National Train Day 2013

Grandpa Neal came up on Saturday to help us celebrate National Train Day at Union Station in Kansas City.  I’ve been to Union Station several times but only to go to the post office.  I had no idea there was so much to do there.  The place is huge.

The kids’ favorite part was the model train exhibit.  They had Thomas and a few of his friends running the tracks – which the kids thought was rather cool.  (We’ve become huge Thomas fans recently).  I loved hearing them gleefully yell “Thomas” every time they spotted one of those little blue engines.Andy looking at Thomas 600x450 National Train Day 2013 Trio Train Spotting 600x449 National Train Day 2013 Grandpa and Cassie 450x600 National Train Day 2013 More Trio Train Spotting 600x450 National Train Day 2013

Once we finally pulled them way from the model trains, we took a walk over the train bridge.  It’s pretty similar to the train bridge in Springfield – only much busier.

Grandpa and Trio on Bridge 450x600 National Train Day 2013

We wrapped thing up with a tour through an Amtrak Superliner.  I have to say, if it didn’t take so long, riding the train would be THE way to travel.

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The part I found most amusing was lunch.  For weeks, I’ve been trying to get these kids to eat a full meal, and all it took was a visit by Grandpa Neal.

Lunch with Grandpa 600x450 National Train Day 2013 Andy loves his shake 450x600 National Train Day 2013 Cassie loves fries 450x600 National Train Day 2013 Just Like Grandpa 600x450 National Train Day 2013I love this one – you’d never guess they were related

We had such a good time with Grandpa Neal.  We really don’t get to see him as much as I’d like.

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Make Another Mother’s Day

When my Mom passed away, Mother’s Day become a day I dreaded instead of celebrated. When all my friends we’re spending the day with their moms, I was curled up on my couch watching action movies (better choice for keeping your mind off your troubles). When I got pregnant, I began looking forward to Mother’s Day once again, never thinking that it would be several years before the kids we’re old enough to understand the meaning, much less plan anything special.

Fortunately, I have some great family and friends who made my first two Mother’s Day special. The first year my sister ordered flowers from each of the kids and I can completely surprised when they showed up at my door on Sunday morning.

Last year, on the Day before Mother’s Day, the kids and I were at my friends house for a play date. Her husband walked in with flowers and cards for both Erin AND I. It was amazingly thoughtful. It really touched me that someone who didn’t have too, did something so sweet for me.

When Cozi.com emailed me about their Make Another Mother’s Day campaign, I knew this was something I needed to take part in. The idea is to pick a single mothers and do something special for them on Mother’s Day – anonymously. Kind of a “pay it forward” type thing.

The hardest part for me is choosing between all the deserving single moms I know. I would love to do something for each of them, unfortunately, my budget just doesn’t stretch that far.

Do you know a Single Mom who deserves something special this Sunday?

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Deanna Rose Farm – Spring Break 2013

I have been so bad about blogging lately.  I usually blog after the kids go to bed for the night, but lately I either don’t want to touch my computer or I sit there staring at the screen unable to put two words together.  Anyway, lets see if I can catch-up a bit.

I took a few much needed days off work last week and throughally enjoyed the extra time with the kids.

My first day off, I took the kids to Deanna Rose Children’s Farm.  This was the second time we’ve been to the farm, but a lot more fun now that they are a little older. We started at the milk barn.  They enjoyed mooing at the cows until a cow mooed back!

Ben and Cassie with Cows 600x398 Deanna Rose Farm   Spring Break 2013 Andy and Cows 600x450 Deanna Rose Farm   Spring Break 2013

They had mixed emotions about the baby goats.  I bought bottles for the kids to feed to the baby goats, and stupidly took them into the goat pin instead of feeding them through the fence.  Those goats are greedy!!  They tackled the trio in an effort to get to the milk.  (Sorry, no pictures. I was too busy pulling the kids out from under a pile of goats!)

The duck pond was one of my favorite spots.  Cassie was so cute quacking, talking and making faces at the ducks. A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E!

Trio by the Ducks 450x600 Deanna Rose Farm   Spring Break 2013

They found the pigs, turkeys, buffalo and prairie dogs only marginally interesting  but I had to pull them away from the rabbits by bribing them with the playground.  Last time they spent forever on the slides, but this time the ride-on toys were more interesting.

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Apparently the rabbits made a lasting impression.  As soon as we got home, Ben had to run into Grandma’s room to tell her about the “wa-bitts.”  Even now, over a week later, he’s still talking about them!

What is your favorite farm animal?

