Air Show and the Blue Angels

While Pat was working on the deck, the boys and I went to Janesville for an airshow starring the Blue Angels. Pat was pretty bummed, I knew he would have really liked this, and be able to help answer all the questions the boys had.Also starring was a F16 along with loads of other planes and helicopters and one crazy truck that blew flames out of the back. It was also red, Jamison had to have a picture of it.This F16 knew his stuff and wowed the crowd. The boys kept asking if that was Uncle Tim in that plane, they were a little sad when I said no, but someone like Uncle Tim was in it. I would also say that this one was the loudest demonstations, next time bring ear protection, sweatshirts over the ears could only do so much.The boys loved sitting in all the planes, "It was amazing" says Jamison. There were big ones and little ones. Peter declared this Marine plane below was his favorite, sorry Tim, I think it was the werewolf that he really liked. Even the popsicles were big, this is the biggest one I have seen! We talked to a couple of the small plane pilots and the boys got a lesson on how to fly them. Jamison just liked talking.....unfortunately telling everyone what happened to his neck "Peter was driving the pink jeep and Wini's rope got caught and we tipped over and now I get to use a magical plant" interpretation....Jamison got clothes-lined by Wini's lead and now has some rope burn. I have been putting some aloe on it to help heal it. I have pictures but I think I would get a call from social services if I posted them. It was nasty and something a mother never wants to see. BUT everyone is ok, he has a cool story and we have a new rule in the house...no toys with wheels when Wini is outside. Now back to the airfest. The boys did really well in the large crowd and I treated them to a toy plan. They would watch the planes go by and then reinact them with the toys. I would suggest you turn the volume down before you play this one...again, it was a little loud.

If this is how Peter is going to fly when he grows up I am going to be a little worried.
We needed a picture of the Coast Guard Rescue plane because we have one that looks just like this...ok, not so big but the boys thought it was super cool.
Quote from Jamison" Momma, I wish there were more stores at the airshow because I wanted to pick something out for you and say thankyou, I love you, I love Janesville." I guess he really liked the airshow. Got to love that kid! Thanks Gma Jill for suggesting it, it was a hit!

Go fly a kite

Pat told the boys they could pick out a kite, Peter opted for the most scary one he could find and Jamison has a new interest in aliens.We have the perfect place to fly kites...but the wind has not cooperated with us. We were able to get them up for a couple minutes but we are waiting to get some good air.

wow, two weeks have gone by

We have been quite busy the last couple weeks. The boys had their last day of school, and as a bad mom, i did not take any pictures. Although the boys loved school, i think I am going to be more sad about the end of school then they are. Jamison is enjoying the lazy days of summer...

We had some pretty warm weather...so we broke out the sprinkler. Years previous the boys did not quite understand what to do....this year....they are all over it! Grandma and Grandpa Van came up Memorial Day weekend to help with the building of the deck. A couple trailer loads of lumber the men were all set to start. Gpa and Pat spent most of Sat and Sun working on it along with some help from the neighbor and a friend. It is amazing what who will help when you offer beer. (on a side note, when budgeting for projects you always need to add an item line for beer). Day two, both men were moving slower and they both expressed that they feel muscles that they never knew they had. We were able to complete the top and both stairs, all we need to do finish is the handrails.While the men were working on the deck, gma the boys and I had some fun. We went to the zoo and a couple local green houses to picked out plants! The animals are cool, but the playground is more cool! We stopped for a refreshing drink from the water fountian, Peter missed his mouth.

Jamison has been very interested in birds and who am I to stop him. He pulled out my field guides and have been studying. We wanted to keep my book but I explained that every good ornithologist has their own life list and that we will get you your own field guide so you can start your own life list, and that is what we did. He was a little upset at the book store when he could not find the exact book (i got mine nearly 18 years ago, there have been a number of editions since then) but he was super excited to get his life list started. ( I convinced him that this book was better than mine). Now all he needs is a pair of binoculars. On Monday Peter had a serious pink jeep malfunction, a whole wheel flew off!. He limped it down the driveway and asked for daddy mechanic to help him out. I guess we all should be grateful Pat is a pack-rat, he had the needed repairs to fix it right up! Whew! Pink jeep rides again!.

gardening, deck and nature walks

We started a garden next to the barn. The boys were very interested in what lived in the dirt...we found milipedes, centipedes, earwigs a variety of grubs, silver fish ants and worms. Peter declared (about 50 times) that this is very hard work...and I reminded him that it will be worth it! We also picked out some plants for some of the planters around the house. The boys are a lot of help.

Pat started with the new decking and again, the boys were very interested in helping. I then took the boys on an adventure to Indian Lake County park so Pat can actually get some work done.

The boys really enjoy the nature hikes and want to learn all about plants, bugs and other animals, I am very excited....i guess i need to really brush up on my plant and insect identification, like this really cool nest/swarm of caterpillars. There were hundreds of them on this bush. Then we found some cool shells in Indian Lake. (and I dead fish, i was not all too impressed with the fish but the boys were)

They were not really holding hands but as a mom I will use this photo as blackmail with the boys when they are 16.

And as a very special treat, I picked up some of the boys favorite soda, Izzy pomegranate soda.

Mothers Day and anniversary

Well, the boys treated me well on mother's day. Pat made me a potting bench out of wood from the deck for our anniversary and the boys picked out flowers for me to pot. I was even allowed to have some BFT (boy free time) to strip wall paper from our upstairs bathroom and paint (pictures will follow once I finish). I love the bench and cant wait to get in the dirt!On friday we continued out troll hunt and captured the one at the Mount Horeb Museum, the chicken thief! (with out the chicken on his head) I guess he needed to be moved indoors to protect the local chickens.
The lady at the museum told us where we could find a Bucky Badger "troll", not a real one but we had to capture him anyway.
We also took a family hike at Blue Mounds State Park. The boys are great hikers and we are looking forward to this summer where we can get them camping and hiking! Happy Mother's Day to all of you mothers out there!

Birthday Celebration

Yesterday was a very exciting day, it was Dolphin (which is really an orca) and Walrusy's birthday celebration! Cuddle friends have many birthdays, and with so many cuddle friends in the house that is almost a birthday every day. So we went all out and threw a huge birthday celebration for the two special cuddle friends. We walked to the variety store and picked out balloons and streamers, decorated the house and baked some birthday brownies. We even picked out some new toys for the cuddle friends and wrapped them for a big gift opening. Everyone loved their presents. I wonder who's birthday will be next?

With summer fast approaching (woohoo) it was time to give the boys their summer haircuts, #2 all around. Now they look just like dad! We have to remember to make sure they wear their hats or they are going to have one sunburned head! That also means we get to take out our "outside" train tracks and set them out on our front porch where we will spend hours setting it up and watch all the cool trucks, farm vehicles and rescue vehicles go past!oooh summer time, summer time, sum sum summer time!