Hawaiian Luau

Josh with some of his peeps!




Today was Josh's Hawaiian Luau at school! They've been studying Hawaii all week long, so today was their party to celebrate! They rotated to all the different classes and did crafts... notice the headband.... and having fun "Hawaiian" snacks! But their favorite part (even though Josh probably won't admit it) was the Hawaiian dancing! They did a little Hula... and then on to some hawaiian line dancing where they got to hold hands with the girls and skip down through the middle! And I was excited because I was finally able to talk him into wearing that flower shirt.... and doesn't he look handsome! And he's even sportin' a white shell necklace! (if you didn't already know, normally Josh isn't into flowers and jewelry!)

I was glad I got to be there! ALOHA!!!

Just some t-ball pix

Coach Dad and Josh (#12)

He's bad to the bone!


Caleb loves going to t-ball games... he has to be fully equipped with his own bat, ball, hat and chair! He sure is a good sport!

speaking of boys...

DO THEY EVERY STOP FIGHTING???

end of post... I've had all I can take for today!

IT'S A BOY!!!

I have to admit, I was a little surprised to see the "evidence"... I was almost convinced that it was a girl! There were several things about this pregnancy (I won't go into details) that seemed different... Mike on the other hand, supposedly had a dream (I thought he was just a visionary man), that confirmed that it was a boy. Josh and Caleb were also a little surprised... Josh's anticipation of having a sister will have to wait til the next time... and Caleb's dreams of a monkey or puppy were dashed away when he saw the distorted ultrasound images of an actual baby!

Regardless of my surprise, we are all very excited about having another boy... although having another person in this family who does not report every bodily function still seems appealing! hehehe!

I tried to post the picture of our little boy's "goods", but Mike thought it was inappropriate, so he stopped me. I have a feeling my Dad would agree... so you'll just have to take our word for it!!!

Field Day!!!

Kindergartner's didn't to get to sign their t-shirts for some reason, so he asked me, Dad and Caleb to sign it! :)



Josh had his first Field Day at school... and guess who forgot their camera!!! Aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh! I did get some video on my phone, but I have no idea how to get it onto my computer... so unless someone knows how to do that, I don't have much to document it all! But the whole thing is kind of a big deal.. you have to buy "Field Day t-shirts" for the kids to wear. It was supposed to be on the 9th of May... and the 16th... but it kept getting rained out! So this was long-awaited!!

They had a little Opening Ceremonies... where they all march on the field holding their grade's flag, and they did the Pledge, and ran the Olympic Flag around the field! Then they got to go to all these different stations and do little sporty games/activities. Josh's favorites were bowling, volleyball, baseball throw and basketball dunk. But the main event was the Tug O' War! Unfortunately, some of the the kids in Josh's class were not pulling as hard, so he was only on the winning team once... but he still had fun!

Caleb just walked around with me and Mike watching, and he was just soooooo good! Although he was a little scared of the Tug O' War part... the whistle was pretty loud, and he kept backing up behind me... he didn't want to be up in front to see the action. Normally, he's quite the dare devil... but sometimes he surprises me with his timid/sensitive side!

Then after lunch, they headed inside for "Dance Revolution" and "Crab Soccer"! ... oh, one more thing.... I was able to eat lunch with Josh, but to get to where they were, you had to go through a gate... but the gate was locked. So you had to walk all the way around this field to get on their side of the fence. Now that's just too much work! So just imagine this 5-month pregnant body, jumping a chest-high fence... with 2-year old and cooler in tow! Now that's about the most adventurous thing I've done in weeks!!!

The cat's out of the bag!

Well, I can't hide it any longer!!! (not that I was trying to hide it... but it sort of turned into a game to see how long I could get away with it!) But it's now out in the open that I'm 19 weeks pregnant! HOORAY! Although some people have had suspicions for few weeks now, but just haven't wanted to say anything... but once I started sportin' maternity tops, I'm getting definate looks!

And I told Josh that he could tell people now... he's been sworn to secrecy for a couple months now... and hasn't told hardly anyone. Although, come to think of it, he did tell his whole kindergarten class and his teacher... but I don't see them anyway, so it's okay. But his response was, "I thought we were supposed to keep it a secret!" Then I felt bad, because I realized that maybe he thought we were NEVER going to tell anyone... and then one day we have a new baby??

