the parents, our boys, two dogs, and some toys

Date Night

2012-02-26T05:50:00.000-05:00

Last night, Grandma Cathy watched the boys and Jon and I had a date. I had to post these two photos of the evening because they are extremely rare.

Jon and I are out together, alone, and I am wearing makeup.

Grandma Cathy captured this image of the Amazing Spiderwolf with her phone and sent it to us while we were out.

Stomp stomp, clap clap, Ahoooooo!

2012-02-24T17:49:00.003-05:00

The post title is the official Wiley Wolf cheer chanted by guests and animals of the Great Wolf Lodge.

Today, we 4 Burbanks returned from an amazing 24 hours spent there. We have had this booked for at least a month and the trip accidentally landed on a day when it was sunny and nearly 80 degrees in Columbia. Oh, well. Still, we were off to an indoor water park for a really great time.

We have been there 3 times in the past 14 months. It is possibly slightly abnormal that I love this place so much. So, we are giving our wallets and our swimsuits a break for a while. BUT, we still had an amazing time yesterday and today!

i heart cool, funky kids in cool, funky goggles

i also heart this crazy jet ski kid

And, that concludes the photos that were taken in the waterpark. Even though we spent the majority of our time in the water, I was leery of having the Canon in that environment for very long. The rest of the photos were taken during the fun we had while dry.

the dudes LOVED our Kid Camp suite

This was Andrew's first time with the MagiQuest experience. He LOVES that wand (with the skeleton topper, of course) and we all enjoyed seeing him activate things all over the lodge.

on the way to the pajama clock tower show and story time last night

Back in the suite, the craziness continued.

These guys were EXHAUSTED. It was Ethan's first "big boy bed" experience and Andrew's first top bunk experience.

The next morning, we were raring to go once again.

And then it was off to see the more intimate morning clock tower show.

Breakfast in the Loose Moose Cottage

Here we are by the clock tower right before leaving this morning. TIE-YERD.

I know not why we were yelling.

Love these brudders and the great time we just had with them.
Goodbye for now, Great Wolf. We will see you again, I promise!!!

Happy Fat Tuesday

2012-02-21T19:32:00.003-05:00

We are loving our school break. This afternoon we walked the hounds and boys to our development's playground for a little fun.

Looking ahead to swimming in warmer weather

motley crew on the walk home

we had to check out the steamroller, too

Farewell, Leezurd.

2012-02-20T16:49:00.004-05:00

Leapin' Lizards, one of our favorite local bouncy houses, is closing its doors this Saturday! So this morning, my friend Carrie and I took our younguns there one last time.

The first three photos are of Andrew from a visit THREE years ago. Time has flown!!! Sadly, I couldn't find any photos of Ethan playing there, but he is technically in the first photo since I was one month pregnant.

And, the rest of these pics are from today. We had a lot of fun and will miss that place.

Carrie's pretty Emmalyn

Colorful Nicholas!

Andrew always loved this shopping cart, as well.

Down the pirate slide!

Carrie wowed 'em with the magnetic reptile table

Silly ELE

These guys crack me up.

Farewell, Leapin' Lizards. You helped me make lots of fun memories as a stay-at-home mama and beyond.

Friend Trifecta

2012-02-19T06:35:00.000-05:00

Mid-winter break started with a bang on Saturday as Andrew got to spend time with his three best friends at three separate points in the day!

First thing in the morning, it was karate with Nick.

That evening, we braved Chuck E. Cheese's for some pizza and play with Ben.

And the mid-morning fun, as pictured below, was Joseph's 4th birthday party at Monkey Joe's!

I Heart Jumping Rope

2012-02-17T20:43:00.004-05:00

Our district scheduled a mid-winter break for the next week. All employees and students I know are thankful for the R & R that will result.

Today at school, our related arts team held a "Jump Rope for Heart" fundraiser which meant lots of great things: our students got in some much-needed motion on a crazy pre-break day, $ was raised for the American Heart Association, students were able to compete with their teachers in a jump rope contest, and I got to veer off the general music path to jump rope with kids all day.

Again, I jumped rope with kids all day on this beautiful Friday. I love my job!

Beware the Eclectic Dynamic Duo...

2012-02-16T20:13:00.001-05:00

....when Converse-wearing, Woody-toting Spiderman teams up with the Harry Potter wannabe.

