Nate's Exhibit Opening

Nate had his school Exhibit Opening on Tuesday night this week. The elementary school puts together an exhibit each semester and this one was the best by far! It was all about pop art and Nate's grade exhibited about the artist, Keith Haring. Nate worked so hard on this exhibit and was even called out of his regular classroom over the last several weeks to help because the art teacher needed assistance and she knew Nate would be happy to help! In addition to working very hard on the 4th grade exhibit, he also helped with the 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 6th grade exhibits so that they would finish on time. He was flattered to be asked and took the job so seriously! 

He was proud of these screen printings that he helped complete. Each area that he took me to, I would recognize it by the substance of paint/plaster/marker that came on his shirts in the weeks prior.

These dresses in the 5th grade wing were fantastic!  Here is the world map dress...

The Boscos Pizza dress...

and our personal favorite, the White Castle dress! We have a running joke where I tell the kids that White Castle is gross. And they both ask me how I know that since I've never actually eaten there. I just know. I just know.

We are very proud of Nate and so thankful he has a place to express his artistic side!

Snowflake Ball Plus

 Last Friday night was the Snowflake Ball at Lila's school! She was very very excited to go to the ball with Scott. Here she is all dressed up, looking so grown up I might add.

They had a really great time and she was beaming when she got home. That's the best feeling as a parent and I'm thankful that Scott truly enjoys taking her to these types of events. 

While they were at the ball, I took Nate to eat at his favorite restaurant. Pei Wei. It is not my favorite restaurant, but it's good to see him smile. He did say while we were there, "Mom, aren't you glad Mr. Ryan (Pooley) took us to Pei Wei all those years ago?!?" To which I replied, yes, that's exactly what I was thinking. Ha!

We hung out on Saturday, swim team, bike riding, etc...and then Scott & I went to see Hail Ceasar. Fun fact...we have not been to a movie just the 2 of us since I was pregnant with Nate. I'm just not really a movie at the theater kind of person. But I enjoyed it, even though I've heard it wasn't the Coen Brothers best movie. After the movie, we went out to eat with my parents who happened to be in town for a musical at the Fox. What a treat! We ate sushi and had a fantastic time visiting.

On Sunday, Scott took the kids swimming before heading off to work for a few hours. This one was sooooooo tired and promptly fell asleep on the couch after they got home. She couldn't fight it any longer!

Weekend Wrap Up

Our weekend started off with a bang, I guess you could say. After spending most of the day at home cleaning and organizing, I left the house to pick up the kids from school. When we got home, Lila picked Truman up to give him some love. When she put him down, she ran over to me and said, "Mom! I have this yellow stuff all over me, what is it??" 

It took me about 2.3 seconds to realize what "it" was...Truman had, well, let's just say "gotten sick" while I was gone. I immediately cleaned Lila up, amidst wailing and gagging from both of us. Then I set out to find the sick one. I wrapped him up in a towel and gave him his first bath. Have you ever given a cat a bath? It's ever so much fun. But not as much fun as the litter box was after this event...I left that for Scott:)

Here he is, all fresh and clean. If you need me, I'll be writing my novel about the glamorous life I lead. 

After all that excitement, we went to the park since it was 75 degrees in February. Hallelujah and Amen. We stayed until dark, then came home and ate dinner with Scott.

On Saturday, it was 78 degrees (Hallelujah and Amen), so we had a picnic outside.

Nate went to a friend's house to play, and Lila wanted to go to the playground in Forest Park. I really tried to talk her out of it because I knew it would be swarming with people due to the nice weather. She finally wore me down and I'm glad she did. Although it took us a while to get in and out of the park, we had the best time just enjoying the warm sunshine.

Mimi & Paka sent her this Under Armour shirt for Valentine's Day. She thinks she is hot stuff and was so excited it was warm enough to wear it! The boys (Nate, Noah & Gavin) all love Under Armour so she is very excited to "be like the boys!" So sweet.

There is a little cafe next to this park so we hopped over and got a smoothie. She loved it.

On Sunday, after church and rest, we walked down to our park again and somehow our quick trip turned into 2.5 hours. We get sucked in because friends are there too, which is such a blessing. Unplanned play dates are the best.

They are building a memorial at our park and they've left a rock pile and a dirt pile outside the construction area. The kids think they are awesome and played most of the time right here.

They are practicing for the beach. Or so they told me. Beach weather can't come soon enough!

Lovely weekend in the sunshine. It's funny, when it's 20 degrees, 50 degrees seems like heaven. But when it's been 78 degrees, 50 degrees seems very very cold. Here's to hoping more Spring-like 70 degree days are in our very near future!

President's Day Follies

Normally on President's Day weekend, we go on a trip since the kids have Friday and Monday off from school. But this year was a little different...Scott went to upstate New York to visit his Grandmother and lots of Boyle family. So the kids and I went to Charleston for a couple days to see this one and his brother and parents. Isn't he sweet?? 

When we arrived on Friday, my mom showed me these pictures that she found in some old newspapers at the library when she was researching something else.

This is me, age 11, with some awesome hair. But ignore that. This was my dog, Jill, who I adored. And entered into the Dog Show at the Azalea Festival where she won Most Pointed Tail. Loved seeing this. I had forgotten about that hairstyle. Thanks for reminding me, Mom.

