happy birthday Carlos. . no fools!

Today is our beloved Carlos's sixth birthday. For those of you whom have never met him, trust me, he is the very best dog that ever lived. He is patient and kind with the kids, who are rarely as good to him. He is loyal, playful, cuddly, gentle. We love you Carlos, (aka GaGa and Gah Bee)
The boys and I celebrated the special day by taking the birthday boy out for a long walk. It was windy, and drizzling, but at least it was 60 degrees out. Then when we got home, we made a "cake" out of dog bones, stuck a match on top (I really should have birthday candles around the house) sung him Happy Birthday, and blew out his "candle". While he enjoyed his treat, we had pie and ice cream. (the boys use any reason to celebrate with ice cream!)

It is also April Fools Day (just in case anyone had forgot) The morning started out with Cooper randomly pointing outside saying "Look at that!!" just to have me look, and say "Haha, it's nothing- April Fools! " Oh yeah, good one Cooper.

I had all intention of playing a joke on Aaron this morning. Last night, as we were heading up to bed, I went over to Aaron's tea mug- already prepped with a tea bag, and some ridiculous amount of sugar. Replace the sugar with salt. Perfect, classic gag. I was ready to go, sneaking out the big blue cylinder of salt. Then I had this picture in my head of my beloved husband waking up at 4:45 am, preparing for his LONG day of work. Schlepping downstairs for his morning tea to wake him up for said long day- I know how much the man loves his tea and news before work.

Well, I chickened out. I just couldn't bear to start his day out like that. Besides, the time I painted his fingernails red in his sleep (then hid the nail polish remover, of course) was joke enough to last many years :)

in New Hampshire, spring means MUD

And nope- Tagg is not phased at all!

spring is creeping in!

Yesterday, the kids and I spend a glorious HOUR outside, enjoying the sunshine. Best part- NO SNOWSUITS! While there certainly isn't any green popping up, there are plenty of bear (ok, and brown) spots appearing all over the lawn.

We had a lovely Easter. Puppy, GB and Uncle John all came up Saturday morning, and stayed until Easter afternoon. I'm sure they are all just getting over their "fix". . .I know how much they love to see the kids, but when your are little kid free most of the time, I KNOW my children are exhausting.

Aaron got to try out his birthday gift Easter morning, his 12 gauge shotgun. We took it to the town sandpit, and all squeezed off a few rounds (are shot gun shells concidered rounds? I'm so out of the loop on such things!) Our targets? Easter eggs :) how appropriate!

it's finally spring, and Cooper is psyched

Such a serious child, he is :)

where does he get these things?

So, during our family "America's Funniest Home Videos" TV time before bed, Cooper said something that surprised even me (I thought I'd heard it all from him by now) There was a video of a baby making funny faces while eating a new food. Out of nowhere, Cooper said:

"Can't slap the cute off that kid!"


Ah Hahahahahahahaa!!!

snow is melting!

Finally, we are all healthy here, and able to enjoy the warmer weather. Snow is melting (and mud is being made) I'm amazed what a puddle magnet my two boys and one golden retriever are.

I reminded Aaron that March is "order baby chicken" month. I have long dreamed of having a chicken coop, and with our barn (ok, I realize that it is more of a big, glorified shed) he simply cannot say no any longer. I LOVE fresh eggs, and the kids are very excited about having more pets.

I told Cooper he will have to help name them. Somehow, knowing my boys, they will be able to tell them apart. Cooper started rambling off names:

- Uncle Brian
- Uncle Pete
-Uncle Gary
-Uncle John

Then I burst his bubble and told him that our chickens will be girl chickens (and on a personal note, I am so thrilled to finally have some other females on premises!) So, this was his compramise:

-Auntie Brian
-Auntie Pete
-Auntie Gary
-Auntie John

That is some serious love for his uncles!

enough is enough already

Ok, winter can now officially be over. This is ridiculous, we've got SO MUCH SNOW! I know all of you in New England can sympathise, so feel free to join my pitty party :)

When we first starting the process of buying this house, it was May (Mother's day, in fact) and the yard here was beautiful. We spent all summer living at our old house in Contoocook, and working on the inside of our gingerbread house. We had very little time to spend enjoying the amazing property surrounding us. When we move in, it was already November, and we started the process of buckling down for winter.

So, come on spring!