Day 181: Movie Time

After making forts all morning with a sheet and the couches, I spread the sheet out on the floor with pillows and a blanket. It's time to settle down a bit and watch a movie. Toy Story it is!

Day 180: Mikie Time

Daniel took an extra long nap today and Davey went to a friends piano concert so I got some quality one-on-one time with the Mikester!

Day 179: Simple Day

We kept it simple around here today and did pretty much nothing. It. was. wonderful. I especially loved this brief moment where caught Daniel "reading" to Micah.

Day 178: Daniel's Birthday Party

Tonight we celebrated Daniel's 3rd birthday! I decided to go Veggie Tales this year. I made Bob and Larry cupcakes (no laughing at my lack of cake decorating skills) and party hats to look like Bob, Larry, Madam Blue Berry, and Laura Carrot.
This was the first big get together we have had in our new house and I loved every minute of it! Everyone fit so nicely which is difficult with my family. Yay for a fun time with friends and family!

 Sadly though, Emma, Adie and Tim couldn't be here due to VBS being this week. (It was totally not on my radar since Daniel is still too young and I wasn't helping out. We'll have to plan better for next year.) I did send home cookies and a cupcake to the girls since I know they were sad they had to miss the party...and because I am all about sending the sweets away with the guests.

Day 177: Dinner Guests!

This morning I had a bunch of shopping to do for Daniel's birthday party tomorrow. So I called my mom and asked if she and the kids (Charlie and Eli) wanted some visitors while I went shopping. Thankfully, for me, she did! After I shopped and came home to put the groceries away I picked the boys up and came back home for lunch and naps. While they were napping I worked on food prep for the party tomorrow and made  party hats to look like the veggie tales characters. (Pictures to come tomorrow.) And of course about the time they were ready to get up from nap, I was ready to go lay down!

Then this evening we had Chris, Annie and sweet little Joshua over for dinner. I'm glad you guys could come over! It is so much fun to be able to host like this. We are slowly but surely making our way through the long list of people on our "have over for dinner" list.

Day 176: Daniel's 1st Movie

Today I dropped Micah off at Aunt Annie's house and took Daniel to see his first movie at the theater. We saw "The Croods" which is on Netflix so he has probably already seen it a dozen times. The theater has free morning movies in the summer. 1st come 1st serve. Thankfully they had plenty of screens opened so all of the summer camps that flooded in didn't take all of the seats. It was kind of a long wait since we had to be there at 9 to get tickets and it didn't start until 10. Daniel was getting a little antsy waiting but I think he did pretty well over all.We, of course, got popcorn and soda just before the movie started. Daniel never has soda so he was extra excited for that! And after the movie he helped himself to popcorn other people dropped on the floor...gag!

For some reason it didn't occur to me until later that it was kind of a big 1st for him (perhaps because he's already seen the movie). I brought my camera along but didn't take it in to get pictures of him inside the theater with popcorn or sitting in the theater seats or anything like that. Oh well. I did get this/these pictures of him with some of his cousins who also went to the movie today.

All kids smiling except Daniel who want's popcorn

I told Daniel to stop trying to get popcorn and look at the camera...

Aunt Jenn came to the rescue and gave everyone popcorn! And Adie is hugging the popcorn tub...

Day 175: Getting There

Day 174: Jesus Loves Me This I Know

We have this little bear the boys got from their Great Grandma Ermold that sings "Jesus Loves Me." Recently he gets this huge smile when he sees the bear and tries singing along with it. I tried getting a video of him but of course he wouldn't sing as well as he did before. It almost sounds like he tries saying "yes Jesus loves me."

Day 173: Josiah's Dedication

This morning we had the opportunity to go to my brother's church  for my nephew Josiah's dedicated. We have been wanting to visit for a while so this was the perfect opportunity.

Day 172: Wedding Season

This morning when Daniel got up Davey told him happy birthday. In response to that Daniel immediately asked where his presents were. So instead of making him wait until his birthday party Davey ran upstairs and wrapped the 2 DVD's we got him. He was beyond excited!

Then we dropped the boys off at my parents and headed to Waynesboro, VA for Davey's cousins wedding. The 3 hour trip turned in to 4 hours on 95 but we still got there in plenty of time.  Thankfully there was no traffic on the way home! It was so nice to be baby free for the day. And to top it off, the boys are staying the night at my parents so I get to sleep in tomorrow!

I got to meet and hold little Harper. (Davey's 2nd cousin and niece of the groom)

Davey teaching mom-mom some Greek.

We also stopped at a Wendy's on the way home for a few minutes and met up with Davey's good friend Drew and his wife who also happened to be in the area for a Wedding. It was nice to finally meet them!

Day 171: 1, 2, 3...

Tomorrow this boy turns 3 years old. (I am doing this post today because  Davey and I will be gone at a Wedding tomorrow.)

He is a one of a kind little boy.
-He never stops moving until it's bed time and then he drops like a rock.
-He is full of energy and excitement for life.
-He is curious as a little boy should be.
-He is caring and loving toward his little brother though can get carried away and hug Micah a bit to long and hard...
-He loves being with people! His always asks if we can go to church because he knows there are lots of people to see and play with. He is also constantly asking to go to a birthday party (Allie's in particular) because it means he could see all of his Pearson cousins.
-His favorite song is "My God is So Big" and right now I think it is tied with "Jingle Bells." It's June...I know.
-He ADORES his daddy. (and he listens to daddy more than mommy...just my family?)
-He is 100% boy. (all of the good and bad that goes with it)
-He exhausts me just watching him.
-He has my heart 100% captured.

