Spring Break, Day 3

So, yesterday Noah and I went to the mall and bought summer clothes.  Included in those were a  pair of flip-flops and a new windbreaker.  To say he loves the flip flops would be an understatement.  He had to wear both the flip flops and the windbreaker last night.  It was too funny when he also added his Cubs' batting helmet.  

Here he is wearing his flip flops again this morning.  What a goof. . . . he must take after his daddy!

Today we were suppose to get together with my friend Kari and her son Finn. They've had a rough winter and sadly were unable to meet because Kari's sick.  So, because it was a cold, yucky day we stayed home.  I started spaghetti sauce this morning so the house smelled delicious.  We worked in the basement, going through boxes, deciding which things to keep and which to get rid of before we move.  Noah was quite the helper.  We also watched Sesame Street and we tried coloring in his coloring book.  He doesn't quite get it or enjoy it yet, but it's good exposure for him.
Here he is playing trains.  We also got the oil changed in the car today.  While we were waiting at Walmart for the car we browsed through the store.  Noah found this Sponge Bob hat, he wore it through the entire store so of course we had to get it! :)
He loves doing this, it's too cute- getting on all fours and then balancing on his head and legs with his hands up: our own baby tripod!
You'll notice that he's holding a mallet in these last few pictures.  Of course he found that when we were cleaning in the basement.  Maybe he'll be a percussionist?  

And here he is with his BFF, Casey.  I think I've blogged about Casey, a long time ago.  Casey has buttons on his feet that make him play music from various composers.  He really likes the Beethoven button, which plays Fur Elise, the Mozart button, which plays Eine Klein Nacht Musik and the Bach button which plays Minuet in G.  Lately he's really like the Chopin button which play a piano sonata, not my favorite, too dissonant for me!

Spring break has been so much fun! Tomorrow we're bringing Grandma Debbie lunch at her school and we might try going by the "Wow!" Children's Museum in Louisville.  Too bad every week can't be spring break!

Spring Break, Days 1 & 2

So, my spring break officially began yesterday!  Justin's spring break was last week (the disadvantage of teaching in different school districts) and I was lucky enough to have Thursday and Friday off due to snow days.  I previously posted how great it was to have that time with the boys and to get some packing done.  While I have done some work these past two days, most of the time was devoted to spending time with my little boy.  How do you like his new sun glasses?  He thinks he's pretty hot stuff when he wears them!
This picture is solely for Uncle Aaron and Aunt Janis who bought this shirt for Noah on their trip to Washington D.C. & Philadelphia.    Yo, Adrian!
Yesterday, Noah and I went to the Children's Museum in Denver.  I meet a friend of mine from high school there who I hadn't seen since then!  She has a little girl who is almost two, just a few months older than Noah.  It was so great to see her and her little one!

Noah's favorite part of the museum was the train room. . . . he was in heaven!!!  

There was a big fire truck display for the kids to play on, complete with firemen hats and coats to dress up in!  Here's firefighter Abbott, looks like a serious call, huh?!

This call: not so serious, looks like he's taking a pizza order for everyone in the firehouse!
At the fire truck. . . . . 
Grandpa Tom would be proud. . . . Noah loved the "fishing" spot.
Here he is working the register. . . .
Climbing up the slide. . . . wasn't too successful.  I tried to show him that there were stairs on the other side but he saw all the other kids going up it so he had to try to do the same.
"Writing" on the wall with magnetic letters. . ..  .
In the big tree trunk tunnel. . . . 
The museum was great, I can't wait to take him back again!

Today, we hit the mall and bought summer clothes.  We also had lunch in the food court and played in the play area.  Here he is doing his "newest trick": putting his food in his hair.  He thinks it's quite funny, especially when I tell him no.  He just laughs at me. . . is this foreshadowing things to come?  I hope not!
Here he is in the mall play area:  he LOVES the ball maze!
Riding the ladybug. . . .
On the fish (again, Grandpa Tom would be proud!). . . . 
Spinning the wheel. . . 
We've had two GREAT days!  Tomorrow we're making spaghetti sauce, letting it simmer all day and then my folks are coming over for dinner.  We're also suppose to meet up with Kari and Finn.  Finn is almost two and he and his mom, Kari, were in our swim class last summer.  We haven't seen them since before Christmas, it'll be great to see them!