Anyway, we're all going in for the ultrasound on May 20th ... so we're anxious to find out what this baby is! Mike and I don't care whether boy or girl... but Josh wants a sister... and Caleb wants a monkey! We'll see!

In fact, if you want... post YOUR hypothesis in the the comments... and we'll see who has the best "maternal" instincts out there!!!

Caleb sings....

This is what I heard streaming from the baby monitor this morning...
"Nah nah nah nah... che boom- chee boom.... hey hey hey hey hey... bye bye!

Any guesses at what this song is??? translation... Nah-nah-nah-nah... Nah-nah-nah-nah.... Hey hey hey... Good bye!

He sat in his bed singing random songs for probably 25 minutes before I finally jumped in his room and scared the living daylights out of him! Aaaaaahhhhh, good times!

Mother's Day... memory lane

I guess with Mother's Day tomorrow... and Josh being so sweet to me already, I must say, I'm a little choked up about the whole thing! This is probably the first year that he really gets what it's all about... but, I was looking back at some pictures and found a few with me actually in the picture being the MOM! Usually I'm behind the camera... but every now and then I tell Mike to take a picture of me too, so in case I die, at least they'll know what I looked like. Either that... or when they grow up and don't remember what I did, I can pull these out and say... "Look, I actually was there taking care of you 24/7!"

Anyway, today Josh was asking me what my favorite breakfast was, my favorite drink... etc. I'm only assuming that this has something to do with his plans for tomorrow... but even if it doesn't actually happen, it just made me feel good that he thought enough to ask!

check out those wrinkly old man feet... don't ya love it???


try to ignore that double chin!



And of course, I always think of my own mom... and all that she has done for me over the years!! She continues to be an example to me... and is always there (even though thousands of miles away), to give advice, comfort... or even just a good laugh! And then there's my sisters... that are wonderful moms too... I feel so lucky, that we're all going through this "raising kids thing" together... So here's to all the moms in my life... new and experienced... grandmas, aunts, cousins and friends! Love you all!!!



HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY EVERYONE!!!

Read 'em... and weep!

Last night was a company function at ReMax ... CASINO NIGHT! Although Mike didn't think I would be up for a night of gambling (all fake money, of course), I was intrigued. So we went, half-way expecting to just watch and eat all the food. So we watched several rounds of Black Jack and was trying to figure it all out... it was more complicated then the "Price is Right" version I knew well... All this talk of "double-downs" and "splitting" and "busting" had me more then confused! Plus, I had no money to start with, since I left my $50,000 "start-up" bill (with Gary Duda's face on the bill), by the refreshments... oops! But a guy at the table offered me a $1,000 chip to let me play a hand. After the first deal, I got a 10 and an ace. I was thinking it was 11.... so I almost gave the signal to "hit me again!" But by all the cheers at the table, and a hint from the dealer, I soon figured out that I actually had Black Jack! WHOO HOO!!! After that, I was hooked... and kept winning (with the help of the other players and the dealer).

So having never "gambled" before, I soon found myself trying out the Roulette table... and even made it in for a few rounds of Texas Hold 'Em! And Mike would pop in every now and then to check on me... but I was holdin' my own!!! By the end of the night, I had 'em all scared because of my innocent, dumb luck! It was WAY fun... and just for the record, Mom, unless I'm playing with "Duda" money... the buck stops HERE!!!

Oh wait... at the end there was a raffle for some prizes... and we all won tickets to put into different pots to win different gift certificates to various places! And I won... TWICE!!! I got two $25 gift certificates to a Sports Complex... with batting cages and mini-golf! So, there's our next family night!

Strawberry Patch Kids!

On our day off from school last week, we went to the Berry Farm for some strawberry pickin' fun! After we ate our fill of strawberries, they had a few play areas to run around in... the highlight was the big barrel of shelled corn!!! It was better then a sand box, because there was no mess... and cleaner then a pit of balls! I was even tempted to get in!

Loose tooth??

We thought this day would NEVER come... even the dentist said that Josh's teeth were hangin' on tight and probably wouldn't get loose until at least the end of summer... if not another whole year! To be honest, I'm fine with it... toothless grins remind of me the not-so-good, awkward days of youth! But Josh on the other hand, is dying to reach this stage in his life. In his class room there is a chart that shows when the kids loose their teeth... and depart from the 'Toothy Mouth Club'! So this has been one of his goals since school started!

