Hello Warm Weather!

I love this time of year.  I get so happy to just to be able to roll the windows down on the way home from work.  The yard looks so pretty with leaves on the trees and green grass (no thanks to me); it's nice when everything begins to bloom.  We've been able to spend a lot of time outside lately and it's a great change of pace!  Danny even set up our hammock under the trees in the back yard and it's fantastic!  Cadence is a huge fan -- we spend a lot of time just hanging out and playing "eye-spy" and listening to the birds.  Colin is still not too sure about the hammock.  Danny got everything running for the pool; the chemicals are almost in check, so now we just have to wait for the water to get a little warmer.  I'm already looking forward to summer!  In a couple of weeks we will be celebrating the kids' birthdays with a combined birthday party...it should be a lot of fun!

The kids attended their first Buckeyes football game in the 'Shoe!  The spring game was in April.  It was a lot warmer than I thought it would be, so the kids were a little toasty, but they still had a good time.  My dad, Danny's parents, and nieces came (we were bummed Lily had a softball game and couldn't make it), so it made the day an even bigger deal.  First we took a stroll through campus and grabbed some pizza at Adriatico's (yup, still my favorite pizza) and ate lunch on the Oval.

It was fun to be a part of the record-setting crowd!

On "Grandma Fridays" my mom sends us pictures of the kids throughout the day -- here are a few recent favorites.

Seriously, we took our eyes off of him for, like, 2 minutes and he attacked himself with a marker.  We joked that he wanted to be like his Uncle Mike and his tattoos!

This kid is infatuated with trucks (he's also obsessed with cars and trains -- any mode of transportation, really).  One afternoon after work, there was a skid steer in the front yard; Colin grabbed his truck and sat there for a good 15 minutes taking it all in.

The Friday before Mother's Day, the kids' school had Muffins with Mom.  My mom and I took the kids in on Friday morning for breakfast and then spent a little while at the Columbus zoo!  It was great to spend a day with all of them.  It was another scorcher outside, so Cadence was not liking that.  For whatever reason, Colin had a couple meltdowns (probably related to not wanting to sit in the stroller).  I'm not sure if they will spend many Grandma Fridays at the zoo this summer...

We ate lunch on the deck on Mother's Day.  It was a beautiful day outside.

Yup, it was a good day to eat outside...easy clean up!

Mom, Dad, and Mike came over for dinner that night.  The kids love their new swing set!  Cadence loves the swings the best; Colin would stay in the sand box all day if you let him.  It's funny the pictures my mom got are the kids on their old play set.

He had some fun with stickers

A couple of weeks ago, Cadence had her gymnastics recital at school through Tap & Tumble.  It's always a very laid back event (you don't pay for admission, costume is demin shorts with a provided T-shirt).  The theme this year was Frozen (surprised, huh?). 

Here's Cadence with her buddy McKenna who was there for her dance recital.

If you know the movie, Frozen, you know the part with the trolls.  Cadence and 2 other classmates had a little routine to the song "Fixer Upper."  It was really cute.

Next they showed us some of their gymnastics moves.

Balance beam

Hand stand

Just like for Cadence's 2nd birthday, I made Mickey Mouse Oreo treats.  They were a big hit with the kids.  Cadence and I surprised Colin and his class during their normal snack time at school.

Colin saying, "Cheese!"

Snack time is followed by playground time

I turned around and found Cadence pushing the little kids on the swings...adorable!

Colin playing with his shadow

Last weekend was a busy one, so it was a good thing it was a 3-day weekend.  It was a nice Memorial Day weekend.  Unfortunately, Colin came down with a stomach bug on Friday.  Mom was home with him all day and he slept on and off.  She stayed with him so the rest of us could go to Cadence's pre-K graduation.

So stinking cute!

She adores Blake

Her class performed a couple of Bible verses and sang some songs.  It was really cute.  Each kid took a turn to walk across the stage to receive their "diploma".  We also learned that Cadence wants to be Sheriff of the Wild West when she grows up.  We got a good chuckle out of that!  I'm not sure if they offer that degree at Ohio State!  We can't believe she will be starting kindergarten at "big kid school" in a few short months!

On Saturday, Colin was feeling more like himself.  I requested my mom's chicken and noodles for Colin's birthday dinner (it's a tradition for our little family to pick your birthday dinner meal) and he had seconds!  He didn't like us singing happy birthday to him at first, but when he realized he could blow out the candles, he was all about it.

Here's the big 2 year old!

The rest of the weekend was spent doing some yard work, hanging out with friends, and relaxing with family.  Wish we had more weekends just like it!

Cadence Quotes

This picture from about a year ago totally sums up this post

Since about the time that Cadence turned 3 years old, Danny and I have been jotting down all of the funny/amusing/surprising things that have come out of Cadence's mouth.  We've decided to share some of the best with you.  You'll notice that as time has passed, the quotes have become more detailed.  Enjoy!

Old Quotes

-Don't tell me no

-Don't worry Mama

-Remember that?

