chocolate, chocolate everywhere...

It was a freezing winter day during my freshman year of college. I was headed to my dorm room for a quick break before I had to go back to campus for work. My day was made when I saw the Student Association handing out free hot chocolate. Just what I needed! The cup was full to the brim and I didn't want to spill on myself as I walked quickly and carefully on the icy sidewalks so I decided to carry the hot chocolate home before I drank it. And then it happened. When I was only feet from hopping up the stairs to Fugal Hall I hit an icy patch and BAM! my feet flew out from underneath me and hot chocolate rained down all over me. No one was around to laugh about it with so I picked up the styrofoam cup and trudged up into our room. (Although in my head I always picture the boys in the dorm across the parking lot sitting in their kitchen, watching me biff it, and laughing hysterically.) Unfortunately, I now had less than 10 minutes before I had to turn around for my shift at the Cougareat. This left me with no time to hop in the shower and wash the hot chocolate out of my hair. I did what I could and went back to campus.

Until last weekend, I had been pretty good about keeping all forms of chocolate (and other edibles) out of my golden locks. When I asked Rich what kind of dessert he wanted for Father's Day he chose a chocolate pie. To me, 'chocolate' and 'pie' just don't go together... pies should be full of delicious fruit. But, I decided, that after 6 years of requesting a chocolate pie I would finally comply. As I started to dish the chocolate filling into the crust, my heavy saucepan slipped a little and my spatula flung out. I looked on the floor to see drops of chocolate near my feet. Then I called to William, "Is there chocolate in my hair?" "Yes!" he replied, thinking it was the silliest thing in the world. How did I manage such a thing? I'm not sure. Talent, I guess. And for you, dear friends, I took a picture:

THIS made my day...

DADDY!!!

My boys LOVE their dad... when James hears the door open he shouts, "Daddy!" and runs with reckless abandon to greet him. Nearly every Sunday William asks if it's Fast Sunday... because he knows that Rich will be able to come to church with us that day. They love to play "king of the bed" and "superheroes" and baseball with him. He's so patient with them. He wakes up with them at night... and changes Alexander's diapers before passing him off to me for a feeding. He makes up silly songs to sing with them and lets them play his guitar.

I'd have to say we're a pretty lucky bunch.

Happy Father's Day, Rich!!!

you make me feel like dancing

James has more energy than any child I know. He is always moving and so busy. He loves to take all the books off of the bookshelf and all the clothes out of the drawers and and off of the hangers. (Thankfully he is also a pretty good helper.) He's also at the stage where he wants to do everything by himself...
James also loves music. He likes to drag Rich's guitar around the house and serenade us. (That poor, beat-up guitar. James also likes to put things in the guitar. Not too long ago Rich found a stash of potato chips in there!)He is always singing. In fact, my friend told me that yesterday in nursery James was the only one singing during singing time--and he was doing the actions.
Recently he has discovered The Wiggles (thank you BenSam). It's the perfect combo for our busy, music-loving boy. He can never just sit and watch The Wiggles... he has to be up dancing and singing with them! Sometimes he'll just go around the house singing and doing the actions. It's pretty darn cute.

a name and a blessing

This past Sunday Rich was able to give Alexander his baby blessing. Rich's entire family was able to be there in our ward which was so nice. It's always nice to have family around for occasions like this. I always love to hear baby blessings... especially for my own kids. And I love dressing them up in their little white suit. All three boys have worn the same suit that my mom got over 4 years ago.

And now for a little game. Can you guess which boy is which? Good luck!

the last two weeks

Warning: this post contains LOTS of pictures... and believe me, I cut back!

My mom was able to come out and help us out right after Alexander was born.

Alexander--6 days old

It was so great! She made wonderful meals every night (with dessert!), I never had to worry about dishes or laundry, and she had so many fun things for William and James to do.

It seems like every day (if it wasn't raining) she took the boys outside--on walks, in the yard, or to the park. (William even helped her find the park while we were still in the hospital--smart boy!)

She always had some kind of fun craft to work on!

She brought fun gifts. Like balloon cars.

And fuzzy socks.

Seriously, who knew that socks could be this much fun? The boys loved them.

And she acted out stories with them. At the park they reenacted The Three Billy Goats Gruff and The Three Little Pigs. At home we all did Caps For Sale. James was a great monkey.William had so much fun acting out stories that he had my mom help him make a bear mask so we could act out Goldilocks and the Three Bears.

James loved to snuggle up with Grandma and a good book.

For Memorial Day, Rich pulled out the pool. The boys had a great time splashing around.

And while James calls the pool his bath... Alex got his first real bath. And I was realizing... I think that my mom has given each of my boys their first bath!

Toward the end of her trip I ventured out to the park. It was a good thing because on the way home I saw that it was the annual Brisket at the Barn! I was glad that my mom got to experience one of our town events while she was here. William even informed us that he wasn't afraid of Chester the Clown anymore--and the boys loved getting their balloons from him. William also loved getting blue teeth from his sno-cone.

While we had someone to take pictures we attempted to get one of the whole Crane crew. That didn't work out so well.

Thanks Mom, for coming out here! We love you and can't wait to see you next month!

touch-a-truck

Two days before Alexander was born we went out to Edmond to "Touch-a-Truck." There were all sorts of trucks and other vehicles that the kids could climb on and explore.

Borden was giving away free milk and ice cream.

We hopped on the OKC Thunder bus and got a free book.

We got to climb on bulldozers and hummers and zoo mobiles.

William thought that the helicopter was great.

And I think that James liked the firetruck.

But mostly we saw this:

William hates loud noises. And this was the noisest place we've ever been because the kids were aloud to honk the horns and run the sirens! He would have liked it a ton better if it had been quiet! In fact, it took us a while to convince him that the trucks weren't making noise on his own and that he didn't have to honk the horn if he got on!

It was a super fun event anyways. Maybe next time the boys will enjoy themselves a little more....