Fun Day

I have to admit, I like to have things in order. Sure, sometimes my house gets a little out of control when I can't keep up with it, but overall I like things clean and tidy. I'm not much of an artist-no I take that back-I'm not an artist, at all! My sister Lauren got all that talent. I'm more of a musician. But anyway, I don't do much with art, and so pulling out the art things for the boys is not always something I think about. I also dislike the idea of the mess kids and art can make. For Christmas I got the boys this folding table and chairs and figured I could use it as their art table, and I wouldn't care if they colored off the page then. But it has been in the garage for the past few months-and so it hasn't seen much use. We had our friends over for family night, and I broke out the table for the kids to play some games on. Since it was out, and the boys have taken to sitting at their little desk in our office while we're working, I figured it was time to bring out their creative side a little. So out came the art box! I figured we'd start slow, and just color at first, but I'm hoping to expand and allow them to do some painting and other things when I have the opportunity to supervise appropriately. But this is a big step for me :) I know, not the best parenting admission, but it's something I want to work on!

They did a great job together, and there was hardly any fighting over crayons. I think they were just so thrilled to be doing something new :)

Then because the weather was so beautiful we went to the park. I was hoping to wait for Micah, but he was having a long day in the OR and I ended up taking them myself.

They played so well together. And Aiden was wonderful about making sure he could see me and I knew where he was. We talked about strangers before we went, and I think he really understood.

Devin was my Mr. Dare Devil. Since it was just me with the boys I had to go on everything with Devin and couldn't take some of the pictures I wanted to get. But he found the tallest slides and wanted to go down them over and over. And then went down the biggest swirly slide by himself. Aiden doesn't even want to go down those slides. Actually Aiden is still very tentative when it comes to being adventurous...and that's ok with me. One fearless boy is enough for me!
Overall it was a great day for the boys, and I loved it :)

Melting

Our weather has finally started to get a little warmer and most of our snow has melted. But we still had a few piles that were just not melting because they're not in the sun for very long. Both Micah and I thought we should shovel them out so when our house had a showing, there wouldn't be anymore snow. The boys wanted to get in on the action, and everyone had their own methods of getting rid of the snow. As you can see, Micah wanted to just rake it and spread it out so that the sun would melt it later the next day.

Devin figured that sweeping up the ice chunks were the way to go.

Aiden and I both had the same idea of using...shovels! What a novel idea ;) It wasn't as inventive as the other two, but it got the job done. In fact everyone got the job done, and it was great working together as a family!

Throwing snow chunks at the mailboxes also helped break them up too ;)

It was fun to work together. And I'm only a little sad that this is probably the last snow the boys will see for a few years, and why I wanted to get these pictures for them to remember how fun it can be. But honestly I'm not that sad to see the snow go!

The Aidenator

I feel bad for Devin as I am only posting about his mischievousness...and Aiden hasn't been a total angel over the years either-but let me emphasize that Aiden hasn't been nearly as troublesome as Devin! Aiden was just that kid who didn't try to get into anything-ever. He didn't crawl until he was 10 months, because he just didn't care to. He was always content with whatever was around him, so he had no motivation to go and get something else. But then he recognized how easy it was to get around, and started walking 2 weeks before his birthday. I thought I would be in for it then, but he was still very mild mannered.
However he has his moments. This one in particular was right after we moved into this house, and we were having issues dealing with the moving company and getting things fixed that they broke. I made Aiden a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and then the phone rang. I was on the line with them for about 20 minutes in the next room, and it was a pretty heated conversation. When I hung up, I was drained and just sat back on the couch for a minute. Then I realized it was quiet...too quiet! Aiden was just behind the half wall a few feet away from me, and I was starting to panic because I knew something wasn't right. I turned the corner and came across this!

