Sunglasses in the Tub???

My boys know that sunglasses make you look super cool, and they always love to try our new ones.  They have Cars sunglasses for in the car, Texas Rangers sunglasses (from Marte!) for outside, star shaped sunglasses for the playroom, and now silly sunglasses for the tub!  They were a reward for some super nice brother behavior and sticker chart success.  Of course, Beau poked the lenses out of his right away!

I think Lincoln is making some awesome faces and is really getting in to posing!  No more "cheese" for this one!  Beau is looking quite hipster with his over sized frames.  Celebrities, take note - no lenses is the new cool thing. 

Silly guys!  They can have so much fun with the smallest thing.  Being silly is an important quality at 2 and 4, and they have definitely got that mastered!   

In the midst of sunglasses fun in the tub, two little boys actually got all cleaned up.  They posed politely for a quick picture before books.  Lincoln looks so perfectly put together with his super sweet pjs from Auntie, hair all combed and sweet smile.  Beau looks a little rough-and-tumble with his disheveled hair, slightly too small pjs (hand me downs-sorry!), and goofy grin.  Both boys were happy with their bedtime books and headed to sleep quietly.   

The bedtime routine is a very important time each evening as we get ready to settle down for the night.  Leave it to the Kuhlman boys to squeeze in every last minute of fun, and we all did lots of laughing about the silly sunglasses.  Good night!

The Train to Downtown!

We took advantage of an extra day together on Memorial Day and planned a fun outing that started with a ride on the DART train.  The boys were so excited about the train!  Lincoln kept his eyes peeled while we waited on the platform at the train station.  

Riding the train was so much fun!  We enjoyed speeding through town and admiring the sights from the windows.  (This picture is funny shaped, but I can't make it look right.)

Once we got to our stop at the Downtown Arts District, we walked a bit to the new Klyde Warren Park.  You would think we live there by the way Lincoln and Beau strutted around the place.  They were happy to be back at the downtown park, and they made up stories about who lived in the towers (skyscrapers/office buildings) surrounding the park.  So funny! 

After a yummy lunch on the patio at Lark on the Park, we located the food truck with fancy ice cream cookie sandwiches.  Daddy stood in line to get us the goodies! 

The treats did not disappoint!  There was complete silence on our park bench while we enjoyed our dessert.  Homemade vanilla ice cream on homemade chocolate chip cookies . . . heaven, right?  Next time we will need to venture out and try some of their wackier combinations.   

Everyone was a little more subdued on the train ride home, and the boys just chilled out.  They can't wait to ride the train again! 

It was such a fun family field trip!  As we were walking back to the train in the afternoon, I overheard Lincoln talking to Beau about why we were leaving.  He said, "Beau, we can't stay here so we have to go home.  This is just a vacation place, but it is fun.  We will come back for another vacation soon."  Beau responded with an understanding, "Ok, Lincoln."  We will definitely come back for another "vacation" soon!

Fun on a Sunday

After a brief illness for Mommy earlier this weekend (was it just a late version of what the boys had last week or something else??), we were ready to get back on track and have fun.  A trip to the playground was high on the list for Sunday afternoon, since we tried on Saturday afternoon but got rained out in just minutes.  Everyone was excited to play in the sunshine!  

The slides were super fun.  They started out going down on their bottoms but ended up on their bellies.  Oh, the squeals! 

We were the only ones at our little park for half an hour and loved to take over the whole area.  But the boys were really happy when two brothers showed up to play.  They both climbed up the ladders and shouted for them to come over.  Intimidating much?   

Notice the building rain clouds in the background of those previous pictures?  We had only met our new friends for a few minutes when the rain began to sprinkle on us.  We took cover under the big slide for a few minutes and laughed it out.   

