Egg Hunt, Moving Frustrations, and Rewards

Yesterday, we went to an egg hunt with some of the natural mamas from Central Piedmont Mommies at a local park.  The kids had a really great time finding all the eggs with (food free) prizes!  They got tons of Silly Bands, trinkets, playdoh, bubble rings, bouncy balls, and stickers.  It was so nice to go to an event where the focus was not food and I didn't have to worry about what Reilly could/could not have.  The kids had a ball playing with other kids, especially the older ones.  They listened great, played well, and had a great time! 

Laney got her own special eggs from our good friend Stephanie.  They each have a little L on top and inside was a bow in each!  She's super sweet!!  Laney had a great time chewing on them.

Laney is wearing her new dress that Megan made for her.  It's super cute!  The little bird has a "LB" on it - short for Laney Bird :)

Onto moving frustrations --- Mike and I have a stronger marriage now than we ever have.  We rarely argue about anything, but being left in the car with 3 children - 2 of whom are screaming for more than 30 minutes because someone at corporate screwed up the box order at Uhaul does not make for a happy mommy.  Long story short, corporate reserved furniture pads from the Uhaul in ASHEVILLE instead of the boxes/packing tape from the Uhaul in CHARLOTTE.  Needless to say, the manager will personally be delivering the boxes tonight and we might actually get everything packed before my parents get here.

Reilly and Finn have been working hard to fill their responsibility chart.  This was our first time using this approach and I learned quickly that some of their responsibilities were unrealistic (like making beds seeing as how we don't even make our bed).  I'm just not the kind of mom that requires things like that.  So, after they filled their charts, they would get to go to Target and choose a toy that would not exceed $15.  They were VERY excited to pick their new toys today.  Reilly chose Color Wonder "Glow Explosion" and Finn chose Color Wonder Fingerpaints.  They came home and quickly cleaned up their mess in the living room (one of their responsibilities) so they could open and use their new toys.  Finn meticulously painted a rainbow and Reilly quickly drew on 4 sheets of his glow paper.  They LOVE the crayola color wonder stuff --- and so does mama :).

And one more....About 2 days ago, our little Lane (you know the one who is still just barely taking steps and is still only around 19lbs) decided she can (and will) scale our kitchen table.  And I thought the boys were trouble....

One day closer to the move...

Okay, I know, I've already been slack.  Nothing exciting happened yesterday until the evening, and then I was just too tired to sit at the computer.  Finn got to meet Spiderman last night.  This is HUGE for him.  The kid LOVES Spiderman.  This is almost as exciting for Finn as Disney World was!!  Unfortunately, Spiderman was working and we didn't manage a picture with him.  Next time, next time! 

Reilly had his very last soccer practice with Harrisburg last night.  I was unable to attend due to my last LLL of Cabarrus County meeting, but Mike said he did great!! 

After the evening's planned activities, we needed to run to Target to get Easter Eggs for today's egg hunt.  Laney had a great time at Target!

Her new bows are courtesy of Sweet Jenna Bows which is owned by a good friend of mine!  Now, Lane's pigtails aren't bare!  Oh, and her dress is the "Laney Dress" (named after my sweet sweet girl) by Liz at Two L Creations.  (If anyone is ever looking to buy Lane something -- go to these girls!  Mike would be very appreciative since I spend so much with them!!)

The boys got to stay up late and help me load the easter eggs with silly bands, monster finger puppets, and bouncy balls.  They absolutely loved that task and were very helpful!!

So, now, T minus 4 days til my parents come - YAY! and T minus10 days til our move.  We cannot wait!!  Oh, and Mike has 3 more days of work, then he's off for 5!  We are very much looking forward to having him home with us!

And just so the boys aren't left out -- a picture of them on our playdate with Jenna earlier in the week.  Reilly LOVED the jeep --- maybe I should invest in one that's not so pink for him?

Lane Walks!

Lane walking --- yes, I know it's sideways.  Mike has informed me that I have to hold my phone sideways when using the video camera.  I'll try for a better video soon!

Slightly overwhelmed, but very much at peace

Well first, I guess I should let you all know why I decided to start a blog.  This has been on my to do list since Lane's hospitalization, though I just couldn't keep up with it.  Since our lives are changing so much, I think it best to keep our wonderful friends in the Charlotte area up to date as well as family who don't use facebook. 

So, here I am - just after 8am on a Wednesday.  I have today and the next 5 days to get the rest of my home packed.  This move is very sudden (I mean, aren't they all with a large corporation??) but very much welcomed!!  We get to move back home, how awesome is that?  Our children get to experience Asheville life and that alone is most awesome.  I'm very lucky that the kids are so excited about our move as well.  Reilly cannot wait to be in Asheville and in the mountains.  I'm looking forward to family hikes, walking around the wonderful downtown areas, and most of all - the mountains!  I'm confident that we will all find new friends. 

Homeschooling, or rather unschooling because making Reilly sit and do x number of worksheets daily wasn't working for either of us, is going great.  Reilly LOVES math - loves.  He certainly did not get that from either Mike or I.  It comes so easy for him.  So, while I wish I could report that he's reading book after book, writing word after word, that is not the case.  He's not interested and I'm ok with that for now.  I really do believe he's the only kid that walks around Disney World spouting off addition drills.  He's just recently decided that he can count by 2s, 5s, 4s, 3s, 10s --- well you get it.  He's also started some early multiplication problems.  He's going to be ready for calculus before I know it!  Finn just soaks it all in.  He's left handed and that's posing a bit of a problem for myself and teaching him to write.  Everything is backwards right now.  We'll work through it and figure it out.  He's writing his name and soaking in every single math problem that Reilly spouts off.  Finn is definitely more interested in writing and reading than Reilly and we are working with him on that. 

Now, our little Lane has decided she can now stand and take steps.  She just turned 15 months a few days ago and this is very much a welcomed skill.  Really hoping she holds off on full blown walking so we can share those moments with my parents next week!  She's also got yes and no down pat, knows the difference, and can (and does!) tell me if she does or does not want something!

I have so much to do, but plan to get on at least once a day to keep you all up to date on the newest happenings here!