If you're not from a small town, then you probably can't even fathom the hilarity that small town newspapers possess. I didn't know it was all so hilarious until I went to college and everyone would gather around my room when the paper arrived to read about the giant tomato that had been grown in someone's backyard. Breaking news, I tell ya.

This picture of my darling Grandpa was on the same page as the picture of me above. He had shot a turkey that day (a 20 pounder!) and they put him in the paper. My favorite part of this (besides seeing my Grandpa dressed in his hunting gear, which is so familiar to me) is the text that they were waiting on one of his good friends, Marion Waggener, to call in his turkey. To see if it was shot earlier or was bigger than 20 pounds. Because, of course.

We loved playing with this little one too...feet on the counter eating a peanut butter sandwich. Only at Nana's house.

After we made a stop in Cape to visit my Grandma and see the movie, Kung Fu Panda 3, we headed back to St. Louis on Saturday evening. We woke up Sunday morning and the kids found some Valentine goodies from Mom & Dad.

I made them heart pancakes and we watched it snow buckets. Then we made the sad decision that we couldn't go to church. It was super cold and they were not clearing the streets. I just didn't feel comfortable loading the kids up and venturing out when Scott was out of town.

So we stayed home all day and did every art project known to civilization, including making cards for Grandma saying how much we enjoyed our visit.

We also did a lot of resting, Kitty P loves when I lay in my bed. I kind of love of it too, Kitty P.

I think Spring is coming, I really do. And we really can't complain all that much about this winter. But if it could hurry up, I'd be ever so appreciative.

Real Motherhood

Y'all.

If you want to know what real motherhood looks like...

That's my sister. 

And one of her little angels,

Who refuses to keep her shoes on in public. 

Yes.

That's about all you can do.

Cover your eyes.

And pretend you're on the beach. 

Photo credit to her husband, Ben, she didn't know her picture was being taken. I laughed until I cried. Follow them on Bluet Blog for more entertaining stories. 

Time, Pizza and the History Museum

I can't get a good rhythm going on the blogging thing. But I'm pressing on, so much to document or there won't be any blog books for Nate & Lila to fight over when they are older.

Lila and I have been having fun on her days at home. This time is dwindling and I'm tying my best to soak it up so that I don't curl up in a ball and cry about it. I'm so blessed to able to stay at home during this season. To that mom of a 2 year old, enjoy it, even the yucky moments, because the time is far too short and goes by way too fast. I wish someone would have told me that more often.

I found this Valentine's Day themed math packet for her online. She ate it up. And was so proud that it was rated for Kindergarten age. She zipped right through it which confirms all of our feelings (especially hers) that she is totally ready for this next school year.

For the past few months, we've been making homemade pizza on most Friday nights. A couple of weeks ago, Scott surprised me with these baking stones! I absolutely love them. A lady that he works with sells Pampered Chef and I was very impressed with him picking these out! The kids like to make their own pizzas, so the little pans are perfect. I have to say, I'm a believer in the baking stone now, especially for baking pizzas. They were delish. I've used them for a couple of other dishes and they worked just as well. We are fans!

We didn't have anything going on a couple of Saturdays ago and Scott was working, so we went up to the History Museum. Yet another one of St. Louis's fabulous activities for kids (and free!) Lila dressed herself this day. It.was.killing.me. Emily always sends me pictures of her kids on the weekends and let me tell ya, they are some slaves to the fashion. I tell her that I try really hard, but if we are going out in public, I have trouble going with the flow. But this day I decided to just do it. It's not terrible, but there are a few too many fashion elements for me to be comfortable. She, on the other hand, loved it. 

The History Museum has a kids area that we hit up first. Lila enjoyed fishing in the Indian camp.

My wild little Indians pretending that they are wild little Indians. Perfect.

The museum also has an 1875 St. Louis exhibit right now. Nate loves it. And it is really pretty cool. They have many different maps of St. Louis in 1875 with lots to read about that time period.

I wish I could have read all of it, but since this one can't read yet, it's a little tricky. Soon, very soon.

Checking out when things like blue jeans, Christmas cards, typewriters, and toilet paper came into being. We were surprised with many of the answers!

It turned out to be a beautiful day so we took our time getting back to the car. Truly, Forest Park is such a gift.

We headed to one of our favorite places on earth, Chicky-Lay, as Lila would say, for lunch. Always a winner!

That afternoon, Lila and I went to the park to play and ride her bike. She is getting so good! I'm so proud of her get-er-done attitude. I hope she always has it!

It was a great weekend - we try to make the most of the ones that Scott is working. Mother Nature helps me out when we are able to be outside. Thank you Mother Nature!

p.s. bring real Spring soon

Hiking at Castlewood - in January!

Last weekend was an absolute gem in the weather category. It was ~70 degrees in January. Thank you Mother Nature and AMEN. On Sunday afternoon, we went for a hike at Castlewood State Park. 

Shorts in January? Yes, please. 

Nate loves Castlewood because there are some old stone structures. He loves to imagine what they might have been. My historian.

Happy Happy in the warm weather!

Hard to believe she was in the water during the winter! But was SO excited to be there!

The trails were a little muddy from the snow and rain we've had, which made it that much more fun. It's no secret that I love me some laundry and my family is happy to oblige.

Spring, please come soon!