Today we played at the park with some friends for nearly 3 hours- I have the sunburn to prove it. ;o) It was so great to finally soak in all that sunshine and vitamin D- the kids never slowed down, running off all their pent-up winter energy. We have also gotten soooo much done in the yard lately- Josh and I are more excited than we have been in a while over having a garden! I've been taking so many pictures that I may have to start a new blog just for our growing efforts- we'll see!
Andrew is going to see an ENT on Friday to further explore the possibility of sleep apnea and to check his hearing. Prayers for good results would be much appreciated! Both boys are doing well and are lots of fun (and trouble!) Jackson is very interested in both electricity and the human body lately- he wants to know all about how electricity ("liketwicity") works and he has a new kid's anatomy book that he reads constantly. He is so fun to talk to, because he is sooooo thirsty for knowledge! Andrew is still talking up a storm, though I am the only one who understands him most of the time (hence, the hearing test). He has a lot to say and he is a precious, sweet boy. We went to the zoo a couple of weeks ago and it is all he wants to talk about. His favorites were the giraffe, the crocodile and the elephant (we got to see him getting a bath!). We are so thankful for our zoo membership, so we can go anytime we want!
Jackson has begun soccer and LOVES it! I think it may be just the outlet he needs. Here are a couple of videos of the boys:

a few more pictures and a quick 'what's new':
Josh's leg is doing great! He's got the best looking scar ever- it's hardly even noticeable! He hardly even walks with a limp- such a superman!
Boys are a mess, but fun. I've lost count of how many times I have scrubbed pen and marker off someone/something/some wall/some COUCH this week. Oh man....
Jackson is really trying to write- he can write several letters now pretty clearly and makes some cool drawings of monsters and carrots. (?) He is also very interested in letter sounds and can usually figure out what letter a word starts with if you say it. He can also figure out several words on paper like mama, daddy, stop, ross, go, etc. Such a smartie!! ;o)
Andrew also thinks he can read and count and is constantly telling us letters and numbers. He LOVES to read and brings us books all day long. He even gets Jackson to read to him, or sometimes even strangers like the time we were at the mall playground and he got 3 different moms to read his book to him. His favorite book is a Jesus book and he loves to talk about Jesus (even if it's actually the starbucks symbol or the burts bees guy) and he LOVES to pray and say a hearty 'amen!'. He has begun to say lots of little sentences like "I ready to go". He has also recently started taking off his diaper, running to the bathroom saying 'I go tee-tee!' and then sometimes peeing on the floor of the bathroom. I think maybe I'm the one not getting the message....didn't I just potty train one kid though??? I want a break!!
Tired of this cold weather- I impatiently keep trying to plant things in my garden then I have to take great measures to save them from snow- what is the deal!!? Ah well, you know we'll all be wistfully remembering this in August...
I made the boys a new bean bag chair from Josh's old jeans that I have been saving. I had actually cut up several of them and quilted them together but could not get that to work for the chair so it will probably become a blanket. But the chair is really great- the boys love it. I may need to make another!
I've got several projects lined up and not enough time to get them done- the next one is painting the powder room. I have tried twice and it just was not turning out like I pictured, but I think this 3rd time is shaping up to work out. I will post some pics if all goes well.
Stay warm!!!

We have a new compost bin!!!! It is so wonderful- it was worth braving the cold and wind to get it finished. My boys are adorable and also big, big messes. They are so great!

We have some fun projects for today- cookies, red and purple playdough, painting- hopefully plenty to keep us busy for another cold, wet inside day!

Here are a couple of recent videos of both my boys- they keep me laughing!
Andrew's fake laugh:

Jackson's darkness outfit...

goggles and sock gloves from Angela on Vimeo.