Weekend of Fun

We had a fun filled weekend, starting with Daddy having Friday and Monday off and ending with beautiful weather that is still here! We went to the "park" several times, which is actually Ellie's school playground. We live closer to the school than any real parks and with it being spring break, we can go whenever we want! We also went to the zoo on Monday. Although we have a membership, we haven't been to the zoo since last summer. It was fun to take the twins since they finally know what to look for and get excited when watching the animals.

Ava and Ellie spotting the first monkeys

Carter not too sure of the animals

I pushed an empty stroller most of the time since Ava wanted to be a big girl and walk and Carter prefers to be carried. One more year and we can probably do away with the stroller!

Ellie and Ava getting a close look

All the closer Carter would get to the glass to see

All three looking at the dolphins

Classy

Carter and I went to Target yesterday to get groceries.

As I rounded one of the open bin areas of produce, I noticed a dollar bill laying on the floor.

Since there was no one in the near vicinty that could have dropped it, I moved my cart closer.

Yes, I am not above grabbing a dollar off the floor of Target.

My wallet thanks the fool who didn't keep track of their dollar.

I also imagine that my mother is really proud of me as she reads this! Hey, what can I say?! I've never been one to shy away from "free" money!

(It's ok Mom, next time we are in public together, you can walk a few feet away from me and pretend you don't know me. I'll understand.)

Grammy's Visit!

Grammy Sara came to visit us the second weekend of March! Although she was only here for 3.5 short days, we managed to pack a lot into her visit! We visited Grandma Mary in Wells, went shopping, played, played, played, and oh yeah, completed the biggest project in the house yet! (Would you expect anything less from me? I know how to keep people busy!)

The kids all had a great time playing with Grammy. We had a few issues as Ellie wasn't quite sure if she wanted to share her grandma with Ava, but they seem to have worked it out, at least for that visit. Unfortunately, the only great weather day was Sunday, the day she left, but we still managed to cram a couple hours of outside play in. Of course, it was nothing like what Grammy is used to in Georgia, but it felt good to us!

And the big project? My mom and I painted the loft and hallway upstairs and one wall in the living room. The loft/hallway was a brick red and although we liked the red, I wanted a richer, deeper red than the rusty color. So we painted over that and brought it down onto one wall in the living room. Two coats of paint and about 6 hours of work later, it looks great! I have since also painted the rest of the downstairs a little darker beige than it was and got rid of the random dark brown and gold walls. Main level complete!

Ellie trying to hold Ava's head in place and instead looking like she is trying to choke her!
The only one with Grammy and all 3 kiddos (well 2 kids and 1 pair of eyes)

The girls fighting over Grammy's lap

We managed to get Carter to put his arm around Ava - so cute!

Me and my mama!

We had a terrific visit with Grammy and can't wait to see her again soon. We promise to keep the projects to a minimum next time and none will ever be as large again! Actually most of the remaining projects in mind will require Grampy's handiwork so Grammy will be able to enjoy the kids and Grampy will have to make up for his missed visit!!

*Pictures to come soon of all the newly completed projects in the house.

"I don't like Santa"

Oh, poor Carter. When Grammy was here, we went down to Wells to visit Grandma Mary (my grandma). My aunt Sue came over for lunch and to see my mother. We were finishing up lunch and the twins were getting back into playing when the door opened and in walked my uncle Bob, Sue's husband. I wish I had a photo of Bob to put up but a description will have to do. Bob has a beard, which was longer and more white than when it is trimmed up. He also has a bit of a belly, so it's not hard to see where Carter drew the comparison.

Anyway, Bob walked in and Carter froze. My mom got up to hug Bob and then I did as well. As soon as my arms went around Bob, Carter started screaming "I don't like Santa, I don't like Santa." He was hysterical and was only slightly pacified when I picked him up and held him.

After this outburst from Carter and the continued mutterings against my shoulder, we looked around for Ava. She was nowhere to be found in the kitchen. My mom went into Grandma's living room and found her huddled up in a corner, shaking, and saying repeatedly "I want to go home." It was pitiful but hilarious at the same time! She hadn't even seen Bob as she was in the other room but hearing Carter's reaction made her hide and panic.

I was finally able to convince Carter that it was Uncle Bob and not Santa. He's still not sure if he likes either of them though. Oh poor Carter. He must have been far more traumatized from his run-ins with Santa at Christmastime than I realized!

Gone

The boxes are gone. Or most of them I should say. Yesterday was a beautiful day and the kids and I were outside playing for hours. As I can't just sit outside and do nothing, I decided to attempt to straighten up the garage for the zillionth time.

As I was moving stuff around, a strange compulsion to get rid of the boxes seized me. Next thing I knew, there was a mound of flattened boxes on top of the recycling can and I had a putty knife in hand, the putty knife being the sharpest thing I could find in my child-proofed garage. (fyi- putty knives have no problem slicing through tape and cardboard)

I actually had to stop myself in action as I do still need a few large boxes to hold my stuff for my Mothers of Multiples sale in a few weeks. I even had to find some packaging tape to repair one box in order to hold all the other disgarded boxes.

I am so proud of myself for getting rid of these boxes. I can't wait until after the sale so I can flatten those boxes too. It must be the season as I have been feeling this urge to get rid of things around the house.

I think it also helps that I know my mom has a pile of empty boxes at her house and she generally sends several large packages to us a year. In fact, she was the culprit behind half the boxes I had. I know she is up to the challenge of replenishing my box supply!

Hoarder!

I have a cardboard box addiction. I admit it. It's a really bizarre item to hoard, but I just can't bring myself to toss them in the recycling. My garage has at least three different stacks of boxes with nothing in them. Why am I saving them? I don't honestly know.

*Perhaps this is due to moving 5 times in less than 4 years. It really is a nuisance to start collecting boxes a mere 10-11 months after you just unpacked and got rid of the last lot.

*Or perhaps it is because I have always had a thing for cardboard. My mom will recall the year or so when I was eleven that I "rescued" empty toilet paper rolls. I had a gigantic garbage bag full in my closet before I finally got over the compulsion to save them.

*Or perhaps I feel that I just might need them to store something. Nevermind that we have some 10-15 plastic storage totes in the garage as well and at least 3 are currently empty.

I really can't pinpoint the reason why I can't get rid of these boxes. I do know, however, that something will need to be done with them soon. Jake has commented on the cluttered feel of the garage several times. Thankfully he hasn't investigated yet. I know that as soon as he discovers that the mounds of empty boxes are the problem, they will have to go. As I seem to have a sentimental attachment to them, I would like to be the one to dispose of them. The only way I see fit to do this is to rid of one box each week. At this rate, I should finally be free of empty boxes by July. What are the chances Jake won't put it together before July?!

Spring is on the way!

Ava here! I just had to share how excited we all are that it is finally getting nice outside. It is so fun to go outside and not have to put on all the gear! Carter and I are also super excited because Mom & Dad bought us our own tricycles! Mine is pink and purple and Carter's is red. We love to scoot around on them. We haven't quite figured out how to pedal yet but I bet we'll have it figured out by summer!

Here is Ellie's wish list for her most recent book order. Mom thought it was funny that she wrote down every book and how much they each cost. Ellie is just like Mom because Mommy loves to make lists for everything! It's really funny to listen to Ellie try to negotiate how many books she should get. She thinks she should get every book on the list! Mom keeps telling her that she can get a few but not all. Poor Ellie, she just hasn't mastered those negotiation skills yet. I'll have to teach her some of my tricks!

Hope everyone is enjoying this wonderful weather! We sure are!

Love, Ava