CSA

Cleaning out the planters Even Brady helped
The toad Payton found

This year we decided to buy a share in a CSA nearby. After googling CSA's near Naperville, I found one that was less than a mile from me. The Green Earth Institute uses land on the MacDonald farm and sells shares of CSA's in early fall, late spring and summer. We bought the summer share and are excited to try out the many different veggies we will get in our box. They have a database of thousands of recipes to make using the veggies they grow. Today, as well as many Saturdays throughout the season, they had a volunteer day to help get the gardens ready to plant. We went as a family and had a great time cleaning up the children's garden. Payton found a toad and a really cool caterpillar. He put them both in safe places so that nobody would step on them! Payton is set on building a garden at home now so we will see how that plays out this spring. It was fun knowing we took part in helping grow our veggies!

Spring Break 2012

Payton, Chase and Luke on a dinosaur bone Checking out the inside of the dino's mouth
Being silly

"Sue"

The boys in front of "Sue"

Monkey Joe's (the pinball jumpy)

Brady going down

Payton and his best buddy Kaitlyn

Brady playing at Monkey Joe's

At Phillips Park

Downtown Naperville

My favorite picture

Graham, Payton and I all had the same spring break this year and we had very little planned which was great. We did manage to fill the week up fast though. We had two sleepovers right off the bat with both sets of cousins and Payton's kid party. During the week we went to the park in downtown Naperville, Phillips Park Zoo, the Field Museum, had people over for dinner and went to Monkey Joe's.

Kid Party

The girl table

Playing a detective game

Payton had his kid party this year at the house. Graham and Payton picked out all of these fun games but after 2 of them, the kids made it clear that they just wanted to play. I think Graham was a little disappointed but the kids sure had fun. I think there were 17 kids all together! My spring break officially started after that party. :)

Soccer

Silly pose Indoor soccer 2012

Payton played on the park district indoor soccer league this winter. What a difference a year makes! The team looked so much better this year. They were more aggressive and scored many goals. Payton unfortunately did not score any goals but he sure did have fun. I am looking forward to the outdoor soccer that is starting in a couple of weeks, especially if the weather keeps up!

Family Party

Brady opening his gifts Payton testing out his new bike
All of the cousins

Before

After

Payton taking a bite out of his cake

My birthday boys

Brady's "Hungry Caterpillar" cake

Payton's "ducky" cake

We had a combined party for both boys this year, Brady's 1st and Payton's 6th, at our house. We are lucky that their birthdays are so close that we can do a combined party each year. They both had a great time eating cake, playing and opening presents.

Payton's 6th Birthday

Out to eat at Johnny's R.ed H.ots
Getting the much anticipated "angry bird"

Love this expression

My first baby turned 6 this year! Seriously? I had a hard time watching him go to Kindergarten but first grade is going to be worse. It is crazy how much he has grown up this year. He is reading and reading really well. He loves to read and wants to read books to me all. the. time! He loves to do math and asks to do math games every night. Sometimes Graham and I get sick of doing math facts. :) I am so proud of him and what he has learned this year.

Payton is so good with Brady. I love to watch them play together. Brady really looks up to him. I love Payton's sweet personality. He has such a caring heart and is always wanting to help us at home. He is really getting into certain sports, such as soccer and basketball. He is itching to start basketball and even bought an in ground system with his birthday money. I am sure this summer will include a lot of basketball playing outside!

Valentine's Day

Putting the broken crayons in the mold All of our different colors to choose from
Having fun!

This year I talked Payton into making his own valentines for his class instead of buying the silly ones at the store. I cut out some heart shapes at work and brought home a whole bunch of peeled crayons (which my class gladly peeled for him). We made heart crayons, thanks to Pinterest and glued them to the heart cut outs. Payton wrote each kids names and his own and I wrote "You Color My World" across the top. They turned out so cute and we had a great time doing it together.