Life, as we know it

Owen is now walking all over the place - still a bit wobbly, but determined. This morning he was eating his egg very well with his fork. He says, mommy, daddy, more, banana - but that is about it. He LOVES to give kisses - just like both of his brothers have. He waves and does also say bye! He puts his hands together at prayer time and also loves to clap. At his wellness visit last Thursday he weighed 24 lbs & 6 oz - 40%, and was 30.5" tall - 19%. Owen LOVES to play peek-a-boo - he just laughs & laughs - it never ceases to amaze me the enjoyment and entertainment little ones get from such a simple game. It really is the simple things in life ;o) Owen loves to wear shoes - if he is really fighting me in the mornings when I am getting him dressed all I have to do is ask if he wants to wear his shoes and he will calm down and hold up a foot for me to put a sock on - too funny!

Avery continues to be a bit obsessed with footwear. Of course he prefers he brother Evan's shoes to his own, but about any shoe will do.

Evan has started doing puzzles again daily. He loved them a couple of years ago, but then quit and has now taken them up again. The other day we were all in the car on the way to church and Evan announced to all that he was now furry - ha! He has now noticed he has hair on his legs.

Yesterday Evan and Owen went and played with Miss Joneen while Avery came with me. We went and got hot chocolate & coffee together. Then we went to a couple of Goodwill stores looking for soccer cleats for him, but to no avail - we did find a couple of bike helmets and a few other goodies. Next week Evan will come with me - we need to check on his shoe size to make sure I am right in thinking he is a size 11 before I give him his new light up Buzz and Woody shoes.

Owen has started a biting spree to defend himself against his brothers, unfortunately they have all followed suit and use it when they are mad at their brothers. So far they have only done it with their brothers and not with friends or cousins - I pray this stays the case.

I am continuing to move things around in the house - trying to make it the best I can to make it less destructible for the boys. A couple of weeks ago I moved the shelving with the toys up to the boys playroom to keep the family room easier to manage. This week I have relocated the file cabinet in the loft area to make room for the armoire out there so they can't keep pulling out all of the diapers, wipes, lotion... The other day they did all of those things and Owen & Avery had LOTS of lotion in their hair - put there by they big brother Evan - such a joy they all are. Then that night when they were taking their baths Avery got a hold of a bottle of liquid soap that wasn't for babies and burned Evan's eyes. There is just always something! They will either keep me young or drive me right over the edge - my thoughts on that change moment by moment.

Alex is running and training to run a 12 mile run through mud and over obstacles in October. He is getting shin splints so that is not good. We will see. We are both doing Weight Watchers again - he has lost about 5.5 lbs and in the first week I lost 3.5. I want to make sure I can be the best that I can be for my boys - I don't see them slowing down anytime soon.

Speaking of not slowing down - Evan and Avery will be starting soccer at church in a couple of weeks then in November the family is going to take Tai Kwan Do. Evan and Avery will both also be in children's choirs at church starting in September on Wednesday nights.

I am potentially going back into the work force - I have been approached and the company should know if they get a contract by the end of the month. In the meantime I have researched childcare facilities and gotten us on some wait lists - there are a couple of other places I want to get to, but haven't had a chance yet, in all of my spare time.

On that note, I have much to do - laundry, dishes, cleaning... they are all never ending projects!

Slow Cooker Lemon Chicken with mushrooms & potatoes!

Last night for dinner I prepared my first WHOLE chicken - it was amazing. Here is what it was...

1 3-4 lb broiler/fryer
2 cubes chick bouillon (I used the Organic Better than Bouillon paste type stuff)
1/2 lg lemon or 1 sm lemon
1/4 t paprika (I used a little bit more)
3 T minced fresh flat-leaf parsley (I used dried as that is what I had - just sprinkled it on - didn't measure)

