A Weekend Away

I spent the weekend at our church's women's retreat. It was the first time I was away from the boys overnight with the exception of when I went to Megan's graduation party and left Jack at home with John. We didn't break the news to Jack that I was going away until John mentioned it to him the morning I was set to leave. His reaction? "But I really love her!" accompanied by a lot of tears. 

We left it alone at that, and I spent the morning trying to get ready to go. It's not very easy to pack when there are two active toddlers to watch. I saw this activity in a magazine last week and thought it might be the perfect time to try it out. I poked holes in a box with a nail, started screws, and gave him a short little screwdriver to use to tighten the screws. He loved it! I bought myself over an hour with that one activity, enough time to pack my bag. 

At lunch, I tried to break the news once again that I was going on a little trip. And then he began trying to persuade me to stay. "I'm going to lock the door so tight that you won't be able to go." When that didn't work, he opened the door and said, "Mom, it is too cold and windy for you to go on your trip." And his final effort was, "Don't you know that Luke is just going to cry when you leave, Mom?" This exchange reminded me of when he told Megan that he was going to throw all her stuff on the floor when she had to leave for college. 

Before last weekend, I had never been on a women's retreat before, but I know given the opportunity I will be going on another one. The chance to bond with other women was wonderful. Time to relax, including going to a movie, was appreciated. Just having a break from my day to day life was fantastic. I came home feeling refreshed. It didn't hurt that within an hour of my return, Jack and I took a two hour nap together. :-) Thanks for the opportunity to get away, Marion, Jane, and John. 

Anything You Can Do...

... I Can Do Too!

I Want To Do EVERYTHING With You!

Videos

After a lazy Sunday afternoon nap, I had a tough time sleeping last night. Instead of tossing, turning, and interrupting John's sleep, I got up and spent some time watching old videos of the boys. It was so much fun to see Jack before he was the big talker he is today. Quite honestly, it's hard for me to remember him that way. That's why I am so thankful to have the videos of the kids. 

With my late night video watching on my mind, I set out to record the kids as they are today; Jack, 3, and Luke, 15 months. 

The following video sat on the camcorder, waiting for me to do something with it for quite awhile. I'm so glad I rediscovered it! 

A Thing

John says I have a thing for pictures of the boys sleeping. Who wouldn't when they look this sweet?

Valentine Sweetness

Updated Family Picture

Bookstore

Luke's current favorite books are Ten Little Racing Cars and Ten Little Fish and any books that have trucks you point at and name. Dear Zoo isn't bad either. 

Jack's current favorite books are any that are new (to Jack) from the library. He loves our weekly selection trip to the library. We're working on moving from Tuesdays to Wednesday since Jack is a big three year old now, and that is when the preschool class meets. 

We spent an hour and a half at the bookstore today. It was the best hour and a half of my week. 

It was the best hour and a half of their weeks too. 

I read The Wheels on the Bus six times because it had these cool flaps that made everything move. 

I read every truck and digger book in store. 

Jack would play at the train table for the time it took me to choose a book. I'd report that I'd found a reader, and he'd come and sit down beside me. Luke always takes my lap, and he's not willing to share it. I'd read the book, and then we'd repeated the process over and over again for an hour and a half. Like I said, it was a great hour and a half. 

Excitement...

is not the only thing building around here.

Freedom

After battling illness at our house, an afternoon on the walking trail and at the park felt like total freedom. 

We took it slow.

Mr. Independent ran away from his elders.

We threw rocks in the river. 

We watched baseball practice.

When Luke spotted the park across the field, he decided to get there the fastest way possible. We went over the field and through a ditch, running and giggling the entire way. 

Almost every park has an apparatus that makes me hold my breath. 

I bite my tongue because I know it's important for a kid to take risks, but I hold my breath anyway. The freedom made it totally worth the breathlessness. 

Universal Happiness