Daniel Bryant Ermold

Daniel (Hb. laYEnId") – God is my judge

Daniel was a prophet to the people of Israel during their Babylonian captivity.  He deliberately disobeyed the laws and decrees of the Babylonian and Medo-Persian kings because he knew he had to answer to a Judge with far more authority than any earthly king.  We chose this name because we want you to be a bold witness and shining light in a dark world.

Bryant – noble, strong, virtuous

We chose Bryant not only because its meaning fits well with “Daniel,” but because it is your Uncle Cory’s middle name

  

Daniel determined that he would not defile himself with the king’s food or the wine he drank.

Daniel 1:9

(Davey wrote this up for a scrapbook I made of Daniel's first year)

Day 170: A Car Wash and A Pirate Ship

Chicken went on sale this morning so I went out to get some. While at the store, which is right down the road from my parents, Daniel started asking to go to Grandma's house. Since we had raw chicken in the car that was not happening. He was really sad about that until I pulled in to the gas station to fill up and saw the car wash. I don't think he's ever been in one but often asks. I never pay for a car wash because the moment I do I end up with a flock of geese flying over my car or it rains the same day. I gave in and we went through. I wasn't sure if he'd be scared or think it was fun. Thankfully he thought it was pretty neat. In fact, he kept asking to get out of the car. (And of course it rained this evening...)

When we got home, I got the boys a snack and we headed back out on foot to the Town Hall so I could get my beach pass and ended up on the beach for a tiny bit to play on the pirate ship. Daniel really wanted to get in the water but that was just not happening.

Day 169: Pool Time

Daniel, Micah, and I went to a MOPS pool party today. Daniel was SO excited to go swimming until we actually got in the pool...He was really nervous to go away from the steps unless I was holding him. This would have been fine if I didn't have Micah clinging to me for his life. He wouldn't let me put him in the floating plane I brought for him. My plan was to put Micah in the floaty and help Daniel swim around. Micah had other plans. Oh well! We did have a nice time despite all that. It was nice to get out and do something different with friends.

Day 168: Boys and Forts

Elijah came over to play today. I made the boys a "fort" with old sheets on the couch. They loved that!

Of course they enjoyed destroying it more than anything.

Day 167: New Pot and Pans!

I was excited today because my new pots came in the mail. I got pots and pans 4 years ago for my wedding and only just opened then when we moved in to our house. However, there was an issue with each pot being warped. I can't tell if the warping happened from being in storage for 4 years of if they were a bad batch to begin with. It made for very difficult cooking since nothing would cook evenly. Last week we called the company (Revere) to see if they would send replacements and they did with no cost to me! Wow, awesome customer service! I had copper bottom and they sent stainless steel but I am very pleased with them. It was so nice to have even cooking.

My view while cooking dinner tonight. He was mad that I wouldn't pick him up.

Dinner tonight was "Chicken Risotto" though I substituted the instant rice for quinoa tonight.
The following is the original recipe that I got out of some cook book...

Ingredients

2-3 Chicken breasts

2c instant white rice (I substituted with 1 dry cup quinoa and adjusted the liquid accordingly)

1Tbsp oil

1 container grape tomatoes

4c baby spinach

1 can condensed chicken broth 

1/2 c water

Directions

1. Cook chicken in hot oil in large, deep skillet

2. Add spinach, rice, tomatoes, broth and water; mix well  Bring to boil.

3. Reduce heat to low; cover. Simmer 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Day 166: Father's Day

For Father's Day the boys gave Davey a mug with a picture of them on it. (I had it hidden in my closet and nearly forgot to give it to him today.) He'll use it for hot tea because he is not a coffee drinker. Crazy. I know.

Then this evening we had my parent's over for a father's day dinner. I made hamburgers with steamed veggies and chips and then we had ice cream for desert.

Daniel was a big fan of the ice cream.

Day 165: Bike Ride

Marie brought a tricycle down that they have been keeping for Daniel until we had a place for him to ride it. Before she left today she got it out and they spent most of the morning riding up and down the sidewalks. He, of course, loves it. And so does Micah!

The boys had a great time visiting with Grandma Ermold and were sad to see her leave. Good thing we will see her again in just a few weeks!

Day 164: Down By The Boardwalk

We braved the scattered showers to go to the board walk tonight. The Farmer's market was rather scarce but it ended up being a rather nice evening.

Day 163: Grandma Ermold Came to Visit

Marie came to visit for the weekend. We introduced her to spaghetti squash. YUM! And she brought cupcakes which were a great motivation for Daniel to finish his dinner quickly.

She let Daniel put the sprinkles on.

I think Micah liked it.

The face Micah makes when he says "cheese" is just a tad creepy!

Day 162: Old Maryland Farm

Today Amy and I took our kids (and our niece Charlie) to Old Maryland Farm at Watkins Park. We weren't sure at first, if we would even be able to go because it was storming this morning. But the sun came out and dried everything out pretty well. We were actually lucky because I think the early morning rain scared most people off from coming to the park. There was almost no one there when we arrived. After going through to see the animals we ended up with the entire train ride to ourselves and the entire carousal to ourselves! We could not have picked a better day! (And if you haven't already figured this out, I have a really hard time narrowing down my pictures.)

Pointing tat the peacock.

Goats! Adie kept getting excited when she saw squirrels...

Trains are Gabe's FAVORITE thing in the world. Can't you tell?
The whistle just blew. They were super excited for that!

Micah wasn't so sure about the train ride.

Oliver was definitely enjoying the train.

The Carousel!

Cousins holding hands. Cute!

Lunch Time!

Let me out of this seat!

Playing with the water fountain to cool down a bit.