Spring Break and Snow Days!!!!

So Justin was commenting this evening about how it's been a while since I have updated the blog.  It's been a little busy here to say the least.  I've been working on getting all the paperwork in for the house, we've had the inspection and all the stuff that goes along with that.  Last week was the talent show and I have the 1st grade and 4th grade concerts coming up in April.  I have a presentation for all the music teachers in the district that I am part of on April 8th that I have to prepare for as well as a share for the ROCKE workshop on the 11th.  So, needless to say I was thrilled when school was cancelled yesterday and today due to snow!  This week was Justin's spring break and next week is my spring break.  I was able to get a lot of packing done these past two days, what a gift of time.  Next week Noah and I are going to do a lot: get together with a friend for a playdate, meet a friend I haven't seen since high school at the Children's museum and we're meeting another friend of mine from high school whose daughter was born 4 days before Noah.  I can't wait!

Here are some pictures from Noah's first adventure in snow.  I don't know how well he enjoyed it, he had a hard time walking in his boots and his gloves were M.I.A.!

Our "Dream Home" is Under Contract!!!

This is 377 Maplewood Drive, Erie, CO: our future home!  As of 4:00 this afternoon we are officially "under contract!"  I posted some pictures on Wednesday, now that we are "under contract" I feel more confident about posting some more pictures (I didn't want to jinx it before)

Today's pictures: the master bedroom!

Where you see Seth and Tom's backsides to the right is the hallway from the landing coming into the master bedroom.  Justin took this picture from where the bed is located.  (Coincidentally, it's taken from my side of the bed: not that you wanted to know that)  To the left, there's a glimpse into the 5-piece master bath.

This is the view coming into the master bedroom from the hallway.  Nothing dramatic, but definitely warm and cozy.

Here's another shot of the bathroom.  The tub and shower are obviously to the left.  The door behind Kathy is to the "potty" room and to the right is the counter with the bathroom sink and also the closet.

And finally, here is one of the most important features of our new home:  Justin's throne!!

House Hunting

We have started the house hunting process and much to our surprise have found a house that we are in love with!  It's in Erie, CO, and is on the western side of the town which makes for a shorter commute to both Justin's and my schools.  Above is a picture of us entering the house.  We had quite the posse: my mom, Kathy, Tom, Seth, Noah, Justin, myself and our realtor.

This is the foyer.  The room in which you can see me is the family room.  Justin took this by the front door.  Just to the right is coat closet.  Just ahead, as you can see, are the stairs that lead to four bedrooms.
This is the view to the left as you come in.  There is a living room and formal dining room.  The people that occupy it now must also use it as a workout room- check out the weight bench!
This is a view from the kitchen and the informal dining area.  The refrigerator is located to the right of this view.  
Here you can see my mom, Noah and I in the kitchen.  Justin took this from the family room.  The door leads to the basement where there are two offices, a bathroom with a shower and a HUGE storage room (we need that for our two artificial Christmas trees, Christmas stuff and our three huge storage bins of clothes that Noah can't wear anymore)

I was tempted to post more pictures but I don't want to jinx it.  I am really excited about this house.  It just feels right and both of us love it.  It has everything that we are looking for in a house.  Now to see if our realtor can get us the price we can live with and seal the deal.  Please wish us luck!!

No Sleep for the Weary

It's been a rough few nights here in the Abbott house.  We can't figure out if Noah's getting a cold or cutting teeth.  He was up almost all night Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights.  Last night he finally slept a 6 hour stretch.  Needless to say all three of us have been tired.  

I do have to say that the picture above is not a tired, cranky little one but a little boy who was saying "Baaa!" back to his computer! :)

Even though he hasn't been sleeping well, for the most part he's pretty happy still.  He love to play with my cell phone (above) and we took him to the play area at the mall this afternoon.  He had a good time sliding on the dinosaur's tail but you could tell he wasn't feeling his normal, chipper self.  He actually laid down on the floor three times like he was ready to take a nap!  Poor baby!

I can't wait for Easter.  It's going to be such fun to take Noah to the city Easter Egg Hunt and my cousin Joanne usually has an Easter get together with a great egg hunt.  We bought some eggs to practice with!!!

It was quite amusing getting these pictures of him today.  Of course he wants the camera so I would have to walk away from him and he'd chase me around the room.  Silly boy!