Catching up...

Last week was a busy week for us. Ryan had his last day of soccer and his last day of school back to back.
On his last day of soccer he got his very first trophy & a pizza party. He was so proud of himself, as he should be! This was his third time doing Soccertots, and his favorite. Of course, having all of his buddies in his class didn't hurt!




getting his trophy from Coach Carrie

The following day was his last day of mom's morning out. His school had a picnic at the park to celebrate. It was so neat for me to get to see him interact with his teacher and classmate...I say classmate because only one other child from his class was there. Luckily, it was the one that Ryan has been talking about non-stop since he started school. It was so incredibly cute to watch him with his favorite friend from school. And I learned something about him that I never knew...he is super bossy! :) I thought when I wasn't around he was shy and reserved, but turns out...not so much!

Lucas enjoying his first cupcake...compliments of Ryan's teacher!

On Saturday, we decided to take daddy to the zoo since he's never gone with us before. First stop, Parakeet Adventure. Ryan just loves feeding the parakeets! We spent nearly an hour feeding them, and still had to drag him away. Both boys got the birds to land on their sticks, which Lucas loved, but I wasn't quick enough to get the photos!

And finally...partly out of a desire for Ryan to be learning this summer, and partly as an idea to keep us busy...I decided that Ryan and I are going to have our own little summer school session. I found a great website with step by step pre-k lesson plans that includes learning, crafts, puzzles and more for each individual theme. This week we decided to start with weather and water. We're just getting started so we are still trying to get organized and figure out what works for us and what doesn't, but I think it will be fun for both of us. Ryan is already loving the projects that go along with the lessons.

We learned about clouds, rain & rainbows...

and came up with this

And then we talked about the ocean and waves, so we made an "ocean in a bottle"

Let summer begin! :)

On Thursday, Ryan had his very first field trip with his school. Dave and I were so excited that we both tagged along. Ryan had a great time! He got to plant a sunflower seed, watch a cow milking demonstration, pet some baby animals and feed the cows some hay. Even Lucas got to join in on the fun this time.

Ryan & Lucas would like to send out great big Happy Birthday wishes to Mattie Lou & Nicholas! They were lucky enough to celebrate with their friends this weekend.

Mattie Lou had a barnyard bash. Ryan got to meet some animals and hold a baby pig. He had so much fun!

And Nicholas had a super fun 1st birthday! Ryan, Lucas & Dave just loved the clown! He made Ryan a balloon airplane that somehow got broken (daddy!) and Ryan said "maybe the silly man at Thomas' house will make me a new one" :) Dana, I think your house is Ryan's new favorite spot!

Luke's 9 month pictures

Easter

We hope everyone had a very Happy Easter!

We started the festivities last week. Jack, Caroline & their mommy hosted a fun spring break play date and the kids got to color their eggs and enjoy some yummy ice cream.

And then they were nice enough to invite us to the egg hunt at their church. Thanks Kim!!

The boys (Jack, Riley, Thomas, Dru, Ryan and Landon) waiting to start the hunt....

Daddy & his boys

When Ryan saw this bunny he hid behind me. I thought those days were over since he finally sat on Santa's lap this year, but I guess bunnies are creepier than a strange man in a red suit. Luke, on the other hand, was happy to snuggle up.

Right after the egg hunt we were off to a cowboy birthday party.

Happy 1st Birthday Alex!

Ryan has been to 2 parties with animals in the past. At the first one, he cried the entire time and wouldn't go near the horses. At the second one, he ran in the house to hide every chance he got. But, apparently he's had a change of heart. He rode the ponies (and donkey) over and over again and cried when they left to go home. Later that night as I was putting him to bed he told me that he was sad because he missed them, it was incredibly sweet. Don't tell Ryan, but I think he'll be seeing those ponies again come November 9th ;)

And....Easter morning. Ryan was so excited about the bunny coming to his house that I heard him talking to himself in his room until about 11:30pm so he was a little out of it on Easter morning. He was so psyched about his Cars toy that he didn't care that his basket was full of other goodies.

And Luke was just excited about his Wagon Wheels...it doesn't take much sometimes

Then it was off to Grammy & Papa's house for lunch and another egg hunt. Luke slept through the whole thing and somehow I forgot to take pictures of his adorable Easter outfit after his nap. I may put him back in it and do a little re-enactment...stay tuned

Ryan was disappointed at first because he was shaking the eggs to make sure there was a treat inside but didn't hear anything so he thought that they were empty. He (and his mommy) were excited to find dollars for his piggy bank inside instead of candy to rot his teeth

Ryan and Gavin took turns giving each other wagon rides. What I didn't get a picture of is when they teamed up and pulled Uncle Rick around for a ride...I was impressed!

And last but not least, a random picture of Ryan and Luke's new favorite game. Ryan pushes his brother around in this bin on wheels and they both think its hysterical. They have so much fun together, I can't wait until Luke can really play with his big brother.

Catching Up...and Boston!

Ok, here's a few pictures to catch up on the last few weeks.

Thomas, Nicholas and their mommy were nice enough to have us over for an alphabet play date a couple of weeks ago. Ryan chose R and he was Red Ryan and Luke chose C and was just Cute in his Castle shirt.

We put new carpet in our bedroom, this is Ryan the Builder helping daddy

Ryan has started Soccer Tots for the 3rd time. Only this time he gets to play with all of his friends, so it's more fun!

On Monday, we got out to enjoy the weather at the zoo with Landon & his mommy.

And Boston! Dave surprised me when he called me up from work last week and told me to pack my bags because we were going to Boston! He had to go on a business trip and the boys and I got to go along. Dave was stuck working most of the time, but the boys and I had a blast visiting friends and family. Sorry I didn't get pictures of everyone!
Ryan reading a dinosaur book with his Uncle Steve

Lucas got to meet his great-gram and Uncle Walter for the first time while it didn't take Ryan long to pick right up where he left off.

Along with family, I also have some pretty amazing friends in MA. I'm kicking myself for not taking pictures, but the boys and I had a blast visiting with Jamie & Leo, Jaimie & Maureen. And we missed you, Tammie!
Lucas and Jaimie...

Jamie, Jaimie & I

Ryan and his buddy Leo

Lucas and his new baseball from Uncle Walter & Nee-nee

Getting pictures with daddy

Ryan rocking out on Rock Band at Jamie, Jason & Leo's house-thank you guys, we had a blast!

Before heading to the airport to come back home, Dave and I couldn't decide if we wanted to take the boys to the Museum of Science or the Children's Museum. So, finally we decided to enjoy the mild temperatures and check out Boston Common.

One of my absolute favorite books to read to Ryan is Make Way for Ducklings, so we were both excited to get to visit with the ducklings from the book

And then we headed to Faneuil Hall for lunch where Ryan also got a balloon sword and belt.

Thank you everyone for making our visit so wonderful! We are all already looking forward to our next trip "home"!