InstaStuff

Hi There!

It looks like it's been a week since I've put anything on the ol' blog. 

Here's what we've been up to.

We completed the ladies Bible study that I've been a part of.  We studied the books of James and Jude.  Instead of taking a break, we decided to start another study over the Parables of Jesus.  I hope to do a recap of the things I learned while studying James and Jude--I learned a lot!

This was one of the outfits I wore to Bible study--this is as close as I've been to doing a what I wore post in a long time.

The favorite pastime of the boys right now is Angry Birds Star Wars on the iPad.  

They LOVE it! 

I love technology, but we still read real books too. 

Be still my heart!  Will loves the Berenstain Bears!  I loved them when I was a kid and I think it's so cool that he and Ben like them now too.

Silliness before bedtime. 

I think it's great that they share a room, but sometimes their late night antics drive my crazy.  It can be a challenge to get them to settle down when they are in a silly mood.  

The last of the chai.  I probably won't buy another box until the fall.   It's so hot in the spring and summer that I don't like drinking it at night.

Speaking of temperature...this is super cold for Texas in late March. Brrr!

It's that time of year.

March Madness, baby!

We love basketball and the NCAA tournament is one of our favorite sporting events to watch.  

The boys really got into picking their brackets this year. 

Ben's bracket cracks me up.  He chose Miami over Ohio State with a score of 100 to 7.  

Will's first time to play tee ball.  Go Will! 

The nearest Whole Foods to our house has an old tractor that kids can play on.  Will and Ben love driving it. 

Book fair! 

I have fond memories of it when I was kid.  Will and Ben love going and getting to chose a book.  Their book selections weren't a big surprise.  Will picked an Angry Birds book and Ben selected a Power Rangers book.  Not classics, but we'll go with it.

Cape = Cute

This sweet boy makes me coffee in the morning.  His future wife will be proud that he has a kind and caring personality.  Such a sweetie. 

I've hit a plateau in my weight loss.  I gained 5 lbs when I sprained my ankle and missed workout for a month. (Curse you 5 lbs!!!  Grrrr!)  I decided to start faithfully following My Fitness Pal (it's an app) again.  I've been recording my calories and it's a challenge to not eat whatever I want.  These little pickles just might save me.  I can eat about 20 and it's not many calories.  You might have said to yourself, "Did she just say 20!?!"  Yes, I did!  Whatever it takes!

Willpower!  I didn't eat one cupcake that I made for Will's Easter party at school.  It was very, very tempting. 

And, I didn't skip my 5:15a.m. workout today.  We don't have school, but I still got up and made it to my workout.  I did go home and go back to sleep for another hour and a half, but I didn't skip! 

A week ago today...

A week ago today we were at the end of Spring Break.  It always amazes me how fast a break from school goes by.  We've been back to the grind for a full week and it's fun to think back to last week and all of the good times we enjoyed.

I'll share the highlights of our week in reverse.

We'll start with last Friday.

This time last week we were at the Dallas Arboretum enjoying Dallas Blooms.  We've gone for the last 3 years.   More photos from our visit here.

More tulips than you can imagine.  I felt like I was in Holland!
(I've never been to Holland, just imaging if I did go this is what it would be like.)

So vibrant and pretty!

Will in the azaleas.

Ben's by the tulips.

I always love a trip to Trader Joe's.  My future foodies like the small shopping baskets.

Fun stuff we got to do just because...

Ben had a chocolate donut with sprinkles for breakfast.

Will had a popsicle for breakfast.

The weather was awesome and the boys rode bikes.  Makes me so ready for summer.

Frozen Yogurt...Yum!!!

Mine, Mark's, Will's and Ben's

Visited Mama Winnie

Ben showed Mama Winnie all of the Hulk's moves.

Will gave her an extra big hug.  Heart explosion over this photo.

I had a fun shopping day with the girls.  We had lunch at Chuy's.  It's always so good.

We took a break from shopping to have dessert at La Duni at North Park.

Some of my finds.

Almost bought this carrot soap at Lush for the boys for Easter.  Wish I would have.

 The boys stayed up way past their bedtime.

We went to the land.  We met with an architect and talked about plans for the future house.  Very exciting!

 Ben wanted to wear his Spider-man costume to the land.

You never know when you're going to need a superhero!

My favorite path.

Now it's back to reality.  All that fun has made me ready for summer break!

Dallas Blooms 2013

Going to Dallas Blooms at the Dallas Arboretum has become a tradition for our family.  We've gone during spring break for the last 3 years.  Today we had gorgeous weather to match the gorgeous landscape.

The boys were cooperative today for photos.  Wow!  That NEVER EVER happens.

My favorite photo of Will

My favorite photo of Ben

Sea of tulips

Family photo

(By the way, my pants are BRIGHT!  I didn't notice until I looked back at the photos.)

Ben in the azaleas 

Will hanging out on the bridge

Silly brothers

Mark and Will

Bright sun = squinty eyes

Mark's parents and the boys 

My boys look so big here 

This photo tells me that they are finished with photos for the day.  Look at their faces, lol!

We've been going to the Dallas Arboretum since Will was a little one, and I have really fond memories of the place.  It's beautiful year-round.  I love gardening and all of the different plants and trees that we see there.  It's a gardeners paradise, but I think I have a sentimental attachment to the place now.  Many of our family photos have been taken there, and I love it so much more because of that.  I only wished we lived closer.  Even though it's a drive for us, it's always worth it.