Last Week's Adventures

I have become hooked on instagram.  I love keeping in touch with my family and friends through pictures.  It also makes me more conscious of taking pictures of everyday life around here.  Here is a rundown of the past week.  There is never a dull moment!

 

 The weekend began with an airplane ride in our friend Ron's personal plane.  Yes, we have a friend that owns his own plane.  Pretty freaking sweet.

Ron, Hank, and the plane.  The boys had such an adventure.  I was a little nervous sending them off in a plane.  They came back safe and sound and ready to tell everyone about it.

 We had gorgeous, warm weather for most of the week which means, time to get the yard in order.  Randy loves yard work...haha.  He turned the sprinklers on to find a major crack in the pipes.

Good thing he had Anthony, Cohen, and Max on the scene to help out.  They talked his ear off all afternoon.

It never takes long for the neighborhood kids to find my Popsicle stash.  I love seeing Max with a posse of friends.  He has been a little antisocial up to this point.  These three are going to have fun this summer.

It was so warm, we broke out the swimming suits, invited the cousins over, and had a jaunt through the sprinklers.

It's been a long winter....these are some white boys!

It wasn't all fun times however.  Poor little Sam got a nasty cold, thanks to his brother Max who loves to share his germs.

He was miserable for most of the week.  Max also had some pretty rough days.  I took them both to the after hours clinic to learn they both had ear infections.  

They are hitting the antibiotics pretty hard and feeling much better, thankfully.  These two have lots of time to spend together while Hank is at school.  It's no wonder they had the same illness.

Max has moments of being the sweetest brother you've ever seen.  I wish he would get along with Hank that well.  Those two are fighting constantly these days.  I've threatened them with summer school more than once.

I volunteered to go on a field trip to the Bean Museum and planetarium with Hank and his class later in the week.  His favorite friend these days is Danny.  They are both "in love" with Emily and were vying for her attention the entire day.

She enjoys being part of this love triangle!  I told the boys in my group I would buy them a small toy at the gift shop and Hank chose a seashell key chain.  It was an interesting choice until I realized he had no intention of keeping it for himself.  He rushed outside and gave it to Emily.  He has been hit by the love bug for sure.  He even called her after school to play.  

 With moves like this, she can't resist ! 

I guess it's safe to say I'm chop liver these days.  My baby is growing up so fast.  He's quite the lady killer!

Speaking of growing up...Max is looking so old lately.  He always looks older after a haircut but man, I can totally envision what he's going to look like as a teenager from this picture.  What a handsome little guy.  As another weekend approaches I am amazed at how fast time is passing by.  I cherish every moment.  Time to gear up for my birthday!  I think I may just say I'm turning 31 again this year. 

An Update On My Face

Last night I spent an hour writing out my feelings about my face.  It was long winded and emotional and I felt better after I wrote it but realized no one else needs to read it, ever.  Long story short, the bell's palsy is much better but there was some serious damage done to my facial nerve.  I'm seeing a physical therapist who specializes in facial treatment and she is confident she can help me get my face back.  It's a long process requiring more patience than I think I posses, but it's really the only option I have at this point.  I can't give up now.  I have a good year or more of therapy ahead of me but I'm trying my hardest to stay positive and optimistic.  It is the best thing for my face after all.  I've been doing lots of yoga, meditation, and relaxation techniques even though my crazy life really doesn't allow for it.  Over the last couple years, I've been striving to be a more mindful, conscious, present person and this therapy requires all of those things.  I guess I should be careful what I wish for.  Let me share a few pictures that demonstrate things that are good for my facial recovery.  Mind you, this isn't a complete list, just pictures I have taken recently.  I have so many loved ones that do wonders for my mental and physical state, you know who you are!

 Sam is going through the funniest stage right now.  He is sitting up on his own and really trying to master the sitting to crawling maneuver.

 Meal time is his favorite and he will eat anything.

He's also started standing up to everything.

He moves all over in his crib now but always has multiple binkies around him just in case.  Watching a baby sleep is definitely good for my face.

 Sam said goodbye to his infant tub this week and hello to the big boy tub with Max.  So cute!

 How could these little faces not aid in my recovery?  If only they always looked so sweet and angelic.