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All the Pretty Piggies

Saturday afternoon around our house was whirlwind of hairspray, curling irons, nail polish and glitter – also known as Prom Night!  The kids really enjoyed all the action and all the make-up.

Andy Lipstick 400x600 All the Pretty PiggiesSmooches

Ben Warpaint 400x600 All the Pretty PiggiesA little warpaint never hurt anyone

And then Cassie noticed the pretty toe nails and wanted her own.

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The boys loved the results…Cassie Pedicure 600x400 All the Pretty Piggies

And wanted their own pretty piggies.

Ben Pedicure 600x400 All the Pretty Piggies Andy Pedicure 400x600 All the Pretty Piggies Pretty Piggies 600x400 All the Pretty Piggies

Oh, and Alyssa did manage to get ready for prom amongst all the pedicure madness.

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No Running in the Halls

Sunday night, the trio and I went to Alyssa’s Flag Corp Banquet.  Cassie had a great time hanging out with all the big girls.

Alyssa and Cassie 402x600 No Running in the Halls

The boys weren’t quite as impresses.  They did great during the meal, but as soon as the speeches and awards started, they were DONE!

The windows by the cafeteria were entertaining for about 2-1/2 minutes.

Ben Window Watching 450x600 No Running in the Halls Andy Window Watching 450x600 No Running in the Halls

And I had to pull them away from the Hand Washing Fountain….um, I mean drinking fountain.

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Next, the stairs.

Ben on Stairs 450x600 No Running in the Halls Andy on Stairs 450x600 No Running in the Halls

And yelling down at the banquet from the catwalk.

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You know, the best thing about High Schools – lots of long hallways to run down.

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And, once they got board with running, they started crawling.

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Once things were winding up, I herded the boys downstairs.  I had no idea vending machines were so much fun.

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Life is never boring when you’re with a herd of two-year-olds.

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Happy Birthday Mom

Today is my Mom’s birthday.  Every year since I started this blog, I’ve posted a simple tribute, but this year I thought I’d do something a little different.  I asked some friends and family to send me their favorite Sandy Stories – plus I added a few of my own.

The Back Yard “Garden”

Mom sent my youngest sister out to mow the backyard. The yard was shady with sparse grass, so it didn’t need to be mowed as often as the front, but was long over due for a trim. Katy begrudgingly went out back to perform the task, but happily trotted back in a few minutes later. “Mower’s broken!”  Dad must have been off doing something because he wasn’t available to fix the mower.  She thought this would surly get her out of the work. Without a word, Mom turned around and disappeared into the garage. After some clashing and banging, she came back inside with a large sprayer full of weed killer. “Go kill the grass then”.  Mom had grand plans to turn the whole backyard into a garden that would never need mowing, but Dad wasn’t sold on the idea. The broken mower was her prefect excuse the proceed with the PLAN.

What Burn Mark? – Katy

One of my funny mom moments would be when Liz and I were over by the fireplace playing with matches and candles for reasons I don’t remember, probably so we could stick our fingers in the wax because, well let’s be honest that’s entertaining at any age! So once it was time to dispose of the evidence because Mom and Dad would be home soon we realized somehow the candle had been scorching the mantle…we’re talking a perfect circle black burn mark smack dab in the middle of the wooden mantle.  Of course, we panic and cover it with something right as mom walked in. She asks what we’re doing, we probably denied because that’s what teens do.. then fess up.  Instead of getting yelled at like we thought would happen she walked past us and said “this won’t work”, grabbed a bigger item and stuck it right over the scorch mark, turned back to us and said, “what burn mark?”. Best mom ever! We couldn’t believe what just happened, pretty sure that’s when she was awarded the “smokin” cool mom award in my book!

You’re Still in Trouble – Chrissy (my High School Best Friend)

There was the day I got in trouble at home and came to your house, I was 16 I think. Sandy met me at your front door with tools and said something like “you’re still in trouble, get to work” and she put me to work pulling staples out of the floor. I have never been so sore, or so happy to be in trouble in my life. I loved your mom just like she was my own.

Just a Few Little Chicks

Mom worked for the school system as a Cafeteria Manager.  A class at the school she was working with had hatched some chicken eggs, but were at a loss for what to do with the chicks.  In typical Sandy fashion, Mom volunteered to take them home.  She was told they were Cornish hens and thought that meant the cute, little, tasty birds you see in the grocery store.  Mom built them a little cage in back-yard, and we enjoyed our new pets.  But those little birds outgrew their new cage all too quickly.  Did you know there’s a difference between Cornish Hens and Rock Cornish Hens?  Apparently, there’s a big difference.  As in, one variety fits three across in a baking dish, and the other needs it’s own roasting pan.  We ended up with the later.  This really is just the beginning of a long summer full of chicken stories, but let me wrap this one up by saying Mom turned half our backyard into a chicken coup to make our new friends more comfortable.

