Growing up...

When Dane was born I was convinced I was crazy for having my boys so close together, but as they grow and change I am grateful for that decision. They are becoming the best of friends and are inseparable when playing at home. Blake initiated the new game pictured above where he puts a mixing bowl on top of Dane's head, then Dane pulls it off and yells. They both crack up laughing! Dane is growing up so fast from feeding himself to his interactions with Blake through play. Each day is a new adventure in both boys' growth and development!

Breaking News x 2!!

I am sure some of you won't think either of these breaking news bulletins are worthy of breaking news status, but let me assure you, in the Hollenbeck household they are!

First...

DANE DID NOT CRY WHEN I DROPPED HIM OFF

AT MOTHER'S MORNING OUT YESTERDAY!

Dane is quite the momma's boy and can be very clingy around strangers. He began the MMO program right after Thanksgiving and screamed every time I left (somehow I joyfully walked away to have the morning alone :) )...actually he would start to cry when we walked into the room. Until yesterday! He took off running when I opened the door and began playing with his friends. He even avoided me when I came to pick him up. I am thrilled that we are moving into a new phase of Dane enjoying playing at MMO and being more comfortable around his new pals!

Second...

WE ARE GOING ON VACATION!

Matt and I have not been on a vacation since summer 2000 (that is not a typo!) when we went on a cruise after graduation from graduate school. Please feel free to feel sorry for me for not getting a honeymoon. So, after getting married, pre-req classes for medical school, medical school, the birth of two children, and a move across country we are off to Hilton Head Island for a week! We have HUGE thanks to give to our parents for joining us on our trip. We are so excited to explore Hilton Head and surrounding areas with them, and to let the boys spend some much-needed time with their grandparents! We will be renting a house on the island and hope to have a couple of day trips to Savannah, GA and Charleston, SC! We can't wait until the end of March for the first vacation in 9 years!

So, all is well in the Hollenbeck house! In addition to the breaking news above, we will also have visitors in two weeks! My mom and aunt are coming to visit for 4 days and help celebrate Blake's 3rd birthday! It is a huge blessing to have exciting things to look forward to..and it helps the time go by quickly. Meanwhile, I will enjoy the sunshine and having my windows open today and will look forward to the weekend...

Elmo Live!

All ready to go! Blake is saying "Elmo" in this
picture...I took it as the "O" came out. Watching the lights and listening to the
sounds before the show starts.

Sitting on the edge of my lap enjoying the show!

Lots of smiles after the show!

This is a picture I took on the way home from the show. Elmo Live took place in Spartanburg, about a 30 minute drive. It was past his naptime on the way home, but he stayed awake and looked at this program in this position the entire drive home. Blake even carried it around with him the rest of the day. He took it up and down the stairs, to the potty...basically anywhere he went, the program went too. It was so fun to watch him enjoy the show and his excitement that lasted the entire day! Dane was sort of along for the ride and watched the show from the back of the auditorium. I had very close seats and he wasn't too thrilled with my choice. Fortunately, he sat with Matt and enjoyed the show just a bit farther away. We had fun times with Elmo and friends...and it was a big treat that Daddy was able to go with us!

Made Me Laugh...

I was sitting and watching the news last night waiting to hear the weather. The 7-day forecast came up. Near the end of the week I noticed an icon that said "Frigid." The high is supposed to be 38, the low 29. Now that is just funny. At least to me.

Gadget Indulgence

If you have ever eaten in a college cafeteria this gadget will look familiar. Remember all of them lined up each with a different cereal? I am not the type to research a product to make my life easier, and if you know me well enough you know I like to poke fun at those who purchase "Made for TV" products. Let me include I did NOT find this on TV...I googled cereal dispenser (I am sure that makes me much cooler). To be frank, I have had it with Cheerios. The little yummy circle both my boys love flows way too quickly out of the box, which usually lands on the floor or all over the counter. They are a pain to locate and pick up, so thank you Baron for taking over that task. Now that we purchase the large 2 bag box at Costco my life dealing with Cheerios has gotten worse. Once you open one of the bags and take it out, it doesn't go back into the large box - hence all of the crushed cereal. You can't pour from the large box because the second bag may fall out, and it is just plain too bulky to pour. And on and on. So, now when I want to fill a bowl, a small snack cup, or even a hand I can without frustration. Plus, isn't it so cute sitting on my counter? Stay tuned in case this lovely gadget breaks in a week like most do.

A Good Day...

Today has been a good day...aside from being assaulted by the extreme winds we are having. Everyone, including myself, woke up refreshed and happy! We accomplished all of our morning tasks in a timely manner. I find it challenging to dress, feed and arrive on time to Blake's school with two children under the age of three, but today was better than most. Dane and I accomplished our morning errands and ended our time before picking up Blake at a very fun playdate! Dane has finally opened his mind to becoming friends with other adults besides his mommy and is playing much more independently and with other children. Although I enjoy him wanting to be a momma's boy, I do treasure the moments of adult conversation with friends like at today's playdate. The most exciting thing happened when we arrived home after our busy morning...I parked in the garage! I have not parked my car in a garage since the year 1994. I have always lived in apartments where I had to park off-street and our home in Kansas City had a one car garage that would not accommodate the size of a modern era car. That home was built in 1949. So, today has been a good day. Parking in the garage has made it great. I have even opened the door a couple of times to admire my car sitting in the cozy garage. I think it's smiling.