KC Update

Not sure why I am doing the KC update, given that I'm firmly on sandy ground in Arizona, but, there you go.

So first off, I believe that though we have a pool in our own backyard, there is some excitement to swimming in Nana and Papa's pool, namely because of - sorry, Nana and Papa, I think it's because of Ben and Grace. It appears that Corey has very much been enjoying the company of his cousins!

And Rob, who originally packed two long-sleeved shirts, two pairs of pants and a sweatshirt for Corey, is seen lounging in shorts at the right. He reminded me the humidity is horrible, and that it probably feels hotter there than here. And while that's likely true, because he told me and Corey it would be "cold" there, Corey's chalked him up to one more "Daddy was wrong" moment. One of the other moments includes when Rob said he found Corey's truck or helicopter thing in my car, and Corey said it was Ben's. And it turned out, it was Ben's! So Daddies aren't always right. However, I will add that it is MUCH warmer here without Rob, because I've moved that thermostat right back to 82, where I like it much better!

Lovely Grace is likely sporting something from her birthday in this photo. Of course, there are plenty of Ben/Grace photos at the Urban blog (link top right of page.) Though I did notice that Ben and Grace SHARE a primary photo on the right column, and each cat gets their own. Who runs that house, Julie? ;)

This picture is from the "Beach Bum, where they played games. Grace was thrilled with her winnings on her birthday and shared with the boys." This from Papa's email, so not sure if her winnings were presents or they played games at the restaurant. The problem with a secondhand post!

Then it appears they made the requisite trip to the Farmstead, a free petting zoo near Nana and Papa's house. Apparently it was raining most of the time, so credit definitely due to Nana for enduring that for the kids!

The cousins really look like they are having so much fun! It's too bad they don't live closer, they really would so much enjoy each other's company more often.

And, believe it or not, Corey starts school on Wednesday next week! Monday, he has a doctor's appointment (he'll need to give blood, so everyone in Kansas, tell him how you donate blood all the time - easy peasy!) and then Monday night, an open house at school. In fact, this Friday, we'll learn who his teacher is for first grade! Chandler started this week, so I'm at least thankful they don't start that early!

Meanwhile, Bobo and I have been having a good time together. We already knew he liked hummus, but he really loves toasted pita in red pepper hummus. The only problem was that we ran out of pita before we ran out of hummus. So it turns out that Brody and I both like Bugles dipped in red pepper hummus! We are classy folks here in Gilbert!

Work has been very busy - lots going on. So I worked late last night - until about 11. I finally lay down to sleep, and at about midnight, I get a little bed buddy. It' s like Corey taught him everything he knows!

Have a good week!

Brody's Bathroom

Brody and I have been updating Corey and Brody's bathroom all weekend. It's finally complete (although I think hanging cabinet doors is a TWO-person job, so Rob will have to help me straighten them when he returns.)

And if you haven't seen them before, the cabinets were that plain oak that is also in our other bathroom and our kitchen. No issues with it really, except that it just doesn't go with saltillo tile.

My arms hurt! So what's next on the project list? Hm.....

Day One in KC

I'm trying to do this from my phone, so Carrie might need to clean it up, but here are some early photos from Kansas.

Corey played Legos, played at Nana's school and ran some errands yesterday. We went to the Royals game last night (five years since Corey's FIRST baseball game there when he was 8 months old). Now we're on the way to Grace's birthday party in Lawrence. More to come!

Kristin and John's visit

No, these weren't our seats.

Weekend Recovery

After a long weekend, I finally have an update!

First off, Corey has been so helpful at night reading books to Brody. Here they're cuddling in Brody's train bed before bedtime, reading - what else - a Thomas book! Sometimes Brody won't let me read books to him at all - he has to have "BorAY" (Corey) do it or "Bobo do" (he does it himself.) Very opinionated and independent!

And lest you think we were busy ALL weekend, you can see that the kids had time to couch potato out during Backyardigans. But we were busy, and had a great time with Aunt Kristin and Silly Goofball Johnny (aka SG Johnny, at least on Wii.)

Corey joined them, and Rob, of course, to see the Diamondbacks beat the Cubs. Corey 1, Johnny/Kristin/Rob, 0. Corey was pretty excited, but not quite excited enough, because he conked out on the ride home.

While they were at the game, Brody and I bonded on my bed (see the nice quilt Grammy made us!) and Brody was copying Mommy's stance during the t.v. show. Looks like a little cherub. Of course, we know better.

In fact, Brody ended up sleeping on Boray's bed - which was an air mattress on Brody's floor. So three beds, and it had to be the one that Corey uses. Fortunately I was able to move him to the train bed before conked-out Corey got home.

We also went over to our friends' house for swimming and brats. We kind of had a German theme going on since they had brats, I made pretzels (link for recipe - time-consuming and totally worth it!), and brought potato salad. However, we drew the line at the beer. It may be of German origin, but all the really good beer is not German!

And we wrapped up today with Corey's VIK talent show. The pictures didn't turn out great, but there's a great video. And who could resist Corey's biggest fan - Brody - who was on the edge of his seat for the songs and dancing and cheering Corey on (listen for him in the video.)

Brody wore all Thomas to school the other day for "pajama" day, and then he wore his Bob the Builder equipment he received from Johnny and Kristin. Our little commercialized boy....

I also got slightly addicted to Facebook this weekend. Fun!

