Milo and Otis (and Charley)

Newark

A couple of months ago when we were visiting Michael's mom, we got to take the kids on a picnic to OSU-Newark, where Michael and I had attended classes during our senior year of high school.  The campus is pretty beautiful and the weather was amazing.  After the picnic we hung out at Penny's and Charlotte showed us her monkey side by trying to climb as high as possible in a tree in the backyard.  Maya, being the older sister, is usually the one leading the way for Charlotte.  But, when it comes to tree-climbing, Charlotte is the undisputed leader.

As you can see, Milo is pretty into craisins.

My hottie

We'll Just Pretend Those 6 Months Didn't Happen

I was going to try to do a recap of the past 6 months, but that's too overwhelming to think about so I'mma start fresh.  Brief update: the kids are good, we got a puppy, we've had 6 foster kids come and go (read about that at my other neglected blog, which I hope to update soon, hisplanmyhope.com).

It's spring!  Well, sortof.  It was nice enough a few times over the past couple weeks that we got outside for a bit.  Otis (puppy) is much better behaved when he's had lots and lots and LOTS of exercise chasing the kids outside.  We have taken him to 2 different puppy classes and boarded him a few times, and all of the trainers have commented on how "excited" or "energetic" he is.  Maybe some day he'll be calm enough to snuggle, cause a snuggly puppy he is not!  But he's cute, and he's fun, and he's learning his manners ~ can't ask for much more than that!

Pictures :)

It took me 10 days to convince Charlotte that this picture needed to be shared :)

Milo, on the other hand, loves cheesing it up for the camera

Sisters, secrets.

The kids at our coop singing "Thrive" at our end of year celebration

Charlotte with one of her friends, Katherine

Backyard shenanigans, unstaged

Milo performing a spell, probably "expelliarmos"

I love Milo's ingenuity ~ he needed both hands, so he came up with a water-cup-holder\

Happy Mother's Day!

After spending the weekend pampering me, Michael has taken all 3 kids to Lowe's so that I can blog!  Yay!  Yesterday I woke up and went for a run, and my energy has slowly declined ever since ~ turns out that when your sick 2 year old spends all day (and night) coughing on your neck, ears, and directly into your mouth (yup, not gonna sugar coat it ~ 2 year olds are G R O S S), chances are your immune system will give in eventually.  Fortunately we had a low-key weekend planned already so being under the weather hasn't been too terrible ~ I even took a nap this afternoon with the previously mentioned 2 year old :)  I told Michael that I didn't want to waste Mother's Day sleeping, but a quick nap recharged me enough to enjoy the rest of the day with my favorite people :D

After asking nearly every day for weeks when we could plant the garden, all of Charlotte's dreams came true yesterday :)  She planted several rows of corn and will be (im)patiently checking for seedlings every day I'm sure!  Maya chose peppers as "her" plant, and Milo is in charge of the beans.  We also planted zucchini, basil, cucumbers, peas, and tomatoes. A newly fenced-in yard plus a rabbit fence around the garden will *hopefully* mean we are the only ones eating the fruits (and veggies!) of our labor this year!

And now, as always, pictures :)

Flowers from the hubby and the kids :D

Michael added an ice cream stand to the kids' playset ~ I have eaten so much fake ice cream, you guys.  It's totally not whole30 approved.

Those eyes.  They slay me.

These ones, too.

"Open your eyes more, and show your teeth!"

"No, look at the camera buddy"

"That's better ~ now open your eyes all the way"

Perfect, lol

I promised Charlotte that if she looked at the camera *and* smiled, I would let her take a picture of me.

Not too shabby, kiddo!

Milo insisted on taking a picture, too.  His was more "artistic"

My handsome hubby ;)

Garden!