So yesterday his bottom front tooth is now a little loose, thanks to an encounter with a hockey puck! I wasn't there... he was at a friend's house.... but the other mom told me the story! Basically, he obviously started crying because he said, "It hurts worse then anything I've ever felt!" But when he heard those words, "oh no, I think your tooth is a little loose", he perked right up with a smile! There is now hope that he will get out of the "Toothy Mouth Club" afterall. So he's been wigglin' and jigglin' to get that thing out ( But he's not about to let Dad pull it out yet... even though Mike perked up at the thought of yanking it out!... personally, I get the eebie-jeebies at the thought of loose teeth!)... but for Josh's sake, I'm hoping that it comes out before the end of school... Kindergarten rite of passage? All I can say is, I'm just glad that this was a sudden act of "fate", as opposed to him taking matters into his own hands!

We'll keep you posted!

Green thumb?... we'll see in a few weeks...

The other day, when Josh was out of school (student holiday), we went to Chesterfield Berry Farm (will post pictures later). It was really fun... and we ended up eating WAY too many strawberries in the field... and we picked 11 lbs. of strawberries completely by accident! So for that, they gave me a free coupon for a 4-pack of flowers... so I bought a few more... and planted Zinnias around the yard today. This was the first time I've planted flowers since leaving home, so I wonder if my efforts will be worth it!

Caleb and Josh even helped! Caleb did great pouring the water into the hole ... and Josh liked spreading out the roots and putting the plant in the ground! So I didn't get any dinner made last night... Wendy's made it for us... but now we have some cute little flowers everywhere that will hopefully be some nice plants someday!

Handy Hubby

Mike is always so busy with work, that he rarely has time to work in the yard... but this Saturday he went all out... including borrowing a trailer from a friend/boss, renting an aerator, and seeding the lawn! This may seem like normal Saturday activities for some, but for a dad whose busiest days are Saturdays, this was a huge accomplishment!!!

The boys were thoroughly entertained as they watched Dad leave "poop" all over the lawn! They had the best seats... in the trailer... eating ice cream cones. They were so excited... you would have thought there was a Circus in our yard! They spent the rest of the night riding their bikes into the trailer and down the ramp at top speed! Do you think they're deprived because the lawnmower is the extent of our "farm equipment"??? I guess we got ourselves a couple city boys... with only an occasional romp in the country when we go to Alaska!

Anyway, here's a shout-out to Mike for widening their horizons with some good 'ole heavy equipment! Ha!

Josh's Kindergarten Class 2007-2008

Josh really loves school... and after school we have a good little talk about all that went on. Who got on yellow... (a way of tracking their behavior... green light=good, yellow=warning, red light= not so good) Luckily, we've only had to deal with one yellow light this year, which according to Josh was when he was "too chatty." He also has informed me that he's the 5th tallest one in his class... and continues to be a bit confused why some girls are taller then he is. I wondered the same thing, being one of the tallest girls in my classes.

He is picking up on the reading... although it comes a little harder for him then others. But we're working on it, and he's definately progressing... just lacks a little confidence! But he is doing great in math... We just got his report card this last week, and his teacher said that he is so nice and considerate... and is a joy to have in the classroom... and she wishes there were more Joshua's in her class! That's the biggest compliment we could ever hear... and we're grateful that he is adjusting so well to school!

WAY TO GO JOSH!!!

T-Ball... first game of the season!

It's that time of year again... time for t-ball! Today was Josh's first game this year, and he plays with the "Knights"! They won! Well, actually, both teams won, as they still don't keep score yet... everybody bats, everybody runs in... they're still getting used to the game. But Josh had some strong hits off the T, and he did a great job fielding. Hopefully next game, he'll be in the infield so he can really show off his skills!

Mike is one of the coaches again... check him out as the 1st base coach! And Caleb is still Josh's #1 fan!!! He brings a bat and ball to every game and cheers from the side! "Go Josh!" One of the other kids brought a cone to use as a tee, so Caleb was in heaven!

And on a completely different note... last night Caleb pooped in the potty!!! Fortunately, I chose NOT to take a picture for documentation purposes... but we were all yellin' and screamin' last night when he did it! Needless to say, potty training is now officially underway!

Allergies are NOT only for NERDS!!

I never had allergies until I moved to Richmond! In fact, the only people who I knew who had allergies, were pathetic/nerdy characters in movies! My favorite character being the boyfriend to Meg Ryan in "Sleepless in Seattle"... you know who I'm talking about?? he was all decked out with vaporizers and nose sprays... what was his name?

