Not Much Going On

It's been an awesome week.  I've not taken a nap after work once this week.  Tuesday we had some storms in the afternoon that knocked power out at work, so we all got to leave about an hour early early (of course, traffic was worse than normal) but it was still nice to pick Ares up early and head home.  Since Adam worked an early shift this week, he still beat us home.  Before the second set of storms, we chalked outside.   Ares named the street/development "Ohio Lake Beach".  He even wrote it.  The last "H" looks a lot like an "A", so he said it was "a different kind of "H". "  Goofball.

Wednesday was day two of the Walking Stick Sticker Club.  He was H-O-T hot! out.  About 1/2 mile hike around a VERY mosquito filled pond and new park in town.  It will be a nice place - when they build it up, amphitheater, fishing pond, hiking path, but until then, just buggy - and very wet from the storms the night before.  Still lots of fun - and of course, we finished up at BW3's.  Ares had already had dinner, so we let him get dessert.  He told the girls if they finished their dinner he would share with them.  He was an awesome sharer.   AND he made a mess of himself, hehe.  All the kids behaved very well.  So did the adults for that matter.

Thursday we worked on the laundry room some more.  We put up a shelf (that we'll have to take down so I can paint the brackets) and put up my clothes dryer/hanger thingy.  All of the above were big pains in the butts - had to mitre a wall anchored screw out because it broke unexpectedly, or he hung it too close to the ceiling for it to work properly.  Really, Adam has been awesome in helping with this makeover.  Hasn't complained once, although the project was taking far more time than he anticipated.  One more shelf for him to put up, and the project is complete.  I'm already obsessed with the room.  It looks great.  I love the color, the storage, (the fact that I purged 80% of the stuff that was unneeded in there).  Can't wait to figure out what kind of art I want to make for the room - most likely something from the Silhouette, since it'll be practically free. 

37 weeks 1 day - cravings - Starbucks White Mocha Frappachino - skim milk no whip.   Yuuummmmm!

Adam's 15 Minutes

We got some storms last night.  They were bad in some areas, but not really so bad by us, although, we did get an awesome lightning show.  As everyone who knows Adam knows, he tries to photograph the lightning.  He's not bad, usually gets one or two shots each storm, but nothing like this one here.   Featured on 19 Action News.   Good for him. Our gargantuan swing set is famous!

I Just Like to be Outside

We had baseball yesterday.  We did the typical pep talk about being a good listener (once with Adam, once with me) and tried to skip the bribe this time.  This kid was NOT a good listener at home before we left for practice.  I'll be honest in saying we were Dreading (with a capital D) practice due to his earlier behavior.

This kid.was.amazing! At first I thought it was because coach Adam was there this time (as opposed to a woman who knew baseball, but not how to direct 3 and 4 year olds).  He listened awesomely. (it IS a word - to me).  He paid attention to what coach Adam was saying, he was the only kid running all over the place to get the ball (and didn't fight over the ball!), and, he was the only kid to throw it to the first 'base' (cone) once he got the ball.  All of the other kids threw it back to the Tee where the kid was hitting from.

He hit very hard, left handed and didn't need my guidance - AND, he took daddy into the field for most of the parent/child activities rather than me, which is a first.  He smiled, was happy and just a joy to be around.  Why?  "I just like to be outside."  He shrugs and says.  The last practice was inside and not as much fun.   Whatever it is, he was great!

I'm getting better at actually taking pictures and having them available to blog about.   I didn't take too many yesterday.  Mostly because I was socializing with the other mothers for once, while he was with daddy in the field.  I was with him when he was batting, and Adam was socializing, so no batting photos.  He did very well though. 

Random Words

I remember when Ares started talking, I'd start typing the words that he knew (at 16 months old).  I don't plan on doing this for reading, but this  past Saturday, while we were at Arby's, the kid floored me. Absolutely floored me.

Next to the fountain drinks are the pumps for the different sauces Arby's has.  They pump into a small paper thing rather than having packets out. 

Ares: Mom, where's the horsey sauce?
Me: In the middle.
Ares: Where's the  Arby's sauce?
Me: To the right of it.
Ares:  What's thi.... Tomato!
Me: Huh?
Ares: That says 'tomato'!
Me: ....
Ares: What's tomato sauce?
Me: Ketchup, it's ketchup.  The label right there says "tomato ketchup".  Awesome job!  Did you read that?!
Ares: Of course.

