass of wine with dinner, how could one sit in the wine cellar and not enjoy a drink? We had a great evening out together celebrating.
Rob took the kids out shopping for my cake and presents, he is so brave. When I asked where they went Rob had them say "the gas station". Mason would repeat we went to the gas station over and over and then out of the blue he would say "your cake has blue frosting". He did really good all week keeping his secrets and I didn't pry. The night before my birthday we are all sitting at the dinner table and Mason out of the blue announced that they bought me a plant. He was all excited. Rob just shook his head and told Mason no we went to the gas station and then Mason corrected himself. The day of my birthday he also announced that I had a balloon present. Rob wrapped my present in balloon wrapping paper and when Rob went to the basement to get it Mason couldn't contain himself because he said "you have a balloon present, and it may be a toaster." Rob walked in with the present right when Mason is making his grand announcement and Mason was correct. It was a 4 slice toaster that I wanted. Our old toaster is from Rob's old kitchen prior to our nuptials. Everyone enjoyed eating the cake and Mason picked out the decor. He told me he wanted it to be blue and yellow, but did put one green balloon on it since I liked green. He also specifically wanted it to say Happy Birthday Mandi and not Happy Birthday Mommy.
One of the highlights of my day was this card from Mason. He did all the writing himself with Rob telling him what letter to write next. It is a keeper from my 3.5 year old sweet man. I am one blessed girl.

Too Small

Mason usually dresses himself everyday with lots of encouragement from us. He was in the living room stating that his pants were too small and we kept encouraging him to try harder and put them on. We would say, your pants aren't too small you can do it and he would say I can't do it. He usually says he can't do it so he can get some assistance, we didn't have a visual on him and kept encouraging him. I finally walked into the living room and found him in pants that were in fact too small. I had given him Ellery's jeans rather than his own and he was following instructions and kept trying because he had both legs in her jeans, but they wouldn't pull up any further than low mid thigh. I said silly Mason those are Ellery's pants, and I told him to hold still while I went for the camera and he stripped the pants off quicker than I could snap.

Hangin Out

Ellery usually loads up her doll stroller with purses hanging off the handles and dolls and blankets stuffed in the seat, but not today. She usually looks like she is either a bag lady or a compulsive shopper with everything hanging off, but today she unloaded all of her goods and made room for herself.

Dog Toy=Kid Toy

I knew this pretty little dog toy either belonged to my mom or Aunt Laurie and Uncle Tom. I noticed this toy showing up in the month of Feb. We had been home to see Nana and up to Sioux Falls so I wasn't sure what dog was missing this gem. We headed up to SD last month and brought Mr. Homeless dog toy with us. My kids were thrilled to get to bring it. I would take the toy away, but it always ended up back in their hands and it was becoming an all time favorite toy for them to play with. I am happy to report that Carson, the dog, is now happy to have his toy back, my kids are a bit disappointed they had to leave him behind.

Jump

Mason and Ellery have really enjoyed jumping on the trampoline and trying new tricks.

Simple Joys

We went to the park this weekend for an Earth Day Celebration and had a good time. On our route to school we pass under a pedestrian bridge and this winter Mason kept requesting to walk across it. I told him we could walk over it when the snow is all gone, the sun is out, and it warms up over 60 deg. A few days ago we passed it and Mason informed me that the snow was gone, the sun is out, and it was warm outside. I told him we would walk over it soon. This pedestrian bridge isn't the same one we pass everyday on our usual route, but it is bigger and longer. Everyone had a good time running across it and stopping and looking at all sorts of cars. Mason's new favorite car is a convertible and of course he wants a blue one.

Hard Hats

We met a few of Mason's preschool buddies at the Children's Museum for some fun. Everyone had a good time, but it made me realize Ellery doesn't have any "girl" friends. I realize she is only 2, but we socialized Mason a bit more at 2 so he had friends and I can't help but compare. Plus I think little boys are in abundance while little girls are harder to come by or maybe it is just because she is the second child and we don't do things for her like we did with the first?

