Leaving On A Jet Plane!

Daddy left on a business trip today...for a whole week.

It's gotten chilly so I can't just throw shorts on the kids and let them run wild outside.

Oh, yeah, and we have that thing called "school" and a "schedule"!

Oh, and the best thing?

Both girls are sick with fevers and a nasty, nasty cough.

Just wonderful.

Good times.

But we did bundle up and venture outside this afternoon to burn off some energy and say goodbye to Daddy.

There was lots of running...

and jumping...

and high-fiving!

She really is sick!

We'll miss you, Daddy!

But we owe a huge "thank you" to Pop-Pop, who will arrive Monday to provide reinforcements!!!!

On the Mend? (Knock-on-Wood!!!)

Bruiser seems a bit better today.  Yesterday we headed to the doctor because I just didn't know what to do anymore!  So in I walked carrying my 4-year-old, who refused to walk because his legs were too weak, and calling for my 2-year-old to follow me.  Sassy did great!  Well, until we were sitting in the waiting room and she decided it was her turn to be held and insisted (in a VERY loud voice) that I should put Bruiser down and pick her up.  I proceeded to tell her that it was Bruiser's turn to be sick and she would have to deal with it...and then I ignored the looks from all the new mothers with only one infant...who just don't get the multiple children needing you thing!

The doctor checked Bruiser over and determined that he was good and dehydrated.  She prescribed an anti-nausea medicine and gave orders that he had to have a wet diaper before 8pm (this was at about 3:30pm) or we were to head for the ER and IV fluids.  We got the meds, sipped ginger ale and Powerade, had a blue Popsicle, watched Top Gear with Daddy and curled up in bed for a long night's sleep...after peeing in our diaper at about 6:00pm!  What a good little patient!

Bruiser spend most of today in bed.  This morning Daddy found him sitting in the fridge eating yogurt and made him mad by telling him he couldn't do that.  So Bruiser retreated to him room and slept all morning!  He came down when I got home and helped Sassy with her speech therapy.  Then both Bruiser and Sassy headed up for naps...and are still sleeping now (@5:15!).  Given this take on his day today, I'm thinking no school again tomorrow...he's just so weak and tired and not really eating much at all.  Poor sick boy!

Sassy is back to normal and full of sass!  Tater is hanging on...but sniffing away with a cold.  Daddy is stopping for some medicine to make her more comfortable.  And Mommy and Daddy?  We are just tired and exhausted and done-in.  February was a LOOOOOOOOOONG month and we've had enough.  I have high hopes for March...I really do!

Hot, Hot, Hot!

It was so hot today...here and everywhere else!...that we waited until after dinner to venture into the pool. The kids had a blast splashing and playing in the cool water!

Even Daddy ventured in...it was that hot!

Wiggles took a break to call Papa and tell him about all the fun!

Love Bruiser's excited face!

And...FYI...even Mommy stuck her feet in the water...it was that HOT!

Happy Birthday / Father's Day, Daddy!

It's Daddy's day - times 2! Not only are we celebrating Father's Day with the rest of the world...we also get to celebrate Daddy's birthday! It's a day all about him...breakfast out, a trip to Home Depot, steaks on the grill, a BIG gift...and whatever else Daddy wants to do on his day!

Happy Father's Day!

(and this includes all the grandpas too!)

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Memorial Day - Part 2

We spent the rest of the day finishing things up around the house...not that our list is any shorter! Here are a few shots from the weekend that didn't make the previous post.

Bruiser got these building toys at IKEA yesterday.

They are like a younger version on Kinx...and are really cool!

This arrived on Friday.

It's an early birthday present from Papa and Mimi...thank you!
I have been asking for such a beach cart for the past four years...this year Mimi told me to order it and be done with the never-ending search! It will be put to good use this year!

And this was the big project for the weekend...we actually build this farmhouse table from scratch! AMAZING!

Here it is stained completely. Don't you love the cardboard pieces under the legs?!?
Tomorrow I will add the polyurethane coat and we'll be able to eat on it. Next week, we plan to add two benches...and I might even attempt to build them all by myself!
Yes, I know! We are a bit crazy around here!

Memorial Day Weekend - Part 1

We've been pretty busy at the House of Sprout! We are taking full advantage of the three day weekend and having one less child (Tater is still at Papa and Mimi's!). Yesterday we headed to IKEA to get the girls bunk beds only to discover they are back ordered until late July. But it wasn't a wasted trip...because when is an afternoon at IKEA ever wasted?!? I found plenty of new little projects for both Mommy and Daddy and some fun new toys for the little ones.

Here's Wiggles eating lunch at the IKEA cafeteria like a big kid!

