Weekend Updates

I get mega behind on blogging over the weekends

because I spend every moment with Casey and the boys.

I get mega, mega behind on blogging when I go to Spartanburg for the weekend

because I get to see Casey, the boys, and more family for even longer.

So here are a few quick updates!

Nothing brings more excitement to Michael than letting him do something he isn't usually allowed to do.  Our recent fun moments include:  staying up later than Christopher (to watch Olympics of course), eating a brownie after brother went to bed, eating a brownie on the COUCH, and playing in the RAIN!  It was so much fun to watch the boys play in the rain :)

Playing in the Rain

After the rain

Friday, Casey and I had a much needed date night! 

We ate some yummy Thai food. 

I love how everything tastes even better when you're pregnant!!

I carried Grandma Serio's clutch (Casey's Great-Grandma).

We also stopped and got our wedding rings cleaned. :)

I sure do miss our 'old' life together,

but I know this is just a detour on the way to a bright, bright future.

 We clean up pretty well when we have time (and babysitters - thanks Grandma!)

Thai food is yummy, yummy, yummy!!

When we were packing for Grandma's house, Michael was quite insistent that he take all of his animal friends.  Considering how much time he spends with them, I figured tossing them all in a pillowcase for a weekend trip would be harmless.  He loved it.  And the animals enjoyed playing at Grandma's house too!  :)

Michael and his stuffed animals....

I felt a little spoiled on my birthday... and it felt good!

Every single gift was perfect.

Nothing we 'needed' for the house, the kids, or anything other than just ME.

I think 27 is going to be a GREAT Year :) 

Some of my fun birthday gifts!

We went to the park, but it was too wet so Casey taught Michael (and me) how to play frisbee golf instead. We got muddy, saw a lot of millipedes, and had tons of fun! We ended it by hosing down 2 muddy naked boys in Grandma's backyard. They loved it!!

Having fun exploring at the park!

Everyone claimed a frisbee!

 These are special moments :)

* Sparklers *
While doing a coupon deal at Walgreens

(for free BIC Pens if you were wondering...)

I picked up some sparklers at 50% off to make our evening a memorable one.

And it sure was memorable! 

Uncle Steven and Michael played with fire when we ran out of sparklers!

Michael is wearing his 'future boy scout' shirt.  :)

Christopher went through the sparklers faster than Michael!

When the sparklers are gone...just experiment with fire!

A family picture to end the weekend!

<>< Stacy





Birthday Week

Monday

The Olympic Rings made an appearance again on our Broccoli/Rice Casserole, but Michael was not impressed.  He said they were definitely squares, not rings.  Man-oh-man!  So critical! At least it tasted yummy!

We watch the Olympics a lot!  Michael always looks for the rings and was most enthused to find them "in the water".  Christopher just wants to watch the swimming.  He walks by the tv saying "I wanna watch water" ALL THE TIME!  He is our water child.  Loves water.

We also enjoyed the milder temperatures by playing outside for an hour after dinner.

(Apparently those nuts are a lot of fun to play with...)

Tuesday - Birthday!

We started the day by making muffins together :)

Then, after a rather uneventful day (aside from reading 100+ birthday messages on facebook - thank you friends!), I ended the evening with a yummy birthday dinner at my sister's house and cuddling with my poor little injured Christopher.

Christopher fell (or jumped?) off of a very low bed, but he somehow bumped a tooth pretty badly and ended up with a nasty busted lip.  Lots of blood.  Lots of  Mommy worrying until we got a professional opinion on Wednesday.  He has a dentist appointment next week, but is just fine! He complains less than a grown adult would :)

Wednesday

I am either the worst mom ever or the most awesome mom ever ----

The boys had Banana Chocolate Chip Pancakes for dinner! 

They LOVED them!  and the cheesy eggs too....

I vote the most awesome mom ever

because sometimes you just need

Banana Chocolate Chip Pancakes for dinner!

I opted for Banana Blueberry Pancakes using the

fresh blueberries one of my students picked for me!

Thursday

Thursday is my busiest teaching day!

After lessons, we will eat dinner and begin packing for Spartanburg!

Friday

Heading to Spartanburg as fast as possible!

Spending the weekend with my hubby!

Celebrating my birthday (for real) with family!

Swimming with friends!

Painting a little picture of what life will be like "on the other side"......

<>< Stacy

Daddy Rocks!

