NASCAR

Whether we like it or not, our son is a NASCAR fan. A big one.

He can tell you the names and numbers of all his favorite drivers. He will watch (if allowed) an entire 400 lap race on TV. He draws NASCAR cars in detail almost every day. This boy loves cars. As you can imagine, it was a dream come true when he and John attended his first race a few weeks ago at RIR in Richmond. John reports that he has never seen him so energized and attentive. It might have been the equivalent of Disneyworld for some children. Fun stuff!

Mother's Day Event

We went strawberry picking for the first time on Saturday. What a delicious experience to drive up to the farm, see all the dots of red all over the field and come home with almost 4 pounds of ripe strawberries! But, what's a girl to do with 4 lbs. of strawberries? I decided that we should attempt to make strawberry preserves to enjoy all year long. Here's how the process went down yesterday:

{Beautiful, ripe, red strawberries that melt in your mouth!}

{Kids enjoying the family jam making experience}

{Henry mashes the berries while Bradley carefully measures them}

{Who says you can't taste a few or a LOT of them at the same time!}

{So, the kids have had enough of this by now. Plus, cruel mom and dad won't let them near the boiling pot of red goodness. But, John hangs in to make sure we do this by the book so we don't die from botulism.}

{After 2 hours, the yummy, red goodness is finally ready for the jars!}

{Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!}

We had the preserves for breakfast this morning, and they are rich in color and taste. The kids loved eating them (of course) but I hope will grasp the fact that they went from strawberry patch to jelly jars and watched the whole process.

Bump alert: Did you notice anything in picture #6? Yep, that's right. We're adding #3 to the mix in early November! We're very excited, grateful and a bit terrified at the thought of being outnumbered! SURPRISE!

Mud pies

We have had a lot of rain here in Virginia in the past week. What is a little boy to do with rain and mud everywhere? Grab a buddy and get dirty!

More from Bradley's birthday

Little Party with Bradley's new girly friends, Emma & Julia.

A bleary-eyed birthday girl waking up to lots of presents? Why is she bleary-eyed? Because we made her put her pacifier in the trash (b/c she's a big girl now!) and she screamed all night!! (btw, it is now Day 15 without Passy and we are STILL screaming every night!)

VERY proud of her new princess gear. See. . . .I told you a 3 year old's birthday is more fun!

Birthday Celebrations

As most of you know, I have the honor of sharing my birthday with Bradley. Well, it's one day later than mine but I might as well share the day because a 3 year old's birthday is FAR more fun than a 33 year old. I do think otherwise but it is hard to convince some adults. sigh. . .

Alas, we had a great birthday weekend and were treated to a visit from my mom, sister, niece (Bradley's hero) and nephew (who is almost 7 months!). Had a little party, a little cake and a celebratory trip to the beach! We are LOVING that warm, beach weather IS HERE!!!

Easter

We hope everyone had a fabulous Easter weekend. I love the imagery that spring offers us each year as winter turns to spring and presents us with pictures everywhere of new life and new hope. The same life & hope that we celebrate during Easter that we receive through Christ. Spring is my absolute FAVORITE time of the year. I feel like a butterfly coming out of her fleece blanket cocoon! Being outside and soaking up the warm sunshine is like medicine for my long winter illness -- that illness being cold weather! We spent Easter morning at church in Norfolk and then scooted up to Richmond for the Easter On Parade which is my ALL TIME favorite event in Richmond. It is a photographer's dream on Monument Ave., but unfortunately, with 2 kids in tow I was unable to explore my inner photographer lest my children get lost or kidnapped! Here are a few pics from our day:

(pictures that Henry drew us for Easter. the things on the right are eggs that he drew and cut out)

(traditional posed picture of the kids dolled up for Easter. have I mentioned before how unwilling my kids are to pose for me? I had to put 2 jellybeans in my nostrils for a bribe and a smile - CLICK!)

(Bradley clinging to me for dear life while she watches a puppet show. This girl is petrified of puppets and especially adult sized costumed cartoon characters)

(Kids watching the biggest bunny I have ever seen in my life with Hayden Sadler)

(bumped into John's college roommate Patrick & family)

Bye bye training wheels!