Wow, You’re Tall – Katy

I came home from work and went to my room to change clothes and, to my detriment, I happened to be stand directly under the ceiling fan and light fixture.  So I go to take off my top and end up shattering the glass bowl on the light fixture.  There was a loud crash followed by glass hitting the floor and me screaming for Mom.  She comes running in to find me shirtless, barefoot and surrounded by glass.  Most Mom’s would be all “Are you OK?  Let me help you clean that up.”  Not mine! She started laughing hysterically, laughed so hard she had to leave the room, with me still standing there in a puddle of glass.  On the bright side she did return a few minutes later with a broom that she handed me while laughing as she left again.  That’s when we realized I am too tall to undress under light fixtures and fans!

I will love you for forever, I will miss you for always.

Sandy 600x424 Happy Birthday Mom

Sandra “Sandy” Brandt

April 19, 1954 to April 22, 2001

 

 As long as I’m living, my Mommy you’ll be.

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Stop and Smell the Dandelions

A field of dandelions may send most homeowners running to the nearest lawn care center, but to a two-year-old, it’s a field of flowering gold.

Andy Picking Dandelions 398x600 Stop and Smell the Dandelions Cassie Picking Dandelions 399x600 Stop and Smell the Dandelions Ben Picking Dandelions 400x600 Stop and Smell the Dandelions Look at my Dandelion 450x600 Stop and Smell the Dandelions

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What Did You Say?

Andy LOVES trucks – not just trucks, anything with wheels (he’s always been a wheel man).  It doesn’t matter where we’re going or what we’re doing, he will stop dead in his tracks to look at or play with something with wheels.  It’s pretty cute.

Easter Morning 003 600x399 What Did You Say?

 Cute – but there’s one small problem…Andy can’t say the “T” sound.

Our neighbor owns a nice big truck with big wheels and a big motor – it’s this little boy’s dream!  Last weekend we were riding toys in the cu-de-sac when the neighbor came home.  I herded the kids back to the driveway, but as soon as Andy saw that truck coming he got really excited.  He kept inching his way down the driveway trying to get a better look, the whole time yelling “FRUCK!  FRUCK!  FRUCK!”  The closer it got, the more excited he became, the louder he yelled and the less you could hear the “R.”  Every time he yelled, I’d quickly followed with, “I know, look at that TRUCK!  What a cool TRUCK!”  I didn’t see any other neighbors outside, but just in case I didn’t want them thinking my toddler was yelling profanities.

Just like most things in this house, if one of them gets it, all of them will get it.  Laura called me at work today, laughing, just to inform me Cassie enjoyed playing with “frucks” as well.

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A Super-Hero Good Time

The McCleary Quads celebrated their 4th birthday last weekend, and we got to join the party.  The trio really loved the super hero theme; they had fun doing things just like the big kids.

Flying into rescue damsels in distress (sister’s don’t count)

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Creating masks to protect their secret identities.

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Even testing their super strength (you can see Ben about 50 seconds in)

If you can’t see the video, click here

The worst/scariest part of the party was losing Ben.  Ben decided playing on the chairs was more fun than singing Happy Birthday.  Next thing I know, I look over and he wasn’t there anymore!  I started searching – bathroom, supply closet, stairway – no Ben.  Now I’m freaking out and the rest of the party start helping me look.  About 20 minutes later (ok, only a minute or two, but it felt like an eternity) I find the elevator and push the button.  The door opens and I find Ben laying face-down on the floor, crying.  My poor baby!  He had pushed the elevator button, walked in and the door closed behind him.  Since no other button was pushed, it just sat there waiting for someone else to come along.  I can’t imagine how scared he must have been.  He had a good cry on my shoulder and then was back to his ornery self!  He drove right into the middle of the gift opening and kept trying to steal the cool toys.

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The bigger the boys, the cooler the toys.

 

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Easter Morning – Part II

Easter morning didn’t start and end with a sugar rush – we had an Easter Egg Hunt as well.

Egg Hunt 002 401x600 Easter Morning   Part II

I really underestimated how much fun they would have.   In my mind, they are still too young to understand what an egg is, much less how to hunt for them.

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Notice how few eggs Andy has in his basket?  Every time he found one, Cassie was right on his heels holding out her basket and batting her pretty blue eyes.Cassie Easter 2013 399x600 Easter Morning   Part IINot sure if I should be more concerned about Andy being a push-over or Cassie being so good at getting her way.

 

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