InstaFriday

Here's what we've been up to lately, Instagram-style. Wanna follow me? I'm @naemaelynn. 

Last weekend we went to the Phoenix Zoo. The boys had a blast.

I think they're favorite animals to see are the monkeys! Doesn't this monkey look thrilled?

The boys were tuckered out after a few hours. Ah, sweet silent bliss. 

Gave myself a nice red mani the other day. I think red is my favorite nail color. Classic. 

Owen looooves his laptop. 

Austy chillaxin'

Owen discovered Hungry Hungry Hippos in my closet the other day. There was no going back. The boys played it all day!

"Look Mommy, I made a W!"

A typical Sunday night dinner. Klassy.

Fun @ Party City!

"Mommy, your hair looks cool". Thanks, buddy.

Sprinklers!

We went to the store today and against my better judgement, I drove the boys around in the car cart, only Austin got the side with the missing steering wheel. Crocodile tears ensued. 

Austin was cheered up by looking at the "grasshoppers", as Owen calls them. Too cute.

Austy and I got away for a date this morning. We went to the mall, got Starbucks, rode the carousel, played in the play area, and picked out an early birthday present. I can't believe Austy will be 2 on Sunday! Where's my baby?

Isn't he a doll?!

Appointments and the weekend

Last week Owen had a few appointments that kept us busy. On Wednesday he had a speech evaluation. He had previously had a speech/vision/hearing screening that I set up because I was concerned about where he was with his speech. After over an hour of evaluation (playing word games/puzzles, asking questions, talking) it was determined that he does have a bit of a delay and they qualified him for speech therapy. It was determined that we will put him in preschool when school starts in August. The therapist will come to class and have sessions with Owen and other speech therapy qualified kids in his class. And all this is free! Between the therapist and being around other kids this regularly, that should increase his vocabulary and get him where he needs to be!

Thursday we had an appointment to follow up with the test Owen had done a few months ago to check his kidney reflux. Praise God, he's almost completely grown out of it! No more invasive V.C.U.G. tests or mornings at the children's hospital. They did see a small diverticula on the kidney ultrasound, but the doctor is not concerned about it. We will just have a follow up kidney ultrasound in a year to make sure it's not growing. 

After those appointments, we were ready to have some fun. 

The boys are obsessed with bugs these days. Whether it's an ant in the sand, a stray cricket in the house, or a grasshopper in the garage, they remained entertained until their specimen is, well, dead. 

Here's the grasshopper in the garage.

Friday night was girls night with Ruth. We hit Applebees and then saw Titanic 3D. 

Saturday was cousin Michael's 4th birthday at Chuck E Cheese. My boys had a blast and were so good!

Cousin Madi!

Michael, the birthday boy!

Me and Aunt Susan. Love her.

Saturday night was my hot date with my man. Red Lobster and Starbucks!

My first ever vanilla latte. Too coffee-y for me.

Well, hello, Mr. Hottie McHotterson. 

Sunday we laid low, went to church, grocery shopped, relaxed. I enjoyed my very last Snickers egg. 

Goodbye, Snickers eggs. I'll see you next Easter. 

'

Easter

We had a nice Easter weekend. On Saturday night we decorated eggs. I remember Owen loved this last time and he had just as much fun this year. And this time Austin got to join in on the fun!

Easter baskets

Sunday morning the boys got to open their baskets. Ok, they did fight a little bit over each other's toys. 

Cheese!

I totally forgot to get the boys' pictures in their Easter outfits! They were nothing special, just colored plaid shorts and bright polos. They did look cute, though. 

Like my Easter pedi? I did it myself! (duh.) It's Essie in Play Date, a gift from Ruth!

After church and naps we headed to Gilbert. I was in charge of the deviled eggs. Ick. 

Here's my sweet nephew, Drew. He's 7 now! What a sweetheart. 

My niece Bella lovin' on the boys. (oh look! I have a picture of them in their Easter outfits after all!)

Cute Eli. Only a few months younger than Austy!

We didn't get to celebrate with the Jones side of the family because my sweet mother-in-law has been in the hospital. Once she's out and recovered, we hope to have an Easter "re-do!"

What a blessing to celebrate the Resurrection of our Savior!

Lately

Looking back on the pictures I took this week, we spent quite a bit of time outside! No point in wasting the beautiful spring weather. Time to pull out the popsicles! Owen's a fan. 

I found him reading his Bible to himself the other day. Precious. 

We got to spend lots of time with Ruth and Luke and Baby Joel this week since Jeff was out of town. The boys played well outside and had lots of fun finding bugs.

On a completely unrelated note, I came across these chips at the store on sale. I intended to buy them to set out during small group, but I got a taste and, well, ended up hiding them in the pantry for myself. Man, they are goooooood! 

Wednesday afternoon we went to visit Nana and Papa. They boys played wonderfully in the playroom and I got to enjoy a nice chat with JoAnn.

Little stinkers in the bath. Owen's singing a song to Austin that Ruth taught him about a bunny. Austy loved it and was laughing hysterically.

Oh, Austy. Love him.