Riley is 4!

Hey, I'm less than 2 months behind. That's a big improvement!

I am a lazy mom. Until I can't take treats to school to celebrate a child's birthday, I will avoid having a "real" birthday party. I like the tiny family party we have that is zero pressure, quick, and easy.

I made a Jimmy Neutron themed cake for Riley. I found a guy on ebay who had all the Burger King toys from when Jimmy Neutron was cool. Riley's request was for chocolate cake with red icing. I had to use an entire container of red gel coloring!


The cake was simple but it was a big hit!



BeBe looking on.


And we had Grandma and Grandpa on skype for the festivities!


Presents!



And a big thank you to Thomas and Cindy for our new favorite movie!

Random and chores

I think this is the closest Bronco and Trouble have laid down together.


Since Denver has been gone, it's actually been Trouble who seeks out Bronco. Bronco is still terrified but he is getting more comfortable with Trouble...as long as a human is right beside Trouble. Maybe he thinks we'll keep Trouble from hurting him? If only he knew we encourage it!


Brock loves to wear his daddy's hat.


Riley is becoming such a big boy! He makes his bed everyday and feeds Bronco for us. Next up is laundry helper!
He can pull the clothes out of the washer into a basket.



And then we shove that basket over and he can load the dryer. SCORE!


I can't wait 'til we can really put them to work. Yard work, bathroom scrubbing, dishwasher unloading. Big perk of having kids = slave labor!

Ice

Sadly, this is the only decent picture we took during all of this, but we had a nice little ice storm blow through here in early spring. Water would drip down the eaves onto our bushes and trees and create the most elaborate ice sculptures! It was really, really neat.

Something for a long day at home

We had spring break in early March and I needed to find some things to entertain the children. I found that thing on day one!


I got an easel for the boys for Christmas and we've used it all for 4 times. I got a roll of butcher paper to go along with it and that has come in super handy!


I covered half our kitchen table with the paper and let the boys go to town on it. They both really enjoyed having such a large area to color it.


Oh, and that shirt in the last picture says, "I'm happy. Don't ruin it." It came from Grandpa and is Riley's absolute favorite shirt. It's starting to get a little tight and I know he will freak out when he outgrows it!

Used Car Salesman

The Guy grew a beard in January and decided to shave it off before he started at our own dealership-- www.yournetauto.com . He had a little bit of fun first.

This is the only picture I managed to take and upload before The Guy erased everything!

Doesn't he look like an old school used car guy?

Children's Museum

When Grandma was here way back in January, she got us a membership to the new Children's Museum in Jackson. This place is AWESOME. Both kids love it though Brock is still a bit short for some of the stuff. We've been a few times since that first visit but that just trip was the only time I managed to take pictures!

Both boys got SOAKED playing in the water but they loved it. That's pretty much to first place they visit when they get to the museum.


It was a little late in the game but we put the cover apron on Riley anyway.


Grandma was such a big help!


We actually had to strip them down when we got in the car because they were so wet.


Brock had fun "building" the house. He still loves doing that.


And Riley loves playing with the car. Am even considering letting him be a NASCAR racer someday.


If you haven't been yet, you really should go. There is so much to do and the kids have so much fun!

Doesn't Riley look so studious here?