Pedal, Pedal, Pedal

Today Max took an important step in his life.  He learned how to pedal. It was very sweet.  He kept just making the trike go with his feet, so I told him to put his feet on the pedals, I nudged him along a few feet then he started doing it on his own.  I was very proud, he still gets stuck on bumps but loves that he can do it himself.

"Mom, I'm doing it."

 They are so cute in their helmets.

Smiling Toby

Toby is 6 weeks and he has learned to smile.  It is so cute but so hard to capture on camera.  I tried.

Chalk Drawings

Emmeric did a lot of chalk drawing this week.  For a boy who had zero interest in coloring he has really taken to chalk.  Check out a few of his drawings.

 A train track.

"E" for Emmeric.

Boys and their Toys

Eddie purchased a power washer with his birthday/Christmas money.  He finally got a chance to try it out last night on our deck.  He loved it and wanted to power wash everything after that.  Even the boys were excited to use it.  Emmeric really enjoyed himself.

 Getting a little instruction.

Turned him loose.  

Operation Rice Bowl

Since it is Lent we have been talking more about Easter, Jesus and giving at our home.  At church we picked up an "Operation Rice Bowl" container.  Our boys being 2 and 4 are naturally selfish.  I thought this would be another great way to teach giving and not always getting.  We discussed how Jesus gave us the ultimate gift; Himself and salvation.  At first they didn't want to just put the coins in but after some discussion about how this money will go to kids who don''t have a lot of food or clothes they were more willing.  We talked about our favorite foods and how we can just go to the fridge and eat something but how that isn't true for lots of people.  And since we have more than enough it's good to give away.  

 Who can add more coins?

Emmeric chose to count a few coins before he put them in.  In the end they were fighting over who got to put in the last coin.  I was a very proud Mom!

Phelps youth Pavillion

Last week we took advantage of $1 admission at the Youth Pavillion.  We've been a couple times and it's always fun.  Of course being spring break it was really crowded but we still enjoyed ourselves.

 Climbing down the tunnels.

 Playing 9 holes.  Not a bad swing, Max!

Picking veggies and taking them to the market.

Mommy & Toby

Grandma Verdeen

Great- Grandma Verdeen celebrated her birthday on Sunday.  Another perfect opportunity to snap a few pictures.  Doesn't she have the best smile? 

 Eddie & Grandma Verdeen

 Great-Grandma and our three boys.  Currently her only great-grandchildren.  But that will change come May!

Great-Grandma and Toby.

Grandma Jackie

I have really come to appreciate my only Grandma left and Ed's 2 Grandma's .  It can be a novelty to still have grandparent's in your life.  So this week and weekend when I knew we would see all three I wanted to get pictures of these great women and our children.  I think they turned out great.

Great-Grandma and our three boys.

Grandma Jackie & Eddie

Kite Flying

Grandma Sherri and Sarah came to New Hartford with new kites.  It was just windy enough to fly the kite.  Emmeric absolutely loved it and Max enjoyed it until the wind took the string away. 

 He kept wanting to extend and extend and extend.

 Love his sweet face.

 Emmeric and Aunt Sarah.

 We ran into one tree and snapped the line but Papa came to the rescue.  Thank Papa!

Park play...

We try and go to new parks or parks we don't get to go to very often.  So yesterday we stopped at what Grandma Nancy calls "Bear Country" park.  They have a playground but also a huge buffalo, bear, 2 wagons and a huge log cabin fort to play in.  The boys loved the weather and the different things at the park.

 Max and I in the stage coach.

 We had to get a picture of the army wagon.

 Inside one of the forts.

Emmeric and I at the top of the slide.

Visiting Great-Grandma

Today, we visited my Grandma Bernice at her nursing home.  She loves to see the boys, to get kisses and hugs and hold Toby, and they love to see her and run around the place.  

 Hi Great-Grandma!

My only Grandparent still alive.  She's pretty special!

Beautiful Day..

Today was a beautiful day!  We spent a lot of time outside.  It was full of...

 Swinging...

gator driving...

 cloud watching...

bubble chasing and lots more.  I cannot wait for more beautiful days like today!

BIG bed...little baby

Ed was in Waterloo this week for work and got to stay at the Isle Hotel.  One night Toby and I stayed with him.  While we got up to get ready Toby stayed asleep in this king size bed.  He looks so little but oh so comfy.