The Long Short Week

 For a short work week, it sure has felt like a long week (I guess I really never get a short week from being a parent, but at least I've got a partner in the gig when the work week is short.)  The week felt especially long thanks to a certain two boys decided to resist naps a couple of days this week.  Nap-time is my sanity saver.  When nap time fails, its the stroller to the rescue.  I can't believe I ever hesitated on purchasing this beast...

The boys are almost 3 and it still works like a charm as long as I keep it moving.  I was lucky enough to log 4 runs this week so far and am hoping for another tomorrow sometime.  They really are the best running group.  Can you tell these boys were ready for a nap??

It hasn't been all doom and gloom this week though.  Our garden is off to a great start, regardless of the fact that we've only been at it for a week...

...the boys love tending to it...

...it's our version of science class :-)

The boys have gotten in some great play time both at home...

...and at the park...

Colton takes his climbing VERY seriously... 

They spent A LONG time racing their trucks down the slides, then chasing down after them... 

We also got to check out some work vehicles on the train tracks...boy heaven!

Also in typical boy form, they did some repair work to the truck at the park...

We finally painted our Chinese New Years dragons...

...and Colton decided to paint a streak in his hair too.  He's kind of fallen in love with it and has been making Mickey wash around it at bath time.  I'm worried for when they're teens...hopefully they're getting it out of their systems now...

The boys did some landscaping work around the property too... 

If you need coconut removal, they're your guys...

They've been really interested in helping out in the kitchen.  One morning, Colton made his own scrambled egg...

...with help, or course.  

We've also been really into the legos this week...

 We made our weekly trip to the library to stock up on books.  I love watching the boys explore them together.  By the end of a week of having the books at home, they can pretty much read them all themselves...memorized, of course, not actually reading...

We checked out a new library this week, the one in Jensen Beach, where they had some discovery bins we had some fun with...

What's not to love about bugs and dinos??

They also had a computer there that caught the boys' attention....I still have mixed emotions about kids and electronics.  They're such zombies when they come into contact with computers and it's SOOO hard to disengage...

I'm old school, I know.  But a lot of times, old schools not so bad, is it??

Not only did we check out a new library, we checked out a new park too... 

The park under the Jensen Beach causeway is FANTASTIC!  Great equipment, great view, no sand and incredible breezes...

We'll be back for sure!

This morning was spent with a couple little friends of ours... 

...I got my baby fix, that's for sure.  I had fun but think I'll wait just a little bit longer for baby number 3.  I'll be ready one day though...the kids sure were cute all together.  

Lawnmower Fun

Today started out incredibly well thanks to a little forethought on my part.  I made protein pancake batter last night so it was ready to go this morning.  I read and drank coffee until I heard the boys stirring, then through the pancake batter on the griddle and breakfast was ready in a matter of minutes...easy, healthy and delicious!

I had forgotten how much I love blackberries too.  YUM!  

With our bellies full, we were off to Story Time.  Thankfully the weather held out for us and we had a great turnout.  Today's features were...

My boys love this one and requested it for Story Time this week.  We're on a Bill Martin Jr. roll and I don't mind one bit.  

They also chose this fantastic book that we found at the fabulous book store in Vero Beach.  It's a winner for sure thanks to the rhymes and the flaps for kid to lift.  The boys LOVE interactive books like this one.  It was a hit at story time as well.

Our next stop was music class.  I think I love Miss Rabe as much as the boys do.  She always brightens my day.  I love her sense of humor!!  The boys loved her new flashy balls.  They hope they'll be seeing those again very soon.  The player piano is always a hit as well.  Colton especially loves the pedals.  I love watching how Colton taps his foot to the beat of pretty much every song.  It's his new thing and I totally dig it.  That kid has rhythm!  While Colton keeps the beat, Mason can recite all the lyrics.  They're quite the duo.  

After music class, we got a visit from some very good friends who came bearing gifts for the boys.  They have not stopped playing with these lawnmowers since they got their hands on them...

Their favorite feature is the gas can.  They love stopping to fill up the tank every 5 seconds.  It's ADORABLE!  They even mowed the bushes for me.  I hope they're this excited to mow when it's time for the real deal.  

They did manage to take a break from their mowing for a bit to let me get in a long run.  It felt good to move even though I was a little slower than I would have liked.  I know I say it all the time, but it's the truth, I have the best running group ever...

They had fun watching for big trucks and dogs...so easily entertained.  

They were easy to please when it came time to dinner--yogurt and leftover pancakes were their foods of choice.  I decided to follow their lead with low-fuss meals and made myself a GIANT salad and threw a piece of fish in the toaster oven to enjoy along with it.  We may or may not have enjoyed some cookies and chocolate-covered goji berries for dessert.  

These little nuggets of love are a new favorite in our household.  YUM!  

Time to put my feet up and keep plugging away at my book...it's getting REALLY intense!