Spring Break has officially begun!

This was the scene in our family room just a few minutes ago. Everyone is home from school now and we're officially in "relax" mode. Now if only someone would cook dinner and clean the bathrooms........

overheard

Tonight:

As I was walking down the stairs after tucking the boys in, I heard a voice in Elliott's room. I moved quietly to the bathroom where I could hear better without disturbing him. He was reading "Giggle Giggle Quack" all on his own. He was sounding out all the words he didn't recognize and not getting frustrated when he couldn't figure a few of them out. He finally realized I was there and said "Oh, hey, mom. I'm practicing reading this book cause someone is going to come listen to us read our library books and our IR books tomorrow." So cute that he wanted to do his best tomorrow. He even put the book where he would remember to look at it in the morning as I left.

This afternoon:

While Elliott was at school, Ethan unlocked a ship on the Lego Star Wars game. He was so excited about it!! "Elliott is going to be really happy!" he said. So we pick Elliott up and Ethan is trying to describe what he unlocked, but Elliott isn't following him. So as soon as we get home, Ethan shows him and Brian overhears this: "I'm so proud of you, Ethan!"

Yesterday afternoon:

In the van, on the way home from preschool,

Ethan: "Elliott......I'm really smart."
Elliott: "Okay. What's 1000 plus 1000?
Ethan: (thinking) "2000!!"
Elliott: (rolling his eyes in disgust and disbelief that Ethan actually got that right and turning away from him so he doesn't have to acknowledge that Ethan may be really smart.)
Elliott: "What's 4000 plus 4000?
Ethan: "Ummmm.....6000?!"
Elliott: "No. FOUR thousand plus FOUR thousand??
Ethan: "5000!!!"
Elliott: "8000"

missing this....

I've never been to this Publix (don't know where this one is), but I just miss Publix. Yes, I'm definitely a Walmart girl, but there were certain things that I went to Publix for every week during our years in Georgia. Deli meat, for example. The best deli meat was there - and the boys knew that they would always get a sample from a smiling face, too. Why can't I find decent deli meat here? I was able to go to Publix with Brian's mom while in Florida and get some of that most yummy Boar's Head meat and thought to myself "Surely I can find this somewhere at home - I need to look again." No. I've exhausted every grocery chain twice and no luck at all. What's the deal?

What's so great about Publix you ask?

-Samples and cookies for the kids. They never forgot that this was the norm, but rarely had to remind anyone.

-Fresh produce. Really fresh. And it was beautiful. And such a variety - could find almost anything there. Never even bothered looking for produce anywhere else.

-Quiet. It was just peaceful there - no voices booming through the loudspeakers. Just calm.

-Help. You could always find someone to help you. Didn't even have to look - they found you.

-Cuts of meat - almost any kind you wanted or they would cut it for you.

-Fresh seafood. Fresh seafood. Fresh seafood.

-Clean. Everything was clean, bright.

-No lines. If more than 2 people were in line, another register opened - great idea!!!

-Subs. Great subs

-Awesome fresh breads.

-Mayfield ice cream.

-Best of all, when you get ready to cart everything out to your car, there's a smiling face there saying "I'll take this for you". Not such a big deal now since the boys are older, but you have no idea how often I went to Publix over any other store specifically for this reason. Trying to corral a 1 and 3 year old or 2 and 4 year old in a parking lot with a cart full of groceries is exhausting. And it was always someone nice who talked to the boys or to me and actually acted like they enjoyed their job.

I miss you, Publix. Please come to Missouri!!!

p.s. I just found out that the original Publix store from the 1930s is still standing in Winter Haven, FL - very close to Brian's parents. Definitely will be making a trip there next time!

Florida

I'll write more later, but here are some pictures from our trip to Florida - promise to add stories soon!

Bouncy hair boy

I know it's been a while since I've blogged - we'll just blame it on stomach bugs, head colds, laundry and life in general.

I didn't have anything in particular to write today, but the other day the boys and I were looking for a picture of Brian's dad and came across this photo of my adorable 18 month old in 2006. Isn't he cute? Oh, it makes me miss those toddler days - I can still see his hair bouncing as he toddled around (in case you didn't know, he hasn't stopped moving since he was born!).

filling "calories"

This was Elliott's fun on Monday. He had to go get a cavity filled (he and Ethan keep calling them "calories"), and I dreaded it much more than he did. A few years ago I took him to get a flu shot and it took the nurse and I together close to 30 minutes to accomplish that - didn't know he could scream like that! So the thought of a needle going into his mouth? Ugh! Was not looking forward to it - plus, the boys like going to the dentist and I just knew that after this he would balk every time it was time to go again. So there were lots of prayers going up for the both of us on Monday (thank you Nyla)!

But he surprised me again! He was incredibly chatty the whole time - asking them what was going to happen, excited to have control of the little water sucker thing, not afraid to say he didn't like something (pretty often). Really he was just himself the whole time....which I always think is so fascinating. I would have been very shy and quiet in this situation as a child, I think. But he's such the opposite. Wonder where that comes from???

He even got a toy at the end of it all. Then as we were leaving, he said "are we coming back next Monday, mom?" "Yeah, next Monday." And then he actually let out a "YES!!!!" He thought it was fun!!! See what prayer will do? Awesome!!

SNOW!!!

6 inches fell yesterday and today and the boys couldn't be happier. I'd be happier if it weren't 13 degrees out, but even though, it was still fun to go out and play today. I've enjoyed being "snowed in" these past 2 days - forced to slow down. It's probably back to school tomorrow, so I'm going to enjoy these last few hours (I can see Brian and the boys sledding down our hill as I'm writing this)!