so much fun

strawberries & fire trucks: 2013

Posted on by mommyinthemidwest

I always think about why I started this blog…so I could go back and re-read the things I knew I’d forget and to have a place where I can organize my photos into a virtual scrapbook.  It’s all about preserving the memories.

Tonight, I look back 52 weeks to the 2012 White River Township Strawberry Festival HERE.  Theo certainly looks small in these pictures, but little Dexter was just under 13 months old a year ago.  Now at almost 25 months, he’s a completely different little person who is developing his own interests, talking, running, asking good questions, saying cute and funny things, and peeing and pooping in the potty on a fairly regular basis.  He’s still the happiest boy you’ll ever meet and still loves to eat whatever you put in front of him…but the pictures from a year ago are kind of a sad reminder that he’s really not a little baby anymore.  Still my little boy, but he’s growing up fast.  They both are.

And with that sentimental interlude out of the way, let’s talk about tonight.  The 21st Annual White River Township Fire Department Strawberry Festival.  Ever since I realized this was coming up, I have been so looking forward to going again with the boys.  Dexter enjoyed it last year, but this year I knew he would like it even more.  And all Theo has been talking about is strawberry shortcake!

If I’d had it my way, we would have just followed that fancy homemade sign right on in to the school cafeteria but nooooo, these kids wanted to see some fire trucks.  Alright, alright. 

Every time Dexter got in or near one of the fire trucks, he asked “how do we turn it on?”  Not sure if he was talking about the lights and sirens or if he was just ready to take these trucks for a spin around the block.

Dear Fire People:  Sorry about all your settings on every single truck.  You really shouldn’t let little kids climb up in there if you’re expecting things to be the same when you get back in… this kid is a dedicated switch-flipper, a knob-turner, and a button-pusher!

Oh nothin…just talkin’ about brother stuff.  

“How do we turn it on?”

Isn’t he huge?  Absolutely, positively giant?  I’m sure I won’t think so when I look back at these photos a year from now, but today…this kid is huge.  And this is probably my favorite pic of the night. P.S. He’s huge.

Free entertainment. 

Dexter is such a little hot body.  See how red his face gets when he plays?  He’s always been hot-natured, even as a newborn.  That’s definitely something he gets from his dad. He needed a stroller & water break from the bouncy slide.

I finally convinced them to go with me to get some grub and we ran into our friends.  Dexter was lying down with his head on B’s stomach being all cute, and of course he gets up as soon as I grab my camera. STORY OF MY LIFE!

Same yummy food this year.  Neither of the boys could get enough corn on the cob.  

Or this yummy goodness.  I mean, really. It was SO good. 

“Hold me.” 

After we ate, we hurried back outside to watch the extrication demonstration. The firefighters and paramedics removed the glass from the windows and used the jaws of life to cut a “victim” out of a van that had JUST crashed. (Not really, duh).  Complete with Lifeline helicopter rescue. Pretty cool demo.

Theo grabbed a spot on the grass as soon as the helicopter landed and watched the EMS people load their “victim” into the chopper.  It took off, circled around, came back, and landed so we could take a closer look.

The boys’ pretty little friend, M, was the only one who cooperated for pictures sitting on the side of the helicopter. The boys were a little too interested in all those knobs and buttons.

We love that this festival is held at an elementary school where we can take advantage of the awesome playground amenities.

As our friends left to head home, Theo said he wanted to go down “that red slide.”  When we walked over to it, he stood there, kicking the mulch.  I said, “Theo, what’s wrong? Go down the slide.”  He looked up at me, exhausted, and said quietly, “let’s just go home.”  
What a fun-filled evening!  I hope this will become an annual family tradition. I plan on going every year until the boys tell me they don’t like it anymore.  And friends?  That will be a sad, sad day.
That day is not today, so happy weekend!
xo, 
~C~

Dexter’s 2nd birthday

Posted on by mommyinthemidwest

Par for the course, I’m a little bit behind on posting about Dexter’s birthday.  His celebration lasted for about a week with several separate mini-celebrations.

His birthday was on Monday 5/13.  On the Saturday morning before (also the day before Mother’s Day…busy weekend!), we met a friend at the bounce house and they played for maybe an hour and a half.

Afterwards, we had lunch at McAlister’s and took the boys home to put them in bed.

