X-Vate and the oven-puffed pancake

After a few months hiatus from working on our land/ thinking about what we're doing with building or selling...we're back at it! Kleck let Ashley borrow the excavator again so we spent part of Friday morning out there. Ashley is clearing more space for what will become our backyard (we're now much closer to saying that yes, we will build a house out there). And to make Levi's week, Ashley took Levi along for a ride. Some kids have imaginary friends...Levi has imaginary excavators (which he calls X-vates). He LOVES excavators (right up there with his love for Curious George). As you can tell, this is a big piece of equipment!

This would be the view from the side of our house, looking down our driveway. I love this part of the land, especially now that the summer leaves are out!


And while Levi rode in the excavator, Mason happily rode in the front carrier. He immediately calms down and goes to sleep (or deep relaxation) when I put him in here.
Saturday we celebrated the McLeod/Harman May birthdays at Carey's pool. Notice the baby floating in the pool..it's Mallory's swimming baby. What a cool toy!
This morning we were running low on groceries and short on ideas for what we wanted for breakfast. We didn't want "big breakfast" (eggs, bacon/sausage, grits, biscuits) and I wanted pancakes. But for all the things I can cook, I can't do pancakes (I do waffles and french toast). Ashley found a recipe for Oven-Puffed Pancake in the plaid Better Homes and Garden cookbook. I gave it a try. And YUM!!! I was worried it would be too eggy (it has 3 eggs, flour, milk and salt) but it was perfect. What made it even more delicious was the McBee peaches and blueberries sprinkled with powdered sugar. Try it! You can find many variations of the recipe online.
Today I probably spent too much time in the kitchen (I'm tired and the boys are, too). Here's what else I made: fresh pesto (our basil is flourishing!), Muddy Buddy (for our Memorial Day trip to the lake with friends), and cilantro-ginger flank steak for supper. But being back in the kitchen really makes me feel good. I don't have as much time now for cooking but I'm trying to continue trying new recipes and cooking fresh for our family. Here's to that!

Levi's first school program

Levi finished his first year of school last Thursday--and like all kids, he had a program! Of course, there wasn't much to his class' performance--they "sang" two songs and that was it. We could hardly see him from where we were sitting (he is in the lower right corner with a red shirt on), but it was still fun. Before the program, we picked up a Little Caesar's pizza and had a "picnic" at his school's playground. This summer Levi will be going to school in June and July. Starting in September, he'll go three days a week.
For Mallory's 2nd birthday, I made her a toddler pillow with two pillowcases. I really enjoyed this craft project (I had already made Levi a Curious George pillow) and am thinking about selling these. Thoughts, anyone? Levi loves having his pillow because it's the perfect size (a travel pillow).

Mason turns ONE (month)

Mason is one month old! Although the month has gone by fast, it feels like he has been in our family much longer. I'm continuing the tradition I started with Levi and will be taking pictures on his "birthday" each month. This picture plays homage to Levi's first birthday picture. Take a step back in time and check out Levi at this age here: http://annamcleod.blogspot.com/2008/07/one-month-old.html The outfit that Mason has on for this picture was a gift from Levi's teachers. It's perfect--has an excavator on it and it's green (which is the color I think Mason looks best in).
And here he is relaxing outside with his new toys from my friend Autumn-Grace and her husband Jose: Sophie the Giraffe and Jacque the Peacock. Sophie is especially cool. If you want to learn more about this classic toy, go here: http://sophiegiraffeusa.com/story.html. How special that my friends take the time to pick out such unique toys!
While Mason was relaxing, Levi was playing in the new whale sprinkler that Ashley got him at the dollar store. Naked boy! Running around naked inspired Levi to pee on his own several times. Maybe potty training will come later this summer?
Naked boy was all over the backyard, even on his tricycle.
And then we decided he probably needed to dry off. Ashley grabbed Mason's new lion towel (a gift from my friend Lindsay) and Levi looked like he just stepped out of Where the Wild Things Are!
Levi "talking" to Mason. Mason is probably wondering what in the world his brother has on!
It's nice to have such a great backyard to play in. We've been spending a lot of time there--even though we have to do battle with the mosquitoes constantly. Come visit and hang out with us!

