Happy Birthday Nick!

Dear Nick,

I can't believe you are 32 today. I also find it hard to believe we started dating right before you turned 19! We were just finishing our sophomore year of college when we met and now we are married with two little boys. I would have never imagined our lives turning out the way they have so far and we are so blessed to have started this wonderful family and life together. You are a great husband and daddy. I know I don't tell you nearly enough, but I appreciate you and am so glad we are together! I hope we celebrate many many many many more birthdays together :)

You are HOT and I have you to thank for us having such handsome boys--minus their toes.

Just for laughs, I thought I would include a few things from this list I made a long time ago. I made this list in 2003 listing off the top 100 reasons that I love you as a birthday present. Here are a few of the highlights and things that have still not changed since then. Most are not appropriate for this blog or would embarrass you, so these are just a few. I was cracking up when I read it and didn't want you to call me and yell at me by putting up some funny parts of it.

• You never say no when I ask you to rub my back.


• You usually give me my way.


• You usually let me watch what I want on television.


• You wear purple underwear. (yes, there is one pair and why I haven't thrown them out is beyond me).


• You never can stay mad at me.


• You don’t get mad that every time I go shopping I come home with a new purse. (now it should say....I come home with new clothes for the kids)

We all love you and hope you have a great day today!!

You need to watch this video...

Click HERE to watch this video. I promise, it is worth it. This is what happens when our stubborn child doesn't get a nap...

Just so you know, this had been going on for five minutes before Nick pulled out his phone.

Is my driving that bad?

He insisted on wearing his bike helmet in the car yesterday. I was cracking up asking him, "Are you really that scared of my driving?" and he said yes! He looks so mad here--I have no idea why...he just refused to smile. Maybe he should be wearing it if I'm taking pictures of him while driving. Just kidding--I was stopped at a light at least.

Why? and other conversations with my three year old

Recent questions from Hunter:

1) Why is my pee yellow? I'm not really sure. It just is.

2) Why are you and daddy married? B/c we love each other.

3) Why do you love each other? B/c we just do. So much that we got married and had you and Jack.

4) Why did you have me? B/c we wanted kids and we love you.

5) Why do you love me? Sometimes I'm not sure. Just kidding...I didn't say that, but was thinking it after the last few weeks we've had!

6) Why don't you have a wee-wee? B/c mommy's don't. Only boys and daddy's. Why? That's how God made us.

I've found that using God is extremely helpful in answering questions. When he asks why it's raining, I can just say "I guess God wanted it to rain today" Or when he says why do I have a mole on my arm I can say "That's just the way God made me". It's a very easy way to answer most of his questions!

Also, the other day, he was going to the bathroom and I went in to check on him to make sure he wasn't pulling toilet paper off the roll, splashing water, etc. and he ran to the door saying "I want privacy!" and then trying to shut the door on me. I had to laugh b/c I explained to him a few days ago that when I am in the shower or in the bathroom and like to have "privacy"...why he asks...b/c mommy's like to shower and go to the bathroom alone sometimes. I feel like I only go to the bathroom by myself when I'm at work (which many moms tell me is common). We had a long discussion about what privacy means. Now whenever I'm trying to check on him he'll tell me how he wants his privacy. He is still not aware of a lot of things in regards to body parts, etc, but we are getting to a point where we're trying to talk about privacy and not having to have conversations at the shower door in the morning.

Boo-boo's, eyelashes, playscape, our weekend, etc.

This past weekend went by too quickly. I have been having a really rough time with my back and shoulder lately. Nick has been gone a lot and then I end up doing too much with the kids and am paying for it. I needed to rest this weekend, but it didn't end up happening. Friday night we were supposed to have a picnic at Independence Lake for Hunter's school, but it was cancelled b/c of the weather. Instead we just went out to dinner with the kids. Saturday Nick and Hunter went to soccer and I took Jack to run a few errands. I did go get a massage to try to help with my back/shoulder pain, which was nice and relaxing. Saturday afternoon/night Nick was gone for Mark's bachelor party. They went to the Tiger's game, bars, and stayed at Greektown Hotel/Casino. He came back Sunday late morning and we went to Costco...both kids were crabby and it was pretty chaotic. Jack has been having molars/teething issues for a week now and it's been pretty hard to deal with him. I was cranky b/c I woke up at 6am on Sunday in so much pain that I had to get up and take a shower to feel better. After quiet time, my parents came for dinner and we just hung around the house. I was supposed to go to my friend's baby shower, but had to cancel. With the drive and sitting for so long, I just could not handle it. I was hoping to get some rest, but Hunter did not nap and came out of his room at least 10 times. Nick was napping, so it was all on me. I was a little frustrated b/c I've been on my own so much lately and I should have been the one napping, but Nick didn't get much sleep the night before, so I was being a nice wife. I don't think he appreciates me nearly as much as he should. I woke up at 5:10 am this morning feeling so rotten that I could not go back to sleep, so I hope this week gets better. I actually have an appointment with a new massage therapist tomorrow who specializes in pain management. I'm trying not to get my hopes up, but am praying I'll get some relief. He only deals with clients who have chronic pain issues and 60% of them have low back pain problems. I would be happy if I could just get back to where I was two weeks ago.
Anyway, enough complaining, so here are some pictures from the last few days :)

We finally got this set up in the back yard. Nick is not handy, so my assistant's husband did it...it was quite the project--over 40 hours to complete it. We got a great deal on it at Costco. We'd been eyeing it for months and finally decided to take the plunge :) Our neighbors spent about $5,000 on theirs and there is NO way we would do that. Granted theirs is nicer, but I don't care...this was in our price range--thank you Costco!

