Wordless Wednesday

YES, they're wearing bowls :)

Chalkboard Wall

I am certainly grateful that one of Brian's finest qualities is how well he "goes with the flow". We painted our entire kitchen this past weekend because I thought it would be a brilliant idea to create a chalkboard wall for the kids. It took most of Saturday and Sunday to complete, but turned out so neat! The chalkboard paint had to dry for at least two days before the kids could draw on it, but was well worth the wait. We had a brief "training" on how the boys are only allowed to write on the Special Black Wall and they did great! For some reason they both drew lines, so as Noni said we have beautiful grass on the wall! I hope this wall provides lot of fun for the boys while allowing me to cook without them under my feet. Win-Win :)

Artists

The boys and I showcased our artist talents today with chalk from Uncle Mookie! While they mostly scribbled, Hudson asked me to draw lots of things...on his list was a mustache, an elephant, a giraffe, a fish, and a sun. Hudson did try to color my drawings while Bryce mostly colored Daddy's car, lol!!

Mommy's Lil' Cupcake

Little Brycie sure knows what he wants. If we do not understand what he's saying, he'll pull you to what he wants and point until he gets it. After dinner the other evening, he wanted a cookie! I asked him if he wanted mommy to make cupcakes instead and he said YES, shaking his head and all. Before I even got the bowl out to mix the batter, he climbed into his chair at the table and was waiting! While the cupcakes were in the oven, I let him "lick" the bowl. He was so adorable swirling his pointer finger around the bowl and sucking his finger. His eyes lit up and he said "mmmmm"!! That's my boy! Once I took the cupcakes out to cool, I went to sit on the couch. Bryce was having a fit! How come he wasn't eating one!! So, in true B fashion, he came and pulled me by the hand to his cupcake. I actually had to put a couple in the fridge to cool faster for my little man! Boy did my boy enjoy his lil' cupcake!!

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to the world's most awesome Dad, Brian R Lasher!! Both the boys and I are so lucky to have such a great man to share our days with!
Daddy's day was spent with family at Meredith & Craig's house. Unfortunately we didn't bring our swimming gear; however, "lil' Scuba Steve" was itching to get into the pool! Thanks to Corey the boys took a little skinny dip! After our backyard BBQ we headed home...to make root beer floats!! Of course, picky Hudson was reluctant to try something new; however, Bryce made up for his big brother and drank enough for the both of them! Daddy said it perfectly "good thing there's no caffeine in root beer" , lol! Again, Happy Father's Day (image Hudson screaming this- for some reason he had to scream it everytime he said it), Brian. Hope your day was as special as you!

Super Hudson

This picture totally makes me think Batman & Robin! This little super hero mask was given to the boys last summer, but it took until now for them to be interested in it! Bryce wouldn't wear it, but Hudson got right into character, especially once he got a cape! The first words out of his mouth were "Super Hudson! I save monkeys & snakes!". I have know idea where these kids think of these things, but I totally love their imaginations!

A visit from Uncle Mookie

Mark was in town this past weekend!! We haven't seen him in 9 months so it was long overdue! After about 5 minutes, the boys warmed right up to ol' Uncle Mookie, and by day two, Bryce was running to him with his arms out when he walked into the house! It definitely helps that Mark plays soooo well with little kids...I'm sure the 3 little ones in Boston give him lots of practice! The boys loved when Uncle Mark would spin them over his shoulder before a crash landing on the couch. Mark even pretended to sleep on the floor so that the kids could wake him up with the drum. Perfect playdate! Always so nice to see you, Mookie, always so nice!

Rain, Rain. Go Away!

Fric & Frac

Standing on the back of the couch watching the rain!

Little Puppy Dog

We can always rely on our little clown for entertainment. Whether it be that fact that he's wearing big boy underpants over his diaper, or that he's acting like he's eating dog food, Brycie always brings a smile to our face!

Strawberries are YUMMY!

Today we picked strawberries! Hudson didn't not want to go until we said we were going to the fruit FARM. Anything with the word "farm" and Hudson is excited! Although he though he was going to see cows, he was happy to see the pond of ducks and was happy to help (and my help I mean EAT). Brian and I always say that we should just expect the opposite behavior just so that we're not surprised and today was no exception. I thought that Hudson would be the patient picker and that Bryce would be all over the place. Of course, just the opposite happened! Bryce was such a great little picker. He even carried the basket around and listened so well. Hudson was definitely more interested in sampling the strawberries than picking them. Everytime I would take my eyes of him he would eat another berry...stem and all. Juice was dripping down his face and he excitedly kept saying "these are YUMMY"! Because I wasn't sure if they spray pesticides, I was freaking a little at him eating the unwashed fruit. To get him to stop eating them we promised strawberry shortcakes when he got home! I think that worked! Once we were done gathering our basket full of berries, we stopped at White House for donuts (and shortcakes!). The boys enjoyed their promised donuts on the ride home, before they fell asleep. B chose the apple cider donut w/ cinnamon icing...I think he liked the red! Hudson chose a blueberry donut because it was purple. He ate the top layer with all of the frosting and was finished with it...so Brian and I just HAD to finish it for him, lol! We all enjoyed a nice, afternoon nap! Strawberry shortcakes were enjoyed this evening. The highlight, of course, being when Mommy sprayed the whipped cream into everyone's mouth, well almost everyone...Hudson laughed hysterically but would not participate!

