A St. Patrick's Day To Remember

St. Patrick's Day is not usually a holiday I give much thought to but this year it seemed like we really embraced our Irish heritage...we don't have!  It started with a party at Bear Hollow Preschool.  Max and his buddy Dalton are showing off the gifts the Leprechaun left.  

Miss Molly is unbelievable.  Between Hank and Max, I've witnessed many preschool parties and she never ceases to amaze me.  The amount of activity she can cram into 2 1/2 hours is mind blowing.  There is a reason she teaches preschool and I don't!  She is simply the best.

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Jeri and Scott are always up for a parade and invited us to the St. Patrick's Parade in Salt Lake.  They were fully armed with all things green as you can see.  I love that you can see Scott in the background fully decked out with blinking shamrock glasses.  These two are hilarious!

Dyson decided he was too cool to hang with the family but these three got into the spirit!  It was a little disappointing no candy was thrown this year.  Isn't that the point of a parade? They didn't seem to let it damper their Irish spirit.

Speaking of Irish spirit...my stud of a husband totally pulls off the bowtie and head band!  He was a crowd favorite, yelling "Top of the mornin'" to anyone passing by.  Randy makes any outing more fun.  

The highlight for Max was this sweet hat he scored from a parade participant.  

Sam loved his first experience at a parade.  There were hundreds of dogs everywhere so I spent most of the parade chasing him around as he visited with every dog walking by.  I'm' so glad his binky matched the rest of his green ensemble

My favorite picture of the day, by far!! A perfect ending to my St. Patrick's Day post.

Karlito Ski Day

Our 4th annual Karlito Ski Day was a perfect tribute to our dear Grandpa Karl.  The sun was shining, and there wasn't a cloud in the sky.  Grandpa would've declared it the best day of skiing he'd ever had.  If grandpa was looking down on us he would've been beaming with pride as our group skied down Bishops Bowl.  This tradition is one we must keep going.  I felt so close to grandma and grandpa that afternoon.  

The family members who skied this year included Phil, Jil, Larry, Becky, Hayley, mom, Randy, me, Chloe and Riley.  It's always such a treat for me to ski with my cousins!  It brings back so many fantastic childhood memories.  Next year Hank will be up there with us.  Jeri offered to take the boys so Randy and I could enjoy a full day of skiing together, kid free.  

We had the best time and stayed together as a big group all day.  I loved catching up with everyone on the lift ride up.  I didn't want it to end!  

Grandpa, I think about you and grandma every single day, multiple times.  When I'm having a particularly hard day or a tough decision to make, I always look to you and think how you would handle it.  Everything at Sundance reminds me of you.  I miss you dearly.  How I wish you could have joined us for a few runs!

18 Month Sam

Sam at 18 months just has to be properly documented.  He is angelic, demonic, loving, brutal, hilarious and maddening all at once.  I can barely keep up with his ridiculous requests.  This kid knows what he wants and knows even better what he doesn't want.  I took him to get his pictures taken and had to reschedule because he wouldn't stop screaming.  Round 2 went better, but required a full body workout from me and the photographer.

The best shots of the day came from the first 10 minutes of the photo shoot.

See what I mean about angelic.  His eyes are heaven. 

He wasn't feeling the suitcase so she gave him a bunny (live) to hold.  I don't think he realized it was a real bunny because after he squeezed it and pulled it's ears, he proceeded to chuck it across the room.

The poor bunny was shaking like a leaf.  I'm shocked he didn't kill the poor thing. 

On to the next backdrop.  This time candy got him to hold still.  The boy has a serious sweet tooth.

 Dancing to the tune in his head.

Pez anyone?

Hilarious!

He was quite amused by my jumping jacks.

Time to ponder...

He wouldn't be one of Randy's sons without the signature finger point.

You'd think the photographer learned her lesson about Sam and live animals after the bunny fiasco.  She gave the goldfish a try and I half expected Sam to grab the fish and bite it's head off.  Instead he grabbed the rocks at the bottom of the bowl and threw them across the room.

Sorry buddy, that's as close as you can be to the fish.

I'm actually shocked she got any pictures that turned out.  I was sweating by the time we were finished. We left behind goldfish crackers, smarties, bubbles, pez, and fruit snack carnage.  As we walked out, I realized I forgot to have him wear the amazing sweater I brought. 

Here is the final shot from the day, at least I got one pic of this sweater, even if it was taken with my phone.

Sam went to the doctor last week for a check up.  Here are his stats:

Weight: 24.91 lbs   37%

Height:  33 inches 71%

He is healthy as can be.  Dr. Weipert encouraged me to get rid of the binky by the time he's 2.  I'm already having anxiety about that day. 