 Let's not forget the most adorable 7 year old around.  Hank came home from school with some digits yesterday.  He pulled out a paper from his pocket with Emily's phone number on it.  He told me today he is in love with her.  I'm not sure that bit of information is good for my face but the fact he will confide in me like that is awesome!  Let's just hope he doesn't read this post until he is older.

 The annual Snow Springs Walk-a-Thon took place on Friday and Hank was pumped.  He woke up at the crack of dawn excited and ready.  He wanted to beat his record from last year, 12 laps, and he did just that.  Hank gives it his all no matter what he is doing.  It's one of his best traits.  He had every excuse to stop and rest but he pushed through.  He is my hero. 

So, I'm really trying to embrace the current state of my face.  I get a little panicked when someone pulls out a camera and wants to take a picture of me.  Randy took the following picture last weekend while we were out on the town with my dear cousin Riley.  Part of my therapy is embracing the good things about my face and not dwelling on the things that aren't so great.  So here it is, my current facial state...

I am able to overlook my less than perfect smile and focus on how much fun it was to hang with my cuz.  Riley and I were inseparable as kids, and here we are, all these years later, still kicking it and having a great time.  As I look through these pictures I realize just how wonderful my life is. No matter what my daily struggles are, Bell's Palsy and all,  I am a very blessed girl.

Easter 2012

Our Easter celebrations began with a field trip to Highland Gardens with Max's preschool.  His buddy Christian got to ride in our car and kept me on my toes the entire morning.  Let's just say the kids were less than impressed with learning about perennials, annuals, and deciduous trees.  It was sort of a snooze fest.

Even though Max was a little bored he managed to pay attention and answer all Miss Molly's questions.  After lunch we had an Easter egg hunt which instantly made the field trip fun.

Max and I always have such a good time together on the field trips.  Too bad I was chasing Christian around the greenhouse most of the time. 

The next day we colored eggs.  The kids were pumped!  They have been asking for weeks.  It was a little tricky juggling coloring eggs and a 7 month old baby.

Good thing I have Hank and Max to take over.

Sam was just wondering when he could eat again.

The kids spent over an hour carefully placing stickers and drawing designs on the eggs.  They turned out really cute.  I gave up full control to them which they loved.

On Saturday the kids woke up excited for more Easter celebrations.  We went to 5 mile pass with Randy's family to eat hot dogs and roll eggs.

It was a bit chilly for Sam but he didn't seem too bothered by it. Grandpa Stan got a kick out of him.

His Harley Davidson gear instantly made him look like a tough guy.

Everyone had to have their time with Sam.

Me and Sam

Grandma Griffin

Grandpa Griff

 Lennon and Sam are becoming best of friends. 

Speaking of best friends, these three are pretty tight as well.  

And then there is Mino-man, friends with babies and big boys alike.  I'm sure he did something productive with that rock.

Max really got into all the Easter festivities this year.  Rolling his eggs down the side of the mountain was a highlight.

Hank preferred to throw his eggs as far as he could.

Randy is always willing to demonstrated the proper rolling technique.  After our fun in the dirt we came home, showered off and I prepared a delicious Easter dinner for Randy's family.  I must have been too busy cooking because I have no pictures to prove the dinner really happened. 

Hank and Max went to bed early so the Easter bunny could come.  Hank was a little nervous about the thought of a giant bunny hopping through our house.  I told him not to think about it too hard.

The next morning the boys discovered a series of clues leading them to various prizes throughout the house.

  The Easter bunny left them "socker boppers" and it took about 3 minutes before blood was shed.

Sam seemed pretty unaffected by the mayhem.  He was too busy with his new sippy cups.

The Easter bunny also left Max and Hank some adorable Shawn White gear. 

Our next adventure was at my mom and dad's house.  After lunch we headed down to the pond for another egg hunt.

Sam was perfectly content in the shade with an empty egg and comfy blanket.

Max and Isabel

Hank and Dan played football.

Sam with his lady friends.

Some mother son bonding with...

Sarah and Jack.

and Hank and Annie

More egg rolling/chucking

Isabel and Hank

My parents back yard is an absolute haven for boys.  They have unlimited rocks to throw, a pond to fish in,  4-wheelers, dirt, and an open field perfect for any sporting event.  The weather was gorgeous.  It was a perfectly relaxing afternoon.  Sam ended the day with a luxurious bath.

I'm thinking he might be a little big for that sink!