Mommy Works on a Green Thumb: April 2012

So, if you know me well, you know that I have never had any experience with gardening. And, after 4 years of living in our house, I have finally decided to try my hand at it. We took out the nasty, plastic "bricks" that line the front of the house and replaced it with actual brick landscaping. I then enlisted my friend, Jessica's, help and chose my first perennials that I planted in the front and side areas. I am pretty pleased with the outcome. The true test will be if they survive the hot St. Louis summer. Here goes nothing.....

Before: yucky fake brick

Before: close-up of said brick.

After: garden in front. The Azaleas are the pink, and day lilies are the yellow. The others should bloom early summer, then late summer/early fall. If all goes well.

Side box (before we put in the mulch): the Foxglove is in bloom in this photo.

Easter: April 8, 2012

The night before Easter we did the usual: dying Easter eggs. But this was the first time that Brendan was able to dunk, and remove, the eggs by himself. And he was so proud of his work. On Easter Sunday, we attended church with Aunt T and Uncle Danny. After which, we made our way to PaPa Pelhank's for the usual overstuffing ourselves on a huge meal. This year, the weather in St. Louis was beautiful. So the boys decided to work off some of their meal by doing some fishing. And Brendan had so much fun. He was excited when he (with a little help from Daddy) caught a fish. Amy, Tory, and I relaxed in the sun a little while the fellas fished. It was a nice change for Easter Sunday...maybe a new tradition has started.

B dyes his own Easter eggs.

The finished product.

Our handsome man in his Easter Sunday best: ready for church.

Not sure what the plan was on this: but what a good sport Aunt T is!

Brendan fishes with Uncle Danny.

"Yes!" Brendan and Daddy catch a fish.

All the guys walking along the opposite side of the lake. From left: Uncle Danny, Brendan, PaPa Pelhank, & Daddy.

Easter Egg Hunt: April 6, 2012

We were invited to an Easter Egg Hunt this year by the Whitlocks at the South County YMCA. Brendan had a blast! He gathered eggs like a champ. And after the actual hunt we were able to go inside the YMCA gym. He could not get enough of the trampoline. He went on it over, and over, AND OVER! So much fun.

Brendan and Josie say "Cheese" before the Easter Egg Hunt begins.

From left: Janet, Josie, Dave, Kelly, Ryan, Brendan (acting silly, and a little hidden), Leanna, and Jessica.

A pro egg collector: look at him go!

Showing off his collection

The trampoline

Think Brendan is enjoying himself?

First Time on Skates

Well, he did it. Brendan got on skates for the first time. It was only in our living room...but it's a start. He did pretty well for the first time, too.

B's 1st Parade: January 28, 2012

 On this day we took Brendan to the Welcome Home Heroes parade. It was a parade held in downtown St. Louis to honor the newly release Iraq war veterans. We prepared him before by explaining why we were going to this parade. What these soldiers had done for us, what they had sacrificed, and how they do what they do so we can be free to live the life that we live. He colored his own sign to bring with him for the parade, and was truly excited that morning. It was cold, and pretty windy, but it didn't matter. It was touching to see the reactions of the soldiers...thanking us for being there. When, in no way, could that even compare to what these remarkable people have done for us. Brendan could not comprehend the magnitude of what Ryan & I felt as we fought back tears through much of the parade. That's not to say that Brendan did not enjoy himself. By the end of the parade, he was a pro flag-waver and plastic hand clapper. He also thought the Clydesdales and clowns were pretty cool. Such a fun and memorable experience, so glad we could enjoy it together.