Sam was up to no good in the exam room.

Sam can destroy a room in a matter of minutes.  He can also throw a fit like you've never seen.  His tantrums usually revolve around my phone, going outside, or eating candy.  It almost always involves pulling my hair, biting, and ear piercing screaming.  As long as he gets what he wants, he's as happy as can be.

 

That's  probably why he loves his grandma's so much.  He isn't always throwing fits, he definitely has a sweet side to him as well.  I've never had a kid who is so easy to put to bed.  When he is tired he pretty much stands by his crib and says put me in.

Now that the weather is warmer, he wants to be outside at all times.  He isn't content just playing on the grass.  Max's power wheels are his obsession as well as the road and any broom or mop he can get a hold of.  He is sure to wear me out this summer.  Good thing I've been working out all winter.

 

It seems like every day he has a new trick or a new word to say.  Life is moving pretty fast for this one and a half year old.  He walked the entire perimeter of our neighborhood this afternoon and would've done another lap if I told him he could see the horse again.  His energy is endless.  Randy and I have our hands full but I can't imagine life without him.  He has our entire family laughing every day.  I just need to settle for a less than spotless house with Hurricane Sam around.  I couldn't love his adorable mug more.  He is a mama's boy times a thousand.  I can hear him through the house yelling "momeeeeeeeee!".  Everything is exciting and new for Sam these days.  There is an adventure around every turn.  I can't bare the thought of him turning two so I guess I will cherish the next 6 months of insane toddler-hood. There isn't another baby like my Sammy-boy, never a dull moment around here!

An End to Basketball Season

Hank's basketball season is officially over.  He played on two teams this year and had a blast with all his buddies.  He is shaping up to be quite a baller and so fun to watch.  His ball handling skills are impressive and he is really perfecting his ability to pass and create good shots.  

The above team is his Jr. Jazz team that Randy coached.  Team Dominators, did just that in every single game.  These boys played with so much intensity and improved drastically from last year.  They really took it to all their opponents.  It got a little embarrassing at times.

He also played in a competitive league in Salt Lake on Team Warriors coached by Morgan Bingham.  Since they played older kids in a more intense league they had to play their guts out to keep up.    

Their last game was against a team they played on week one. The rematch game was a huge improvement from the 25 point loss the first time they played.  They ended up losing by 4 points but they had a chance to win it.  You could see the confidence in these kids faces. Such competitive boys, holy cow!   I can't wait to watch them play together for years to come. 

This is my attempt to get a picture with Hank after his last game.  Max decided to photobomb!

This post-game photo has to be one of my all time favorites.

Three generations of ball players!  Hank had great support from his family this season. His grandparents are always there to cheer him on as are his aunts, uncles and cousins. 

My dad really got into his games this year and only missed maybe one or two games. 

What is Hank going to do now that basketball is over?  Ski!!  We have a few more weekends of good snow and before baseball starts.  Hank is really shaping up to be a great little skier.

I just need him to convince his little brother that skiing is awesome!

Getting ready for Kindergarten!

This handsome little devil is getting ready for Kindergarten.  I realize it's only March, but registration has already begun.  Max had his Kindergarten check up with Dr.Weipert a few weeks ago.  I have to admit I was apprehensive about that appointment.  It was right around this age with Hank, we encountered some unexpected news regarding his health.  I just wanted everything to be o.k. and thankfully it was!  

The only thing the doctor recommended was a vision screening with a pediatric ophthalmologist.  Max struggled to see the shapes during the vision part of the check-up.

The night before his appointment with the eye doctor, Max and I had a silly trip to Walgreen's.  He thought it was a great idea to get a preview of him in glasses.  Such a nut!

It turns out glasses are indeed in Max's future.  The doctor found that he has 20/70 vision in his left eye and 20/25 in his right eye.  Since he is only five and his vision is only bad in one eye, the doctor is confident with glasses, Max will be able to correct the problem by the time he is nine or ten.  He basically has to retrain his brain to use that eye again.  I had no idea his problem could be reversed.  I'm so glad we caught this early.  This could explain why he is constantly falling and running into things.  We ordered his glasses and then I sold a kidney to pay for them!  Who knew glasses were so freaking expensive?  We get to pick them up this week and then he has to wear them all day, every day.  Good thing he looks so handsome in glasses!

Max was the leader at preschool last week and got to bring Little Bear home.  His days are numbered at Bear Hollow.  I'm so sad about it!  My baby is growing up and there is nothing I can do about it.  I am so grateful to have a smart, healthy five year old.  Any bets on how long it will take him to break his glasses?