Sand In My Toes

My older son finally got a bike, training wheels and all.  He's spent 2 hours out of the past 2 and a half riding around in the driveway and he's getting really good.  A little more practice and he'll be ready for the bike trail at the park down the road.

I have pictures to post, but I'm still looking for my camera cord.

We've been scoping out rental properties this weekend.  We found a cool one on a lake, but after seeing it in person we discovered a few too many safety issues considering how old the kids are.  It's really fun to look.

SingStar, my favorite addiction.  Sometimes it's a shame we need sleep.

Spring can be really nice here.  The days warm (though that is not typical), the evenings cooler, not too many bugs out yet.  Early evening is the perfect time to go outside and run up and down the hill in back.  We had fun when everyone was out playing Frisbee.

My sister is in town and that's pretty great.  I hope you are all having a good memorial day weekend too.

Today was rough.  I was pulled in two directions by two kids (one who tends to fall face first into rocks a bit too much).  It's funny how much harder it is to try to make connections with other adults when you have kids... (not really).  It was very hot and while the children's garden is pretty cool, it does make me miss the missouri botanical gardens.

Never go grocery shopping when you're feeling bummed out.  Especially at Whole Foods.

It's been a week!  I still have a hard time believing we're free of that house.

We did a "drive by" of two new to the market rental properties yesterday.  The houses themselves were incredible.  The yards and roads leading the the houses... not so much.  We'd need 4 wheel drive and Husband would spend far to much time dealing with the lawn.  Very nice secluded setting though.

We're on our way to the city today to meet up with a group and check our the children's garden at the botanical gardens.   Lunches are packed and I'm just waiting for the boys to wake up.  Yesterday we went to the water park just down the road.  By water park I mean the slides (my kids are too small for) and elaborate sprinkler set up on the beach in the metro park.  We had a great afternoon.

Next on the agenda, aside from this constant rental search... Bikes!

We had our first meetup today with a couple of local mama's and their kids.  It went well, I think.  Everyone is really nice and we have lots in common.  The kids played.  We had a couple of rough starts, but all in all they did pretty good.

The birthday party this weekend was good.  It was great to get everyone together, the birthday boy really enjoyed it.  One of his gifts was a blow-up pool for the yard.  It was filled today and waiting for us when we got back from playing.  I'm amazed at how different our lives are right now.  We can actually play in the yard.  We can play is a kiddie pool because the ground is flat, there are no chiggers or mites and no dogs roaming in and out.  I know we're still in "honeymoon" mode here, but I'm so thankful for the children needing nightly baths because they've gotten dirty playing outside.

Researching cities and towns, trying to find a great place.  It's going to cost us significantly more to rent than our mortgage was.  I knew that, but it was easier to contemplate in theory rather than reality.  Then there is the reality of winter here versus winter there (with a berm house and a heat pump).

It'll be fine, of course.  An adjustment, but fine.

Tomorrow, we celebrate the littlest's birthday.  He spent a lot of time today walking around the yard, little toes in the grass.  Then he's gravitate toward something dangerous, the burn pile with all the jagged tree limbs sticking out.  The concrete steps.  When I try to head him off he shrieks with joy, huge smile breaking out.  It's all a game to him.  He sees an uncovered outlet and his finger goes for it.  I'm telling myself the old standard "he'll grow out of it".

The other one is doing pretty good.  Loves the attention and grandparents as playmates.

After the weekend we're going to try meeting up with some people.  I'm hoping it goes well.

We got in last night at 2:00AM.  We slept.  Not quite enough, but when you have kids...