ANYWAY, after living here for 8+ years, I have finally come to terms with the fact that I too... dun-dun-dun... have allergies! Just take a look at my car.... the picture doesn't do it justice... but this is not dirt or dust... this is yellow, sneezing, eye-watering pollen! And today, it is in full force..... you can see clouds of it billowing through the air! Yesterday my left eye had swollen up to half it's normal size... and on our walk to the park, I could barely open my eyes because there was so much pollen around!!!

It's enough to make me go completely crazy... I'm almost tempted to wear goggles and a mask everywhere I go! Now that would be a sight!

So what are my thoughts on SPRING??? Despite the cool weather, beautiful flowers blooming, smell of freshly cut grass.... Josh said it best.... "Mom, I hate spring!"

Bosom Brothers!

Lately, my favorite thing to do is just watch Josh and Caleb play together! They usually play so great... the exception being when one or both are tired, hungry, or just plain grumpy! But even though there is a 3 1/2 year age difference, they get along very well! And I'm so grateful for that! They truly are good boys, and I love them to death!!!

Here's a few pictures of my favorite boys!

Too Proud?... or Too Cold???

Yesterday (on Sunday), I actually felt on top of things... I was completely prepared for Sunday... diaper bag packed by Sat. night, the boys' clothes laid out on their beds, dinner in the oven by 10am, lunch ready by 11:30, and we were out the door by 12:28 (fyi: our church starts at 12:30), arrived at church to set up the RS room... and made it into Sacrament meeting by the Sacrament hymn. May seem like a failure to some, but I felt satisfied with my efforts.

I had a pleasant day at church... despite the fact that Caleb was going bonkers in the nursery! Sorry Heather (our fearless nursery leader, aka as "The Payne" according to Caleb!)

We came home from church, had home teachers at 4 pm, and were enjoying dinner by 5 pm. The boys were feeling quite restless... so a quiet Sunday evening at home, seemed impossible, so we decided to venture outside for a "walk", in spite of a few grumbles from Dad about it being too cold to go out and was against the idea from the start. I insisted that it wasn't cold and to just throw on a sweatshirt and come along... afterall, it was nothing compared to Alaska weather! So, we were on our way.... everyone was on some sort of wheels... big wheels, scooter wheels, bike wheels... I was sporting flip-flops and trying to keep up! It was crisp out, but comfortable... and we walked to a little park nearby and played for a few minutes. But on the way back, the wind kicked up, and it started to rain. Caleb's little hands were freezing, and he had to stop every few minutes to blow on them to warm them up. Mike in his sweatshirt, and I, in my flip-flops was now regretting ever leaving the comfort of our living room... but I (being too proud) would not admit that it was too cold and insisted that this would be a fun memory we would eventually all cherish.

Therefore, I am posting our story on this blog to remember forever... the Trentadue Version of Pride and Prejudice!

My new favorite thing!

I've heard of it before, but just thought that it was too good to be true... that it would still be a hassle... that it would still cost more then the old-fashioned way... and that it would be just another "lesson learned" about not getting sucked into the latest gimmick!

Well, I hope that I haven't disappointed some of you when I say that I am totally and utterly addicted to NETFLIX!!! And I can honestly say that it is so easy! So far I've already watched 3 movies for the monthly $8.99, and it's only been a couple weeks... I already have my money's worth. And I haven't had to leave my house! I know that some people enjoy the trek to the video store... but for me, it's just another errand to run with 2 kids in tow! Now, the only trip I have to make is to my mailbox! And there's no shipping at all!

Last night I just finished watching "Jane Eyre"... so good, by the way! ... and I'm already looking forward to the next one! Have I converted anyone yet???

Bugs and more Buggies!

It sometimes amazes me how kids can entertain themselves for hours with the simplest thing. Makes me feel good about our recent decision to cut back on the amount of toys we buy! They played with 3 worms, a ladybug (or Buggies, as Caleb calls them!), and some unidentifyable creepy, crawly bug with about 100 legs (not a centipede), for 1 1/2 hours! And I just got to sit and watch! But it's times like these that having boys is hard... I used to like to play with frogs and bugs... but I've lost my nerve! But I'm trying to be brave so that it doesn't affect them. But regardless, even Josh jumps a bit when the worms were wriggling around! And Caleb won't touch them with his hand.. only sticks.