(He had to have, there was no one else around, we were the only ones in the restaurant.)

Point of No Return

As I typed that, I question whether or not I had a post when I was pregnant with Ares that was titled the same thing.  Maybe?  Ah well.  The doctor, just this morning, told me I'm past the point of no return.  This baby is totally ready for this world - and I'll be honest, while I hate the baby's room, (paint is ugly as ever) Adam hasn't hung any of the wall hangings and my painting was a little disappointing (the paint warped the cardboard) -  we have diapers, furniture, wipes and (some) clothes.  I'm physically and mentally ready for this kid to make an appearance into this world.  Ares is beyond excited, it's super cute. He doesn't call it 'the baby' (or this baby)like I tend to, he calls him "Atlas Konrad" when he refers to it.  I love it.  Can't wait to see how he reacts to the first time he sees him.  I bought a super-hero toy to bring to the hospital with me just in case he's disappointed, haha.

I took Ares to the beach for the first time ever this weekend.  Granted - we live in Cleveland, and I wouldn't be caught dead on Lake Erie's beaches around here, but I took him to the place where Adam did his triathlon.  West Branch in Garrettsville.  It was very nice and he REALLY enjoyed himself.  In fact, he LOVED it, and would have spent an entire day there.   It's about a half hour away, and we packed a lunch, water wings and towels. This kid LOVED it!  I mean, he was so happy in that water, it was awesome.  A win for mommy!!  Since I had to be in the water with him, no pictures except for one when we were eating lunch.   The only bad thing:  Someone stole my shoes. Seriously, they stole my flip flops.  That was one rough walk to the car on blacktop in 92* heat.  Ouchie!

He was on his best behavior at the beach.  I thoroughly enjoyed
 the whole afternoon with him.  Even though he talked my ear off.

Friday night we went to Steak and Shake. He was (as usual) a huge hit as he wore his Batman shirt AND Batman Cape. 
 He wanted to go the next day too, because "Well, last time I had a hotdog and the M&M shake, this time I'm going to get chili and a-Oreo shake, so it's NOT the same thing."  We did NOT go two days in a row.

Baseball and Walking Stick Sticker Club

Week 1:  These kids are just too cute. Sometimes, I forget how young our kids are.  Our Young Explorer kids have well thought out thoughts and sometimes adult expressions, emotions and even sarcasm.  With the exception of Lukas, they speak so clearly and so well.     You only remember how young the kids are when you watch them do exercises like touch their toes (most still bend their knees, rather than stretch down) or tackle each other to get a ground ball (at least they are aggressive and determined!). 

Enjoy the pictures from the past week:

He got it - now to teach hom how to throw a ball stepping with the right foot.

Look at that concentration!

He got it again!

Ares!   Hold my hand!!

All boy. His first thought:  "This is like Donatello's Bo!" As he
wears Leonardo's mask.  He had to push it up because he couldn't see.

Got the green spraypaint first!!

 

Dad's got the camera, so big ol' preggo mom gets the paint.  That sounds safe. 
Unfortunately, his fingers are too small to press the nozzle down. 

 



Walking Stick Sticker Club

OK, bad mom, no pictures.    In my defense, the pictures are stuck in Adam's camera - in my car.  So I can't upload from my work computer, and he can't upload to his computer.  We may never see the super-adorable pictures from his walking stick sticker club he's in.  Or from baseball, for that matter.   **update - Pictures on the bottom from my mom's house today!**

Baseball - Parents were to help their kids while batting and in the field.  Adam said I was the baseball person, so I got to help.  Yay.  Fortunately, once I got Ares on the right side of the plate (errr, left side of the cone) he was good on his own. 

The hiking club we signed him up for was SUCH a hit.  Our first day was yesterday, and he stated "I could do this all day long!"  This kid just loves to be outdoors - and with his girlfriends.  This time he had Eve and Mikayla to boss him around.  'Ares, hold my hand.'  'Ares, let's run. 'Ares, watch this.'  etc.  Too cute. After the hike, they got to spray paint walking sticks.  Ares wanted his to be JUST LIKE the leader's stick, so we have a green, red, and blue candy cane style stick.  He had fun making it, although, he didn't have the strength to push the spray paint button, so I had to while he pointed out where I should spray.  I haven't seen the pictures yet, but there have got to be some good ones!  I'll post them when I finally get them.  Happy Thursday everyone!   Sonic has half priced milkshakes today!  Wahoo!!


