I'm feeling a little guilty about not blogging in a while. There's been so much going on that I haven't had time during the day and by the time the kids are in bed, I just want to veg. But maybe the next few days will be slower and I can catch up on some posts....

My lapse in posts all started with my parents' visit, so maybe I should start there.

Mom and Dad came into town on the Tuesday of Holy Week (almost a week and a half ago). The kids were, of course, super excited to see Grandma and Grandpa. Grandma had been having allergy issues in Tx and was hoping they wouldn't follow her here. Well, she was out of luck. Poor Grandma lived on tea, honey, and lemon. The amount of pollen here is crazy. The trees are beautiful, as are all the flowers, but if you breathe outside for too long, you feel it (and not in a good way).

The first afternoon they were here, we just hung out and played in the backyard. The Grandparents each took a turn playing chase with the kids.

The next day we took Grandma and Grandpa to Reynolda Gardens so they could see some of the trees that they don't have in Tx. The kids always love running around this place and I can't get enough of it. I would love to have my own private Reynolda Gardens in my backyard if I could.

Ahhhh! Spring! We had a play date with Samuel and Sarah at Reynolda gardens this week. The daffodils were up and blooming. The weeping cherry and pear trees were showing their colors. And the Japanese magnolias were gorgeous!

 While I like to meander around the gardens, the kids like to see how fast they can run around all the little racing paths. First one out of the gate was Samuel. I like these series of shots. At first he's like, 'What's that ledge over there?' There is a second of contemplation......

 and then the next thing Jill and I knew we were yelling at the rest of the kids, "Don't jump OFF THAT WALL!" I wasn't worried about the girls doing it, but Ian is another story.

Some other cute pics.....

It was also perfect weather to fly a kite.

Samuel and Sarah's Daddy said that this next picture looked like the front of a rock'n roll album.

What would the title be? 

When Mini-figures and Hot Wheels Meet.....

When Daddy is around, the kids ALWAYS want him to play with them - which leads Daddy, alot of times, into new avenues of creativity. (Let's face it, this is part of the fun of being a parent - you get to play with all of your kids' cool toys.)

One such afternoon, after hearing the pleas, 'Daddy, play with ME!!!' Daddy got a little creative with the Hot Wheels track and the Lego mini-figures.

Ready?

Bubble City

is what Payton called the bubble-rific spectacle created by the new bubble machine.

Ian's 3 year Dr.'s Appointment

Ian did very well at his well visit this week. He's 37 lbs. and 3' 6.75'' tall. He stood on the big scale, like a big boy, and got weighed and measured like a pro. He even didn't have any problems with the blood pressure cuff. He was a little nervous, but didn't cry. My littlest one is not so little anymore :) :(

So for this post, I'm going to show some pics of Ian taken in the last several days.

He's a ball of energy...

At times he's contemplative.....

He can have quite the temper....

But is very playful.....

And has lots of love to give.

Playing around

We've had several gorgeous spring-like days. We've been taking advantage of them by getting reacquainted with our outdoor toys and sandbox


It was so warm, Mommy even let the kids have water in the sand table.

.

What are they doing?

Why are they having so much fun?

Where are they running to?

Oh.

Getting Mommy wet and sandy is so much fun.

Can it Be? Ian's 3!

When I first asked Ian what kind of birthday party he wanted, he said 'cars!' About a week later, he changed his mind to dragons. I asked him several times and the dragon theme stuck, so we went with it. He wanted a green dragon cake and for his birthday meal? - waffles and bacon. Who can argue with waffles and bacon?

When I asked Ian who he wanted to come to his birthday party he said, 'Samuel, Sarah, and Daddy.' Oh, to be three. Three years, three party guests :)

So Ian said, so it was.

Ian and Samuel have become quite the good buddies. They laughed, played, and tortured the girls (by chasing them.) Poor Payton, when Samuel's not around she discusses the play tactics with Ian. She says, 'Ian, when Samuel gets here, you need to tell him not to chase Sarah and me.' Ian dutifully replies, 'Ok, Payton.' But somehow when Samuel arrives this conversation is completely forgotten.

Anyway, Ian got some cool toys: hot wheel tracks, Lego sets, and a Playmobil biker/skateboarder set - stuff that Daddy likes playing with just as much as Ian :)