Memorial Day Weekend!

We had an eventful weekend. Of course most days with our children seem to be eventful. Friday we went to a wedding. Atley and Nash's first official wedding and they were insane. The wedding was outside and of course outside to a little boy means that they can run wild and they did. Atley whacked an old man in the head with a tree branch. Nash threw a knife at a lady sitting next to us and the fun didn't stop there. I have decided that I should just begin a list of embarrassing/funny things that the kids do and say. SEE BELOW!

We weren't brave enough to venture downtown or to Arlington Cemetery for the Memorial Day festivities but we did go to Alexandria, Virginia and take a boat ride. We even took the boys to see Indiana Jones and we actually lasted through the entire movie without being kicked out. Although the owner of the theatre did threaten to "kill" Atley if he touched the front door one more time. PSYCHO!

Embarrassing Children

WEEKENDS TOP 6 MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENTS

1. Atley pulls the bikini bottoms off of all the manequins at Old Navy.

2. Atley says, loudly, when the second bride's maid walks down the isle, "She sure is a lot bigger than that first girl."

3. Atley informs a group of smokers that "Cigarettes will kill you!"

4. Atley decides to join a group of elderly people who are gathered together chatting. He tells them, "So, why are all of you OLD people sitting in this circle."

5. Atley asks some wedding goers if they have ever been to Reagan National Airport. When they answer yes, they are shocked when Atley replies, "I hate that freakin' place. Don't you?"

6. During the wedding toast Atley yells, "Hey, why don't we get any wine?"

MAYBE I SHOULDN'T SAY EMBARASSING CHILDREN AND JUST SAY EMBARASSING ATLEY!

Happy "REAL" Birthday!

My How He Has Grown!

Preschool was at our house today and when we placed the correct dates on our preschool calendar, Atley realized that today was May 22, 2008-which of course meant that it was his birthday. His response to this information, "Why don't I have any presents to open?" I told him that he had already celebrated his birthday. He gave me a dirty look and said, "Whatever!" Attitude already! Well, actually he was born with it.

We can't believe that it has already been four years since his birth. Sometimes it seems like he was just a tiny baby and sometimes it seems like he has been a part of our lives forever. I really can't remember what my life was like without him, but I have to believe it must have been much quieter and a whole lot more restful, but it was definitely not as exciting. Life with Atley is always an adventure. He never fails to make his parents laugh. He also never fails to make his brother cry. He looks at the world with perfect optimism. He is almost always happy and almost always talking. He is certain that the world revolves around him and in a way I guess it does.

We love him with all of our hearts!

Back to the South!

The kids and I just returned from a week in Georgia. We were able to spend lots of time with the Butler cousins and we had a blast. The boys loved playing with

all of the kids, riding on the golf cart, and trying to catch frogs when nightfall came. Scott came down for the weekend and we all headed to Lake Martin, Alabama. Atley informed us that riding on the Pontoon boat and Jet Skis were the most exciting things he had ever done. It was great.

Fun on the Beach

Atley's 4th Birthday Party!

Mother's Day for me and the Bird!

About six weeks ago we noticed that a robin was building a nest in the wreath on our front door. Soon after she finished her worked we noticed six small eggs in that nest. On Mother's Day all of those eggs hatched and now we have six baby birds chirping for food. The robin is such a good

little mommy. She is always trying to keep them warm and delivering lots of fresh worms for her babies. The boys have been so excited and it has been a lot of fun anticipating when the eggs would hatch.

It was a great Mother's Day for me and the little robin on our front door.

Fun at the Park

Now that the days are getting longer and warmer the boys are getting lots more time outside. Of course the down side is that we are all suffering from horrible allergies because the pollen count is so high. Last night we took the wagon down to the park. I found $10 on the sidewalk on our journey. I felt a little guilty about picking it up until we saw the ice cream truck. The boys were so excited! Everyone got a treat and the enjoyment of the ice cream sandwich and popsicles lessened my guilt about using someone else's money! Nobody's perfect, right?

We took the wagon because Atley still refuses to ride his bike. (SEE BELOW) We went for a ride yesterday and every time I wasn't looking he would jump off his bike and start pushing it. I finally got tired of picking him up and putting him back on while he was screaming hysterically. So, I said, "Atley, either get on your bike and ride it home or we are going to leave it right here on the sidewalk for someone who will actually use it." My son's reply, "Let's just leave it here." And he walked away from it. GREAT! So, we left his bicycle by the side of the road. I was still convinced he would come to his senses. He didn't. Two hours later, when I put him down for his nap I went back for the bike. Miraculously it was still there. He doesn't know I have it and he doesn't seem to care that it is gone. Any suggestions how I can get my freaked-out kid back on his bike?

Bike Riding by the Potomac

Atley may never ride a bike again after the trauma he experienced today. The weather was amazing so we decided to throw the bikes in the back of the truck and drive to one of the many bike paths along the Potomac River. We packed a picnic and Atley was so excited to start riding his bike. Scott had Nash on his bike, Atley was in the middle, and I was in the rear. Atley has been riding a bike for over a year but we realized much to late that in that time he has almost always been on a very flat surface. Not today, this bike path was full of rolling hills bordered by the river on one side and a busy street on the other. Scott was at the bottom of the first hill. I made Atley stop and I tried to explain to him what brakes were and he seemed to understand. The bottom of this hill required a careful turn onto a bike bridge or a dangerous splash into the icy waters of the river, or of course a close up view of the cars and trucks speeding by on George Washington Parkway. Atley set off down the hill, picking up speed like an 18-wheeler that had lost its brakes. Scott couldn't jump off his bike to save Atley without sacrificing Nash, so I had to ditch my bike and make a run for it. I finally reached Atley right before the bridge, which he would have missed and he most likely would have rolled into the river at break-neck speed. Our momentum sent us both rolling face first across the bridge. Atley's reply, "What is wrong with you? Why did you tackle me like that?" Needless to say we will practice more before returning to that bike path.

The Home of Thomas Jefferson

Today we took the boys on the two hour drive south to Charlottesville, Virginia to visit Monticello, the home of our third president and writer of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson. The day was gorgeous. It was 80 degrees and the mountains around Charlottesville were beautiful. We played outside in the gardens most of the day waiting for our tour of the house. The boys picked lots of wildflowers and Nash almost got his head stuck in the bars of the fence surrounding the Jefferson Family Cemetary. Of course the house was incredible but Scott had to leave the tour early because our boys became a bit disruptive. I know how shocking that sounds, but it is true. We had a great day!

More Monticello