The best toys in the world!

Yesterday I took the boys to pick strawberries with my mom, and later to make jam. While we were there she asked me if I wanted some disposable plastic cups, and I took them because I thought they would be good for the boys to have snacks in and stuff. I put them with my stuff, and a little while later I heard Preston and Gavin arguing. I went to see what the problem was, and they were fighting over the cups and who had more. I divided them up, and they played with those cups all afternoon, and are still playing with them today! They have built towers, gone bowling, worn them as "wooden shoes", yelled in them to make funny sounds, put things in them and more. I never would have thought of giving them a stack of plastic cups to play with. My mom also got a package while we were there, and another great toy was discovered. Bubble Wrap. I don't know how they are still popping them, but every now and then I hear a few more pops! So thank you to my mother for giving them such amazing toys yesterday! And if your kids are already claiming they are bored, give them a stack of cups!

I just had to show Preston's spring picture from school. I wasn't planning on getting any, since I have so many from the fall and he really doesn't look any different, but he looked so cute I couldn't pass them up! He only has a few days left until he is out for summer. I am getting scared of having them both home together again. I need some help coming up with things to do so we don't go crazy here! I have already told them that they are going to start having chores and that they don't get to do fun stuff unless they get them done. We'll see how that goes!! Anyone have any tips of what to do when the kids are out of school?

Anybody want a cat?

Remember the "stray" cat we have? I still don't claim her, but this picture may say otherwise!

She really is a sweet cat, and now that it is warmer she doesn't come in as much. She has been bringing us even more "presents" lately though. She is a great hunter, but we keep her so well fed that she only plays with them before she brings them to us. On Easter she brought us a baby bunny. It was so little its eyes and ears were still closed. The next day I took it to an animal rehabilitation center about an hour away. They said it would be fine, and they would let it go when it was old enough.


The day after that, she brought us a baby flying squirrel. I was too embarrassed to go back to the rehab place again after just being there the day before! Our friend said he wanted it, so I did all kinds of research on how to raise it and stuff. It was the cuteset thing! He kept it until he decided it was old enough to make it on its own, and let it go.

Another day we came home and Sasha (the hunter cat) was playing with a bird in the yard. The bird was hurt, and I didn't know what to do with it, so I let her have it. The boys were fascinated with the whole thing of course. A little while later I realized they were still standing in the window watching, and I asked them why they were watching the poor bird be tortured. Gavin said "we are watching for Jesus to come and get the bird". And then Preston said "Jesus doesn't come and get them, he sends his angels to get them and they only come at night like Santa and the Easter Bunny"! I promise I take them to church every Sunday!
My favorite Sasha catch happened this last Saturday, while I was gone. Apparently she brought us a 2 ft long garden snake (which Gavin calls a black garbage snake). To get to the back door where she can see us, she has to jump over a pickett fence. She jumped over with the snake, but the snakes head got wedged between the fence slats on her way over!! So the snake was stuck there with its tail flopping all over and of course she was playing with it! I was really sorry that I wasn't there for a picture of that one!! I am always scared of what I will see when I open the door!
We also had a baby duck for a little while the other day. It's mother left it behind when she took the other ducklings to the lake. It was so cute, and it loved being on Toby's warm furry back. Of course Toby didn't care at all, he is the best cat ever!

I know Easter was a few weeks ago, but I still want to have an Easter post, so here it is. Preston and Gavin had a great time with too much candy, but that's the way it's supposed to be!


Preston had a hard time finding eggs for some reason. We had to help him out a little bit or he wouldn't have had any!

Gavin on the other hand had no problems finding the eggs. If there is candy to be had, he can find it quick!

Preston and Gavin going to church

Preston, Elissa and Gavin

Preston, Patrick and Gavin

We went to the park to have a picnic, play, and take a walk across the river. The boys always have fun with their cousins Porter and Lily. I took a few pictures while we were on the bridge, everything was so pretty!

Lily, Preston, Porter, baby Emmett, and Gavin (who didn't want his picture taken)

Preston and Porter are best buddies

How cute is this? They did this all on their own and held hands for quite awhile!

Where have I been since February 13th? We really haven't been that busy, I just haven't done a post in forever. I scheduled all the boys dentist and well child appointments and the dogs vet appointments all within a couple weeks in February and March. I don't know why I do that to myself, I start with one and think "why not get it all done now". Last year we only had dentist and well checkups for the entire year. This year, each boy has been to the dr. twice, the dentist twice (with one more visit tomorrow!) and the dog has been to the vet 3 times. It isn't even April! I hope this isn't a trend for the year, I don't think I could handle it! My poor dog went to the vet for a check up and got one vaccine. Two days later her whole face was swollen, she could hardly breathe, and her entire body was covered in the biggest hives I have ever seen. Now whenever she gets her shots she has to be admitted to the vet hospital and given IV medicine. You might want to keep your dogs away from mine, because she will probably never get another shot!



Here is the best picture I have of her fat face, and one of her normal face
Everyone is doing much better now, Preston still loves school and Gavin has been a happy boy lately. Preston got his report card today, and I am very proud of him he is doing so well. Gavin and I went to see my sister Nicole a few weeks ago and had a fun time. Of course I didn't take one picture though. It was kind of nice for it to just be Gavin and me, and Preston and Patrick had a fun time at home. I am pretty sure Preston didn't want us to come home, Patrick let him make all the decisions as to what they were going to do and what they ate. Then I come home and it's back to reality! We are all very excited for spring and summer. Patrick got a new bike, and as soon as I get one we plan on spending a lot of time riding together on the bike trails that are all around us. And of course I am going to do better at blogging! It's the never ending goal for me!

Preston is playing soccer for the first time this season. He loves it so far, and we really enjoy watching him play. He has only had one game because of rain though. The soccer league he is playing with is a no score league, which is good for his team because they don't have a clue what they are doing! After the first game Preston comes off the field so excited because he thinks they won. I asked him who kept score and he said "I did, and they only got 3 goals and we got 8". I am pretty sure that it was the other way around, but he didn't have a clue. He kept asking to be the goalie, so they let him, and once he got the hang of it (and the other team scored 3 times) he did really good. He says that he likes to be able to use his hands. I love this picture because his eyes are closed, but he is ready for the ball!

I am sure that I will have more posts and videos once the season gets going, and the rain stops!