Milestones

The big milestone for James and Becca is that they are both out of diapers.  Hooray for one less expense!  Becca sleeps through the night without any problems though James has an occasional slip so he is in some training underwear.  Sometimes it's the little things in life that get celebrated the most.

Becca putting a sicker on her calendar for another dry night.  She decided to put goldfish on for the rest of the month and even color coded it.  She might be a little organized!

Becca had some stomach problems for a couple of weeks but is doing much better now.  It went through the family but hit her the hardest.  It meant she missed pre-school which she was very sad about.  She loves to learn and socialize with people she knows.

Becca not feeling well at the breakfast table.

I can't sleep like this my legs won't bend like that!

James seems much more comfortable.

So the 2 year mark of Karen's passing has come and gone.  It's hard to believe it has been 2 years already and at the same time I can't wrap my head around the fact that is has only been two years.  Time is a funny thing when it comes to separation, loss, and grieving.

A friend dropped off some cookies for us on the 2 year anniversary of Karen's passing.

A quick visit to the cemetery with the kids.

One of my cousins had a son get married recently.  I decided to attend the reception so I could catch up with family and spend some time with the kids.  On the hour long drive home I realized it was the first wedding reception I have been to without Karen.  All of the others I have been invited to since she passed I have been busy, forgotten about, made excuses, or just plain didn't go.  The reception was my milestone, another first for me in things done with just the kids or by myself.

The kids at a wedding reception eating dessert.  

Braden

April showers...

Well it's been four weeks since I posted and in that time James has had a birthday, Easter has come and gone, and Spring has officially started (even if mother nature still isn't sure).

Becca snuggled up in a blanket.

James playing with his new Legos.

It was a busy week planning a birthday party with a bunch of James's friends.  This was my first try and I think I did an good job.  Nobody got hurt and everyone was able to have cake and ice cream.  I'll call that a win in my book!  The day after that party we had a family dinner and with cake for James.  And the day after that (his actual birthday) I took him, Becca, my parents, and my in-laws out to eat.  I really hope he doesn't think every year will be like this.  We had a talk where I told him the only time he gets to have friends over is when he turns 5, 8, 12, and 16 if he wants.  I may have to fight this battle for a while.

Birthday cake for James made by his cousin.  She did an awesome job and even made a hill!

James about to blow out the candles on his cake.

Interesting fact about the differences between my kids.  Becca has amazing bladder control and no longer wears a diaper to bed while James still struggles occasionally to make it through the night dry.  He now wears some nighttime underwear which he is very proud of.  The other day we found a nightgown for Becca to wear which she really likes.  It's interesting to see the differences in what each of them is proud of or happy about.

Becca in her nightgown.

Last week was Easter and the Saturday before we did the traditional dyeing of eggs.  There was one labeled for each of us; J, B, D, and even M.  On Easter there were some cousins who hid eggs while the younger ones competed to find them all.  By last count I think there is still an egg left somewhere in the yard... Fortunately it is plastic and filled with candy so it shouldn't go bad and start to smell.  I remember growing up when that happened once.  I think our dog may have even found it.

About to start dyeing Easter eggs.

All done!

I promised the kids earlier in the week I would take them out to eat on Saturday and go to the Baby Animal Days.  I'll be honest, the promise to take them out to eat was more of a bribe than anything else but it worked so I'll call it a reward.  The weather was initially a worry for Saturday but luckily it wasn't raining while we were outside.  It was just very, very muddy.  I have made a mental note for next year to have some mud boots for all of us to wear!  In a lot of ways I'm grateful for the rain as there isn't much of a snow-pack this year.  After all April showers bring May flowers.  We often curse the rain and forget the very thing being vilified brings life later in the year.  Just as with challenges we often curse them forgetting those same challenges allow us to grow and develop in ways we never thought possible or expected.

I don't think he was sure what to do!

Becca with the Rabbit.  She doesn't seem as worried as James.

He seems a little more comfortable with this one.

The bunny's eyes match Becca's jacket.

Posing with a just sheared ewe.

Family photo time.

It's just the caboose of the train not jail...

After taking off their shoes and changing pants they were allowed in the car.

Becca hiding in the closet.

Braden