Held Hostage at Home by the New HVAC Unit

Today we stayed home all day. We had to be home so they could install the new HVAC unit. As a homeowner the last 6 years, I've never had the pleasure in investing in a new HVAC unit. Actually, we had to put in a new heating unit and air conditioning unit in our house in Texas. I guess the combination unit is just a bit jarring. I feel like I want to add it to my list of assets. I actually never mind having to spend the day at home. It gives me a chance to enjoy the simple things in life. Making dinner, playing cars with Dylan, cleaning house, and watching Allyson play in her kitchen. There is actually nothing I would rather do more. Our life is such a fast pace. Life on the east coast is such a rat race. Our big project today was to make chocolate chip cookies. The kids loved putting on their aprons that Mimi made them. Actually, Allyson borrowed Dylan's car apron. Mimi will have to make Ally a girly apron. My kids seem to be ready for pictures until the camera comes out and then they have no interest in complying with my requests. When I pull out my camera, Dylan wants to use his also. He still is learning how to use his camera. He is convinced that he is holding his camera the right way. We had a great time. Of course, their favorite part was sampling the cookies.

More Than Just Lucky

We love St. Patrick's Day at our house. I guess it is the Irish in all of us. Last year, I tried to impress my husband with corn beef and cabbage. Little did I know, he had never tried it. I guess I assumed that if your mom was raised in Ireland, that you would have tired this classic dish before. To make a long story short, neither one of us like it. For now on, I think we will focus on celebrating by dressing up in our green attire.

When I think of this jolly green holiday, I always think of luck. When I think of my family, I know that I am more than just lucky. To me, luck means that something just occurs by chance...but I believe good things happen with hard work and desire for good things to happen, not just by chance. I do feel blessed that I have my family. We work hard for the things we have and enjoy the time we have together. We are fortunate to have a wonderful extended family. This is not our best picture, but just a few days out of my surgery, we were glad that my mom could take a picture of all of us.

Hey Mom, I Found A New Car

Each day after my surgery, I am trying to do more around the house. Today, I decided to out away laundry. As I was putting my clothes away, I heard some cheery music from the training potty. Dylan was stading by my side, and helping as he usually does. Allyson snuck into the restroom and was straddling the training potty as if she was riding her toy car. She was dancing to the beat of the music and having the time of her life. Potty training should be a breeze with this one. Ally, you are one funny girl.

A "Beary" Busy Day

A new school brings new friends. New friends mean more birthday parties. The kids at our new preschool sure know how to party. Dylan was invited to two back to back birthday parties today. Dylan was quite impressed with his new friends choice of venues. First, we started our day at the bowling alley. This was Dylan's first experience with bowling, as it was many of the other kids too. I will say we have a way to go before we need to worry about Dylan becoming competitive. Pizza, popcorn, cupcakes, and of course bowling...such fun! He had a great time celebrating Darren's birthday with him and his new friends. Hopefully, when we go to Texas this summer, we will brush up on our bowling skills with Little Grandpa or Papa.

Then we were off to our fabulous mall to celebrate Sophia's birthday at Build-A Bear Workshop. What fun! We have never been to Build A Bear Workshop before. What a great experience! Dylan selected his bear and after a discussion of names, he came up with one out of the blue...and our precious new friend "Cereal" was born. Ally and Mimi shopped while Dylan and I partied with his friends. I don't know who was more exhausted, my three year old boy or me who is only one week out of surgery. After our bear making experience, we went for ice cream cake at Maggie Moos.

Both birthday parties were a blast. I guess I better start thinking now for Dylan's birthday in the fall. I really enjoyed my time with Dylan today. Ally loves Cereal, too. Someday we will go back to Build a Bear Workshop and make a bear for each of them.