2 med size or 1 lg onion cut into wedges
2 cloves chopped garlic
2 T soy sauce
1/4 t salt & 1/8 t fresh ground pepper
6-12 sma potatoes (I used red potatoes from our garden)
6 oz fresh mushrooms sliced 1/2" thick (I used cremini)
Rinse & dry chick thoroughly. Cut off lumps of fat. Put bouillon cube in cavity. Squeeze lemon & reserve juice. Put rinds in cavity. Put chick in slow cooker - breast side up. Sprinkle with paprika & parsley. Put onion wedges & garlic around the chick. Pour over the soy sauce & lemon juice/salt & pepper. Crumble bouillon cube over chick. Top with pot & mushrooms. Cover & cook on high until instant-read thermometer into thickest part of thigh registers 180 degrees - 3.5 to 4.5 hrs. To serve discard lemon rinds & portion potatoes, mushrooms, onions & chicken in shallow soup bowls & discard skin & bones (I kept bones to make a stock) Spoon some of the liquid over for ea serving. From "Not your Mother's slow cooker cookbook" by Beth Hensperger & Julie Kaufmann. AWESOME book if you like using a slow cooker - I have two versions of it!

Kung Fu Panda 2

Yesterday morning I was very brave and took all three boys to the movies by myself! We went and saw Kung Fu Panda 2. First I made Evan go potty twice before we left - somehow he still needed to go when we got there -but then he made it through the entire movie without going again. I made popcorn and had it in individual bags for each of them. Owen watched the beginning of the movie, but then was exhausted as it was his nap time and then he fought it, and fought it hard. I got up and walked him around and jiggled him (that is his calming thing - Evan it was white noise & swaddling, Evan & Owen both are also soothed by soft things - blanket... Avery it was a pacifier) and walked and walked until I thought my arm might break off, he is now around 24 or 25 lbs, and finally, as I was packing our bag to leave during the movie, he fell asleep - I was thrilled! So we stayed for the entire movie and the boys loved it! I had explained to Evan before I agreed to take them that he was the oldest and that I would need his help and he needed to listen to me - and he did a really great job - he held Avery's hand when we got out of the car, he stood in line and didn't try to run around, he even didn't complain when I said we couldn't go to the arcade area. My boys are all growing up so quickly - although  I may have mentioned that previously.

Last night we went up to Kendall & Josh's house and the boys got to play with Brecken and Brennan - they had a great time! Evan was especially thrilled because he got to dress up at Spiderman with muscles, mask and all! Owen decided he was going to walk more than 3 or 4 steps and walked across an entire room!

The last two days have been VERY busy so today we are going to stay home and play, clean, watch tv... Hopefully we can keep the house in decent shape so we can play a game with Daddy when he gets home1

Alex's birthday weekend!

Thursday I was getting dinner ready for the boys as Alex and I were going to a Great Lakes beer tasting and the sitter, Marissa, was due to arrive any minute. I overheard a conversation between Evan and Avery - they were in our family room sitting a the cocktail table playing with Duplos. Evan said "Avery did you fart?" Avery emphatically replied "NO!" Evan said "Yes you did Avery, yes you did! Good job Buddy!" and gave him a big hug as he was laughing.

We had a crazy, action packed weekend! I already mentioned Thursday. Friday we made Alex a special breakfast of ham & cheese spoon bread. Evan then went to play with Uncle Trace & Cason while the other two and I went to Costco. Then we picked up Evan, went to Target to get cards & gifts for Alex. Every year since Evan was born the boys have gotten a CD for Alex with a song that had meaning. This year it was Trace Adkins, Definitive Greatest Hits for "You're Gonna Miss This". There are some days when we need that reminder ;o) Then we met Alex at Blue Taj for lunch. The people there were great with the boys - they loved it that they loved the Tomato soup with a coconut base and brought us a second bowl for them. Friday night Alex and I went to see Cracker, Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Blues Traveler and Barenaked Ladies! It was uptown at the NC Music Factory - great venue and we ran into friends there - it looked like it was going to storm - but ended up being a lovely evening. Saturday we all went to Brecken's birthday party at Sports Connection. Then at 5:00 we had friends over and Marissa came back over to watch the boys, Sloan, Caitlin & Ryan. I hired Curtis, Beverage Manager at Duckworth's to do a beer tasting. Alex was very surprised. He had guessed a beer tasting, I said no, he guessed wiskey, I said no, Scotch, ok! He was very excited about it telling everyone what we were doing... he even was trying to gather enough glasses for it and making sure they were all clean. But he wasn't too disappointed - especially when one of the beers was Dogfish Head 120. It was a great evening!