Rob and Corey head to KC for a week tomorrow, so Brody and I will be doing major bonding, which we apparently need! Corey told me Brody doesn't really like hanging out with me (!) and then said he'd rather it was me going to KC with him than Rob, since he loves me so much. Rob was thrilled with that statement!

Sake bombs!

Having fun with Kristin and Johnny!

Urbans Go Online

My sister has finally gone online... Check out her link on the right: Urban Kansas.

More Fun and Food (and photos)

Ah, the boys grow up so fast. In the first picture, you can see that Brody has a new favorite position - on his belly with his legs kicked up in the air. This is particularly precarious when he's straddling the ottoman and the couch on movie night, as pictured here. Much better when he's on our bed, watching a dance show with Corey and me.

In the second picture, Corey is reading to Brody. Not just one book, but all four in a series of Thomas books, and Brody wouldn't hear of anyone taking over for Corey. Corey did an excellent job, though there was a little complaining about how heavy Brody actually was.

And last, but not least, I was clipping the kids' fingernails and toenails, when Corey asked if I'd paint his toes like mine. Well, Brody wouldn't let Corey have it if he weren't going to have it too. Unfortunately I didn't have any more "masculine" colors in the house, so red it was. I'm sure Corey will be a big hit at summer camp tomorrow.

I just had to go say good night to Corey (to reassure him that I could remove the red polish before he gets in the pool with his friends tomorrow). Life is tough at that age, right?

Today we took it easy. Brody really took it easy - he had almost a four-hour nap (overdue for sleep from this morning waking up too early, last night going to bed too late, and very little nap yesterday.)

Yesterday we went to a coworker's house for a barbecue (again, more with us and the food!) and had a good time. Brody was thrilled with all the attention he got from several women. Corey played with his friend Austin, including Wii and playing outside. And earlier yesterday, we went to see Wall-E with Hope Kids. Luckily we didn't pay for the tickets, since about an hour in, I ended up taking Brody around the mall - he wouldn't sit still. It was Corey's second time to see the movie.

Saturday I made pretzels - you know, the warm soft pretzels you get at the mall? They were delicious. In fact, I saw all the dough (it made twelve) and originally thought that I made way too much. Within 24 hours, they're gone. Big hit at the Sinclair house, and I suspect I'll be making many more of them. They were so easy. The hardest part was waiting an hour for the dough to rise!

Thursday night it poured here - flooded our front walk and several major streets, according to the traffic channel on XM and NPR. Then Rob and Corey barely got 30 minutes of swimming in today before it clouded over, and it's been raining this evening. Rob thinks it's pretty funny that it's been cooler here - heat index-wise - than it has been in either Minnesota or Kansas. (That still doesn't mean it's comfortable.)

We have a busy weekend ahead of us, and hopefully a relatively uneventful week (making updates during the week boring and updates on the weekend nearly impossible due to scheduling). Kristin and John are coming Friday night and staying until Tuesday. Rob and Corey leave for Kansas City on Thursday, where Rob will be working for a week, while Corey bonds with Nana and Papa (and and the Urbans; Grace will celebrate her fifth birthday while he's there).

Brody also has been having fun lately pretending to sleep (sometimes with his eyes open, sometime closed), including sound effects of snoring!

Fantastic Fourth

We had a great extended weekend.

First off, Corey and Mommy had a great bonding day on Thursday. I didn't have to work, so Corey and I made chocolate chip cookies (finally perfected the recipe) and we played in the pool when Rob finished up work.

Friday we started the day cleaning out Brody's room. We organized the room better so we don't have to trip over the train bed to get to the crib, or fall into the train bed when we're using the changing table. The best news is that since we rearranged the room, Brody hasn't slept in his crib at all. I predict we'll be able to move out the crib in less than a month, and I'm so excited to sell it on Craigslist so I can buy a bunk bed and move the kids into the same room! (I'm the only one excited about it, but I can live with that.)

In the afternoon, Corey and I went to a friend's house for arts and crafts. She's so creative, and she had the supplies for making a hanging flag all ready to go when we arrived. Corey had more fun once they moved outside to the slip 'n' slide and water balloons, though, no doubt. (He's all boy.)

Corey and I went home to pick up Brody and Rob for a trip to another friends' house. This time, our Canadian friends. But lucky for Rob, they'd picked up some Independence Day "hits" at the store, and were prepared with Rob's favorite tune, "I'm Proud to Be an American." Luckily we got to listen to that a lot! We had a great time with swimming, and eating, and swimming and more eating! And drinking. How could I forget? And when it got a little stormy out, the boys (and there were seven altogether) had no problems moving inside to play Wii.

Saturday we mostly stayed home. I made the best chicken kabobs ever!!! You have to check out that recipe - it was amazing (and reheats well too!) Mmm... grilled pineapple is yummy! So that was our at-home barbecue.

Sunday we went over to yet another friend's house to swim and barbecue. It was an early, pre-nap trip, and we came home at about 1:30 and we all crashed. But Corey had a good time playing with his friend that used to be in his pre-K class at Goddard (she starts Finley Farms next month.) Corey starts school in just four short weeks - unbelievable!

Poor Corey stayed home today with pink eye. We self-medicated (we have a stash from all the pink eye that has gone through this house), but after 24 hours of treatment, he looks good, and should be back to camp tomorrow without issue.

We had a busy weekend, so we'll probably lay a little low this weekend, though we'll go to a party my coworker is hosting for our team. (More Wii and more eating, I suspect.)