"Blocks", zoo and pool

A few days ago Levi found some of our spare toilet paper rolls and came up with a great use...blocks! He stacked them everywhere, including the door to his bathroom.
And in his room.
I've been spending a lot of time looking at this lately...my view from the recliner in Mason's room. The quilt is from the bedding set we got for Levi--there are so many things that I am happy to be reusing (clothes, toys, car seat, etc). When it's just Mason and I (either Levi is napping or at school), I usually turn on NPR while I'm feeding him. It's my little time of peace and maybe it's helping him be smarter and more informed about the world, too :O).
Levi has loved playing with the "It's a Boy" balloon. Here we are a month in to Mason being here and the balloon is still going strong!!
Mama came down to visit for a few days while Papa was in Colorado visiting Joshua. We all went to the zoo. Check out these cool sunglasses folks!
And Cool Dude Extraordinaire! After months (or maybe even a year or more) of refusing to wear sunglasses, Levi donned these happily! It was a VERY crowded and busy day at the zoo--remind me to call ahead or avoid Fridays all together when the end of school is near. There are a lot of reasons I feel fortunate to be a stay at home mom and one of those is being able to go to the zoo when it's not crowded.
Here we are at the end of our trip. Levi is tired and over the experience, and Mason probably is, too!
Ashley and Levi walking back over the bridge on the botanical garden side. This is so peaceful!
Debbie (Ashley's mom) has been so great to help me out during this first month. She's been over a lot of mornings to give me hand on adjusting to life with two boys. Levi loves his time with Grandma--they make mudpies, pound flowers to make prints, and all sorts of cool stuff. Mason loves Grandma because she lets him sleep on her!
We went to Carey's last Sunday. Here's Mason relaxing at the pool.
Levi had a big time in the water with Weston.
And Mallory spent time visiting with Mason. She was so sweet--tried to give him his bottle, wanted to hold him, etc. I think she'll look out for him when he gets older.

Bonding with Mason

Now that Mason has been here almost 3 weeks, he's really starting to fit into our family. Levi has warmed up to his brother and wants to hold him every day--but it usually only lasts for a few seconds and then he's pushing Mason out of his lap or running a Matchbox car across his forehead (yikes, soft spot!!). Overall, though, I would say Levi has adjusted to the fact that Mason is here to stay. Ashley and I are getting used to parenting two kids--it takes tag teaming a lot of the time!
Last Saturday Ashley had to work so I loaded up the boys and drove to Gilbert to visit with the McLeod/Harman family. I definitely felt like I had accomplished something when I pulled into Ashley's parents' driveway and both boys were happy and I wasn't frazzled! Here is the first picture of all the cousins.
And a more accurate view of what was going on...inspecting Mason! Mallory in particular already loves Mason and wants to hold him a lot. How lucky he is to have such a great family!
Mason and Levi chilling out on Levi's bean bag (probably watching Curious George!).
Last Sunday morning we went to the park in Lexington. Levi is getting to be such a big boy and loves to swing!
Mason's first bath! As you can tell, he's pretty laid back about this! He did wake up and start crying towards the end but overall was a great sport!
Here's our little boy, with his hair all fluffy!
And here he is dancing in the bouncer seat. This seat is such a great thing--I used it a lot with Levi but having it with Mason is even more useful! It really allows Mason to be a part of what we're doing without me having to hold him all the time (which he would prefer but I just can't do that constantly!).
Mama and Papa came to visit a few days ago and Papa gave Levi some wild rides in the laundry basket.
What fun!
I think today I settled in more to having two children. Although this morning was a little stressful because Ashley had to work and Levi was more needy than usual, once he and Mason (and I) took an afternoon nap, everything was pretty smooth. It helped that Ashley took Levi to go see one of his jobs so I could prepare our dinner (pizza on the grill)--but I also found some peace in re-reading part of Babywise. After dinner tonight, I gave Mason his bath, put him in his pj's and then put him to bed. Then Ashley, Levi and I hung outside for a while--what beautiful weather we've had today---warm with the wind blowing.