Oh the goober! He really wasn't a fan of the jelly apparently-and felt it was much better used as finger paint. It was one of those moments where I was totally stressed out and at my boiling point...but I took a deep breath and told myself I was sure to laugh about this later. And I'm so glad I did. I know that as long as my children are safe and happy, that's all I can ask for. And by this picture, he looks pretty happy :)
I know that even though Devin is probably already giving me gray hairs, I love him and he is healthy and happy-and one day, maybe not in the so near future, I will look back at all his antics and laugh...a lot! And I know this, because so many of you have told me how much you look forward to hearing about his escapades and that they make you laugh. I'm glad my life can bring you such joy :)

Flowers

No explanation needed...just the Devinator at it again!

Did I do that?

I was upstairs in the office, on the phone getting some billing things straightened out and figured they couldn't get into too much trouble during lunch time-especially with Devin strapped in. And of course I was wrong! Nothing is safe when the Devinator is around ;)
PS I did move that vase back a few inches before taking the picture...it was truly on the edge of the table!

Stairs

My ever changing and adventures boy is at it again! Devin just came down the stairs all by himself the right way :) Earlier this week we noticed him sitting his butt down on each stair as he came down; and just now, Micah watched as he descended the stairs by walking down all by himself. He just placed his hand on the wall-no butt on the stairs, and it was in the dark. I'm so proud of him! Although I could do without the fingerprints... ;)

A clean house...

...never stays clean when the Devinator is around! We had two showings scheduled for this afternoon, so Micah and I worked to make sure everything was in place and wiped down. We have done a great job keeping the house clean since our deep cleaning last weekend, and I'm really proud of us! So really, it didn't take us too long yesterday to go over the bathrooms and dusting etc. And we're even doing a great job with the laundry-my least favorite chore ever.
Anyway, we went to church this morning, and then came home to do all the last minute things like making sure the boys beds and blankets were folded, misc things put away, vacuum again, and then I made cookies. Everything was cleaned up and put in place without any hastle or stress because...Devin was asleep in the van! He fell asleep coming home from church, and so we let him sleep-checking in on him every so often. He did wake up before we needed to leave, but by then we were able to keep a close eye on him since we had already done all the work. We left and ate out for lunch and prayed that the showings went well.
When we came home I noticed that one set of cookies had been eaten, but not the second set. In fact, the later showing was with our own Realtor-so we called him up to find out if they were still coming. After we got a hold of him he said he was not able to get in touch with his other clients and they were coming from out of state. Finally he was able to talk with them, and found out that a half hour before they were due to leave the husband's grandfather had a stroke and was admitted into the ICU-so they had their phones off. So sad for them, but we were grateful they were ok as we were beginning to be concerned that they might have been in an accident or something. So, needless to say that showing didn't pan out, but maybe next week.
So we relaxed knowing we were staying home. Micah wasn't able to concentrate on his reading, so he decided to make his pancakes for the week. He makes these special protein pancakes that are made with eggwhites, oats, cottage cheese, protein powder, and some berries. I'm sure they're good...but I wouldn't know, I've never tried them-I have an allergy to whey protein-which I'm thankful for right now ;) Anyway, in the garbage is the carton with all the yolks in them. As Micah finishes up his pancakes and moves on to making dinner (he's so wonderful!) the Devinator apparently gets into the garbage...and you guessed it-got yolk all over him, the floor, the doors, the cabinets. Got the picture? And of course we are in the "strip him down and get him out of here and clean this mess up" mode that any picture taking is the least of our thoughts. Sorry :(
At least it was confined to the pantry, kitchen floor area-and it wasn't that huge of deal when I think about the rest of our immaculate house (for now)...but it is just another dose of the Devinator hard at work...getting into trouble! :)
Oh and the feedback from our showing earlier in the week was positive. They looked at 4 houses in the neighborhood and liked 3 of them, ours included. Their Realtor said there was interest, but it sounds like they are doing a lot of looking, so we'll just have to wait and see.

