Redneck Movers

Red...

...neck

(It's a good thing MD doesn't know about mommy's blog yet, because it would ruin his birthday surprise from his Auntie Jonda.)

Hunting Easter Eggs

So, Michael Dean's been asking for weeks now, "Mommy, where's Easter?" Basically, he means, "Mommy, where's all the Easter eggs filled with candy?" Well, we found them...this past Saturday at our church's Easter Egg Hunt at Frank Liske Park. We've done this now for 3 years with MD and he finally gets it. He waited so patiently for Travis to count down to GO, then he was off! Picking up Easter eggs like a mad dog :)

Now, the bouncy houses were a different story. He spotted the race car bouncy right away and quickly got in. But when it started to come down, that was it for him. I felt like Manny on Modern Family at Alex's birthday party - I had to rescue a few kids before they were all smothered by the deflated race car. OK, so that was a little dramatic. But seriously, MD's little buddy, Gabrielle, was the last one in there and I had to pull her out. Crazy.

Anyway, we had a great time with good friends, Nana and the Easter bunny. My sweet husband was stuck at home on the couch, since he's a recent survivor of back surgery. So, I got lots of pics for him...well, and me.

My sweet boy :)

Nana's boy, too

Beating out all the other slow poke 6-month olds!

Filling up

Michael Dean and the Easter Egg Hunt

Ooh!

Sharing with his buddy, Jake who didn't quite make it in time to grab his own Easter eggs

"Um, I don't think so, mom."

BFFs 4-Ever

Michael Dean with Merissa's 2 boys, Peyton and Jacob

(Later that day) "Smell, mommy!"

Summer Clothes

What a blessing! Last week I made my way through 3 totes of clothes that were given to Michael Dean back when he was one. When I first went through all of those clothes, I found sizes from 6m to 5T. I remember thinking that it was going to take years for him to get into the bigger sizes. Nope. Not quite. He has sailed through most of those clothes and is now comfortably in the 4Ts!

After sifting through what he'll be able to wear (and what he's already outgrown) I now have 2 totes slammed-full of summer clothes for MD. I'll say it again. What a blessing! There were 5 families that contributed to our lot of clothes and I am so wonderfully grateful for it all.

Seriously, I've not had to buy any clothes for my kid - well, except for those cute holiday t-shirts for $5 at Old Navy and Target. Oh, and shoes. I've had to buy a few of those. Other than that, we've been set.

So...to Susan, Merissa, Tiffani, Tina and Lisa - THANKS!! It's nice to think that every day I put on MD's shirt and pants, I didn't have to pay for them.

Special Treat

Any of you parents out there have, I'm sure, learned about the power of bribery. That's such a negative word, isn't it? But, if a small bag of M&M's can get us through a grueling Wal-Mart trip or a tiny, orange gumball can ward off those ravenous hunger attacks before dinner - then I'm in!

Michael Dean's Papa (Donnie's dad) gave him this cool little gumball machine (like the one in the picture) the last time he stayed with them and it's provided many "special treats" since then. The coolest thing to me, though, is seeing my sweet little 2 1/2 year old boy chew gum like a big boy. Maybe it's because I was raised on sweets and trips to the candy aisle in Sam's, but it makes my heart smile to see my son enjoy such a small, sweet treat. And, sorry to MD's future dentist. We just can't help it.

(Oh, and is anyone else's nose and eyes about to itch off their face? Ugh! Allergies, gotta love 'em...)

Saturday Mornings & Heart Day

It's no secret I had 2 Valentines this year - my big guy and my little guy. I chose, though, to make them both a little special treat. OK, so it catered more to MD but it was just so darn cute, I had to make 2 of them. One was scarfed down almost immediately and the other sat for a few days before the pink marshmallows turned into pink rocks. Can you guess which of my 2 guys ate theirs the fastest?!


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Then, our Saturday mornings have taken on a little ritual here lately. It involves Michael Dean, pancakes and a TV tray (which MD thinks, now, is the coolest thing since Thomas the Train!) The boy loves him some pancakes and I just like to see him eat something else besides chicken nuggets and Pop Tarts, so I've jumped all over this. I gladly fix him pancakes. In fact, he's gotten pretty good at helping me get them ready. It really is cute to see him all cuddled on the couch with a big short stack and his Lightning McQueen fork and spoon...



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And, last. MD has really grown a lot lately - both in size and mind. He knows so much and can say/sing/repeat/chant so many things. He sings songs I had no idea he knew! I even got him singing "All the Single Ladies" today. I know, I still love that song. Anyway, I just couldn't resist this sweet picture last Sunday morning before church. I was laid up with good 'old strep throat but I got MD ready to head to church with daddy. And, of course, while waiting on daddy to pick him up he played with his "choo-choo trains." Man, he really loves those things. In fact, did you know that 2 Thomases = 1 Mighty Mac? I didn't, until he showed me :)