Hunter has been having so much fun. He wants to have a "sleepover" in the top part. I don't think so unless he can convince Nick to sleep out there with him. There are mosquitoes out there and I can see the like Hunter just as much as they like me--poor kid.

I love the top part b/c it's mostly enclosed which makes it easy for Jack to be up there and I don't have to worry about him falling out.

There is a ladder, rock wall, and rope you can climb to get up there.

We have spent a lot of time sitting in here just hanging out :)
The lower level has a door and Hunter pretends it's a restaurant...I sit on the bench outside of it and "order food". I usually end up getting mulch to eat.

I got a "baby swing" at Meijer for $23 on Saturday, so we took one of them down and hung the other swing for Jack. Chopper is nuts...he was tearing around the mulch acting so crazy!

Last night my parents came for dinner. We hung out on the deck, playscape, and made a fire. We improvised with smores. I had graham crackers and marshmallows, but we used leftover chocolate Easter bunnies for that part. They were yummy!!

Jack LOVES to help with any chores around the house as I've mentioned before. I am thrilled about this b/c Hunter doesn't want to help with anything. He even likes to put his own diapers away. I don't let him put the poopy ones away, but he does the wet ones :) Here he is on the way to the diaper genie...

Just checking to make sure this is where they go mom...Yep, that's where they go!
Putting it in the diaper genie. He doesn't push it in, which is fine with me. He is so proud of himself once he does it...so cute!

Poor baby. He fell and scratched his face and nose pretty badly. I feel like a bad mommy b/c it was on my watch, but I'm glad it was with me, not someone else. His bruise from falling with Nana had just gone away and now this! I guess boys will be boys.
I just had to try to capture his eyelashes. They are truly amazing. He gets compliments all the time...and of course it's on a boy who will never appreciate it. On the outside ones, they are just SO long! The picture barely does them justice.

Look what I can do Mommy!

Jack has learned to feed himself and really likes to do it himself, no matter how messy! I pulled out my camera b/c he was just such a ham.

Concentrating to not spill his cereal...

I did it mommy!!

I love that smile so much...

He's so cute and funny :)

Happy Friday!

Hunter's last day of school

I can't believe today is Hunter's last day of school (I know I said that yesterday). I am happy that he'll get to have lots of fun this summer, but I'm also sad at the same time. I wonder how naps will go now that he's not at school getting worn out. Just keeping him busy and entertained so he stays out of trouble can be a task. I have a list a page long of fun things to do this summer, so that should help!

Ready for summer! He said he was sad not to see his teachers over the summer...I'm super happy that he'll have Miss Claire again next year. It was actually funny b/c we found out last week that the kids across the street go to the same school, but they are a bit older. The one boy had Miss Claire and said she was too strict. She doesn't seem that way, but either way, Hunter needs that or he would walk all over them!

First day of pre-school...he did really well, but there were a few pictures where he looked slightly nervous.

I love all three of his teachers and had no idea what to get them for gifts, so thanks to my Aunt Rhonda who is a teacher, we got them gift cards to Panera to say thank you! Tomorrow they have a school picnic at Independence Lake (beach, splash park, picnic area, etc). We're going as a family and it should be fun!

Lots of random things I want to remember

1) Hunter only has two days left of pre-school. Where has the year gone? I can't believe how much he's grown since September! I got his spring progress report and it was very positive. He has been staying till 1pm for the past two weeks and seems to really enjoy eating lunch and having recess with the other kids. We'll do that all next year too. This week is spirit week. Monday was pj day...(minus daddy's flip flops)

2) We went to Target last week and as we were walking in there was a very pregnant lady walking out. Hunter said, very loudly I might add, "Why is that lady's belly SO big??" I said, "b/c she has a baby in her belly". The lady heard and laughed, but I still apologized. She said, "I have a five year old and hear it every day, so it's totally fine". I still proceeded to talk about people being different shapes, colors, etc and we don't have to talk about it out loud. He asked me why a lady's butt was so big a while ago too, but thank goodness the lady didn't hear--or pretended not to at least. Talk about embarrassing.

