Lunch at Blythe Landing

After our trip to the gym this morning, we stopped by Chick-fil-a and grabbed some lunch and headed over to the lake for a picnic. It was a beautiful day and we wanted to spend some time outside. James and Lilly love going over to the lake. James had gotten some new rain boots and he was eager to try them out. They also enjoy feeding the ducks and watching people fish off of the docks. While Lilly was feeding the ducks and she would tell them to "sit" before she would throw the bread. We've been practicing teaching Shorty and Pup to sit before we give them a treat. I guess Lilly thought that should apply to the ducks, as well.

Claire and Alexa's Birthday

James and Lilly were invited to a birthday party at The Little Gym for 2 of their friends, Claire and Alexa. The kids ran around and played on the gym equipment, listened to music, jumped on the bouncer, and played with the parachute. After all of that, they ate pizza and cake. Needless to say, they had a terrific time and were quite tired by the end of the day!

He's Home

Todd finally made it back home late Saturday night around 10:30. The kids were so excited that they were all still awake and came running when their Daddy walked in the door! It's nice to have him back home.

Good News

California Poppies

Todd called with good news tonight! He has passed all 5 of his exams (early) and will be heading back home on Saturday instead of Monday (his original plan). We are so excited that he'll be back soon. It has been a long 2 weeks without him here. He is an integral part of our daily family life and our nightly dinner just isn't the same without him at the table!

WoodPecker

About 8 months ago, we noticied that we had a woodpecker that lived in our yard. He was a beautiful bird with bright red feathers on top of his head and he just pecked away at our trees throughout the day. James loved to watch this woodpecker and listen to him as he worked. He would sit on the couch in the family room and look out the window and see him. He would also sit on the deck or stop while he was playing to catch a glimpse of him pecking along.

We had a terrible storm here last night and much to our dismay, our wonderful friend was killed. This morning when we woke up, we found him lying on the deck. I think that the wind must have picked him up and thrown him around. James doesn't quite know what to think. He has asked me several times, "Mom, he will wake up soon?" It's hard to explain to a 3 year old the concept of life and death. As many different ways as I have tried to clarify to him that our friend is not going to wake up......he just doesn't understand.

It reminds me to be so kind and gentle with my children. They are so innocent and unknowing of all the anguish that the world has to offer. I wish that I could shelter them from suffering and grief for their entire lives. As a mother, it is antagonizing me to see my children hurting. What I wouldn't do to take that all away from them.

One Down and One to Go

We have one week down and one week to go before Todd makes it back home. Everyone is missing him so much.

Lilly heard the garage door open and ask me "You heard my Daddy?". She is use to hearing him open the garage every evening as he come in from work. Trevor has asked me no less than 10 times in the last two days, "When is Dad coming home?". And James says, "When Todd gonna be back?" We all love our Daddy and can't wait until we see him again!

Beautiful Day

James and Grace have a

"conversation" on the deck

Today was a beautiful day! The weather outside was perfect, friends were a plenty, and happiness was in the air.

We spent almost the entire day outside. It was about 67 degrees and bright and sunny. Not a cloud was in the sky. A typical Carolina spring day. James' friend, Grace, was over all day and the kids had a ball playing on the swing set, riding bikes around the block, and watching the koi in the waterfall pond.

After lunch, we headed to the baseball field for Trevor's "skill assessment" day. Each year before teams are chosen, all of the players participate in a skills assessment. This allows coaches to choose their team without having any one team stacked with better players. It kinda evens it out for everyone. While we were at the baseball park, the kids played on the playground and the climbing wall. It was just too nice to be inside!