Working on homework



Planting sunflower seeds



He's Baaack

I have to say, aside from a little whining because he wants people to do things for him (mostly the first evening home and lots of whining at baseball) Ares has been an awesome kid.  Typically, he comes back from Grandma and Grandpa's (even if we're with him for the weekend) and the week is a little rough.  I was expecting worse, but it didn't really happen at all.  =)  Yay!  Now I'm even more excited about his week at Grandma's in August! (Although, apparently not as excited as he is.  "Is August next week?!?!" he asks.  hahaha - I'm not ready to get rid of him again that soon!)

Yesterday, Ares was all lovey dovey on me.  It. was. awesome.  Aunt Cindy came to my work to pick him up as she does every Tuesday, and when I crouched down to get my hug and kiss goodbye, Ares grabbed my face, and kissed my cheek about 25 times, kissed my lips once, and then kissed my cheek another 25 times.  Later in the evening, he wanted to sit by me while watching TV, even holding my hand some of the time.  This was awesome, because I didn't see him in an entire week last week, and the whole month before that he had been favoring daddy a lot.

Right before bed, he states "I want to talk to Atlas."  Grabs my shirt, lifts it so he could see my belly, and says "Hello baby Atlas!  I love you!!" and then kissed the belly.  Monday night we read the big brother book (again).  Not because he likes the words or the story, but  because he likes the page where it shows him how many weeks the baby is, and how big that means he is.  It's adorable, he's REALLY excited about being a big brother, and I think he'll be a great one!

Last night, Ares woke up SCREAMING  "I LOVE YOU! I LOVE YOU! I LOVE YOU!"  at 1:30 AM.  The only thing I can think, is that he was dreaming that he was being tickled. When he gets tickled (not just a little tickle, but a constant one) he'll yell "I love you_____!"  (usually grandpa or daddy - as I HATE to be tickled, so I typically don't tickle others).    I went in, told him we loved him, and covered him up.  He woke up wet the next morning.  Ugh.  First time in a long time - first time while NOT on a crib mattress. 

Dirty to Green

The most hated room in our house (by me) is in the middle of a (fabulous) makeover.   The cabinet has been taken down, the wire shelf is down, the shoes are all out, the washer and dryer are all in crazy spots but there's a coat of paint on the walls!  The walls were the builder white, but most of them were dark with dirt, mud and scuff stains.  It looked horrific.  The mat to put shoes on was over flowing (still need to find an answer for that) and the carpet was just a runner that was 18" wide and the vacuum hated it and always wanted to eat it.  I absolutely CANNOT wait to put the last coat of paint on this evening, move those machines back and put the new (appropriately sized) rug in the room.   So-Freaking-Excited! 

Maybe now I'll start to like the room that I see first and last when entering and leaving the house.   In fact, I like the color so much, I'm considering painting the kitchen the same color - I'd keep the living and morning room colors the same though, let's not get too crazy!  I think this color would look great with our maple cabinets.

New laundry room color - potentially kitchen?

This is the current color of our kitchen/living/morning rooms. 

I love the color in the living room and morning room, but the kitchen looks bad because it blends right in with the cabinets.  It matches the granite perfectly though. =/   I wish my cabinets were darker.  Adam already says no.

I AM IRONMAN!

OK, so I'm not a huge Black Sabbath fan, nor am I actually the ironman, and it's really only a half Ironman, but my husband is a stud.   I am beyond grateful this weekend is over. The window that the money has been flying out of has been closed (for the season, at least), but that's the last I'll talk about that.
Instead, I'll talk about how amazing Adam did at his first ever triathlon, that he and Darah decided to just jump in and do a half Ironman!  They. Are. Crazy.  But they know it.  2.1 mile swim, 57 mile bicycle and a half marathon (13.1 mile run).  He beat his goal time by 20 minutes.  His swim was slightly faster than planned, his cycling was slightly slower than planned (I'm glad he paced himself) and his running was amazing.  Yes, he was dying when he finished, but he finished and did awesome.  I am so proud of him and Darah for getting through such a tough race. 