This morning Evan asked me to look in his ear. I said ok. He asked if I saw a rainbow in there - I replied, no, why should I? He told me he had dreamed of rainbows, Buzz and Woody and also wondered if I saw them in his ear. Sadly, I did not.

Owen is continuing to take 3 steps or so at a time. Today he decided he could open the back door and go outside - they definitely keep me on my toes - to say the least. Speaking of... I must go as they are throwing pretend food all over the kitchen...

Medieval Festival Invitation

Once upon a time there were three handsome Princes named Evan the Invincible, Avery the Adventurer and Owen the Ox.  In celebration of the anniversary of their birth, Their Majesties King Alexander and Queen Erin invite the noble knights and fair maidens from far and near to join them for a grand Tournament.

The festivities take place in the 4^th hour after noon on Saturday the 31^st of March in the year of our Lord Two Thousand and Twelve in the castle courtyard located at 12658 Woodside Falls Road in the shire of Pineville.

Come celebrate the medieval feast and partake of games of bravery and skill. If desired, come dressed in finery as fitting a lady or lord of the realm.

The favor of a reply is requested by the 9^th of March at emblind@gmail.com or 704.877.5889 to proclaim yay or nay.

 Bodaddy's response:

This is to proclaim with greatest joy                              "Yay" 

to Your Majesties King Alexander and Queen Erin's kind invitation to join the Royal family in celebration of the anniversaries of the births of the three handsome Princes named Evan the Invincible, Avery the Adventurer and Owen the Ox; and to join your Royal Highnesses for a grand Tournament.

Most sincerely your humble servants,

Lord BoDaddy and Lady Mau of Foxcroftshire

Things the family has said..

May 23rd Bodaddy

The boys are growing so fast.  Their behavior speaks well of their parents--ie., you two are doing a great job.  It's easy to see that they know quite well what is acceptable behavior and what is not.

May 18th Bodaddy

I will share with you my observation, Erin; and then a prediction:

 1.  Observation:  Looks like you are enjoying your life with the Lind boys.

 2.  Prediction:  They will wear you out.  They will energize you and keep you young.

 Keep that beautiful laugh of yours going forever.  (And keep those candid shots coming, please).

So many changes...

Two days ago Owen took his first steps! The boys and I were up in the playroom and I was holding Avery, talking to Evan when Owen decided to stand up then take three steps! They are all growing and changing so quickly!

Evan now has his Daddy's Legos and he LOVES being able to play with them. He gets special time upstairs without his brothers when he can play with them because the other two are too small to use the "big boy" Legos. I love his creativity - every part & piece has a purpose - to make a plane go up or down, to shoot, to make the vehicle go FAST...

This morning was interesting - Avery showed Evan the banana he was eating and Evan replied he did not like bananas. I stated that sometimes he does and maybe tomorrow he will. He informed me he wouldn't tomorrow then followed that by stating that he ONLY likes bananas on Sundays. He then asked what day it was, I told him it was Thursday so he then let me know he does not like bananas on Thursdays. Where do they come up with this stuff? Seriously!

Two nights ago at dinner Alex asked Evan if he was a trouble maker and responded with "I am not a maker, I am trouble" then told daddy that daddy was the trouble maker because he had made Evan.

Monday I was getting the boys a snack after their nap and Evan informed me he did not want crackers. When I asked him what he did want he replied "Carrots". Wow! I think I may have to thank the people at VBS for that one. You try and try as a parent to feed them right - both food and soul and pray that they grow up to be healthy, happy people and moments like this make you think you might just be on the right track.

Avery deiced more than a year and half ago he wanted to go potty - but he is still going on occasion when he wants to. Today I have started putting him on the potty every 30 minutes - he had remained dry until this last time... so he didn't even make it all morning dry by going every 30 minutes... the joys/frustrations of potty training!