Opening Season part 2

Everyone got to see how excited the boys have been to help dad cut the grass this year. So it's only taken two weeks to figure out that one grass cutter for two boys is not enough. I went out and got the boys a second one. Here's where the real problems began. Two grass cutters makes sense, but only when they're the same. The boys were quite aware of the difference between the 1985 model and the 2010 model. To save myself from an entire summer of delegating whose turn it is, I went out and got yet another grass cutter. So the boys are really happy with that arrangement. You would think that old faithful could be put out to pasture, but no it still has a capability the new ones don't. Ever since the handle broke last summer the boys like to attach it to the tricycle and use it as a pull behind, a game they're still not willing to give up.

Here's the boys (not really cooperating) showing off the new mowers. And Neil figuring out that the new ones will not have tricycle towing capability.

Were Crazy Proud

Here is Ben's class picture that came home today. Brian and I have become a couple of those crazy proud biased parents. We took one look at this picture and all we could think was – how special is Bennet?!? He's like the star of this picture. He's front and center. Holding the class mascot flag. Plus he has the most fantastic smile of all these kids. Of course that's just our opinion. We know you'll agree.

Bring a Friend Skating

Tonight was bring a friend skating night. So of course, Ben brought Neil. Neil did pretty well for his first time on skates. He seems to have a confidence and determination that will serve him well once he starts taking lessons.

Doesn't Ben look proud of his brother?

Things You Hear at the Playground

The whole family went to a local playground last night. While we were there the boys made friend with a couple of girls who were there. The one who was trailing Neil kept saying, "Come on Pablo," despite our attempts to enlighten her that his name was Neil. I can only guess that she is a fan of The Backyardigans on Nick Jr.

The girl who Ben was chasing around was named Karma. At one point they lost sight of each other and Ben ran to us asking, "Where's my girl?" Meanwhile, Karma is asking her mother "Where did that boy go?" Ends up Karma's mom comes to the playground super prepared. The boys got to enjoy Karma's sidewalk chalk and bubbles.

My boys make me laugh

Today while Neil and I were at the playground he spied something across the field that caught his attention. He kept saying "Go see waterfall." It took me a while to figure out that he meant the fountain in the pond across the street. So when we got closer he kept saying something else it took me awhile to decipher, but finally I got it: "Need boat, go across." (Brian thinks he may enjoy Uncle Al's house.)

It was a warm day today and all the windows were open. This is nice for the breeze, but it always unearths some dog hair tumbleweeds. Ben discovered them. I told him he could clean them up for me. He was obliging, but as he did it he said, "It's so messy in here. We need to get a new house."

New Carpet

They installed it and already we are in love. It's even done some amazing things. Like make both of us lose weight, we must have since the stairs and floor don't creak anymore. And it's cured my morning foot pain. Ah – like walking on a cloud.

Before left

After right

Opening Season

At least the only season Ben cares about at this point. He's been asking Brian if he was going to cut the grass for at least 3 weeks.

He still makes me laugh

This may only be funny to the rest of you if you are either "The Office" fans or have the same sense of humor as a 13-year-old boy.

I started a new nutrition plan (I refuse to call it a diet), where I eat like six times a day. So I've started having a hard boiled egg post workout a one of my snacks. I cooked a half dozen today and placed them in an old egg carton and marked them "hard". Later when I went back in the fridge, I see an additional note: "That's what she said."

Thank You Easter Bunny

The Easter Bunny came to our house this morning and hid many eggs for the boys to find. Even though Neil got about an hour head start on Ben, they still managed to come away with about the same amount of jelly beans and change for their piggies. (We opted to hold off on the chocolates because Ben seems to be sick – again. He spent part of last night throwing up.)

Beforehand we joked that we should ask the Easter Bunny to leave a list of all the hiding spots, since Murphy's Law states that at least one egg shall not be found. Low and behold, after all the searching was over we were missing… one egg. How does this happen when all the eggs were left in plain sight?

One of two very darling photos mom captured of Neil enjoying his Easter morning.

The one and only picture of Ben taken by dad which doesn't show any eggs, candy or other Easter like stuff. Dad's camera privileges are being revoked. (This may be his motive.)