Wordless Wednesday

Pirate Cruise/Station Square

Our day in Pittsburgh started with a Pirate Cruise on the Gateway Clipper. We boarded the boat around 11:30 and enjoyed some frozen ice. The boat set sail at noon. We did a little sightseeing from the top deck and then came back inside for the Pirates of the Mon show. It was a cute show that offered interaction with the kids, dancing, and singing all while searching for the treasure. Today's show seemed to appeal more to Bryce than Hudson. B liked to dance and even helped clean the floor (part of the show). Hudson started out strong and would swing his arms singing Yo, Ho, Ho, but I think he was getting sleepy so it didn't hold his interest for too long. Half way through the show we decided to take the kids back up to the top deck to distract them for a bit. We went under a bridge that had a train going across it! "Choo, choo" as said by Bryce! Pretty neat! We went back inside just in time to get our treasure! Once the ride was finished we decided to find someplace to eat at Station Square. While we were waiting for our table (which was going to be about 25 minutes) we took the boys to see the fountain. They loved it! They especially loved getting soaked by it! They made a little friend who was equally as happy to be getting sprayed by the water, so we let them have their fun! Needless to say, we stripped the boys down, cancelled our table and headed home. All I can say is Thank Goodness for Curb Side pickup :) Another fun day for the Lashers! While we might wait until the boys are a little older for another pirate show to hold their attention during the duration, we cannot wait to return to Station Square's fountain. This time we will be sure to carry a spare set of dry clothes!!

Cleveland Clinic Update

Feeling right at home and doing some light reading before getting called back...

Perfect example of how Hudson squints to better see something...he's looking for the goldfish he named Garfield

Garfield

Today was Hudson's follow up with the surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic since his visit in January. At that time the doctor wanted to hold off until Hudson was a little bit older before doing the surgery. Over the past few months we've noticed Hudson's drifting getting worse and for longer periods of time. During this time he has also started expressing his feeling on the matter. Many times he will rub his eye and say "my eye hurts. fix it please". When in the sun, he will squint his eye and say "the sun hurts my eye". We also noticed that he will sometimes close one eye when pointing, watching TV, or looking at books. I expressed my concerns to the nurse today before we saw the doctor and she did a couple tests (such as shining light into his eyes, asking him to point to things, and asking him the typical letters on the chart questions). One test involved him wearing 3D glasses and pointing to any movement that he saw. Although he was able to sense the movement in January, he wasn't able to today. As soon as the doctor walked in and looked at Hudson he said right away that it has gotten worse. The doctor said he considered his condition intermittent in January and didn't want to jump into surgery; however, today he felt that it was constantly drifting and at a more severe degree. He decided that surgery is necessary and now before it worsens and does any harm to his vision. Surgery is scheduled for Monday July 18th. It is an outpatient procedure with minimal pain, but tremendous results! We're ready to fix our boy up so that he can adjust while he's still young...and we all know that kids are tougher than us!

Wordless Wednesday

Happy Memorial Day

Nothing says summer like fresh watermelon! Unfortunately I woke up very sick the morning of Memorial Day. Brian offered to take the kids to visit his mom so that I could get some rest and I was so thankful! Once the boys came home, Brian filled up their water table and got ready to cook out on the grill. I still didn't feel well and this carried over the next day, so I decided to take myself to Urgent Care. Good thing I did because I have strep throat and was given an antibiotic to treat it. I'm hoping the worst is behind me since tomorrow Hudson and I are headed back up to Cleveland Clinic regarding his eye issue. I'll be sure to update tomorrow!

Cruisin'

You may remember this car we purchased for the boys last summer. I don't think Hudson could even reach the pedal then. This dirty Hummer has been parked in our garage all winter long and was even buried under some pool floats we used last year. Once the boys spotted it this year Hudson climbed right in and started "driving". We were very surprised that the battery was still charged, so once we safely got "lead foot" out of the garage we let them go. Hudson did such a great job at driving this year! Looked like such a pro, and I just love you relaxed Bryce is to be riding along side his big bro! Before we brought the car back into the garage, typical Hudson said "this car is very dirty!", so I think we'll be having a car wash in our near future :)

Runs in the family...

Daddy's side, that is! Hudson definitely has the "clean" bug and it looks like Bryce has it too! B "made a mess" with his monkey milk (aka Dannon's Smoothie) so I gave him a paper towel. I honestly thought he'd just leave it on the floor or take off running, but to my pleasant surprise he cleaned up every drop! Now Bryce still makes a mess when he eats, unlike Hudson who asks to wash his hands during his meal, and B likes to color himself with markers, but this momma will be happy if he cleans up after himself!