Month: May 2014

their first fishies

Posted on by mommyinthemidwest

Last night I received an impromptu call from our friend who asked what we were doing for dinner, wanting to know if we would like to come over and grill hot dogs. As luck would have it, I already had pork chops marinating so I said I’d just bring them over and throw them on the grill with their hot dogs.

I like how Dexter is OBLIVIOUS to the world aside from what he’s focused on while little Mari is posing and smiling from the camera, which was a good 50 feet away. She makes me smile!

Dinnertime!
After dinner, Brandy asked the kids if they wanted to go fishing. Bianca was kind enough to bait the hook with a worm since no one else wanted to.

Success!

Worms! Dirt!

Just about as quickly as they cast the line, a fish started biting.  Perfect first fishing experience, even if it was a little misleading. Ha.

Theo was so proud of his catch!  To watch the smile on his face while he was reeling it in and admiring it afterwards was the cutest thing ever. He was happy. Reminded me of the moment I had at McCormick’s Creek when the boys were overjoyed to just be throwing rocks in the creek. 

Dexter’s turn.

Look at his little smile. He was loving it.  And as it turns out, Brandy is a pretty good fishing coach!

Again, within a few seconds, we had another fish on the line. 

It was such a fun, spur-of-the-moment kind of evening and the boys really enjoyed their first fishing experience. I couldn’t help but keep thinking how much my Dad would have loved to see them catch their first fishies. Bittersweet.
xo, 
~C~

sunny day at mccormick’s creek

Posted on by mommyinthemidwest
Sunday was a beautiful day so we decided to go hiking at McCormick’s Creek with friends who were visiting from Tennessee.  Being the poor planners that we are, we arrived at naptime so Theo protested a little as we started down the trail and wanted to be carried a lot, but overall he had a great time. Dexter is the Energizer Bunny. It was a 2 mile trail.

Couldn’t have asked for a prettier day. Just a couple of weeks ago, there would have been no green on the trees. 

They both loved this hollow tree with a front and back door. They both barely fit inside but thought it was really cool. 

Tired boy.

Doing a little rock climbing/crossing to get a better view of a cave.

My best friend is so good about stealing my camera to get some rare photos of me with the boys. THANK you Em!

Theo and Ryan are so tiny compared to the trees towering above Wolf Cave.

Whatchu talkin’ ’bout?

Always one of my favorite features of a creek hike – til I step in the freezing cold creek water! Dexter also loved crossing the creek multiple times during our hike.

By far, their favorite part of our day was throwing rocks in the creek.  Endlessly entertaining. I had such an a-ha moment while we were watching them here.  Simple pleasures in life…this is all they need. Have you seen the articles {like this} going around on Facebook? It’s about how childhood is innately magical and we (as a culture/society nowadays) do too many things to try to MAKE childhood magical. It just is, on it’s own. I have to agree. These moments are the ones I think they will remember. I hope they do. I know I will. 
Such a great day.

Treats at a nearby mom ‘n pop shop on our way home. 

Of course I realized after they left that the group shots of us are on my best friend’s camera.  🙁 I will edit and add one to this post… as soon as she emails it to me. 🙂 
I hope you were able to enjoy some time with people you love this weekend. 
xo,
~C~

catch the moment 365: week seventeen

Posted on by mommyinthemidwest

We are getting spoiled with all the wonderful weather we’ve had. I’m starting to believe wholeheartedly that we’re doomed to have crappy weather on the day of Dexter’s outdoor birthday party (coming up in a couple weeks!)  Can’t control it, so why worry about it right now?  Currently, we’re just taking each day for what it is and enjoying the season before hot weather takes over. 

Linking up with Mindi at Simply Stavish, Stephanie at Behind the Camera and Dreaming, and Sarah at Nurse Loves Farmer for week 17 of Catch the Moment 365. It’s not too late to jump in!

113/365: April 23rd.  I was floored when I received this sweet card and gift card from the team I work with. I’m not an administrative professional but they wanted to thank me anyway since there’s not a “Care Coordinator Day.”  YET. Hallmark’s workin’ on it.

114/365: April 24th. Thursday night date with my friend Brandy at the bowling alley. She smoked me, twice, but I didn’t care. We had a blast talking and felt like rebels…sneaking out at 9pm after the kids were in bed. This is how a couple of moms get CRAZY.

115/365: April 25th. A trip to the park in the afternoon. I love the nervous concentration on his face as he navigated across small swaying platforms.

116/365: April 26th.  Another trip to the park on Saturday with a friend. She looks like she’s feeling some of that same nervousness as she climbed up a high, curving ladder.

117/365: April 27th.  Sometimes I wonder what they are talking about when they are just out of earshot. Sometimes I don’t want to know. I like that they are brothers and buddies and I hope it’s always that way.
118/365: April 28th. I bought a giant ham on Saturday and made a few meals out of it. This simple ham pasta was a huge hit! So savory and mmmm…comfort food to the max.
119/365: April 29th.  Hard to believe May is almost here…one month makes a big difference. I’m pretty sure temps were still below freezing a month ago and now everything is blooming and/or turning green. This is my favorite time of year!
The nature / landscape shots are becoming a favorite of mine…I do like day 119 this week! I also love day 117 because this is so typical of the boys these days. They love playing Legos…sometimes they don’t always play so well together, but when they do, my heart nearly bursts.  I love that they have each other and that their relationship continues to grow and evolve. 
Which photo is your favorite this week? 
xo,
~C~