The Poppy Book

I was so worried that because my parents did not live in the same city, that Wip would not know his Grams and Poppy, so I made a book and read it to him every night. Duncan now refers to the book as the "Poppy book" and loves to not only have it read to him, but also to go to bed with it.

Reading the "Poppy book" made me realize that I wrote about my dad having cancer and have not had any follow up. Most of you know (all 6 of you that read this blog:) that he is battling synovial sarcoma (soft tissue cancer). His treatment is pretty intense with five days in the hospital and round the clock chemo with three weeks to recover at home and then back to the hospital for another round. Radiation and surgery get thrown in there as well.  That is tough just typing it...I can't imagine having to actually go through with it. 

The good thing is that he is ready. He says his battle cry is "it is beatable and treatable" so bring it. He just finished up his first hospital stay, and I went to visit with him in the hospital last Thursday. I gotta say, cancer sucks, but I sure did enjoy just having an afternoon with my dad. Just the two of us, just talking about life, just enjoying each others company. I love my dad.

A lot of other people love my dad and are praying and getting him through this hump, we are one blessed little family. Our future is so bright that we have to wear shades (and drink chocolate milk:)

School's Out

Step 1: Click here and press play

Step 2: Check out the photo below

Step 3: Get ready for a great summer

ICE CREAM!

The boys got in the car yesterday and immediately started asking for ice cream. I told them that when they woke up from naps/rest that we would go and get some. The response was an excited "OK MOMMY!" from the backseat. Duncan woke up from his nap crying, complaining about his ear. Great. I thought we would be making a trip to East Louisville instead of Comfy Cow. When I asked him if we needed to go to the doctor, he perked up, dried his tears, and said "oh no, mommy, I need ice cream". Done.

My Little Andy

Today I was spying on Wip during his quiet time. Hearing him play with his toys made me think of how the inspiration for Andy came about in Toy Story...is there anything cuter than hearing a child really play with their toys? Click here for the video.

If you need a translator, it goes something like:

"Baby horse!"

"Baby horse is gone!"

"Oh no Mommy horse"

"Come on, lets go, lets go find him"

"Baby horse is GONE!"

its warming up...

Long weekends are the best.

Duncan wore his goggles all morning (before we went to the pool)

Wip was equally as excited to hit the freezing cold water

Welcome our new addition to the family..."Goldie" (even though he is purple:)

Measuring the bumps

Rocking his new summer wear...it was a good weekend.

End of the Typical Day

Our typical day goes a little something like this...

I pick up the boys at 1:00ish. Duncan takes a nap, Wip has rest time (usually lasting 30-45 minutes) Then...
he invites some friends down for an afternoon snack and a movie,

\

We practice some somersaults, 

He sometime impresses the heck out of me..when I asked him what happened to his back (there are two very small marks and I was not sure if it was a bruise or marker), he so cleverly said "mommy, why don't you take a picture and show me, because I can't see it".... brilliant!

Duncan wakes up and we have a party (not really, but this particular day was Friday...whoohooo!)

We changed up dinner a little by having a picnic outside (and I was completely shocked and amazed at how much both of my boys LOVE carrots...who knew?)

After bath I decided to break out the summer pjs...this is the official end of our typical day (for at least a couple of months), welcome summer:)

While this has nothing to do with the end of the typical day, but everything to do with my continued obsession with Dinner a Love Story...I made fried fish with a black bean avocado salad last night...delicious!

I hope everyone enjoys the long weekend!

Lovin' (summer edition)

I am in summer mode...here is my summer edition of what I am loving this week:

Only the Young documentary looks weird but I am strangely interested in the story...maybe it is the Wes Anderson influence?

I have an adorable little nephew with a birthday coming up that might need this bowling set  for when his Uncle Tom Sherrard comes to visit

There are few things I love more than a clean house. These new Lysol wipes might not have the greatest scent, but they sure have some cleaning ability

The picture of Wip fishing at school just makes me smile and think of Uncle Nick in Texas

I know it is early but this Bombay Fizz could be my summer cocktail...stay tuned

If I had all of the money in the world, every single one of my friends would get this W&P Cocktail Kit . You are welcome.

Wip makes me laugh when he misplaces this particular car he will ask "Mommy, have you seen the Mollie car?" He thinks it looks like his Auntie!

This tent screams summer camp out cuteness.

Not only does this dish scream "GO TO THE FARMERS MARKET", but it looks pretty darn yummy

Same Message, Different Parents

Every year around this time I am stopped by a parent at school. The parent is usually very gracious and starts the conversation with something about how the end is near and summer is almost upon us. Sometimes they mention the boys and ask how they are doing. But the core message as to why they stop to chat with me is to tell me is what a wonderful teacher Mr. Mulloy has been to their child.

I was approached with this same message by a different parent the other day and it got me thinking that this happens every year. Not kidding. I remember when he was teaching the freshman class and I would get phone calls from parents that I used to coach their daughters in middle school begging to know "how they could get Mr. Mulloy as a teacher". Like I had anything to do with the process.

As this mother walked away, it just made me realize the kind of impact that Patrick is making on these students. The teacher they will never forget, the teacher that was relatable, the teacher that truly made a difference in their life.

For all of that and so much more, I am so proud to call him my man.

Cookie Cutter Game

Wip loves Mimi's cookie cutters. Every time we go over to her house he asks to get them out.

The other day we were hanging out at Mimi's and Wip made up a game to play with the cookie cutters. Basically, you tell him which one is your favorite and he puts it in your "pile". Mimi has a lot of cookie cutters so the game can go on for quite a while.

It was my turn and I asked him which cookie cutter he wanted. He responded with "the one that means love" (aka the heart). Sweet boy.

Dragons Love Tacos Birthday Party

Invitations were sent

The planning was set

Mini shadow puppet boxes were made for the favors

Treats were put out for the puppet show

Bounce house was set up

The Spillman's birthday gift played with

Bubble machine was turned on

Tacos were enjoyed

Gift were opened

Precious little girls were everywhere

Dragon hats were worn

Adults were able to have conversation (kind of:)

Party favors were used

Adorable babies were in the house

Everyone play play played

Miles and Lucas marching

These three look up to something....

Baby D all grown up

Water table was set up

Love

All for these little monkeys...I love them more than they will ever know. Happy Birthday Wip & Duncan.