Easter Weekend

We spent a very pleasant Easter weekend in Arkansas. Thankfully, we were not washed away in the rain like many of our friends and neighbors. In fact, nearly the entire weekend was dry. The rain did not start until Sunday afternoon.

Anyway, the boys always enjoy a horseback ride. Buck it their favorite, I think.

Owen put many miles on his Gator. Jack even enjoyed a ride. Kinda scary that a mom would trust her one-year-old with a two-year-old driver, isn't it?

Nana had some baby chicks that Corwin thoroughly enjoyed. (Don't worry. That's not chick pee on Corwin's shirt. He told me so.)

Cousin Jack was more concerned about what was inside the eggs. He'd get one, open it, and point at another. I guess he wanted someone to gather eggs for him. :)

Owen, busy at work....

The big boys attack an egg hunt like a deer hunt. It's serious business, folks!

All lined up and ready to go. Pa's giving the rules for the hunt.

Time for a rest. Hunting is hard work.

Owen likes to carry his basket like a purse. I'm not sure why....

Time to dye eggs! Owen likes to get his hands dirty!

O dropped an egg, and it cracked. He then had to peel it to see what was inside. He took one bite and spit it out. I guess he's not a fan of hard-boiled egg.

Then there was the church egg hunt. Here are all the little guys waiting patiently for the "go" signal.

At the Big Top!

We had a unique opportunity this week to go to the Kelly Miller Circus! What a treat that was! I'm not sure if I've ever been to a circus before, but I think I enjoyed it as much, or more, than the boys did!

We were even able to go that morning to watch the circus arrive and set up. First out of their trailer were the camels.

Then, the amazing elephants! Elephants are amazing animals, you know? Wait...did I tell you that elephants are amazing? Because, I think they're Ah-MAZing!

We also saw doves and the cutest little bunny!

Then we watched the staff raise the tent. Amazing! That thing is HUGE!

Lisa, the elephant, was the one to raise the big top. They harnessed and strapped the large center poles to her and she pulled them into place. The boys were amazed at the process. (Okay, I was too.)

The tent is raised, and they begin setting up the interior for the show. That's when we went home for lunch and naps.

SHOWTIME!!! The tigers were first. We got to sit ring side, and you could hear the crack of the whip and the roar of the tigers. Very cool.

The camels are all dressed up now and struttin' their stuff!

Finally, the elephants. It's amazing what that trainer got them to do! They are smart animals!

Ta Da!!! They were also offering elephant rides for $10 per person. That is something I wish I'd gone prepared to do. I would've LOVED to ride an elephant. And, Owen and Corwin cried to do so, but I was a few bucks shy. I guess I could've been a little less selfish and let the boys ride without me, but I didn't. Shame on me, I know. :(

Finally, the human volcanos. This was obviously Corwin's favorite. He likes anything large, explosive, and dangerous. I thought these men were insane! Oh, by the way, one of these performers is actually the cook for the entire circus staff. I guess his fire-eating skills could come in handy from time-to-time. We had a ton of fun and were thankful for the two free tickets we received. Now, that's entertainment!

Army Strong

We enjoyed yet another gorgeous day today. We met our elderly ex-landlords in St. Robert today for lunch. St. Robert is a town neighboring the largest Army base in Missouri. Every time we go to St. Robert we have the honor of driving through the base. And, every time we tell the boys we'll stop and explore the many army vehicles they have displayed. Well, today was finally that day.

Corwin had Daddy read EVERY sign posted by EVERY army rig. He needed to know the crew capacity, range, equipment, engine, weight, length, height, etc. of every vehicle. Both boys were fascinated by these large vehicles. Corwin is convinced now that all he's interested in doing is being in the Army when he gets big and driving a tank. Oh, my.

They also had an old Coast Guard Boat...

...and a massive anchor...

Owen thoroughly enjoyed the "monster trucks." I suppose they do look like monster trucks. :)

Just Another Manic Tuesday!

Okay, these "spring" days have actually been more like long, cold, winter days. We have had the pleasure of a few nice warm days, but it seems like the cold just keeps trying to hang on. I realize that's what spring in Missouri is like, but that doesn't mean I have to accept it. Instead, I will complain about the chill and anxiously await the warm. Then, when it's crazy hot this summer, I'll do the same in anticipation for fall. :) It's a vicious cycle.

Anyway, I dragged the boys to the park this morning. Thankfully, I'm able to let the boys play at the park while I walk the perimeter. Exercise and Entertain. Killing two birds with one stone. Multitasking. Go me!

The boys love the park and always thoroughly enjoy themselves. Well, Corwin did, anyway. I am convinced that big brothers are just created to torment and torture their younger sibilings! I say this from personal experience, folks. I remember Shelby trapping me in the hallway and making me wrestle with him. Corwin is no different. He attempted to take Owen's life several times this morning.

On the merry-go-round, Corwin is "seemingly" clueless to Owen. Owen would be getting off the contraption, and that's when Corwin would decide to spin it at Mach speed. Or, Owen would be on the ground waiting to jump on, and Corwin would spin by with his legs flailing in the air and pummell Owen to the ground ... not once, but multiple times! Notice I said Corwin was "seemingly" clueless. Mmm hmm....

Or the teeter-totters. I now realize that these fun play-thingies ought to be outlawed because of bigger brothers. Corwin, obviously, was attempting to launch Owen into outer space by catapulting him into the stratosphere.

Thankfully, Owen walked away unharmed and thoroughly entertained. He would laugh histerically when being flung into the air. I'm waiting for the day that those laughs become blood and tears, though. I suppose that's life with boys. It's exhausting.

Knock! Knock! Who's There?

Owen and Corwin have been on a kick of telling jokes lately. Owen loves "Knock Knock" jokes, except they're not really jokes. There's no punch line. He "laughs" instead. I can't explain it to you; you'll just have to witness it for yourself....

He and Corwin will go on and on and on and on.... They will tell the 2-3 jokes they actually DO know, then spend the next 20 minutes making them up. It's torture, to be the truth. Torture. Anyway, here's a quick and short example of what we've been enduring lately: