Easter 2011

This year's Easter has been so much fun (for me, at least). B and Avah were going to come over at about 8:30 am for monkey bread and an egg hunt so we were up early to get the food ready and make sure the eggs were ready. I had Duke's basket all ready on his chair with a trail of eggs leading him to his basket of goodies. I waited and waited for him to get up and sure enough, the little bugger picks Easter to sleep in until 8:15! He got up right before Aunt B and Aves showed up and then it was off to the races. Eggs and candy galore. The first egg that he opened had gum in it, of course. After our breakfast of chocolate, we did sit down for monkey bread and some time to relax. Aunt B and Aves left for church and we cleaned up and tried to rest.

The weather outside this morning was so warm and so nice that since Duke wasn't planning on taking an early nap, we went outside to play for a little while. He loves it. He has all the energy in the world all bottled up in a 22 lb body. It was actually really warm out today.

After we came in, Duke took a nice afternoon nap and then it was tubby time before we were headed over to mom-mom and pop-pop's house for another egg hunt and Easter dinner. Duke got to play with his cousins and Rhoads cousins. Lots of little kids looking for eggs and eating candy. He always has fun at mom-mom and pop-pop's house. Lots to do and get into.

So it was a really great Easter for all of us. Having an active little guy brought back lots of the feelings of excitement I used to have for Easter.

Easter Bunny 2011

Last Friday Duke and I met mom-mom at the mall to see the Easter bunny and get Duke's picture taken with him. I had a feeling it wasn't going to go well this year but wasn't sure and thought we would try. It didn't go well. He was ok with the bunny until he actually had to sit on his lap. I don't blame him I suppose. A big adult sized bunny is a little creepy and I don't know why I feel that it's necessary to get a picture with him but I do. Crying or smiling, I like to have a picture to compare to the previous year. I really don't think I am traumatizing him from a 30 second photo op but I am sure someone out there will tell me that I am.

Trying to make friends. And yes, I did leave my house looking like this. My old jeans and crocs. It was midday and I was, once again, hoping I didn't run into anyone who doesn't normally see me like this.

Duke is trying to drag me away from the bunny.

After we got our picture, we all went to play on the (overpriced) rides in the mall. Duke had fun playing with all the little cousins.

First lunch date with Cecilia. He is already trying to steal her lunch.

Sneak peak into a little house project. Finally painting and trying to organize the computer/craft room. I'll have more pictures once I get the room put back together and really cleaned out.

I have been going through the house and purging items for my first garage sale this summer. We have way too much "stuff" that is unused and just sitting in our house collecting dust. I am even getting rid of (eek) some of my books. I am realizing I won't read some of them again and they need to go. The more Duke gets into and I have to clean up the less I want in the house.


I went through my closet today and got rid of 70% of my clothes, shoes and accessories. They were just hanging in there or sitting in boxes unused for years. Most of the clothes don't even fit and some were only ever worn once. It felt good to clean it out but it was sad to see how little clothes I have left to wear.


As I look around my family room tonight, it barely looks like I got rid of anything and I probably filled two boxes in just this room alone today. Too much stuff.

Busy Boy

Cheese face

Daddy's nose

Sweetest face ever.

Nothing new to report. Just another busy weekend of getting nothing much accomplished. That's okay, I suppose. I have a cute and busy boy to run around after. I surely don't get much cleaning or organizing done but when he is old enough to not need me so much, I'll have plenty of time. I just hope it all doesn't pile up so much that I am not on TLC's Hoarding show.

My Dad and Ann (Pappy and Grammy) came to visit this week, Wednesday - Friday. Duke just LOVES when his family is around and especially when they stay overnight and he can play with them all day. He is a different little boy when he is being social. He loves the attention. I happen to think he is a very sweet boy.

Today we went to the Purcell's to celebrate that it has been 5 yrs since Katie (Jack's cousin) was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma. She has been cancer free for almost 5 yrs now and we are all very thankful for her health and recovery. All the little kids played outside and Duke played with bubbles for the first time and even tried to drink the bubble bottle (and pretty much succeeded).

Irresistable.

Evan Douglas

My Handy Husband

There's nothing like having a handy man for a husband. His most recent request from me (and my sister, Annie) was to move our laundry room from our 1st floor to the upstairs off our bedroom. Why? Because it was taking over two, yes TWO, hours to dry one load of laundry. The dryer vent had a long journey from the dryer to the outside and was nearly impossible to clean completely of lint. This had my sister worried that our house was going to burn down. So he created a rather fantastic laundry room in the sitting room off our bedroom. It now takes 50 minutes to dry laundry and I LOVE IT!!! It has made my life so much easier. He ripped up carpet and tiled and did the plumbing and put in cabinets and did I mention that I love it? All for less than $300. I can never get a picture due to my never ending pile of laundry. Someday.

This past week he did the tiling for a family who is redoing their bathroom. I think that it looks great. The family seemed to be pretty pleased too.