I was trying to surprise Casey by making one of our favorite dinners, but instead he surprised me by showing up over an hour early!  What a sweetie getting off work over an hour early in Greenville to bring me an early birthday present - an apron!  We cooked and enjoyed dinner together instead.

Now everybody in the house has their own apron! 

Pineapple/Chicken/Veggie Stir Fry

Happy to see Daddy!

Crazy boys...Like father like son!"

We had a great weekend with Daddy!

<>< Stacy

Wiley Olympics Kick-off!

Since Michael is old enough to understand some of the Olympic sports now, I decided to kick-off the Olympics BIG this year!  We did the 2 crafts/snacks below and watched [part] of the opening ceremonies.  So far, I am having a hard time staying awake to watch my favorites!

1.  Olympic Ring Pretzels

Our official snack during opening ceremonies. :)

I admit, I started with frozen pretzels, let them thaw a little, then cut piece off until I was able to form the rings.  We told Michael to look for the rings throughout the games!

2.  "O" is for Olympics

A snacktime project for studying the letter "O".

Christopher loved this project for the simple reason it involved a snack (Froot Loops).  Once we finally convinced him not to eat them after they touched the glue, he finished quite quickly!  We skipped halfway across the alphabet to study "O" this week so we will do other activities with "O" as well.

We're definitely having fun with the Olympics at the Wiley's house!

Christopher keeps walking past the tv asking to watch "the water"

(anything that takes place in water, really).

My favorites: Swimming, Gymnastics, and Diving.

Although, volleyball is growing on me.

If I can get my hands on the right materials,

we'll be making more Olympic Rings and a Flag soon!

<>< Stacy

Check out this site if you are interested in learning more about where I got these project ideas from.

Yikes!

This week has by far been crazier than any other this summer.  And to show for it? 

Michael took these 2 pictures at dinner tonight:

 Unattended child - kept hitting me and yelling "wake up".



Me - exhausted - napping while the boys enjoy a little treat.

Whew!  I will be sleeping LATE tomorrow! 

<>< Stacy

Baby Update!

Due date: January 13th, 2013
Currently: 15 weeks, 2 days

I went to the doctor today and got to hear the baby's heartbeat for the first time!  So sweet!

I felt the baby move for the first time last Thursday, too.  It wasn't at all a feeling of butterflies like I remember with Michael - instead, it feels like something is jumping around in my tummy!  Baby has been very active lately! 

My next appointment is set for Friday, August 31st --- it's the big ultrasound!  I will be 20 weeks - hopefully far enough along to determine boy/girl.  Also, we are taking Michael to the appointment so he can find out with us!   :)  Michael insists it is a girl, so it should be an interesting appointment.  I remember the moment the image came on the screen, I knew Christopher was a boy.  It was obvious.  Luckily Michael says he will still love the baby if it is a boy.

The boys give the baby lots of hugs and kisses.  My tummy popped out pretty fast this time, so hopefully I can get an updated picture when my hubby returns home this weekend.

I have my tired moments (especially if I don't drink enough water!), but overall I feel TONS better! 

Still praying the house sells by November so we can be living together when baby comes....

Swimming at our friends' pool

<>< Stacy

Monday Meal

Aside from already missing Casey since he leaves at some insane early hour on Mondays, I spent part of the day with my sister and adorable niece and the rest cleaning, cooking, cleaning some more, and napping.  Sounds like a typical 'pregnant me' day.  Oh, I also spent tons of time playing with the boys :)  Michael and I tied playing Memory (I may or may not have purposely missed some matches...but it was his first time playing!).  Michael was such a sweetie when I fell asleep and covered me up with blankets and "sleeping dogs".  Here's a peak at what we had for dinner!

Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti Casserole

I changed it up a bit from the recipe as I didn't have hamburger meat or spaghetti noodles... so we used mild sausage and corkscrew noodles (the kids' favorite noodles!).

The sausage and spaghetti sauce      The noodles/cream cheese/spices

Noodles, Sauce, Parmesan Cheese!!!

Voila!

Christopher ate 3 plates of food!

How does he stay so small?

Michael ate his up and said it was yummy.

Still, he preferred the Texas Toast.

Here is a dinner idea I stole and love ----

Use some of the kids' artwork as placemats!

Michael asked if we could have a Lightning McQueen dinner...

so the boys colored while I cooked and they had Cars placemats.

Yes, that's my Bible and Buzz Lightyear joining us for dinner...

Never know what you'll find at our dinner table!

I LOVE my boys :)

<>< Stacy