We went to Ryan's graduation/preschool promotion program tonight. I took a few photos, but I really couldn't get close enough for any of them to come out. On a whim, I turned the video on and recorded a short movie. (I'm sorry, but it takes a while to download. First time I've tried to post a movie, so I'll try to figure out a way to get the file size down.) It's pretty funny because when Ryan notices me off to the side with the camera up, he turns and sings to me. You'll hear me laugh a couple of times because I just got such a kick out of the little ham.
Earlier in the day, we hit the playground shown above. It's close to the art store I go to and I always think we should stop and check it out, so I finally did. It's okay, but not worth the 30 minute drive, although Ryan was pretty happy playing with the digger thing. I suppose we'll stop again the next time we head out that way.
After a little more work in the yard, we headed to our first car show with the kids in tow for the summer. Sarah was more interested in the park, lake and water fountain than any of the cars. Ryan wanted to see anything loud or with big wheels. There were several that were loud and had big wheels and he was in heaven with those. The boy is a serious CAR NUT! Oh, and we stopped for ice cream too. In case you couldn't tell.
All I heard from Ryan and Sarah early this morning was that they wanted to go outside. All I heard when we went outside was that they wanted to go in. Mainly because Tom and I are busy working in the yard and not playing with them. Not to mention that since people have almost been smacked in the head with shovels several times, I declared no one under 35 could play with the real yard equipment.
The kids are threatening to move in with Grandma and Grandpa — I don't think they care which set at this point — because they do more fun stuff. Any takers? I took them (Tom is at Chris' bachelor party) to our favorite mexican restaurant this evening and had the brainstorm to try Putt-Putt (it's miniature golf, mom) on the way home. I thought it was fun. Especially the 27 minutes we spent on the windmill obstacle. That was REALLY fun.
Ryan did pretty well — even got a couple of hole in two's. Almost all of Sarah's were hole in one's — of course, she never picked the club up off the ground and just pushed the ball all the way to the hole. That's legal, right? Next time I'll remember my camera, I swear. I just got discombobulated when they rushed me out the door for dinner — they were STARVING.
And yes, the training wheels are still back on Sarah's bike.
I think Sarah is beckoning me closer.
And here I think Sarah is back seat driving.
Ryan is still riding around like a crazy person, which has led Sarah to be just a little jealous. He's getting praise from everyone — Tom & I, grandparents, neighbors — and Sarah keeps hearing she'll be ready soon. Tonight she decided she was, so we took the training wheels off. Tom ran behind her a couple of times and she did fine, until she got near the grass or had to turn around. Now the training wheels are back on, but I think they'll be gone for good when her birthday rolls around.
Pretty cool, eh? What you can't see is the sparkles he gets when it's sunny. Even cooler.
Spring is sprung, so I've been looking for outside toys lately and I found some inexpensive jump ropes today. Ryan and Sarah were very excited — and then it rained for most of the day. We did finally get out in the late afternoon to give them a try. Let's just say that it's one of those things that seem easy if you know how, but impossible if you don't. And, at least for me, it's a pretty tough skill to teach. But by the end, both kids were jumping over the rope — one jump at a time, but hey, you have to start somewhere, right?
... let me explain the holes in the jeans. Ryan is A-L-W-A-Y-S on his knees driving his cars and trains, falling off his bike and skateboard and everything else. I can't keep up with patches — and he puts holes in them too — and I can't afford to keep buying him new jeans. We're back down to three without holes and they are reserved for school, church or "dressy" occasions, so if long pants are required at other times, his are going to have holes.
Now you probably want an explanation for the faces, right? Yeah, well that's just typical Ryan and Sarah.
... another goofy picture of the kids and another lost tooth. Not to mention Sarah's first (second and third) trip down the Snake Slide in the Australian Outback. I thought she'd be scared, but she couldn't get back up to go again fast enough. I probably could have stood by the entrance and just watched them go over and over again. But I was hot and that would have been boring. For me anyway.
This is what I did today instead of taking a break or even eating lunch while the kids "napped". I've had the piece of foam for a long time and finally decided to give making Rocky a new bed cover a try. It's not perfect — I wanted to be able to get it off to wash, but didn't want to tackle putting in a zipper, so I used velcro. I'd call it jury-rigged, but as Tom says, it's a dog bed. Next I'll have to see how many days it takes until the dog will actually sleep on it. Ergh!
The rain just wouldn't quit — until the shower was over, of course. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, Mary received some wonderful gifts and there's still a plate of chocolate-covered strawberries in my fridge. Bonus!
