One Long Wednesday

Today was one of those days that started way too early and ended way too late. I had intended to wake up early this morning so that I could squeeze in a shower before the boys woke up. Unfortunately for me, Sutton was apparently not in on the plan, because he woke Mitch and I up by coming into our room, wide awake, at no later than ten past six. Guess I wouldn't be getting that morning shower after all. I attempted instead to wash my hair quickly under the bathtub faucet...only to come out the the 3-minute long bathroom excursion just in time to see Sutton jumping around the playroom, diaper-less and singing "shake your booooty" while sticking his rear end in his brother's face. It only took me about half a second to realize that his butt was not only naked, it was poopy. Luckily he had pretty much just ditched the diaper and started to run about 15 feet, so the damage was minimal. I came downstairs to throw out the dirty diaper, and realized that our cat had thrown up on the carpet. Luckily I hadn't even had time to put away the carpet cleaner yet. The rest of the morning pretty much went like the first part - naughtiness, lots of cleaning and Mommy wondering if maybe she should start to rethink the fact that she doesn't drink coffee. With vodka.

They look sweet and innocent...but don't be deceived by their cuteness ;)

Cute Food: large round crackers w/ cream cheese, pretzels, blueberries, Craisins, string cheese slices and carrots

Hattie came over for lunch and to do an art project with the boys. We made some bright and cheery paper tulips to stick up on the mantle, and in an attempt to woo the boys into eating new foods simply because they look cute, I made bunny face crackers for the kids. Surprisingly (or not!) it actually worked, and Sawyer declared that "Blueberries are the BEST!" before literally giving them an enthusiastic thumbs up. I've been trying to get him to eat those things for years! After lunch I was quite proud of my successful attempt at getting both boys to nap - a necessity since we were going to spend the evening at the park watching Mitch play softball. I packed a picnic dinner while they napped, and as soon as Mitch got home we headed to Maidu Park in Roseville.

Maidu Park recently remodeled their train themed playgound, and I'm so excited and pleased to report that the new park is AWESOME! Seriously, it's my new favorite place to hang out. I love that there is SO much for the boys to do there, but that there are no high places or dangerous things where I need to hover over them every minute (those upper windows are just for decoration, although some much older kids were climbing up there). The new park has a couple of trains, a train station with ticket window, a general store, a hotel, and a jail. Every building has tons of things for the kids to play around with, and there are also new wide chair-like swings, a bouncy pony, a twisty swivel seat and some other fun goodies. The boys were completely entralled with the new sand area, and I truly think they'd be happy to play in there allllll day long. Sawyer asked Mitch if we could build a new sandbox at our house, so I'm sure that once the garden box project is done another sandbox project will be in the works.

Making music on the wall of bells

Playing up inside the giant sand funnels. That thing in the middle is a bucket that moves along a pole all the way down to the ground so you can scoop up a bucket full of sand and then dump it up on the table. Sawyer spent most of our playgound time right here in this spot.

Practicing for his future career as a hotel front desk manager

...still playing in the sand

The old wooden maze is still a part of the new playground, and Sutton was really interested in it this time now that he's older and wiser ;)

...and still playing in the sand table...There are holes in the flat center part of the table that drop sand back down to the ground through the red tube. It was endlessly fascinating for a three-year-old.

Sutton with his nose pressed against a three-part hourglass. He was mesmerized watching it go "all gone, Mommy, all gone"

...more sand, anyone?

Hey, now here's something fun and new to do in the sand!

He found the boot!

By the time I could pry the kids from the sandbox, Mitch's softball game was already into the 3rd inning. The boys quickly realized that there was yet another small playground right next to his softball field, so after a quick Lunchables break and a few times cheering Daddy on we were right back into sand mode again. I was amazed at how quickly the evening time flew by, and it was really strange for me to finally be able to be one of those moms who can just sit on the sidelines and watch the kids play at the playground without needing me to help them through everything. It was actually kind of boring not to be needed lol.

The cheering section: "Go, Daddy, Go!"

Mitch treated them both to Ring Pops from the snack bar on our way out since they were being exceptionally well behaved (which meant that I was also in an exceptionally better mood than earlier in the day!). They both needed a bath even though it was already 8:00 - they had sand everywhere! Unlike most children who would probably be relaxed and ready for bed after such a long day and a nice warm bath, our kids were completely amped up (perhaps it was the Ring Pop, really) and it took about a half a dozen books and kisses to get Sutton to bed. After his own half dozen books, twenty kisses and hugs, one water refill, two trips to the potty, and three trips downstairs, my oldest child has finally (at 10:30 p.m.!) passed out on the couch watching basketball with Daddy. What can I say? Who can blame him for wanting to spend more time hanging out with the coolest guy I know?