 I fixed cheesy potatoes, homemade rolls, and homemade funfetti cupcakes complete with homemade milk chocolate and buttercream frostings.  We also marinated and grilled shrimp and pork chops.  Ryan’s parents came over for dinner and we decorated a little bit with some fun sports balls balloons, plates, napkins, etc.

Of course there were gifts and big brother “helping” Dexter open them.  If that’s what you want to call it.

Theo helped Dexter pick his ice cream… mint chocolate chip.  Why?  Because Theo is obsessed with GREEN.  All things must be green.  So when we were at Target the night before and Theo was begging for green ice cream but we told him that ultimately it was Dexter’s choice, sweet Dex had mercy on Theo’s soul and conceded.  Turned out to be quite delicious. 
It was nice enough to play outside for a little bit, despite being a little chilly for MID-MAY. Come on, weather. Get it together. 
Dueling lawnmowers.  Gnomeo and Juliet, anyone?
On Monday, Dexter’s actual birthday, I decided to forego sending any treats to the babysitter’s house, as cruel as I felt, due to the amount of JUNK that had been consumed over the weekend and knowing that we were having friends over for a cookout that night.  Some good friends that live nearby helped us celebrate yet again.
Ladies’ man!!
On the Thursday after Dexter’s birthday (5/16) we drove down to Pigeon Forge, TN and met up with my mom, sister, and her family at a cabin.  We spent Friday at Dollywood as another quasi-celebration of Dexter’s birthday.  I had intended to have more cake, more ballooons, and more ALLTHATSTUFF but I think we were all sort of partied out and caked out.  So we settled for more presents and lots of family time.  Perfect way to cap Dexter’s week-long, two-is-terrific, birthday hurrah.  

So as you can see, we’ve been a bit busy. I have much more from Pigeon Forge and Memorial Day weekend to share, but I’m trying to do things in order.  And yes, we intended to get our money’s worth out of that 2nd birthday shirt Dexter’s wearing in the majority of these pics.  It paid off because as we were eating at Miss Lillian’s Chicken House (at Dollywood), Miss Lillian herself sung Dexter a very special birthday song. Extreme fun!  
So that’s sweet Dexter’s birthday.  A special week of fun for a special little boy!  Not quite the huge circus-themed bash we had last year (here, here, and here), but it was perfect to all of us.  ðŸ™‚ Loving having these 2 & 3 year olds.  It’s definitely a different stage, but so much fun. 
xo, 
~C~

Mother’s Day 2013

Posted on by mommyinthemidwest

cheating a little – this one was taken Saturday. 
Sunday started out with a blank slate – no plans.  “The boys” got me a gift card to my favorite spa for a pedicure and 1 hour Swedish massage.  So looking forward to that pampering!  Theo has been asking to go to Scotty’s for a few weeks now, so I told him to ask daddy if he could take me there for Mother’s Day.  If you’re local, and especially if you’re local and you have kids, you need to go there!  They have a great kids’ menu and kids eat free on Sundays and Tuesdays.  Little did I know that moms received a free dessert as well on Mother’s Day!  All around win.  Food was delicious. The boys cleaned their plates!
Afterwards, we talked about where we could go and what we could do downtown that the boys would enjoy. It was a beautiful day, but a little chilly so the Central Library seemed like a good option. The boys had never been and I had not been there in a long time.  I think we were all awestruck at the enormity of the open space inside.  It is a beautiful, historic building that underwent a huge renovation a few years ago.  Modern function meets classic beauty.  The boys had fun playing on the computers, running from one end of the kids section to the other, and picking over a few million books.  Afterwards, we strolled around outside a little bit and I only snapped a few pics on my phone that I am having trouble transferring to my email/computer. Boo.
We went home and the boys took LONG naps, Ryan cut the grass, and I tore everything out of our bathroom vanity and re-orgainzed like a mad woman. Then cleaned the soap scum out of our shower that had been building for longer than I care to admit.  Doesn’t sound too relaxing, but it’s what I wanted. TIME. Time to do things that go beyond the basic laundry folding and dishwasher unloading.  I need lots more of it, but nothing is so pressing that it can’t wait.  After they got up, we enjoyed a nice dinner and lounged around the rest of the evening.   I couldn’t have asked for a better Mother’s Day!
Oh, the boys were funny.  Dexter kept saying Happy’s Mother Day instead of Happy Mother’s Day.  Then Theo  got confused and kept asking “can you tell me the words again?”  I love those two little crazies.  And their dad is a-okay too. 
xo,
~C~