-I have boogers

-Did a lion bite you? (Mommy had a Band Aid)

-It is fun for me

-Don't look me that look (6/2/13)

-I need Scum-screen (supposed to be "sun screen")

-I'm hot, I got to sit here, I got to get energy (lasted 2 secs on park bench)

-What the heck is going on here?! (Random at park)

-I don't have any more numbers! (Counting in Spanish to 10)

-It's totally fun!! (1st time on swings)

-Get out of my face sun, that is not nice

-There's a witch in my body (watching performance art on America's Got Talent)

-I have millions of dollars (opening a birthday card with $3 in it for 3rd birthday)

-I'm taking a haircut (Instead of shortcut)

-Ow! Ow! This is killing me!

-I was in there all night and now I have raisin hands. (After a 10 min bath)

-They got new batteries. (For the gates at daycare that did not work for a month)

-Don't give me a raspberry, that is disgusting! (6/22/13)

- Why did you put those in the trashcan?! (6/22/13- putting Colin's birth announcements in the mailbox)

-I'm a big girl, when I was little I had short hair! (6/22/13 - after being told she was too little to sit in the big part of the grocery cart)

-Daddy, you're a good finder! (6/22/13-while searching & finding Cheerios at grocery store)

-Yay, Mommy!  You're all better! Give me a hug...(sweetly). (6/24/13-referencing Ness no longer being pregnant/fat)

-I need binoculars so I can see Amber's house, just little binoculars. (Pronounced: By-knock-o-lurs)

-I'm not being bossy, I'm just yelling (6/28/13)

-I'm ready for action! (7/9/13 - after drinking her milk)

-A little help, please! (7/11/13 - Trying to open the blinds)

-Put that wine down please! (7/12/13 - Talking to Daddy who was drinking beer; wanted to play with ball outside)

-It's in the forest! (7/12/13 - Threw ball under the deck) 

-I can't see any people, where is me?! (7/12/13 - taking bath and getting water in eyes)

-You better be careful in there, I have a loof toof and it will fall out and I'll put it under my bed!  (7/17/13 - While brushing her teeth well before any loose teeth)

-Those trucks are broken and that one is fixed. (7/20/13 - at Walmart, 2 trucks didn't have cabs attached to the trailer and one did)

-Daddy, I'm so proud of me too! (7/20/13 - after peeing in cup for 3yr appt check-up)

-No Poppa, it's p- p- p- snack! (7/21/13 - Trying to tell Poppa how to say the word snack)

-Daddy, eat this pizza, it has chicken and gummy bears on it. (7/22/13 - wanting daddy to eat a puzzle piece, calling it pizza)

-Daddy, you are a mess!  (7/29/13 - being pulled in a wagon and mad because we hit a bump and “Pudding”(the stuffed pony) fell, he was looking for bugs to eat!)

-OH MY COOOOKIES (instead of Oh my goooosh)

-You guys are bugging me!  (8/21/13 - Mommy and Daddy apparently giving too many hugs and kisses at bedtime)

-Ewww can you turn the fan on? (8/22/13 - as she's going #2)

-Because your heartbeat loves it!  (8/22/13 - when asked why she gave daddy a random hug)

-Grandma, I'm dead, can you check my belly to see if its going up and down (9/13/13 - as she lays on the stairs with her tongue hanging out)

-HEY!  Who turned out the lights?!?! (9/14/13 - after daddy threw her shirt over her head while getting dressed)

-Grandma, that doesn't make any sense to me!  (9/20/13 - while trying to get her to eat)

-Don't worry daddy, I'll be fine. (9/27/13 - when asked if she needed her sunglasses)

-Are you thinking what I'm thinking?! (9/27/13 - when playing in her kitchen and wondering what happened to the french fries for the container)

-Wow, it's foggy! I can't even breave! (10/01/13) - while walking out to car to go to school

-Don't worry daddy....be happy! (Random)

-I'm going to watch Chuggington, I don't want to see that poop...EWW! (10/10/13 - after Colin has an amazing blow-out)

-Look it's Duck Dynasty (10/26/13 - when seeing a pair of shoes that were camo) 

-Mommy, did somebody poop?  I think Colin pooped!  (10/26/13 - smelling broccoli being steamed) 

-Daddy, I've been waiting for you to ask me that.....(hands held out wide and theatrical) (10/27/13 - When asked "Do you have a frog in your throat?" after saying my throat hurts like there is a frog in it) 

-That caterpillar is going to be a be-u-tiful butterfly! (10/27/13 - after spotting a wooly bug crossing the bike path and wanting to watch it, finally touched it and held it...then threw it on the ground and screamed) 

-Grandma, you're killing me! (01/26/14 - Grandma was helping out with bathtime and Cadence was hyper so Grandma was making a face of astonishment)

-You're cracking me up, laughing! (01/27/14 as Mommy was drying her hair)

-She doesn't have a dress, so she doesn't look beautiful (1/29/14-watching Wheel of Fortune and disappointed by Vanna's choice of a shiny pants suit)

-Whoa! They're big! (1/29/14 - talking about a tall couple who came to pick up their baby at daycare). Then proceeded to say she was scared, but then ended up telling the husband about her soccer lesson!

