Flowers, Petting Zoo and FroYo

I guess this will be my last post with photos from our visit to the Arboretum.  If you want to see the others, they are here and here.

Picking a favorite spot at the Arboretum is like choosing a a favorite child--you can't.

There's beauty everywhere you look.

Stunning flower beds.

This charming playhouse looks like it's right out of a children's book.

Will and Ben look like they are in a children's book.

They are so done with having their picture taken. 

Petting zoo

This was Will and Ben's first time to go to a petting zoo.

Will's brushing the baby goat. 

Ben's brushing a baby goat, too.  The animals were very gentle. 

Sea of flowers 

In all colors 

More tulips than you could count (or more than I'd ever want to count!). 

After the Arboretum we ate lunch at Chipotle and then finished off the day with some froyo. 

I just recently found out some shocking news that made me very sad for a family member.  We take for granted our health until there is a problem and we are no longer healthy.  If I feel that it's appropriate I'll write more about it later.  For now, I'm relying on what I know is best.  In times of trouble (well, actually in all times), turn to the Bible.  These verses seem to bring comfort.  Maybe you needed them, too.

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:4-7

More Arboretum Photos

More photos from our visit on Monday to the Dallas Arboretum.

Will is peeking out the window of one of the playhouses.

There was a petting zoo!

This was Will and Ben's petting zoo experience.

The animals were extremely gentle.

I'm not sure if chickens eat hay but Will was going to try to feed it some anyway.

Ben is trying to feed the baby goat.

After the petting zoo we went to the craft table.  The boys made tissue paper and pipe cleaner flowers.

Mark's pushing Ben.  Ben's still holding his tissue paper flower. 

Mark's parents, Carol and Jerry went with us. 

Ben ended up getting more water on his shirt than what he actually drank.  Oh, well!  He's as happy as can be. 

Check out the grass stains on Ben's knees.  He and Will had numerous grass and mud stains.  Usually I can tell if they had fun by the amount of stains on their clothes.  I'd say Monday was a fun-filled day :)  I should buy stock in Oxi Clean!

Two boys were ready to go eat lunch. 

Bags are Packed

Will and Ben have been excited all day for a sleepover at Mamaw and Papaw's house (Mark's parents).  We bought them new suitcases at Target.  Will had his packed early this morning.  When I went through it to make sure he had all he needed, he had everything he needed.  Way to go Will!

The boys went home with their grandparents after church tonight.  They were also super excited that their cousin Maggie is spending the night, too.  They are going to have so much fun!

This morning the weather was so nice and the boys rode their bikes.  This is how Ben "rides" his bike. Mark or I push him along.

Will's good to go. He doesn't need any help from us.  I think this summer we'll put Ben in the jog stroller and let Will ride his bike while we jog. 

Ben's bike helmet is adorable.

Spring Break Please Slow Down!

It's already Wednesday! 

Why does the week always fly by when we are out of school? 

So far Spring Break has been busy and full of fun.

On Monday we visited the Dallas Arboretum.  It's always spectacular during the spring.  Last year we went to Dallas Blooms at the arboretum and I didn't think it could be any more beautiful, but this year it was equally as gorgeous.

It was the perfect day to visit.  There were tons of children's activities, which will be a blog post all its own.

This was probably my favorite photo of Will and Ben.

Look at the gorgeous flowers!

This photo cracks me up!  Ben's sunglasses are on upside down :)

The boys could have played on this bridge and the playhouse that was nearby the entire day. 

Monday evening we met up with my cousin and her family.  We went to their house and ordered Pei Wei to go and let the kiddos play.  Fun and relaxing. 

Yesterday, we took the boys to see The Lorax.  It was terrific!  The only negative thing about our movie experience is that we had to sit on the second row!  Not the best view in the theater.  We may watch it again just so we have a better seat and can enjoy it more.  Will and Ben really enjoyed it.

Today we're having a laid back hump day.  Tomorrow will be full of errands and then it will be Friday!

Where did the break go?

I'll have more photos from the Arboretum later this week.  Happy Wednesday!

Lately

Lately whenever I read this book to Ben I cry.  I read it to Will when he was Ben's age and I would cry then, too. I blamed the crying when I read it to Will because I was pregnant with Ben.  Now I think I cry because it reminds me of my grandpa.  You know the part where the son gets old and goes to see his mother...gets me every single time!