3) Lately, we've had people working outside doing landscaping and setting up a play structure. Hunter has been wanting to take Chopper out on a leash (he has invisible fence, but when people are in the yard, we take him on the leash), so we all go out together. Chopper was pooping and Hunter was saying, "We need to get him some toilet paper to wipe his butt". I tried to explain dogs don't use toilet paper and he thought that was quite gross and we should really wipe his butt after he goes poop.

4) Saturday we met up with my friend Amber and went to the park and dinner (Nick was out of town). We were driving to the park and Amber and Hunter were chatting away. Finally Hunter looked at her and said, very seriously, "Amber, please stop talking now". We were cracking up! You might have had to be there, but it was really funny, take my word for it.

5) Hunter wakes up EARLY ever since he's been in the toddler bed. I get up at 6am to shower and get at least part way ready before he is in our bathroom causing trouble while I try to get ready for work. The other day, he came in early and I was still in the shower. I try to hold the shower door shut and explain how I want privacy (or he will just open the door and talk to me). When I got out he said, "Mommy, maybe when I'm 31 years old like you I can take a shower with you". I said "Well, buddy, when you are 31, you are not going to want to take a shower with me!" Of course he asked why. Just because I said so.

6) When all else fails and you are home alone with two rowdy boys, just hook one up to a leash and pretend to be a dog or make animal noises. It entertained and made them giggle for at least 30 minutes. I was also hooked up to the leash at one point making all sorts of animal noises. I just hoped no one was peeking in our windows or they would think I was crazy!

I just like to document the funny stuff that goes on so I can show Hunter some day how funny he is.

Lake with Chris and Mason

Here are some pictures from the lake on Sunday. We always enjoy seeing the Duprey Family. I was sad that Angela couldn't come and I was the only woman with five kids. Or four kids and Chris (Mason's dad). Emily came out with us for a little bit, but she had to go to softball. We also stopped at my aunt Rhonda's to visit for a few minutes--she gave the kids popsicles, showed them her flamingo sprinkler, and saw the Couchman Clan :)

Chris and Jack...he is teething and was crabby. I'm sure my lack of patience didn't help. Nick and Hunter tubing...Hunter loves tubing! Jack can give it a try next year...or maybe later this summer, but we'll see.
Nick and Mason tubing. Chris forgot swimsuits, but Mason actually wore Jack's b/c he wasn't wearing it--thankfully it fit although a little snug. I was surprised Mason went with Nick, but I guess he must have wanted to go tubing. He had a great time. It's hard to see, but they are both waving. They hit some big waves too and Mason was great!
Mason is so cute--he smiles and says "cheese". Hunter has the chip clip on his lip acting silly so that we can't get a reasonable picture. Grrrrrrrr.

Trying to get a picture of the three boys. No such luck.

Have a great day!!

My weekend with the kids

Nick went to Baltimore this past weekend to visit some friends, so I was on my own with the kids. It went a little better than anticipated, but by Sunday afternoon, I was crabby and ready to have him home. I woke up today with a very sore back, so I know I overdid it with the kids.

Friday after work we went to Target for some retail therapy. We got some little pools for the deck, sidewalk chalk, bubbles, squirt guns, etc. Jack has been teething horribly for the past six days, so car rides and other outings have been a little more difficult than I'm used to. At one point both kids were out of the cart pulling things off the shelf and I just didn't care.

Saturday morning Aunt Emily took Hunter to soccer for me--thanks Emily. I was happy to have the break and he would not have been able to go otherwise. Connie and Baby Tyler came over to hang out for a bit, but Tyler was a little fussy and so was Jack, so it wasn't as relaxing as I'd hoped for. After naps on Saturday, I met up with my friend Amber. We went to the park with the kids and then out to dinner. Dinner was pretty chaotic--that might be an understatement. Oh well. Jack slept until 8:30am on Sunday, so we for sure wore him out!

Sunday morning we hung around the house and waited for daddy to come home. He got home at noon and after naps we went to the lake with Chris and Mason. Mason's mom was on call at the hospital so she couldn't come with us :( Me and five boys on the boat--yippee...and I was cranky. My back hurt, Jack was fussy, Hunter was being mean to Jack, and I'd lost my patience. Chris (Mason's daddy) probably thinks I'm mean. Sorry about that. Nick was getting on my nerves which was disappointing considering I was happy that he was home. I don't like when that happens.

Here is the crab pool we got from Target. We had a frog one that my parents got just like this last summer, but it broke. They are having more fun inside before I even brought it out.

Hunter was so great on Sunday morning helping to water the flowers. He watered each one and I think it took at least 30 minutes.

Jack and I hung out and watched. Hunter took his job very seriously.
My cutie pie playing in the yard.

Can you find Jack??

Ok, this was cracking me up. I went to shut Hunter's door on Sunday while he was sleeping and saw this. He is such a boy!! I almost laughed out loud and then ran out to get my cell phone to take a picture. I can't wait to show him this when he's older.

I love these Little Brother pj's!!

I have lots more fun pictures from Saturday and Sunday, but these were just the ones from my phone. Hope you had a nice weekend!!