D: Take 2

I was not happy with how little D's pictures turned out on Saturday. So, we headed out for one more try today. Much happier with the outcome this time around. I can only hope that mom is, too!

Little man D

Such a fun photo shoot! Little D has so much energy (I think he nearly wore his parents out walking around the nature preserve) and was just full of smiles. Unfortunately he moved to fast for me to focus on him and capture them. Here are just a few!

Sand mandala

For the second year in a row the University of Northern Iowa has brought a sand mandala to campus. Last year I visited a few times and even got to cover the closing ceremony for work. This year, I wanted the boys to see this work of art. The monks were working on it during our weekly Kindermusik class so I made sure to take the boys down for a peak. Zander could have cared less, but Nick was very interested. When I told him he could make his own mandala on another day he asked to come back.











So, today I left work a little early so we could visit again. Nick was very disappointed when we arrived and Geshe Dorjee Thupten (the monk overseeing the mandala) was not there to help us with the children's table. He asked if we could wait a little while longer to see if he would come. Nick quickly got bored and began roaming the performing arts center, but his (kinda) patience eventually paid off. The Geshe showed up and even helped Nick get his mandala started.

Yum

My Mother's Day gift this year came in the form of food. Mike just got the book Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day and this yummy pecan roll recipe came from the book. Nick was at his grandma and grandpa's so we didn't have to worry about the nuts! They may have taken a while to cook, but they were quite tasty!

Fun fair

I'm not quite sure why they call these little gatherings "Fun fairs." Personally, I find nothing fun about them. Especially when it's raining. Last year we took Nick to the school's fun fair just to get him used to the building (then I got to worrying that he would think there would always be pony and tractor rides at school). Anyway. This year all the kids were talking about it so of course we had to go. Except it was a rainy day. So they moved everything inside. This school is not that big and when you add silly things like toilet paper toss (literally into an open, but clean, toilet) into the hallway the claustrophobia starts to set in.

Of course Nick had lots of fun. Zander, not so much. I was stuck carrying him because the minute I set him down he either bolted or tried to steal the penny prizes I had to pay $1 for. I guess I should just be happy Nick had fun. Besides, I better get used to these since I am pretty sure I have many more years of "fun" fairs in my future. Yippee.

The tractor ride was both boys favorite (and of course the most expensive) activity. Of course the minute we stepped outside it started raining. Yippee!

Dinner at Carlos

There are times I think we have ruined our children, or at least Nick. At least four times a week he asks if we can go out to eat. We used to oblige ... a lot. And it's probably why he keeps asking. Before he was born Mike and I ate out ... a lot. Neither one of us really likes to cook. We had the money (though when I think how much more we would have right now it makes me a little sick) and so when the mood struck we would go out to eat. We told ourselves once our first child was born certainly eating out would get harder and we would cut back. But, it didn't. At least not enough to deter us. So we kept eating out. Or bringing the food home. And then when I was pregnant with Zander we, again, thought that having another child would slow down our desire to eat out. And, to some extent it did. But not much.

Until just recently. Taking the boys out to eat has gotten to be a bit much. They get cranky. They get bored. They get hungry. So we stopped going. But, Nick's incessant begging never ceased. And when we are feeling particularly kind we let him pick the restaurant. His usual picks are McDonalds, Little Ceasars and Carlos O'Kellys. I'm pretty sure the only reason he likes Carlos is because he can fill up on the chips before the meal even gets there. Not the healthiest, but it means we only have to buy one kid's meal! (Yeah, I know, Mother of the Year right here).

The last time we went Nick ditched his meal (a cheese quesadilla) for a little concoction we call the french fry taco. Mike got chicken picado which comes with plain tortillas to make the little burrito. Well, Nick stole a few of those, stuffed them full of french fries and went to town. I figured if he was good and quiet, I wasn't going to argue.




Zander still isn't much of an eater when we go out. But, he's usually pretty good, especially if I get the camera out!


Then again, if this was my view of dinner, maybe I wouldn't be that hungry either.


And look how happy (and skinny) Mike looks. I think Nick took this picture. Figures, he gives him a real smile.

T-ball time

Nick had his first T-ball practice today. When I picked him up at Robin's he told me he was exercising for T-ball tonight. He had been running races in her backyard. However, he wasn't nearly as excited when we got there. He did the usual avoid all other people and hide behind my leg routine and even through in a few tears for good measure. But, once I promised him a McDonald's apple pie if he was good he was ready to go. Within minutes of taking the field he was just fine! I was so proud of him. He listened like a champ, took turns and even let the coach help him with his throws. He's come a long way in the last 6 months!!

First they did a little warming up.


Then it was time to practice throwing (definitely a weak spot for our little guy).




And he got his shirt and hat (he's a Wildcat). Mike thought it was funny that his hat really was a Kentucky Wildcat hat. Guess they can buy leftovers cheap.


Nick played outfield first. Yeah, they moved them in a little closer for the next round!


Daisy chain anyone?


He had to find a helmet before he could bat. Unfortunately, he has a big head and the only one that fit was already being used by another little girl. But, he patiently waited for his turn and the helmet.


Nick is so not a t-ball player. He loves playing ball, but is much better at just hitting it when someone throws it to him.




He had the biggest grin on his face when he left the field. It was so awesome to see him so happy! He told us he had a lot of fun and that he wants to go back tomorrow. I'm hoping that means we don't have to bribe him everytime.