I'm Evan's brother

Oh, Colin!  How I love your words.  I wish I could every sweet or funny thing you say and record it to listen to later.

The other Evan went to school and Tony, Colin, and I went to Petoskey.  Just for a change of scenery and to have a slow day.  After breakfast and Roast and Toast, Tony and I both decided to make a trip to the bathroom.  Colin became worried that we would leave him alone for a few minutes instead of taking turns.  His comment, " don't leave me by myself, someone might take me, and... and.... I'm Evan's brother."

Sweetness!

happy to be here

On Saturday night we had a sleepover in the basement.  We were celebrating the end of the school year.  And it was fun to have our basement available again after Kris left.  

So we set up a tent for the boys and watched a movie together (Winnie the Pooh, aka "Kissy").  After story time were finally saying our good nights around 9:30.  The boys wanted to sing songs after the lights were out.  How can you not let them sing songs?  So cute.  But the song singing wound Colin up a little and then he wanted to play.  So I had to talk to him about going to sleep… "everyone was tired, it was late, the tent was so cozy…."  But he wasn't in the mood.  He was in the mood for fighting it.  I told him that I would have to put him upstairs in his bed then.  That made him sad.  It made Evan sad too, because Evan didn't want to miss the first fun night of brothers in the tent together.  So I went back to encouraging Colin to just lay down and rest quietly the rest of us could sleep, knowing he would fall asleep at some point too.  But then his fight became that he wanted to go to his bed.  

So I brought him up after some tears.  And stuck him in his bed.  More tears.  "Mama, rock me!"  Usually I can't say no to that.  But it was 10:00 and we had been playing the bedtime fight too long.  I was not in the mood.  "I want Dada to say good night!"  No Colin, Dada is asleep.  Tears.  Eventually it ended.  I think I did rock him a bit and threaten to take away his friends.  But, we sleep upstairs.  Dad and Evan downstairs.  

In the morning, I expected Colin to still be holding on to some of his anger.  But, he was as sweet as usual.  And told me, "Mama, I'm glad you're here.  I'm glad Dada is hear.  The airplane brought you back and I went upstairs and woke you up and you opened your eyes."  He was remembering the reunion after our France trip.  I could do without the fights with a 2-year-old, but I'm glad I'm here too, Colin.  

Evan's first tooth falls out

This kid has been talking about the day he would lose his first tooth for months, or a year.  Especially as kids in his class have been loosing theirs.  Sometimes he would not have anything to tell from his day at school, except a story about someone's loose or missing tooth.  He has been fascinated with it!  And he has had a loose one for about 2 months.  Well, it finally came out today, on a field trip to the Boardman River Nature Center.  He is so proud and excited!  Though, he wants to keep it in its cute little tooth shaped container that Mrs. Rowney had given him.  He did write a note to the tooth fairy and stuck it under his pillow while the tooth stayed away in its special spot.  The note says, "I want to keep my tooth."

France

Home from our 10-day getaway.  And I think the best part of the trip is the feeling of being home!  We had a great time!  But when you have two sweet boys to come back to it makes you appreciate what you have here more than before you left.  During the long 20-some hour travel home, I kept thinking about seeing their smiles and squeezing them tight.  

It was incredible to see the sights of Paris and the Dordogne.  Both were quite different too.  In Paris, the famous sites came to life and we could really see them.  And the busyness and culture were neat.  The boulangeries everywhere, where we ate enough baguettes and pain au chocolat for awhile.  The never-ending food options.  Cafes with amazing food will piles of people sitting outside watching life unfold.  Walking along the Seine River.  Museums and art.  Architecture.  Surrounded by rich history and buildings over 500 years ago.  Some areas were a bit touristy.  People everywhere snapping zillions of pictures.  

Then we stayed in Domme.  This tiny little village inside the remains of a walled medieval village.  Again, 7 or more centuries of history and buildings.  Cute little stone houses on narrow stone streets.  Bright flowers.  Quietness.  It was usually empty except for the middle of the afternoon when the day-trippers or tour buses stopped in.  Though, we have heard in the summer, the Dordogne area is packed.  We were at restaurants with only 2 other people that meant for 100 people.  The most lively place was the market in Sarlat.  Which we visited twice.  Local produce, cheese, sausage, bread, jams, and soaps brought the locals out.  One of our favorite France moments was sitting in the warm sunshine drinking cafe viennois and eating crepes and watching the action.  We canoed the river visiting other ancient villages with castles from the around 13th century peaked high on cliffs.  We drove through the countryside on narrow winding roads seeing farmland, fields of wildflowers, forests, and quiet rural France life.  We practiced a little French.  

We were glad to spend the time together, walking, eating amazing food, drinking coffee, and taking in this country.  And the boys had a good time at home with Grandma.  Just a break from the routine to experience something new and a chance to spend time away from the kids.  But, now we are refreshed and thankful for the memories.  

Simple

I was reminded today about the moments we just enjoy an activity outside all together.  We went to the beautiful Treat Farm hike today.  Kids loved it!  The running, and nature.  And I loved it.  Watching the boys, forgetting about the usual daily grind stuff, and soaking up a little spring sun and the beauty around us.  Simple moments like this remind me to live in the moment.

you like it

Evenings can get a little crazy around here.  Last week, Colin took off his pants and undies and ran laps around the house.  Of course, we are all laughing at his cuteness and the sight of a 2-year-old naked bottom and tiny legs running around.  The next night he started to do the same.  Strip down the pants and undies, though at this point he says "member this game".  We chuckle.  How could we forget?  He decides to outdo himself, and proceeded to run around the house with no pants, no undies, pajama shirt hiked up showing off his belly and saying "you like it, you like it!"  More laughs.  That kid!

family sleepover

Last Friday night after Evan's ski lesson at Hickory, Evan and Tony grabbed some pizza and raced home because it was the anticipated family sleepover.  All week we talked about it.  Actually Tony and Evan have been talking about having a sleepover in a fort upstairs for months and months.  So… it was now time.  Evan was super excited.  The fort was made and the movie (Pooh in the Seasons, or something) was picked out the night before.  We all cozied upstairs for pizza, a movie, a story, then sweet dreams.  Evan on the second level of the fort, Tony in the fort basement, and Colin and I on our plush cushion mattress on the floor.  All so warm and sleepy.  And they slept until after 7:00 too, a rarity.

And Evan may have shed a couple tears in the morning when it was all over.  We can't wait till the next time!