Logan Zipping

Logan loves the zip line in our backyard. My parents think we are crazy, but Logan zips independently (we don't walk beside or hold on to him). Randy and I affectionately call this 2nd little man in our life, our little "Evil Knievel"---for obvious reasons, but that he is not afraid of anything! (Can you say, "trouble"?) Enjoy this video of our adventurous little boy!

Dear God...

Ben told me today that he wanted to "write sumthin momma". So he went inside and wrote a letter. He came outside a little while later, where Logan and I were playing, and he told me he had a postcard that he wanted to put in the mailbox. He didn't really write on a postcard, but rather a piece of paper, so I told him that we could mail if we put it in an envelope, addressed it, and put a stamp on it. He then said, "but Momma, I don't really want to mail it...it's to God." Can you see my heart swelling with love for this little boy? Did he really write a letter to God? Oh, the pure innocence and love this child has. So I asked Ben if he could read me his letter...here's the video.

!! FIESTA !!

Ben and Logan's Preschool/MDO celebrates Fiesta! every year, with a parade. This year, Ben's age group was asked to make Fiesta! shoebox floats to pull in the parade. So, last weekend, Ben and Randy worked on his dinosaur-themed Fiesta! float. It turned out really cute and he was quite proud pulling his float at the parade. Here are some pictures of the much celebrated event.

Ben's preschool class
Ben proudly shaking his maracha and pulling his dinosaur float

Happy boy!

Shake! Shake! Shake!

Proud Mommy and Daddy

Another class picture

Two of Ben's best buddies: Owen and Drew
Ben's teachers: Ms. Sharen and Ms. Tonya---Ben loves his teachers!

Logan's class also went to the parade, however, this is the only picture I took because I was afraid if he saw me he would have a "melt-down" and start crying. Logan's teachers are Ms. Dena and Ms. Irma. Logan really loves MDO and really loves his teachers. They are wonderful.

It's About Time

It's about time that I post my pictures from Easter! The boys loved hunting for eggs---we had 92 eggs hidden throughout the yard. And just about a week ago, Ben found 2 more that the Easter Bunny had hid so well, that no one had found them until recently. You would have thought he won the lottery. Logan did so well and really had fun hunting eggs. I remember Ben at this age, really didn't care less about the eggs, nor holding his own basket, etc. But Logan, he wanted to do it all! (He learns so much just from watching his older brother...)

Mud Video

Here is a funny video that I took last Saturday when the boys were playing in the mud. It's good for a hearty laugh. :-)

April Showers Bring Muddy Boys

It rained all day yesterday, heavy, earth-drenching rain. Turkey Creek was running through our backyard and Ben kept asking to go play in it. So, after the sun came out, we got the boys their mud/rain boots and let them play in the rain puddles through the creek bed. They both loved it. At first, they were playing very carefully---just walking and running their trucks through the muddy water. Then, they started realizing they could splash, run, and jump in the puddles for even more fun. You will see the progression of play through the pictures. Randy and I had the best time watching them, just being boys.

Witte Museum: Dinosaur Exhibit

Last Friday, I had a "Mommy Date" with Ben, one of his best buddies from school, Drew and Drew's mommy, Ellie. I love having Mommy Dates, where I can focus completely on one child at a time. (Thanks Mimi for keeping Logan!) We met Drew and Ellie at the Witte Museum, where they have a great Dinosaur Exhibit and then took the boys to McDonald's for lunch. Ben and Drew adore each other, have a lot of common interests, and play so well with each other. Here are some great pictures from our time at the Dinosaur exhibit.

It's Been Awhile...

Whew! It has been awhile since I have updated our blog! We have been busy around the Hood home the last few months. Here's a recap of the biggest news:

• My parents bought a home down the street from us and we have been enjoying them being so close. The boys and I have enjoyed several walks up the street to see Mimi for lunch. :-)
• Randy and I have been working a LOT in the yard every weekend, trying to get it ready for all the new spring growth! We live on an acre, so we have a LOT of yard to work on! We have enjoyed it, saved money doing the work ourselves, and have had good"family" time while working. Things are really coming along. I will try to post pictures soon.
• I have been working a lot lately too! I am now teaching 3 classes for Santa Rosa Westover Hills. And my classes are always full! I am teaching Breastfeeding classes, Childbirth Classes, and just started a new Infant Care class. I really LOVE my job---and feel so blessed to have gotten the opportunity to be a part of such a great team. I get to stay at home with my children during the day, and work once or twice a week, in the evening. Seriously, the best of both worlds. (And the extra money is really nice too!)
• Randy is working LONG hours, as usual. We all look forward to him being home on the weekends. E.E. Hood and Sons is going through some restructuring, and Randy is really hopeful as he looks to the future. He is so proud of the company, and we are all proud of him.
• The boys are great. Ben and Logan are growing like weeds! Ben is constantly learning new things at preschool; he now recites the Pledge of Allegiance and can write his ABC's and numbers 1 through 10. He loves to sing, play with his brother, and learn about dinosaurs. (Have I told you he's a little obsessed with dinosaurs??) ;-) Logan is nearly 18 months, and I am constantly wondering where my little baby has gone! He isn't talking yet (he only says "mama"), but he is really good with gross and fine motor skills. He eats really well with a spoon and fork independently, is jumping up and down with both feet, loves to color with chalk and crayons (if he would just stop trying to eat them!), and loves to play with his brother. Logan definitely has more "temper tantrums" than his brother ever did, but I really think this is due to a mis-communication. I am looking forward to him talking soon; he understands language (can follow directions really well) but just doesn't use understandable language yet. I have so many friends telling me not to worry, and that he probably wake up one day and just start speaking in complete sentences! I hope so. (And he does have a big brother that talks a lot, so why does he need to talk?? Randy and I often say that Ben has "diarrhea of the mouth"---wonder where he gets that from?) :-)