The Incident in the backyard with the swimming pool

Gavin loves the water, playing in it, giving Boomer a bath, watering the grass, whatever; he just loves it. Boomer loves the water; I mean he IS a lab. Grayson however, loves bath time. He also loves drinking water "with ice pease Mommy". But that apparently is where it ends, at least for now. We got G&G a play pool for the backyard. Papa and ShooShoo have an amazing pool with gazebo, decking and the landscaping from magazines, however we thought it would be nice to have some cool water here at Casa Howard. As I filled up the pool G&G were running around in the bathing suites screaming. Gavin screaming because he was so excited as he was throwing his plastic animals in the water as it filled up. Grayson screaming because he was frightened. He brought his horses outside with him and once he saw the pool filling up with water, that was ENOUGH for him. Grayson ran to the back door and said "Mommy wanna go inside. INSIDE!" We tried to coax him to the play pool and failed; miserably! At the same time all this is going on I am playing ball with Boomer, who apparently worked up quite a sweat and wanted to cool down himself. Before too long Boomer just climbed in G&G's pool. Gavin was livid, squatting down and yelling at Boomer "OUT OUT My pool Boomer! Mommy look at BoomBoom!" Boomer in the play pool literally threw Grayson over the edge. Thankfully Greg walked in from work and brought Grayson inside to play. WHEW! Gavin and I then kicked Boomer out and climbed in for some splashing fun.

The view from our back porch

Every afternoon this is what G&G and I see out in the backyard:

















They boys love looking for the cows every day. What a great view of nature!

Ft Worth Zoo day!

The Howard family had a great time at the Ft Worth Zoo with The Kindla family. They boys, of course had a blast. Greg and I were a little exhausted after chasing 2 toddlers all over the zoo. We started out with G&G on a "leash" (I used to think these were cruel but that was before I had 2 toddlers!) and then we let them go off leash and that is when it got crazy. At any rate, they had fun and the company was great. After walking the zoo we took the train ride back to the front. The boys loved it but I think the adults loved it more - confined toddlers=happy parents. We left Ft Worth at 1:30 and both boys cat napped for about 20 minutes on the way home. Needless to say, they were a little cranky, but with early bathes and dinner, we had a nice evening after all.

Just two cute boys!!

The trouble with trikes

G&G got Backyardigans trikes few months ago. Gavin insists on using it as a scooter like his other sit n' ride toys. We installed the parents push bar on the back so he could get used to the feel of the pedals and not scoot with his feet. Good idea, bad outcome. Gavin, being the strong willed I-can-do-it-myself type wanted nothing to do with being pushed. (insert screaming toddler here.) He eventually got it, but being stubborn and cute (gotta insert a compliment here because I do love this little guy something fierce) he wanted to push it "I big boy." Grayson however, in true Grayson fashion, liked being pushed and enjoyed the experience. Thankfully Greg has the patience of Job and assisted in this "teaching" experience. Lesson learned: sometimes the best laid plans and intentions still turn outFRUSTRATING!

Bye Bye Butterfly

G&G have had so much fun watching their butterflies this last week, however, it was time to release them into nature. We took the butterfly "house" outside and prepared for their release. G&G were excited to see them fly away. When the first butterfly escaped Casa Howard Gavin got so excited, running around screaming (shocker)! The butterfly stopped to rest in the grass only to skim death by a toddler shoe. Gavin ran over to the butterfly screaming "AHHHHH" and just barely missed the butterfly. Geez, this doesn't even surprise me! Poor butterfly spent 2 of it's 4 weeks lifespan in a netted house only to skim death it's first day in the wild. Needless to say, the lucky butterfly flew away....FAR away! The other 3 butterflies soon followed their alpha butterfly and flew away.Grayson shrieked and giggled (so cute!) and chased them in the front yard. Gavin, too, enjoyed chasing them in the yard. After all was said and done there was one butterfly left in the netted house. The butterfly with the broken wing.

We decided to keep the butterfly and feed it fresh flowers with the "sugar glaze". Gavin couldn't seem to understand why it wouldn't fly away with "his friends." I seized the opportunity to explain the this butterfly was different and had a broken wing and we had to help it get better. Gavin was excited to keep one butterfly and take care of it. All the while Greg busts into song singing "Take these broken wings and learn to fly again learn to live so free......." We all started laughing.....even Gavin...laughing HARD at Greg's quick wit and humor! Just another afternoon atCasa Howard.

What a man, what a man, what a mighty good man!

(You gotta say it again now)
Sing En Vogue....The song, as dated as it is, really sums up the man I married. He us truly amazing. He's not only a great husband, friend, and provider, but he's a fantastic Father. He's always hands on with the kids; changing diapers, bathing them, feeding them, dressing them. He's a great cook - thankfully because, well, this is an area where I am really dropping the ball! Greg also helps with housework....and I must admit it, sometimes more than me. I think this is so important for the boys to see Daddy doing housework too. (yeah, some lucky women out there will land these two boys and be spoiled, huh!?) G&G have a play vacuum and when Daddy vacuums, they "join in" too! It's so cute.

Just a special shout out to my amazing husband. I love you!

Big G and Little G

Greg and Grayson were caught by Media Mom Steph snuggling on the couch together. These cute pics were taken at sunset so the flash caught the light.....at any rate, the moment is still precious and captured!

Pump it up jr,

G&G enjoyed a super fun play date with Addison and Dayna. We went to Pump it Up Jr and jumped the morning away. Grayson was slow to warm up to the idea and really, all he wanted was to cuddle with Mommy. After about 15 minutes, he adventured off on his own and found his happy jumping place. Gavin immediately was a jumping maniac! He loves this place and was excited and happy to be back. Addison had a blast too.

Palate

The boys love palates. They will request them daily. They get the pillows and the palate blanket and the rest is up to Greg and I to put it all together for them. This picture makes me get tears in my eyes. I just can't believe how grown up they are getting. I spend so much time chasing, teaching, scolding, reading to, cleaning up after, loving on and cooking for that I rarely get a picture that captures their innocence. I think this picture really captures it...no silly faces, no precious dimple smiles, just my two boys being two boys.

I love these little guys so much!!

Grayson the Pied Piper

Okay, so no rats here. (reference the pied piper of Hamlin story) Regardless, Grayson loves his flute. Greg picked up one at the store for Gavin thinking Grayson would just use is as a stick. HA! Grayson took the flute and immediately put it in his mouth and started playing. Greg just looked at me, grabbed his keys and went back to the store to buy another. Remember the Howard House Noah's ark rule of toys; two by two! Gavin liks his flute, but Grayson LOVES it.

'Twas the night before Easter......

Traditions are important to me and growing up I had lots. One of my favorite was putting my Easter basket on the porch the night before Easter so the bunny could leave me goodies. This year I started that tradition with the boys. Both hunkered down in my lap when I told them the story of Peter Rabbit and instructed them on leaving the baskets out before we went to bed. (which I didn't expect to go well as they have been carrying their Elmo Easter baskets everywhere with them lately.) They both placed their baskets on the door mat and bunny jumped to bed! The next morning the first word out of Gavin's mouth when I opened his door was "Easter BASKETS!!!" We went to the door and both G&G were super excited. Gavin especially like the Spiderman eggs and Grayson loved his Batman eggs. What a smart Easter Bunny! So fun!