And that's Bruiser in the background playing instead of eating...what a surprise!

After the disappointment over the bed, we headed to Lowes to buy wood to make a new dining room table. Yes, I said make! I discovered this amazing site, Knock Off Wood, that gives you detailed plans on how to make all sorts of furniture - right down to your shopping list and cut list. We'll see how it goes...because there are plans for a loft bed that might appear in the girls' room!

But, by the time we made it home, it was raining. So the wood stayed in the car and we finished some projects in the house.

The cords are hidden...finally!

Art Room shelves are hung and filled.
Now I have to decide if I want to stain them...hmmm!

Bruiser was already "doing art" this morning.

He gave his seal of approval!

Meanwhile, as soon as we clean up Wiggles from her messy breakfast, we are heading outside to build a dining room table!

Enjoy your holiday weekend!

Mother's Day Is Over...

...and I'm sorry to see it go! Daddy has done the best so far! I had lots of quiet time and even managed some reading time. I guess I'll be expected to ramp it up for Father's Day!

My gift from Tater!

The story she wrote about me at preschool.

(And FYI - I don't understand the snoozing statement...that never happens!)

Daddy, Tater, and Bruiser working on my garden.

My finished raised veggie garden bed...soon we'll be adding the plants!

Springtime At The House of Sprout

We've been busy watching our garden's grow this spring!

Bruiser and Wiggles are "helping" Daddy grow grass in this spot...

I don't think it's working!

Love this tree in our front yard.

Bruiser has new Crocs...and he LOVES them!

The House fo Sprout: On The Road!

A few months ago, Daddy and I decided it was time to start traveling with the children...other than to the grandparents' houses! We were shocked to realize that Bruiser had never stayed in a hotel and that we had never gone away together as a family...with no other help!

So this past weekend we loaded up the car and headed to an indoor water park in New Hampshire. The kids knew we were going on vacation but they had no idea where...we told them we were going on a "mystery trip"! And were they ever surprised when we arrived! Here's our weekend in pictures and captions!

We loaded up and were ready to head out...just waiting for Daddy...as usual!

Bruiser locked on to the DVD player...we LOVE, LOVE, LOVE out DVD player!

We let our GPS guide us and there were no wrong turns this trip!

Daddy did all the driving...while I got to play "cruise director"!

The hotel room was great...plenty of run and nicely decorated.

The weather was so nice that we ate dinner outside at The Muddy Moose...

...with a view of the mountains!

This was a rare moment where Bruiser sat in his chair...we need to work on that skill!

Miss Wiggles was a bit cranky and very tired by this point...but she still had a sweet smile for Mama!

Right before this, she grabbed my hot curling iron back at the hotel and screamed for about 30 minutes. We ended up finding her an acceptable pain killer (after the recall that just came out!) and she settled a bit. She has a nice red hand and some HUGE blisters...but her mood is much better!

Here are the snow-covered mountains visible from our hotel parking lot.

The water park was fabulous!

Only guests of the hotel could use it and the hours were amazing. We were there from about noon to three in the afternoon and then again after dinner from 7:30 to 9:00 pm. Then this morning we were able to go from 8:30 to 10:00am. All three kids loved it...Tater probably the most! She loved the big tube slides that she could go on with Mama and Daddy. Bruiser was happy to splash and Miss Wiggles just wanted to sit on my lap in the wave pool and the kiddie pool. During our visit this morning, Tater feel and cut her leg pretty good...but the staff was amazing and she was bandaged with water-proof stuff before you knew it and back playing away! We can't wait to go back!

Slides in the kiddie pool.

Wiggles!

Bruiser sporting his vest!

They were so worn out from all the splashing and swimming that they fell asleep immediately!

Miss Wiggles was all snuggled in...after she took off her PJ pants!

Mount Washington

Scenery!

See how cooperative the kids were?

Today, Daddy wanted to hike.

This was a 0.6 mile hike to a beautiful waterfall...filled with a LOT of whining!

My kids are NOT hikers!

Don't you love the hat!?!

Wiggles did the best...because I carried her!

And Bruiser would only walk with me...holding my hand (too cute!).

He was mad at Daddy for some reason today!

Tater's line of the day?

"But my feet hurt!"

(said with a loud whine!)

We had lunch at the top of the waterfall.

Look at that big girl sitting at the picnic table!

She was the queen of independence and adventure!

There was no stopping her from exploring!

My girls!

(See Tater's hand on Wiggles? Two seconds later, Tater pushed her out of the way and Wiggles slide down the slope head-first...almost landing in the water. There is NEVER a dull moment!)

After this we stopped for some ice cream and then headed home!

The kids are already asking when we are going on our next "mystery trip"!