-I'm not your girlfriend, I'm Jonah's girlfriend! (2/4/14 - Cadence's reply to Mommy at daycare when she told her, "Come on girlfriend! We have to go get your brother!")

-Why are they not getting back together?! (2/8/14 - listening to Taylor Swift "never ever getting back together")

-Do you have any fruit snacks here? (2/8/14 - asking the waitress at Barley's for dessert)

-It's OK daddy, the cold never bothered me anyway (2/13/14 - after being told to run into daycare because brother was cold. A reference to Elsa in Frozen)

-Then I won't be fabulous anymore!  (3/7/14 - after being told not to bang her twinkle toes shoes together because it would knock off the sparkles)

-Here daddy, you can use the white...the white doesn't work!  (3/8/14 - while coloring a picture)

-Cadence: "The moon is so big." Daddy: "Why do you think it's so big Cadence?" Cadence: "Because it ate jellybeans, Duh!"

-"Sammich you need to say". (John Mayer song "Say what you need to say") 

-Cheating means they had no sense in your head

-If daddy knows more, then he's cheating

-You've already told me a thousand times! (5/29/14 - when Daddy said he would get water from downstairs at bedtime)

-Cadence: Are we almost home?

-Mommy: Don't you know the way home yet?

-Cadence: No, I'm not a mommy!

(6/2/14 - on our way home from school)

-I don't know how to fall asleep! (6/8/14 - Cadence had been in bed for over an hour and couldn't fall asleep - she had taken a 4 hour nap that day because we thought she was getting sick)

-Poppa, I’m going to take a nap - look at my boobies! (7/3/14 - after stripping down to take a nap b/c “I will sweat!”)

-This is a really good ab workout for me, you guys….ya know?!? (7/2/14 - while being pushed back and forth on Planes airplane and having to hold her feet in the air to keep from tripping)

-Don't let Scarlet jump on Vaishnaivee or her mom because they talk English! (7/17/14 - while discussing how we can have a play date with a friend from school who's Indian)

-Did you know Georgia O’Keeffe, her art style is American modernism…and Ms. Whitney’s favorite painting is the Poppy. (7/22/14 - while swimming in the pool and discussing her address and that the lives in the state of Ohio, which led to reminding her of the state of Georgia (I presume that is the brain flow))

-It looks like an acorn! (9/20/14 - while taking a bath with Colin and he was playing with himself)

-The TV's too sunny (9/22/14  - one morning in our bedroom when she woke up early and we let her watch TV in our bed)

-I love you, but the smell of your food is yucky (10/5/14 - daddy eating omelet for breakfast)

-I was sitting with Blake. It was so sweet. We're in love. (10/7/14 - at daycare pick up)

-Justin Timberlake sounds like a girl, doesn't he? (10/7/14 - while listening to "Suit & Tie”)

-I’m prasticking (sp?) (10/11/14 - instead of practicing when doing various things)

-Only little kids can do my dance moves, not adults, they will hurt themselves.  And only skinny kids - and I’m skinny….I’m mini too!  (10/13/14 - A reference to being called skinny-mini, and then randomly started naming dance moves with made up words)

-George is going to be mad at mommy because she can't work anymore (10/30/14 - because mommy is leaving early for Halloween party at school)

-Oh forget it dad, you don't get what I'm saying. (10/30/14 - b/c I didn't know why George was going to be mad)

-Q: (Dad) How do you remember everything? / A: (Cadence) Because I’m smart…and I had a cheese tortilla last night! (10/30/14 - related to how she remembered everyone’s names)

-I wanted to be pretty and smart so God made me the way I wanted to be...but Alex O wanted to be mean, and he is. (11/9/14 - random conversation during dinner)

-I don't like sleeping...it's boring...it's not my favorite thing to do. (11/20/14 - while in bed after she woke up too early)

-Grandma - Cadence, can you go get my soda, please?

-Cadence - What's a soder?

-Grandma - My Pepsi! (11/29/14)

-Mommy-Cadence, where do you think chicken nuggets come from? They come from chickens. 

-Cadence - No, they come from McDonalds! (12/26/14)

-Eww! I have Play-doh in my mouth! I accidentally did it on purpose! (1/18/15 - As she eats a snack and plays at the same time)

-“Walk like a magician” (instead of Egyptian) (2/9/15 - standing in the bathroom, on her stool, brushing her teeth.  Doing the arm motions for the dance and not realizing that it was Egyptian)

- Mommy, do you want a ‘V’ for your v-v-name? (2/15/15 - giving stickers out to everyone for their names)

- I have lots of stuff on...I'm like Baymax (2/28/15 - after getting her snow suit on in reference to the movie Big Hero 6)

- He hit me in the nose! That is where I sniff! (3/24/15 - I accidentally made Colin's head hit Cadence in the nose while holding him and letting Cadence blow a raspberry on his face)

- On grandma Friday we're going to do the driveway thing! (3/26/15 - after driving by a McDonalds and Cadence talking about the drive through)

- Daddy: Who's coming over?

  Cadence: My friends...you know, my people! (3/28/15 - Cadence "talking" to her friends on the fake phone)

- My head hurts. Madie kept asking me to play with her all day. It made my brain hurt! (3/31/15)