Adam slept great the night before.  He went to bed around 9PM and our alarm was set for 5AM.  Thank goodness he slept well.  I slept for a whopping 45 minutes the.entire.night.  I had a late nap, so it took a long time to finally settle down to sleep, then the baby was kicking, and then I worried about every single thing that could go wrong in the race.   Flat tires, no problem for Adam, but Darah doesn't know how to change a tire.  Will they get lost?  Will they even be able to finish the swim part (neither are strong swimmers), then, when I stopped worrying about that, I was worried if I fell asleep, would Ballpark try to eat Adam's tri-suit.  I got up to look for it, couldn't find it, and gave up and just worried some more. 

Pre-Race.  They were both so nervous! It was at this point that I stopped worrying, hehe.

Adam just before going in the water.

The swim is finished, he is still alive!  (As he got out of the water, he totally face planted into the sand, I wish I had a picture of that.)  I ran with him to the transition place (about 50-75 yards). Then I ran back to get pictures of Darah, and back with her to the staging area.   9 months pregnant woman running - watch out everyone!

Getting ready for the bike portion of the race. 

Starting the 13 mile run.  He looks good, no?

The end of the race.  The woman who finished right before him was named Aimee Mueller , but over the announcement it sounded like Amy Miller.  I thought they were calling Adam 'Amy'.  I was so mad that they got his name 'wrong', but then they said his name, and I realized that I'm just a dork.

Adam finished with a time of 6 hours 10 minutes, and Darah close to 6 hours and 50 minutes.  They both did so awesome.  Adam's ready for his next one (although, probably not a half ironman for a while) while Darah says she's done forever with triathlons and if she ever even considers one, to remind her how awful she felt.  But really, she did so well! 

Great job guys, so proud of the both of you!

Child-less

So it's much easier having no children than having them, although, it's no less tiring (at this point).   Adam and I are still recovering from this weekend.  Well, he is, I'm not sure what's up with me, but I'm tired 120% of the day.  I've still managed to mud the laundry room, but there has been no painting going on.  Maybe tonight?  We'll see. 

Ares is spending the week with his grandparents in Cincinnati.  He'd been looking forward to it all week, and from the sound of his voice on Sunday evening, the visit hasn't been a disappointment.  I think his voice was raised an entire octave when he was talking to Adam on the phone, that I was able to hear everything he said.   It's sweet.  He doesn't even know that he'll get another week of this in August, before school starts. 

I must say, while it's nice not having to make him dinner, or fight with him to get dressed or get ready for bed, I still miss the bedtime routine, miss his hugs and kisses, and miss his hilarious comments.   I'll get to see him on Sunday though!  =) 

Diaper Party

So, I must say, not only do I  L-O-V-E- LOVE my kid's (soon to be kids') school, but the parents who send their kids there are Fabulous with a capital F.  Many of these parents I've gotten to know very well, some I've only met a few times, but these wonderful moms, threw me a diaper party this past Sunday.  
Chrissy (Colt's mom) put it together, and invited the other moms, my mom and my sorority sister Angie, that most of them know through the Thirty One parties.  Darah (Davis' mom), Sabine (Eve), Renata (Lukas), Cindy (Lucas), Jenn (Mikayla), and Ares' teacher (who's on maternity leave right now, and sorely missed) Joyce all came.  Some moms weren't able to make it and put things in Ares' cubby for me.  What a fabulous group of people we've met through this school.  I hope when our kids are older we keep in touch.

After the party we had some families over for a grill out at the house.  The kids got along well for the most part, and Adam made burgers and hotdogs, plus we had a few sides lying around the house.  Enough for a full meal.  Not bad for a last minute thing.    I love the summer!!!

Who's Counting?

Oh, you better believe I am!  T minus 6 days!!  Wahoo!!

Fun Picture

A lot has happened this weekend, but I'll save that for another post.  We invited some friends over last minute Sunday afternoon and I was baking brownies.  I put the bowl near the sink, took the batter to the oven, put it in, closed the door and turned around and here was my son, licking the bowl.  I had my camera by the oven for some reason.  It's never where I need it (because, it was by the oven) but this time it worked perfectly!