Lately the weather has been fickle.  Last week the boys were in shorts and t-shirts.

Look at their matching Batman t-shirts! 

Will at Chick fil A 

Yesterday they wore jeans and hoodies to school.

Photo attempt #1  

Photo attempt #2 

Lately when we shop at Target Ben has to stop by this dinosaur toy display.  He has a love/hate relationship with the toy.  It scares him but he can't help but press the button to make the dinosaur roar.

Lately I've been touched by the kindness of others.  My BFF Angela sent me this gorgeous new top from Anthro.  She wrote me the sweetest note, which reminded me why we are such good friends.  She gets it!   

Lately my boys have brought out the best and worst in me.  I love them more than anything but they can also push my buttons and drive me crazy.

How could you not love this face?   

Or this face?

Lately signs of spring are everywhere.  These stunning flowers were at...

Wal-Mart!

Yep, last night when I went into Wal-Mart this huge display was at the entrance.  So pretty! 

My friend at work, Kacie, received this beautiful flower arrangement for her birthday.  I took a photo because it was so lovely. 

Lately my life has been consumed with counting points for Weight Watchers.  I hit a low point this week.  I know, I know, I've only been doing WW for two weeks.  How can I already hit a low point?  I guess I realized that the weight just doesn't magically come off.  It's going to take me a while to lose it.  I think it is a good thing, but also a challenge for someone who likes instant results. Thank goodness 3 other teachers in my school and Will's pre-school teacher are also doing WW.  I don't go to meetings (I'm only doing it online) and their support has been such an encouragement.

If you are doing WW, which I know a few of you are.  These are very low in point value.  I think only 2 pts per serving.  Pretty great, right!?! 

Lately I've been eating and eating and eating this fresh pico de gallo.  It's 0 points and makes everything taste better.  If you can't tell, I added a crazy amount of cilantro.  Yum! 

Sweet Moment

These are my favorite moments.  The unexpected and unplanned.

On Saturday morning when I saw Will and Ben sitting side by side eating their Pop-tarts, I grabbed my camera to capture the sweet moment.  I love that they had the entire couch to sit on but they chose to sit as close as they could to each other.  They have become best buddies.  Their brother bond is strong.

Disclaimer:

Yes, I feed my children Pop-tarts.

Yes, I let them eat on the couch in the living room.

Yes, they are eating and watching cartoons at the same time.

I'm clearly not a perfect mom, and I'm thankful that it doesn't matter.  Despite the sugary breakfast and cartoons, I have two of the sweetest, happiest boys that I know.

Happy Monday!

I hope you had some sweet moments this weekend!

Spring

I'm a day late on my weekly phone dump.  I was sick on Wednesday night and all day Thursday.  I self-diagnosed and have decided that I had "some weird viral thing".  How do you like that terminology?  I had a very sore throat, fever and chills Wednesday night and felt achy and lethargic on Thursday.  It passed and I went back to work on Friday.  A few others I work with have had something similar and last week Ben had a day of fever and feeling bad.  I'm glad it's over!

Spring!

These daffodils were in bloom at Whole Foods.

We are taking advantage of the beautiful weather.  Will and Ben have played and played outside.

Even the weeds are pretty at this time of year.

Peace macaroni

Fun!

Since I'm giving Weight Watchers a try, I'm following their point system.  Fruits and veggies are 0 points.  I can't tell you how many of these clementines I've eaten.  Thank goodness for 0 point foods!!!

An unprecedented event has occurred.  One box of these boxes of Girl Scout cookies has remained unopened in our house for longer than a week.

Mark and I finished the Samoas within the first 48 hrs they were opened (it was a part of my last hurrah weekend before starting Weight Watchers).  We saved the Thin Mints for Will and Ben to take to school in their lunch boxes, and we just haven't included them with their meals yet.  

While at the local outlet mall last weekend, I stopped by the J Crew outlet (one of my very favorite) and saw this sign.  My sweet grandmother's name is Winnie.  I might just buy some pants in honor of her.

Ben is obviously very enthusiastic about his new sunglasses.

Freebirds Burritos

If you are an Aggie, then you know about the greatness of Freebirds!

How can I explain Freebirds?  It's like Chipotle with a kooky vibe and eccentric decor.  For example, the Statue of Liberty riding a motorcycle.  Strange but it works :)

Will is in the checkout line with Mark.  I think my boys are mini-me versions of their dad, and I love it!