VBS: Prelude to Preschool!

A neighbor friend of mine suggested that I consider sending the boys to Vacation Bible School this summer at her daughter's school. The timing was perfect because it was the week that Blake was in Paris. The night before it started, I got an email asking if I'd be willing to volunteer the first day because one of the teachers was sick. So it wasn't the break I was hoping for (at least not the first day) but I thought it would be great to see how the boys interacted in a 'school' setting. They LOVED it! We hadn't planned on sending them to preschool until next year. I love them being home with me and we keep a pretty structured schedule, but when I saw how well they did and the excitement on those little faces, I couldn't resist! So. . . I signed them up for preschool at the same place!! It's only Tuesdays and Thursdays so I still have plenty of time with them but I'll be getting a break-during the day! And I have fallen in love with the church and pastor too! On Monday, Blaine was upset that he wasn't going to VBS, I guess he thought that's what we do every day now! We are all sooooooo excited!!! (The theme was 'I just wanna be a sheep' so the pics are my sweet boys in their sheep ears)

A second day at the beach!

Since Blake was in Paris and missed all the beach fun last weekend, we decided to go again today! The heat index for Raleigh said it was gonna be 105 today so we thought it would be a perfect day to hit the beach. It was a little cooler on the coast because it was a little windy but that just made it more pleasant. It also made the waves a lot rougher than last weekend. We brought tubes this time and the boys had a blast surfing and riding the waves! Can't wait to go back. . . I LOVE the beach!!!!

Day trip to the BEACH!!

Wrightsville Beach, NC

Since our summer vacations this year were our trip to Indiana (so fun!) and our up coming trip to Boise (17 days-I can hardly wait!!!!!) we didn't make any plans to visit the beach. And recently, I've been going through some beach-withdrawals. I was thinking about making a day trip out of it. Well as luck would have it, my neighbors were feeling the same way and planned a day trip for today and they were nice enough to let us tag along! It was a blast!! The boys were much braver in the water this year-which is good and bad. I wanted them to stay w/in 3 feet of me and they wanted to run like crazy in the waves! And the water was amazing! It was so warm!! We had a few melt-downs since no one had a nap today (I'm including myself in the melt-downs due to lack of naps) but overall a really great day. We can't wait to go back!! I love NC!!

My baby brother tied the knot!!

We just got home from an amazing weekend in South Bend, Indiana!! That's right, I said 'amazing' and 'Indiana' in the same sentence. Kyle and Ashley had the most beautiful wedding and there were so many fun things to do, leading up to the big day.
Our trip started on Tuesday, when we drove 13 hours to Valparaiso to visit Tricia and family. I had a fantastic day with Tricia, spent a few hours in her salon and my hair looks awesome!! Thursday we spent in South Bend with the happy couple. They were so nice to take some time from the wedding madness to play with the boys at a neat playground.
That evening, the wedding festivities began with bowling, putt-putt golf and go-carts. It was a blast! But I must share a *mommy confession* that I'm sure every mom has encountered. There was a small go-cart track for kids ages 4+. Bryce is taller than most 3 year olds and he really wanted to try it by himself, so for 30 minutes I coached him on saying that today he's 4, not 3. Of course no one asked so I made my kid rehearse lying for nothing! And he LOVED those go-carts. Since it wasn't crowded, the kids working the track let him go until I cut him off. He probably spent an hour in those cars! Blaine had so trouble reaching the pedals, but not to worry because he had a great time riding with us in the bigger (and much faster) cars!

On Friday we took all the kids to the zoo. Ashley has a younger brother and sister who went with us too. It was a really cute zoo. Bryce mentioned that he would like to see some lemurs at the zoo and guess what was in the very first exhibit we saw! And right next door was one of Blaine's favorites, a 'boa stractor'-yuck! There as a farm exhibit with a petting zoo and pony rides!! These boys might be following in my foot steps because they a crazy about riding ponies!! Friday evening was the rehearsal. Blake and I both needed to be there and there wasn't much for the boys to do. We brought their Leapster video games and they were soooo good! I love to talk about all the crazy/annoying/wild things they do, but they sure can hold it together when it really counts.


Saturday was the big day and I can't tell you what the boys did because I spent the whole day with the bridal party getting pampered! Catered breakfast, 5 hair-stylists, a make-up artist and a room full of girls, it was so much fun! The afternoon was a blur, but then it was time for the main event and it was beautiful. Ashley has incredible taste and she planned everything perfectly. I was so emotional-seeing my baby brother marrying this beautiful woman, the empty seats for both Ashley's and my mom, my wonderful family all together for such a happy occasion, I'm emotional just reliving it! After the ceremony, the party began with the best dinner ever! Could have easily gone for round 2. Then the cake-my favorite-was a *real* cake, no fondant! I managed to scrounge up 3 pieces! I would have had a 4th but the boys were getting antsy and it was time to dance. Kyle and Ashley started the dancing off with a dollar dance, in which all the money was collected will be donated to breast cancer research. Our moms would be so proud! And they raised a lot of dough! While it may seem that we left early (around 10:30) that was very late for us. In fact, we weren't in our hotel room until after 10:00 every night we were there because the boys kept going and we were all having such a good time.


Then Sunday, all good things must come to an end, and it was time to embark on another 13 hour car ride. Did I mention before how great the boys did in the car? They're getting to be quiet the road-trippers. Thanks to new DVDS, Leapsters, and lots of snacks, it was smooth sailing. I'm not interested in doing it again any time soon though!

"Sunny days, sweepin' the clouds away. . .

on my way to where the air is sweet. Can you tell me how to get, how to get to Sesame Street!" The whole family went to Sesame Street Live today! I don't think there was a child there as excited as Doodlebug! It was really cute! Bryce was sitting by Blake so I didn't get to see as much of his reaction. He was excited too, but he's a little timid when it comes to the real characters. The boys don't really watch Sesame Street anymore (actually, they've never had a huge interest in the show) but they know all the characters and we thought it would be a fun show to see on a hot Saturday morning!



After the show (and a nap) we hit the pool! My name is Erin, and I'm a pool-a-holic! I love being up at our pool!! I love being out in the sun. The boys have a blast. We can pack a lunch so there's no mess to clean up at home. And on the weekends, the boys want nothing to do with boring old mom so I get to drink my lemonade and chat with my friends. So really, what's not to love? I finally remembered to bring my camera today so I got a few pics of the boys. Bryce turned a big corner the other day when he decided to dive underwater. It was thanks to our favorite pool buddies, the triplets, as they are quite good swimmers and have no fear of going under. Blaine is still pretty timid about putting his face in, but I know it will come in time. They have been taking swimming lessons for a few months now and I am so pleased with their progress. Especially their comfort level in the water!


Bryce showing off his new skills!

Blaine being Blaine, just happy to be in the water!