Surviving the "Sharpie"

Many of you already know about the art work that Caden created last week in our family room with a blue sharpie. Within a few minutes of being alone downstairs, he quickly found a blue sharpie and literally marked everything in his path. I am still finding little spots here and there that I missed in the 4 hour mayhem clean up efforts.

So, the biggest canvas that Caden found was our leather couch and chair. Ouch. It's been a little over a week now and I am not hysterical anymore. That morning I was. My parents came to help and thank goodness, we were able to make a lot of progress. Today was the day that I was waiting for to see if the "Leather Pro" guy could erase the "permanent" ink. He just left and I am happy with the results. It isn't perfect, but there 6 year old pieces of furniture weren't perfect to begin with. Actually the furniture has been great, especially with little boys. We'll replace them eventually, but they are fine for a few more years...

These pictures are of the same spot.

Before:

After:

If I hadn't been such a wreak that morning, I should have made pictures, as it was everywhere and amazing. Probably could have won $10k on America's Funniest Videos too (but it wasn't funny at the time). Oh well.

So, a word to all those mothers out there - don't leave a sharpie or any writing utensil in the reach of small ones. I've learned my lesson.

Oh, with their masks...

Seeing double, originally uploaded by mama.milton.

Austin requested that I posted this picture too...

Austin and Zack

Revealing their secret identities, originally uploaded by mama.milton.

Austin is such a big boy these days. Aunt Sissy called on Saturday and asked if Austin could go over for dinner and a play date with Zack. He had such a good time there, in their Spiderman costumes, eating pizza and ice cream (probably more ice cream than pizza). It's fun to see our little boy get more mature!

What we do outside...

Caden, the Harley boy.

Here are a few pictures of what we do several afternoons a week (as long as it's not raining). Between the three families, there are six kids that play together ALL THE TIME. Simon, 7...Jack, 5...Austin, 4...Issac, 4...Drew, 2...Caden...1.

Playing a game of ball - Shelly in the street!

Shelly, Shari and I get along great and we often sit, eat and drink (yes, that is how we end up in my cheerleading outfits!) around the utility box in between our houses. So glad that we live in a neighborhood with great friends and kids for our boys to play and grow up with!

Eating a snack!

Friday Field Trip

Last Friday we had a field trip with Austin's class to the World Forestry Center in Portland. It was the first outing with Austin's school that I've taken Caden. Luckily, they were both well behaved and had a great time.

Here are the boys before we went:

Here are some photos of the boys at the museum:

Lots of comments were made to me about their matching shirts. I was glad they were, as it was a quick glance to know where they both were at all times. Going to be the plan for our upcoming Disneyland trip too! :)

Caden, Alexis & Evelyn

Lexi and Zack were over last week after school for a little bit. The boys love to have their cousins over - Zack and Austin usually head upstairs to the toy room or computer...and Lexi loves to be with Caden. Here's a cute photo of them together (Evelyn is Lexi's doll) watching none other than the big mouse. Gotta love it!

Caden

Thought that it was cute that Caden's shirt was the same blue as his blankie, binkie and puppy. He was smiling under that blankie, as you can see it in his twinkling little eye! Can't believe that he'll be 2 in just 3 months!

Here's what a kid looks like after having a piece of black licorice! He loves the stuff, but it sure does make a mess! FYI - he had this after lunch, although he was still in his pajamas. No, I don't feed candy to the boys in the morning (are you crazy?!)!

Happy 37th Birthday, D!

Caden helping Daddy with his cheesecake!

Dave and Austin being "Spiderman" after opening up a gift!

Over the weekend we celebrated Dave's 37th birthday! The big day was yesterday, and lucky for Dave, it was nice and sunny out. We enjoyed lunch and a movie out, with time spared to play/work outside and to catch the Dodger's game on TV. I think he had a good day.

As a told Dave last night, now my birthday is only 6 months and a couple days a way. It made him laugh as I went to sleep...

Big Pancake

Last week I woke up and remembered something I hadn't had in a long time. A big pancake. Not just like any other pancake, but one that my Mom used to make for us when we were growing up! Really good! So, I thought I would share a picture of it, as well as the recipe. Really easy...the boys (especially Caden) like it!

Preheat oven to 425 degrees and melt some butter in a frying pan (one that you can put in the oven).

Mix:

1/2 cup flour

1/2 cup milk

2 eggs

dash of cinnamon and/or nutmeg

Pour over the melted butter in the frying pan and put in oven for 15-20 minutes. Sprinkle powder sugar on top! Yummy and enjoy!

Spring Break...to Easter

We had a nice spring break, with great weather (although the boys both had to go to the doctor with secondary infections from a cold). Here are some pictures from the week...

Yes, it is blurry...but it was my camera. Our friend and neighbor Shelly and I being goofy, starting off spring break in my high school cheerleading outfits!

Yummy sugar cookies decorated for Easter that Austin and I made!

Austin helping Caden learn how to ride his bike. He's doing great and keeping his feet on the pedals...just needs to learn how to push with his little legs!

It was nearly 80 degrees on Friday and we enjoyed the beautiful day at Ammy and Papa's house. The boys even got to play in the pool (filled with warm tap water!). They spent the night there too and had a great time! Dave and I enjoyed a quiet evening and morning together also..

Finally, the Easter Bunny came today and the boys were thrilled with some new toys! It is sunny again this morning too! It was a great week. Back to the routine this week with Austin back to school...and I have lots of cleaning to catch up on! :)

Have a great day!

Austin

Is 2007 the year of the ear?

Austin came down with a slight cold on the 22nd of March. Just a regular little cold that didn't' keep him from doing anything. He seemed to be getting better until this weekend when he started complaining about his throat and ear hurting. He isn't much of a complainer at all, and hates to be kept from playing outside with his friends so will often say he is "fine" and feels "all better', even when he doesn't.

So, he looked a little under the weather this morning and still made a few complaints about his throat and ear (same ear every time I asked). I called this afternoon and took him into the doctor to find out that he has an ear infection and eye infection (it started to goo up around lunch time today). He wasn't lying after all!

The bad part of the story is that the doctor that we saw today forgot to enter in this information into the computer before they closed today (we left the office at 4:30 and they closed at 5:00). It wasn't after 5:00 that I realized that something was wrong and Fred Meyer still didn't have his prescription to fill. After talking to another nurse at the clinic open tonight, I was left the option to come to ANOTHER appointment, or wait until morning. Not a happy Mommy at his point. So, he is sleeping now and we hope he has a comfortable night of rest...and I'll get his medication in the morning and get him on the way to recovery to be able to enjoy the rest of Spring Break.

Wish us a restful night.