Easter Sunday

We had a lovely Easter weekend!  The weather could not have been more perfect. 

Chris and I both had Good Friday off so we enjoyed a nice lunch together.  We both did some chores and relaxed but were happy to have a day off w/ no kids around.  It is rare.  Chris picked up the kids early and we had a blast at the playground with our friends.  On Saturday Chris played softball with his coworkers and we went to watch.  There were hotdogs, chips, and Oreos (of course) and we had a good time watching them play.  Ian brought his bat and ball so he did a lot of practicing.  Unfortunately the game started late so we missed the neighborhood Easter egg hunt.  We were disappointed but enjoyed a nice family egg hunt in our backyard when we got home.  That's the beauty of young kids, they really don't know what they're missing.  We had a nice day just the 4 of us.  

Easter Sunday was filled with church early and then home to get lunch together to enjoy with Mom Mom and Pop Pop.  Father Ed cracked me up with his sarcasm during announcements.  He said, "You know, we do this 51 weeks a year."  Ha!  I thought it was funny.  I tried to take photos of the kids and Ruby was great with saying "cheese" but Ian was refusing to be photographed.  And with in minutes he was in his VT jersey and shorts that are UVA colors (navy and orange).  He was showing his Virginia pride.  Oh well, at least I got a couple photos to document that he was dressed nicely, even if he looked ticked off.  Ian and Ruby went out to buy Mommy and Mom Mom Easter flowers.  I got beautiful purple tulips from Chris and Mom Mom!  I love them.  Mom Mom and Pop Pop arrived and we had an Easter egg hunt in the front yard.  Then we enjoyed the lunch.  Pop Pop cracked Chris and I up with his love for the ham.  He couldn't get enough of it.  It was very tasty!  I just got lucky and picked up a good ham at Ukrops.  There was nothing else to choose from since our Ukrops was closing for good the next day, it was this ham or nothing.  So I bought it.  Turns out, it was fabulous and really made Pop Pop happy!  We then dyed eggs on the back deck and had more Easter egg hunts.  My kids love to hunt for eggs!  We then enjoyed our dessert of angel food cake, strawberries and whip cream.  Yum!

We said goodbye to Mom Mom and Pop Pop.  Pop Pop starts chemotherapy and radiation tomorrow.  We're so glad that they made the trip to spend the day with us.  Please keep him in your prayers! 

I was thinking alot about Roger and Rachel Reynolds today.  I read their blog and it appears that they planted Charlotte's ashes with a butterfly bush today.  What a great way to spend the day!  Regardless, their loss of sweet Charlotte is a constant reminder that "every day is a bonus" with your kids.   

My parents and Meg's family are in NYC right now.  I'm envious, I'm sure they are having a wonderful time. 

Chris's shift is changing this week.  He is back on evening shift which presents new changes and challenges.  But we'll make it work after a week or two of transition.  And of course we've got Disney World to prepare for.  Lots of packing to be done when the kids are finally down for bed at night.  We're getting really excited about our trip and are pleased that Mom Mom is still planning to go with us. 

Ian's QOTD (at bedtime).  "Mommy can I get a puppy that sleeps as much as Molly?  I'd like an old puppy.  Can we go to the pet store tomorrow?"  I then went on to explain that puppies cannot be "old" because they are new dogs.  That came outta nowhere!

Hoppy Easter!

I'm Back!

I have not written on the blog in a while.  So, I'm back. 

We just had a great weekend!  I FINISHED the Monument Avenue 10k with my twin sister by my side!  I got emotional during the walk when I got half way (3.1 miles) and as we got close to the finish line.  I thought about how I felt this time last year.  I remember my days were full of muscle spasms that would leave my left arm stuck until the spasm ended.  And I was having about 50 spasms a day (when I was able to actually keep count).  I was just going through the motions to get through the day and for my children at home and at work.  So, Meg and I walked most of the way but had some short jogging moments.  Overall, we finished it in 1.5 hours.  I can't remember the last time I exercised for an hour and 1/2 straight.  I guess it would be the last time I did the 10k, before Ian was born, so 5 years ago.   It was chilly at the start but it turned out to be a perfect day for the race.  I loved seeing Rachel and Meredith at the CJSTUF cheering section.  And then I saw Chris, Ian, and Ruby in the median watching me.  That was really special!  So, I'm feeling really accomplished.  My only complaint is the large blister on the ball of my foot.  But I was able to walk to the playground w/ Ruby yesterday afternoon.  And today we walked all around Maymont, so I'm really doing great!   Thank the Lord!  And thanks to all of my friends and family who donated to CJSTUF!

We chose to skip church this morning and go to Maymont.  We enjoyed the morning.  The children loved the animals.  Ruby would say, "Bye pig", "Bye Goat", "Bye Sheep" "Bye Horsey Nay".  She loved the animals and following her big brother around.  Ian was so cute.  He wanted to pick the daffodils and "pick one for Mommy".  He's such a dear little boy.  We tried to explain that they are not ours to pick.  I gently suggested that he and Daddy could buy Mommy flowers for Easter.  I thought that was a good idea!  Ian said something cute as we hiked up the big hill back to the car.  He started to slow down and he said, "Daddy, I'm all out of energy!"  He makes me laugh.  

This afternoon was spent with playing outside and errands.  Later, I went to help stuff eggs for the neighborhood Easter egg hunt.  I struggled to keep from eating all that candy. 

So, over the weeks we've been busy...  I had all 3 of the Helsleys over for a sleepover on 3/12/10 so that Erik and Meg could go to see Wicked.  Chris was with me until he had to head to work at 10pm.  Overall the kids did great and enjoyed their time together.  Ian's behavior was the most challenging and he was mainly tired and excited to have his cousins over for a sleepover.  Landen had a cute quote after watching Shrek II.  He said, "I'm going to go home and look in my big book of fairy tales because the story of Shrek is in there."  He then said, "In Shrek II they said, this is the best fairy tale of all time!"  So cute.  I didn't dash his hopes.  Cohen was cute when he was playing w/ 2 cars and named one car Emily and the other car, Chris.  Kate was so sweet and affectionate to Ruby.  She introduced Ruby to blueberries in yogurt.  Now Ruby always requests "berries" in her yogurt. 

Cohen turned 2 on March 21st.  Shocking!!  Here's a photo of the precious little boy.  He's wearing a shirt that was Ian's and it's one of my favorites.  I love seeing Ian's clothes on Drew and Cohen.  Mom and Dad were here for a week around Cohen's birthday so they helped with childcare and cooking meals.  And Amanda, Chris C., and Drew came for the birthday party.  It was great to see them.  Drew is so cute!  

Pop Pop (Allen Jr., Chris's dad), saw the oncologist and they have a plan for treating his lung cancer.  He starts radiation and chemotherapy on 4/5/10.  I think he and Mom Mom are pleased to have a plan.  Please keep them in your prayers.  Mom Mom still hopes to go to Orlando with us if Pop Pop is doing okay. 

I need to start preparing for the Orlando trip.  We're now flying instead of driving so that adds a different level of preparation.  But, hopefully it will be low stress and we'll be happy we flew.  :)  We're looking forward to Disney World!  I've tried to read and look at info. but I feel so overwhelmed by it all.  But, I figure if I can navigate through NYC, I can handle Disney World and the Orlando Area. 

I've got to get ready for the week...