I Want to See the Zebras

We hit the zoo with Grandma Ellen and Mason told us he really wanted to see the zebras? We walked all the way over to the zebras waiting for a grand response from Mason and he literally looked at them for 10 seconds or less and was ready to move on. A big hype and talk about the zebras and a major mommy let down. It was a beautiful day and everyone enjoyed themselves except maybe for the billy goats? Oh, and for some reason Ellery was terrified of the gorillas. She screamed though the whole exhibit and it didn't help that we witnessed one gorilla hit his chest then bang on the glass and take off. That really sent her over the edge.
I told the kids they could ride this elephant and Mason took me up on it while Ellery refused to go near it. Hopefully this will work for a few more years so I don't have to pay the outrageous prices for them to ride an elephant at the circus.

Shut-Off Notice

I got the mail this month and was surprised with a shut off notice from our utilities company. This is my first experience with receiving such a shocking letter and hopefully the last. I can't say I have never forgotten to pay a bill now because I just posted the proof. I think getting a shut off notice for one missed payment when we have never been late or missed a payment in the past is a bit harsh, but who am I to judge. I was tempted not to pay it and see if they would actually shut us down, but didn't want to mess with the hassle of getting it turned back on.

Legs Up the Wall

Grandma Ellen came up to visit and help us out after my eye surgery. The kids love playing with her and follow her around like puppy dogs. It was wonderful having the extra pair of hands helping with the kids and good company to chat with. She was attempting to get a relaxing moment with doing her yoga pose called legs up the wall when he little shadows decided they needed to do it as well.

Swim Lessons

Mason completed his first swim lesson with instructor Mark and 3 other children and did great. They worked on floating on their backs, holding their breath so they can go under water, and of course kick kick kick. I thought he would be reserved and have to warm up to the idea, but I was wrong. He jumped right in and tried everything that was asked of him.

Eye Paraphernalia

Having cataract surgery in my 30's was not something I would have won money betting on. It has been an experience and thinking about losing vision is a stressful situation to be in at such a "young" age. I am recovering nicely and Rob has been a HUGE help and so supportive. I couldn't have made it though this without his love and support. He needs a medal or some sort of new technology, not only has he had to comfort and support me, but I am hormonal on top of stressed out. Not the best mix on most days and he has handled it well. I have all sorts of paraphernalia, my favorite is my clear sexy eye shield I have to wear at night or I could opt for the clear goggles. I also was sporting some real nice shades, thank goodness big sunglasses are still in style. I looked like I was attempting to be fashionable, but missed the opportunity with my choice of glasses. Drops Drops and more drops is all I have to say. I am not sure I would even flinch anymore with something coming at my eye because I have to put so many drops in. My worst complaint on having eye surgery is not being able to pick up my children and 2nd to that is not being able to wear mascara or eye makeup for a few weeks. There is just something about mascara that brightens my mood and makes me feel pretty! Everything is going great with my new Crystalens. I was joking with my dad and telling him we had more in common now, he has prosthetic legs and I have a "prosthetic" lens in my eye. Somehow it doesn't quite equal out, but it was a funny thought.

HAPPY EASTER

Decorating Eggs and Ourselves

We have really enjoyed decorating and coloring Easter Eggs this year. It has crossed over into us decorating our bikes outside with chalk and into decorating ourselves.
I was working on catching up the blog and emails and the kids were coloring on the easel. We have colored and played with markers without incident and all of the sudden I look up to find Ellery painting her toe nails with already applied lipstick while Mason states "Mom, we are "decorating" ourselves, and check out my mustache". Thank goodness for washable markers and I am beyond happy I didn't have the cheap RoseArt markers out. Even if RoseArt says washable it should say washable in a few days not instantly like Crayola.

Drawings and Self Portraits

Mason really likes to draw and color. We were drawing self portraits and playing the game we made up called what is my picture missing. So we will say hair, ears, eyelashes, eyebrows, etc and he adds the missing features. I left him to finish his picture with a nose and mouth and when I cam back I was impressed with his work only to be informed the small dot that is where a nose belongs is not a nose, but a belly button, yet the circle below it with circles inside it is his mouth and all of his teeth. Thinking I misunderstood him I stated but you gave yourself such a small nose and he tells me I am silly because that isn't a nose it is a belly button.

Bike Riding

Our streets and sidewalks will never be the same with these guys zooming around. We came home today from SD and Rob took the kids out for some outdoor play. Mason loves riding his bike and Ellery loves scooting on hers. She isn't into pedaling, but all in due time.
I am recovering from my cataract surgery. Doing drops 6 times a day, sporting some cool shades, and wearing my sexy eye shield to sleep, etc. My vision will get better over the next few weeks, so keep us in your thoughts and prayers!