End of April Smorgasbord

We've been out and about so much lately that I haven't been finding the time to post as often. I used to post all the time when I ran out of work in the early morning hours, but now I am working for a few hours during the boy's afternoon nap and then after they go to bed at night. It's been nice not always running out of work, but the blog has suffered. Oh well! I'll try to make up for it now.

We've been having lots of fun this month with our weekly zoo trips. Big-G is actually starting to act like different zoo animals around the house. I don't know if he's having zoo overload, but at least he appears to be learning something. We didn't make it to the zoo this week because things got too busy, but I'm wondering if swine flu is going to end up interfering in the weeks to come. Hope not. It seems like everyone is making a big deal about nothing... and hopefully I don't have to eat my words!

I also went out to a Japanese hibachi restaurant with some friends which was a lot of fun. No kids, just the girls and good food too. I definitely want to do that again. I'm not usually very adventurous with my food choices, but my friend goes wild about this place so I tried it. You probably won't see me catching shrimp in my mouth anytime soon, but I definitely want to go back.

Thankfully, April has brought some nice weather (I'm using some pretty loosely here), so we've gotten to get outside more. We'll all be glad when the weather is nice enough to just go out whenever you feel like it. But then the mosquitoes will probably be so bad that we won't want to... such is summer in Wisconsin! When we get the boys outside we start realizing how fast they are growing when we see them doing all kinds of things they couldn't do last year. It's bittersweet when time seems to go so fast, but it's a joy watching them grow.

We also got to see great-grandpa and great-grandma J from Arkansas. They had to come up for a funeral, but it was great for them to be able to see the boys in the flesh for a little while. They brought them a bag of M&Ms for a treat which they have been enjoying a little at a time. Middle-G is always asking for "Yummy N's." I guess it kind of sounds the same... sort of.

We also got to have our friends over on Saturday with their daughter and son. The kids went crazy. I think we were yelling over their shrieks the entire time. It looked like they took out every toy we owned, but I don't know if they actually played with any of them. It was good watching them have so much fun though. Enjoy it while you can kids, it won't always be acceptable to just screech and run in circles.

I also just got the registration to send in for Big-G to start kindergarten in the fall with his friends. We will be home schooling but once a week he will be meeting with other home school kids in his same grade to do writing, art, and gym. He went for a visit this week, and he loved it. It was strange watching him go off by himself and not need me. He didn't cry or anything. I guess he's ready for it.

Here are a bunch of pictures from this month:

Above we have - Big-G on the zoo train, and Big-G and Middle-G with Reagan in the backyard. Those boys are the only ones who don't get tired of throwing the ball for that dog. Lastly, there is Little-G in his swing. He's a very content boy when he's outside.

Next up is Middle-G doing what he does best... look cute. Then there are all my boys walking in Lake Geneva after lunch out. Lastly again is Little-G. I think he's looking a little like Big-G did at that age in that picture.

This is Big-G and the face we often get when we try to take a picture. He is getting so big. Below that we have a picture of the M&Ms we got from the great-grandparents. When I gave him a couple after supper, this is what we did with them.

Nana and Little-G, and the boys most likely watching for Papa.

Big-G enjoying the coveted spot we call Papa's lap. Then it's Daddy and Middle-G on the driveway. I just liked this picture because of the lighting and the daffodils. It just looks nice out. It's the kind of day I look forward to on a rainy, dreary day like today.