A Day in the Wild West

We spent much of the day in Blowing Rock, NC at Tweetsie Railroad--LOVED it! It's so fun now that our kids are big enough to go on the rides by themselves... Disney, here we come! OK, maybe not quite yet. But I can't wait.

So it's incredibly challenging to get decent pictures of children on moving objects. You get the idea though.

Colin almost lost his breakfast on this one. Will thought it was great.

I'm still amazed one of our kids didn't try to jump off a ride.

Oh yes--Thomas rode on his own a few times. He was adorable, if I might say so myself.

Again, I was so nervous we were going to lose a child on a ride. They can be squirmy little creatures. I'm pleased to report we made it out without incident.

My hot date on the ferris wheel...

And after this fun-filled day, we make it home, play, eat, get the kids to bed, and soon after hear our potty-trained (though diapered at night) eldest state, "mommy--I've poopooed." No big deal, right? Except for the fact that he'd tried to change his own diaper. You can imagine how that played out.

Tomorrow will likely be mellower around here. Happy July 4th, everyone!

Spaghetti Smile

New Wheels

The first big boy bike! And (at least to his sentimental mommy) does he ever look grown-up riding it down the street...

Fun Times

With the heat came two trips to Walmart to buy two big blue pools (we don't share very well around here) and lots of time spent splashing around in them...

Thomas eats ketchup plain. Gross... And in case you're wondering, at his 18 month checkup last week, he's somewhere around 95% for height & closer to 50% for weight. Tall and skinny like his daddy. Also, since I finally forced him out of his a.m. nap (it's about time), we joined the YMCA for morning fun while Will's in school. Very excited about it!

Dinner

Outer Banks '09

Sadly, we're back from our annual Seward/Allison/Gallahan beach week. And I can't believe it--but it was actually relaxing. Amazing, I know.

Here's why: the boys are old enough to entertain themselves better than in past years...the weather was cooler (great for being on the beach, not superb for swimming--unless you are Super-Will, who is not easily affected by cold temps)...the beach was pretty empty...Colin & I escaped for a movie one night & dinner the next...lots of good food (that I wasn't responsible for cooking!)...Bad Bean burrito night...a visit to the Gap outlet...mini-golf & DQ...paperbacks & People magazine...watching my dad, husband, & bro-in-law battle on the Wii...Will's remarkable skill at skateboarding, "surfing," and big boy bike-riding...hang-out time with family...getting to see my friends Kerri & Corinne (also vacationing that week)--it was probably our best vacation post-kids. Despite the poison ivy that covered my body (and I complained about nonstop).

So we're home, and yesterday we already managed two dr. appointments (the aforementioned poison ivy & a suspected ear infection for Thomas) and a much-needed Costco run. According to Will's school note, "he isn't being a good listener," so I assume he's missing the sand and surf (and ice cream truck...and candy supply...) as well.

Here's the evidence of our fun-filled week:




Will was the happiest I'd seen him in awhile--he's definitely a beach bum.


Flying Carson
My brother was able to come down from VA Beach and stay a day...The kids LOVE him...
Cousins--next year we'll finally have a girl around! (That would be my sister's offspring, not mine.)

Ice cream truck time

I couldn't get a decent picture of Thomas--I thought he was enjoying himself, but looking back...maybe not :)

They actually played like this for awhile. Until Thomas started biting Will's hand and Will dumped shovels of sand on little bro's head. True brotherly love.

Can you tell he was happy to be there?!

Finally! A smile from Thomas. Mini-golf seems to be a family activity we all enjoy, so we played on a cooler day.

I was wrong. (AKA- What the heck was I thinking?)

I can admit it. Those of you who know me well must've seen this one coming. The puppy is gone.

My understanding husband spent seven hours in the car today to deliver Lucy to a loving family with much more time and energy than I can offer her. A week was enough to acknowledge that a challenging 3 year old and busy 18 month old are all this harried mom can manage right now, though what surprised me was how hard it was to let her go. Not usually a big crier, I totally lost it when I sent Lucy on her way. Not the best Mother's Day ever (more like a major Advil-inducing day), but certainly a memorable one. It'll be a long, long time before dog pictures appear on this blog again--I've learned my (hard) lesson.

So now I can focus on my (human) kids again. And no more stepping on poo in the backyard. Lucy, you are a delightful little puppy. We love you, and we wish you well.

Meet Lucy

Problems

For some reason, many of you haven't been able to access the blog... While I try to figure it out (any suggestions?), it's back to public access...

My goal recently has been to do something memorable every weekend as a family. I know--profound and insightful, right? It's just that now the boys are getting older (maybe 3 and 1 don't quite qualify as "old" ages to you, but they do to me...), I want them to have a history of special memories with their fam. You know, so they'll learn to like their nice ole parents and want to listen to us when they are teens. I can hope. And to Colin's dismay, I don't count sitting around watching the NFL Draft as a "special memory." Sorry. I'm a big zoo lover, especially the NC one (as I've mentioned multiple times already on this blog), and this time we dragged my sister, Matt & Carson along for the fun. It was hot, it was crowded, and it was fun. Thanks for joining us, Allison clan!

Driving a safari jeep. This kid will love Disney one day.

He had so much fun on the carousel a couple of weekends ago--I had to let him try it again.

Thomas didn't know what to make of Carson's affection.

All three boys checking out the chimps.

Driving home... sugar rush post-Wendy's frosty...

A tad worn out, no?

Scared by a recent Oprah episode (love or hate her--the woman offers useful info sometimes...), I'm going to make this blog private... That way, I can post pictures and personal information without fear. I'd LOVE to have you stick with us, so leave a comment or e-mail me with your e-mail address, and I'll send you an invitation to read. I'll make the change within a few days. Thanks!

Update--OK, I wanted to clarify. The show was focused on online predators, but a police sergeant was also featured... here's some of what what he said:

http://www.oprah.com/article/oprahshow/20090220-tows-online-safety/3

That's enough to make me a little wary. So give me your e-mail (don't assume I have it please) if you want to continue seeing photos of my beautiful boys & hearing about their exploits!

He is Risen!

We have indeed had a happy Easter... The boys enjoyed their baskets (compliments of the Easter Bunny & Omi/Opi!)... Will has gorged on chocolate and marshmallows (other than that, he's consumed a roll and a yogurt. All day.)... We celebrated Jesus' resurrection at our church... Friends came over and joined us for lunch and an egg hunt... Colin got to watch the Masters... A sunny, warm, beautiful day--Hope yours was too!

It's a miracle--we're all looking. Even Spiderman.

Quite the artist.

He loved his marshmallow bunnies...

Showing off the goods.