Taste of Cincinnati

Mermoial Day weekend Cincinnnati has a food festival, Taste of Cincinnati, with tons of food and drink that takes up multiple blocks of downtown. We usually go every year and this year, we decided to take the boys and meet some neighbors in Fountain Square to feed the kids and hang out. We had a blast!!! However, the afternoon didn't quite go as planned (not unusual for any outing involving 3 small children!) We planned on feeding the kids and then walking through the festival to grab dinner for us. This was all before our children discovered the waterfall in Fountain Square! They all had soooo much fun playing in the water (along with every other child in Cincinnati!) But, mommy didn't bring any extra clothes or take off their clothes before they got wet, so our outing was cut short. We ended up having to strip the boys down and change diapers in the middle of downtown and head back to the car. Yes, we strolled all three of our boys through downtown Cincinnati naked!!! I know Robert was just waiting to run into his boss or something! But, I figure we're from Tennessee, right?! It's okay to have naked kids in public ;)

Graham got in on the action, too!!

Grammy enjoying dinner

Eating some yummy hotdogs in Fountain Square

Matress Fun

Last weekend we finally broke down and bought a new matress. Hooray!!!!! We were in great need of a new one and had been putting it off for quite some time. I just thought our bed was uncomfortable because I was big and pregnant, but now that I'm no longer pregnant I realized that Robert was right- we needed a new matress. So, before getting rid of the old one, Robert put it across the big boys' twin beds and let them run wild and play on it. They absolutely loved their "special treat!"

The Big Boys Rolling Around on the Old Matress

Daddy and the Boys in the Matress Fort

So Happy :)

Mommy and Patrick Playing on the Matress

Yes, I got on there and played, too!

Can You Guess What This Is?!

A few nights ago, Patrick ran into the kitchen very proud of this addition to his pj's. We were a little bit confused and wondered where it had come from. Can you guess what it is? And, no, it is not a jock strap!!!

It is the insert to a "bump cap"!!! (I was calling it a hard had and Robert corrected me. It is a bump cap because it just protects you from "bumping" your head on things in a plant.) Robert had given it to the boys to play with a while back and as usual, they managed to break it and use it for something other than it's intended purpose! Patrick continues to put on this insert and always asks to have his picture taken when he is wearing it!

Play-Doh

Patrick's Play-Doh Creation

So, I have decided that the $20 Play-Doh Create n' Canister might just be the best purchase of the summer!! The boys absolutely LOVE to sit outside at their picnic table and play with play-doh- for hours!!! As you can see, we no longer have any play-doh that is a single color. It is now multi-colored play-doh and Patrick always says, "Momma, look at all the colors! Lots of colors, Momma!!!" Whatever makes them happy...

By the way, these pictures make it look as if they play so nicely together with their play-doh. Don't worry, they don't. They fight over every little play-doh toy and totally freak out if the other touches one of their perfect little creations- which include all shapes, snakes (and lots of them!) lizards, balls, and a whole bunch of other things that I am expected to recognize at first sight!! Yup, I'll admit that most of the creations are somewhat diffucult to recognize. I guess I just don't have the imagination of a toddler.

The Flying Pig Marathon

Momma after the Flying Pig 1/2 Marathon

Momma and her baby boys :)

Patrick playing in the big potty at the race expo

Marshall and Daddy testing out the big potty

Well, IT is finally over!!! By IT I mean the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon. Back in the fall, shortly after Graham was born, I set the goal of running The Pig 1/2 Marathon on May 3,2009. I had many people support me and I also had those that recommended I do the 10K instead, as the half was a huge commitment, both physically and in time. Well, I took all the advice I was given and trained for the half. I joined the Bob Roncker's Running Spot training group and started running with hundreds of other runners every Tuesday evening and Saturday morning. We ran in ice, below zero windchills, snow, rain and every other weather situation imaginable! It was an absolutely amazing experience and I met some really fanstatic people that I hope to continue to run with. Training for this race really made me respect and appreciate what I am capable of, mentally and physically. I think the hardest thing to overcome was the mental aspect! Sometimes it's hard to wrap your brain around the fact that you ran 17 miles. (The longest run I've done to date. Totally by accident, as me and two other runners got lost on our route!) I also must thank Robert, and thank him A LOT! He stayed home with the boys on those long Saturday mornings while I was out running around town (literally.) And, all the boys tolerated me after our longer runs when I was tired and crabby. And, yes, I do admit that I become slightly irritable when worn down. (Some ie. Robert would probably argue that I become EXTREMELY irritable, but oh well.) But, the big day is over now and I am pondering what my next running goal will be. The full Pig next year (or the Whole Hog as they call it!) or the half again? Working and coaching with Girls on the Run? Who knows! I'm sure I will enjoy whatever I decide to do and the boys will, too. They seemed to have a lot of fun coming to watch Momma cross the finish line at The Pig. Nonny and GanGan were in town for a visit which made the logistics of getting all three boys downtown possible. Patrick, Marshall and Graham had a super fun weekend with Nonny, GanGan and the Pig!

More Adventures in Bathing

Last night we had another memorable bath. Picture this...Graham sitting, splashing in his little bath seat. Happy as can be. Marshall trying desperately to stick/hang a cup on his penis. Patrick sitting, looking between his legs while tooting and laughing hysterically at the bubbles he is making in the tub. Oh, how I love little boys. I've been told this is only the beginning...

Baby Graham

Graham is taking his first real steps these days!!!!! On Friday he went 5 steps and today he walked about three feet. Go Grammy :) He still looks like Frankenstein when he tries to walk, but it's so cute! It won't be long before he's running with the big boys. And, Graham won his first "fight" with one of his brothers. Last night Graham got ahold of Marshall's sippy cup and started to go to town. Marshall heard him and came running to grap the cup back. Graham held on tight, pulled the cup towards his middle and made loud grunt/growl noises. Marshall backed down after 30sec or so. It was too funny! Graham is definitely learning how to hold his own. And, I'm going to try to get a pic of his trying to walk soon.