The magical disappearing act

Wow, May is here already and the weather is just gorgeous! I am so loving this place right now! This weekend was simply gorgeous. Sunday, we had a Loyalty Day parade run right next to our house. This is an annual event for the city of Brandon and it is in celebration of our veterans through the VFW. The parade was HUGE and lasted over an hour. Since it started at the school behind our house and then ran in front of the house, we were able to set up lawn chairs on the driveway to take in the action. I am glad we did, because the kids had a blast. Almost every vehicle running through the parade threw out candy, popsicles, or ice cream sandwiches. It was pretty hot, so I was glad we were so close to home so we could run the frozen stuff into the freezer in the house! The only part that really bothered me throughout the parade was the serious disrespect people had for our yard. Not only were there cars parked on the grass, but the VFW horse was tied up in the yard (grr!). People also felt that it was ok to just walk through our yard, rather than take the street, to get onto the other side of the house. I am all about being hospitable and allowing people to sit in the grass to watch the parade, but the many people trolling through the yard and the cars and horse were a bit much! If the boys hadn't been having so much fun, I probably would have just left, for my own sanity. But, we stayed and I am glad we did. However, sitting outside for a couple of hours (we were watching them set up, too), without sunscreen was not too smart. We all ended up with some sunburns that we are still nursing.


This week, we have been plugging along in our regular routine of playing outside, playgroups, and school. With the nice weather, there has not been a day we have not been outside all day. The boys are loving it and are exhausted at the end of the day. This weekend, we are going to buy a little swimming pool for them, since they insist on trying to swim in their sand and water table. We are also going to attempt to get the fence put in, which will be so nice. Brady has decided he does not want to live here anymore and is intent on running away every chance he gets. I swear he is so tired at the end of the day because he is constantly taking off after the birds/rabbits/floating leaf/flower, or whatever else his curious 2 year old brain finds interesting. It is fine that he wants to check these things out closer, but not so ok that he fails to comprehend the seriousness of running out into the street after whatever it is he is chasing. So, like I said, a fence is going to be awesome at helping me contain him. Otherwise, my neighbors are going to get curious as to the tether line attached to the clothesline. (just kidding . . . well, kind of).


I am also getting ready for a garage sale this weekend. Brandon has a city wide one where people come from all over to check things out. Since I still have a ton of my craft stuff from the craft fairs I used to do, I am going to try and get rid of it, as well as some clothes and shoes the boys have grown out of. Travis and I also are downsizing our closets (ok, seriously, we are just shopping addicts and need the room) as well, so I think I will have a decent sale! Trav is taking Friday off to help me with the boys during the sale. Brady's escape attempts would make it too hard to keep track of him and attend the sale at the same time, so I am relieved he could take the day off.


Well, it's nap time now, and I have a few things to get done before the critters are up and at em again.