Happy Valentine's Day

2012-02-14T06:32:00.003-05:00

Truckin'

2012-02-12T17:24:00.002-05:00

Yesterday, Grandma Cathy took Andrew to karate while Jon and I did this flat, fun 5K.

I pushed Ethan. Here he is, clearly concerned before the start.

Here we are 5 minutes pre-race!

And Friday night, we took in our first ever monster truck rally.

Check out the name of this truck! Obviously, we rooted for this guy.

But, he just wasn't as fast as Wolverine. Oh, well.

African at MY SCHOOL

2012-02-10T14:50:00.002-05:00

Here's Jon and his students on my school's stage today!

Andrew saw them a couple of weeks ago. Today it was MY turn to see this amazing (yes, I am biased) African drumming and dancing ensemble perform for our 600 elementary students. We had it set up to culminate a month-long Black History unit. Their performance was energetic and fun, and so many teachers and students have commented about it all day long that I have lost count.

One of my favorite 1st grade boys was so moved that he said he wanted to grow up and be African.

I love my husband and good world music performances and kids and Fridays. Have a good one, friends!

The Inspiration of The Winter That Never Was

2012-02-06T04:36:00.000-05:00

Last winter, we had snow 'round these parts.

Lots of it.

There was snow at Christmas.

There was a snowstorm that got us out of school for a week in January.

Not this winter. IF you can call it that. Winter. Ha!

Not only are we apparently not having a winter this winter, but the weather has been unseasonably warm in a major way. We are loving it. Yesterday, I ran in shorts and a tank top. I pushed Ethan in the stroller and we were both burning up by the end. I am definitely not complaining about this. It has been nice. I'm certain we will get snow next year and that will also be nice.

Also yesterday, the summerish weather inspired Jon to put up our hammock.

Everybody wants a turn with the drill.

Love these brudders.

Definite scheming.

Although it didn't bother the brudders, Jon and I decided the hammock's angle is too severe, and we're moving it between two trees that are farther apart. That will happen another warm day. Probably tomorrow.

Another weather-inspired moment: Hound baths. Here's a wet Dora asking me WHY?!?

Charleston 2012

2012-02-05T09:03:00.000-05:00

Friday after school, I drove down to Charleston to meet Jon, who was already there for the SC Music Educators' Conference. Grandma Cathy stayed back in Columbia with the boys.

We ate at Hank's Seafood that night. Amazing.

And Saturday morning we dined at T-Bonz for a little "hair of the dog that bit ya." The weather was so beautiful and amazing that this window was wide open to Meeting Street. Best seat in the house!

At the harbor we joked that this was our ride for the afternoon. Someday. [sigh]

This ride would have been cool, too.

And we would have enjoyed this one, as well.

Fort Sumter, where the first shots of the Civil War were fired

I liked this guy's attitude.

I'm sitting at the top of the steps of the custom house looking across the street to the harbor. Slaves would be taken directly off the cargo ships, marched across the street and up the steps, and walked straight down the hall to be auctioned on the other side.

Sweetgrass baskets

Goodbye, Charleston. You're only a hop, skip, and a jump away, so hopefully we'll get back to you again before February 2013.

Superheroes on Parade

2012-02-02T04:37:00.000-05:00

Our street has never been safer since these guys hit the scene.

Red Nose Run!

2012-01-29T08:29:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, Jon had winter band camp, Grandma Cathy took Andrew to karate, and Ethan and I did this 5K:

Here's a pre-race shot taken by a fellow runner. It's terrible, mainly because I was wigged out about my lack of preparation for this one. [sigh]

But, it was okay, and fun, through some beautiful sections of downtown Columbia. The only nasty parts were two hills right at the beginning. And my time: worst ever. [again, sigh]

As I was limping my way up the hills, I developed a list of race pet peeves.
(1) People wearing really obnoxious cologne TO A RACE. Said people were always just a little faster than me, too... not fast enough to pull way ahead; just speedy enough to be a few yards in front of me the whole time. Ick.
(2) Really fast people with "See Ya" printed on the back of their shirts.
(3) Really slow people who stay to the left. Giant 2-year-old in a stroller coming through, folks!!
(4) People who run with their dogs. Dogs are not meant to be long-distance runners! 3.1 miles is WAY too much for these little guys. They are only running the whole time to please their owners. My only hope is that the dog people walked part of the time and I just didn't see that.

Enough complaining. I still love racing. Here's a list of great things about racing:
(1) I need the race date as a goal and training motivator.
(2) Spending the morning with really fit and inspiring people.
(3) Post-race endorphins.
(4) The majority of the race fees go to help local charities. Yesterday's was for the local Ronald McDonald House.
(5) Goody bags with good coupons and cool samples.

After yesterday's race, we enjoyed watching more runners cross the finish line. And eating Fruit Loops, of course.

Jon and I are doing another one in two weeks. And I WILL be prepared for this one.

Daddy's Performance

2012-01-25T06:36:00.000-05:00

Jon's high school African drum and dance ensemble performed for Andrew's school last Friday. I understand that the show was loved by all! Here are some photos the preschool teacher snapped.

typical long, lazy weekend

2012-01-18T21:03:00.003-05:00

This past 3-day weekend was fun and relaxing.

On one of the days, Andrew got me up at the crack of dawn, which I was not happy about at first, but it meant an early trip to Starbucks and thus accidentally stumbling upon this amazing sunrise across from our home.

Then, considering Andrew's recent interest in all things Star Wars, I decided it was time to pull out my figures from the 70's. They are basically in mint condition, so I am still pretty protective of them. Jon, who had never seen the inside of the Darth Vader case, was more excited than Andrew!

And of course, Maddie was as beautiful and photogenic as always.

Sunday.

Here's sleepy, beautiful Dora hound, who really just wished I would either throw the tennis ball or go away.

Ever watchful and hopeful, that hound.

Being back to the grind again yesterday wasn't easy, but we are back in the groove again. Still, we are looking forward to mid-winter break!

Goodbye, curls.

2012-01-15T14:26:00.000-05:00

It was time. Ethan received his 3rd ever haircut today. His curls were gorgeous in humid weather and anytime he sweats, but when the air is dry, the poor kid's hair was just plain scraggly. I put it in a ponytail today right before the venture to Sport Clips.

Here both guys are right before facing the scissors.

Ethan was a champ, as usual.

Andrew was, too. They were both tickled by the clippers, though!

It's so sad to see them looking so grown-up. Since I can't change that, then here's to some clean-cut boys. And the curls WILL return, just in time for warm weather, too.

i heart my new camera...

2012-01-14T00:00:00.000-05:00

...and charismatic subjects and mild weather and beautiful sunsets.

Free Wheelin' (aka Pedestrians Beware!)

2012-01-13T00:00:00.000-05:00

in the backyard with sticks and such

2012-01-12T17:59:00.000-05:00

I don't think we are going to have a winter around here. But that's okay. We have been thoroughly enjoying the backyard and the new camera!

carry you? (as this daddy's boy says)

2012-01-12T05:42:00.001-05:00

First Photo Contest

2012-01-10T00:31:00.000-05:00

our eldest opted for a quiet moment recently at a local pizza joint.

This photo was submitted to the I Heart Faces photo challenge – www.iheartfaces.com

spaghetti.... a photo story

2012-01-09T21:49:00.005-05:00

Wrapping Up 2011

2012-01-04T01:09:00.001-05:00

The last couple of days of 2011 were busy and fun. Santa ended up saving the boys' big gifts until the 27th due to a rainy Christmas and our being out of town on the 26th. Ethan scored a fire engine and Andrew's take was a Cars 2 bike.

Later that week, it was off to the Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens.

And finally, the night before Auntie and Grandma Diana left town, we played a lot of Setback and got into a massive Jenga game.

We ended up stacking the tower as high as possible (with some levels consisting of two blocks, rather than one, or else we could have built the thing even higher). This was a first for Jon and me. Grandma Cathy ended up volunteering to knock the thing down when there were no more moves to be had.

So now, of course, it's back to school for all of us. The holidays sure were fun, though, and full of great memories.

Andrew's First Karate Belt Advancement!

2012-01-03T23:34:00.000-05:00

The biggest deal in our household these days is Andrew's first ever belt test, which was last Friday. He advanced to the next level, which is a white belt with a black stripe. I am learning as I go in regard to all the levels and their history, but nonetheless, we are very proud of his focus in this activity. He really enjoys his time there.

Here are some photos from the big event, which was extra wonderful because both of his parents, both grandmas, his brother, and Auntie Christina were all in attendance!!