Hike and Bike Trail Dedication

On the evening of the 19th, the City was holding a dedication and ribbon cutting for the new hike and bike trail. We decided to show our support (we LOVE this new addition to the city) and took our little family of five, three bikes, one baby jogger, and a pair of roller blades to make the inaugural lap around the trail. We showed up just as things were getting started, but apparently way too early for our three kids to have to stand out in the sun and melt (while city leaders gave their thank yous and recognized everyone that took part in the project). Once the ribbon was cut, we followed behind many other bikers to start our lap around the 2 mile loop. About 100 feet into the ride, Bowman's pedal fell off. Drew and I had already ridden ahead, because usually Bowman and Daddy are much faster than us and we were getting a head start. It took me a while to realize that something was wrong and turned back. Bowman was running (refusing to be pushed in the baby jogger). Daddy was pushing Claire in the baby jogger; and Bowman's bike was balanced on the baby jogger handle bar. Some minor repairs (made with two sticks because we had no tools) and many tears later we were a hot sweaty bunch, but we started out lap... just as we saw some of the others finishing! By the time our family made it around the loop, stopping a few times to tighten the pedal with the afore mentioned sticks, there was no sign that there had even been a dedication. The city trailer/stage was gone, ribbons from the ribbon cutting were gone, most cars and people were also gone. But our kids were happy, and we had Gatorade in the car--life was good again!

Bowman lost his first tooth!

Bowman lost his first tooth on Sunday. We were at extended family dinner and Daddy noticed that Bowman wasn't eating and suspected the loose tooth (it had been loose for a couple of weeks). After pulling it (actually I was told it got pushed out), we had one very surprised and excited five year-old. And now we get to put the tooth fairy pillow to good use--thanks Aunt Susan!

Loading....

It's been a busy week. Bowman's been in Chicago all week, so it's just me and the kids. And although I'm worn out, I love going to bed knowing I'm exhausted because I'm a mother. I haven't taken very many pictures this week though. So although I don't have any new pics to post there is a story that keeps coming to mind. Drew, my three year old, asked to play with playdough the other day. He sat at the kitchen table playing with playdough and the "playdough toys" (a collection of happy meal toys, plastic dinosaurs, cars...) He was in his own little world playing happily for quite some time while I was loading the dishwasher. After about 30 seconds of complete silence, I focused my attention on him. He had been talking, making sound effects, tossing playdough and toys across the table and then he just stopped and sat still. The silence was such a big change that I asked him if he was ok. He looked up at me with an "I should already know the answer to that question" look and replied, "They're just loading." Hmmm...maybe I should start limiting his computer time.

She sat up!

We were outside playing today, and I put Claire down to see how she'd react to the grass. Bowman use to hold his little legs up out of the grass--guess he didn't like it much. I was expecting a similar reaction, but what I got was even better. She loved it! She sat up all by herself (a new milestone) and tried to pull on the grass. I'm sure if she had successfully pulled up grass, she would have eaten it, but instead she fell over. She didn't like that much. I scooped her up and ran inside to get the camera. I wanted to capture her first time sitting up by herself. Needless to say, the second time around she was a little more cautious; but I did manage to get a few pictures of her sitting up by herself--even if she doesn't have a very pleasant look on her face.

The BP MS150

Bowman and his Dad rode in the MS150 on April 12, 2008. I'll have to get him to record something about the ride that day. Apparently, it was the most WINDY ride in years.

Bedtime Stories

The boys LOVE their bedtime stories! I peeked in on them after putting Claire to bed, and Daddy was busy reading Rudolph (yes, it's May). It doesn't matter what stories, just stories--the more the better!

Blackberries and Boots

Just about every Sunday afternoon we go visit MeMa and Deda (Grandma and Grandpa Fawcett). The boys love spending time there with cousins and just being outside to run and play. Today, they found some of MeMa's gumboots and went out to pick blackberries. Yum!! I think they ate more than they picked (who wouldn't?). I just thought it was so cute that they'd done this all on their own. The boots, the bowl, and the pickin'.

Bowman's Boots - I think were actually MeMa's boots. Earlier I saw him wearing the smaller boots, but when Drew wanted to pick blackberries too, I heard Drew ask for boots. A few minutes later, they were out picking berries together and Bo was wearing these BIG boots. Drew had on the smaller boots, previously worn by Bo. I wonder if Bowman gave him the smaller boots and decided the bigger boots were ok so that Drew could have a pair too....That's just the kind of big brother Bowman is.