Showing

This has been such a crazy few weeks for Micah and I. We were so happy to finally have him home again after finishing 6 weeks of Pediatrics in another city-and boy did I really need his help. After moving him out of his apartment, our house became a mess again. I was really starting to feel the stress of trying to get the house in tip top shape, finish filling out the paperwork to list it, and finally make the arrangements to get it officially on the market. So, my wonderful husband put his work aside for a day and just really buckled down with me to get it all done. I am grateful and feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. The house got listed on MLS Thursday night, but we had to wait until this morning for our sign to get posted. And our Realtor didn't want to put a lockbox on until we had a sign-so he told me to call him the minute I saw it put up.
So at 10:30 this morning I saw a guy boring into the yard to get the sign erected. As promised, I immediately called my Realtor. As he answered the phone I heard him gasp realizing who I was and apologized because he forgot to call me this morning-we had a showing at 11:00!! I was excited and then the panic set in because it was in a half hour! Now after all the cleaning and organizing we did this weekend, this wouldn't have been a problem, but I had just hosted my monthly book club the night before, and hadn't finished cleaning up from that. So I asked him if he could push the showing back to 11:30 to give me a few more minutes to get the house the way I wanted it. Lucky for me, it wasn't a problem. As I was placing the key under the mat (remember there isn't a lockbox yet) I saw the client sitting in the driveway. I felt bad that I was still there, but she assured me she was still waiting for her Realtor to show up. So I bustled out with Devin as quick as I could and left hoping the house showed well-which I think it did.
Since Aiden was due out of preschool at noon just around the corner, I went there and sat in the parking lot, watching the house and waiting to see when they left. As 12:00 rolled around and I went in to get Aiden, the couple and Realtor were still at the house...it had been a half hour! That's got to be a good sign right?? I remember looking at houses and being in and out of some in less than 5 minutes. So anyhow, I was encouraged that maybe they at least liked it a little. I haven't heard any feedback yet, but I know that typically you don't get any until the next day. My Realtor showed up later this evening to put the lockbox on and get me the brochures for future showings. So it is now official. Our house is on the market! Please pray with us that the right buyer is brought to us, and that everything goes off without complications! Thank you in advance and we'll be sure to keep everyone posted :) Oh, and now that we have a lockbox, we should be receiving at least 4 hour notices from a service before a showing...so I won't have to be frazzled next time!

4 bedrooms, 2 1/2 bath, 2083 sq ft.

The Devinator strikes again...

I just wanted to share our latest adventure with the Devinator. I was making heart shaped chocolate covered rice crispy treats on a stick for Aiden's Valentine's party at school, and let Devin lick the spoon. If you remember the Christmas Cookie making post with Devin all covered in chocolate, or have a toddler of your own, you know they get very messy. So I herd the boys upstairs for a bubble bath. I let them play for some time and finally start by getting Devin out. I dry him off, put lotion on, put some Vicks on since they've been a little congested. And of course dress him in a clean diaper and set of PJs. Nice squeaky clean baby.
I set him down and go to grab Aiden's PJ's and underwear from the next room and I hear a *SPLASH*! I rush into the bathroom and there is Devin sitting in the tub-fully clothed. UGH!! So I get him out AGAIN, strip off his wet clothes and carry him back to the changing table. I take off the diaper since it's soaking wet on the outside and bend down to get clean PJ's. What does he do next?? Pees all over himself!! Now, I'm very proud to say that Devin hasn't done that since he was an infant. He was never one to pee as soon as a diaper was off, so it's a rare occasion. But not tonight...this was a good pee. So back to the tub he goes for his second bath, and 3rd trip into the tub.
Now I've learned my lesson-so Aiden gets out first this time. Water is drained, and Devin is just sitting in the empty tub awaiting my return. I get Aiden all lotioned up, Vicksed, and PJ's on, and then head over to the tub to retrieve my precious child for the 3rd time. Lucky for me this next time of lotion, Vicks, diaper, and PJ's have seem to held up. Nope, spoke too soon...he just pooped!
Now as I've had a few minutes to relax, I'm sorry I didn't snap a picture with him in the tub fully clothed, but what are you going to do. In that moment I was thinking "NOOOOO!!! Save the diaper!" And it was too late for that anyhow. But I just thought I'd share another "A day in the life of being the Devinator's Mom". Till next time...