The sprinkles went away quickly, and we went back to playing.  Only for a short time though because a little shower came down forcing us to the car.  No one was too sad because we had already played for a while.  We headed home for naps and everyone climbed in their beds quietly.  Lincoln stayed in his bed quietly for approximately 25 minutes before he began his repetitive trips to the potty.  First of all, he doesn't have to pee that much so he's faking.  Second of all, he stalks the bedroom door or living room door to see where Mommy is taking a rest so he can see if I'm really sleeping.  Little stinker!!  If I don't have my eyes closed, phone off and tv quiet, he knows he can come in.  So no real rest for this naptime, but we went on a Mommy and Lincoln trip to buy some plants.  Listen, I do NOT have a green thumb by any means, but I was reading about a few plants that keep mosquitoes away when planted together.  Why not give it a try?  Our first stop was Home Depot, and they only had one of the three plants we needed.  We bought the geranium and a big pot for it.  Our next stop was Under the Sun Nursery, and they only had one of the two remaining plants we needed.  We bought the catnip and a big pot for it.  Our last stop was The Garden Center, and they had just sold their last lemon grass plants yesterday.  He told me to come back next week when he gets a new shipment.  On to the artistic part of our project . . . painting the pots of course!!  Why buy the already decorated ones when I have little Picasso and little Monet living under one roof??  The boys had fun painting in so many fun colors, and we made crazy squiggles, sun shines, rainbows, hearts, and lots of  abstract art.  We had found some sealant to spray on after our paint was dry so the rain wouldn't take away our artwork.  (Cross your fingers on that one!  I followed the directions exactly, but you know how that goes sometimes . . . )  After a yummy dinner on the patio at Goodfriends, we got busy potting our new plants.  There were a lot of hands in the soil, and it got messy.  I totally LOVE that Beau kept asking for more Oreos when scooping his little cup in the bag of soil.  Kind of gross that it looks like chewed up Oreos, right?   

While Beau was hard at work with his Oreos, Lincoln cheesed out for Daddy.  Only one of us didn't get completely covered in dirt and mess, and that was Daddy.  He took a few pictures then left to go get more gloves - you know, doctors gloves for doing dishes, taking out trash, changing diapers, and next time for potting plants!!!!!  I hope he bought extra!

The boys had a great time painting and potting the plants, and they are already excited to go back for the lemon grass next week.  They are excited to water the plants and take care of them, and I just hope we can keep them alive.  Lincoln told me he didn't have any green fingers either but that he would sure try to help me.  That's the spirit!  

Thursday Fun

Lincoln and Beau had a fun day at home with Nana and Pops!  Every other Thursday is their flex day at work, and the boys are so lucky to get a whole day at home to play.  They have so much fun and do so many things while Mommy is at work . . . crafts, snacks, bike riding, block building, homework, backyard activities, and Pops always gets them Whataburger for lunch!  Since the had been home all day, we went out for a bit after dinner.  I needed to pick up a necklace from the jewelry repair place at the Galleria, and Lincoln and Beau were so excited to go to the mall.  Once they learned there was a cookie store there, they were even more excited!  We walked (super slowly) to get Mommy's necklace and took the fun ride down the escalator to the Nestle Tollhouse shop.  They both picked the little chocolate cookie sandwich with icing and sprinkles in the middle.  Yummy . . . I couldn't get any words out of them while they were eating their treat.  Cookies are serious business! 

We had to get all cleaned up for bed, and everyone was happy to pose in their pirate towels!  Aren't they the cutest?!?! Minnie found these a few months ago, and the boys love being pirates.

I love happy and clean kiddos, and we had a joint Bible story before bed.  Beau picked a Curious George story for his bedtime, and Lincoln picked a different Curious George story for his bedtime.  It's safe to say that Georgie (as they call him) is super popular at our house right now.  I hope they live vicariously through his curiousness . . . but he always seems to be ok in the end!

Kevin's Week in Germany

One of the perks of Daddy's job is that he occasionally gets to take cool trips, and he spent 7 days in Germany last week.  The Bitburger bus was their transportation for the week, and it was outfitted for comfort while travelling all over Germany.  

After landing in Munich, they spent the evening in Garmish near the Austrian border.  Dinner was at  Zirbelstube in the Dorint Sporthotel.  The room had an amazing view of the Munich Olympic ski mountains.  Of course the meal was traditional German . . . schnitzel, white asparagus and potatoes.   

On day 2, the group visited the Benediktener brewery in Ettal.  They have been brewing beer there for centuries.  Everyone enjoyed lunch at the Klosterhotel.

The monastery is part of the brewery as is most of the town.   (This picture is not rotating well!!)

After lunch, the guys took a lift up to the top of the Zugspitze mountain.  It is the highest mountain in Germany and near the Austrian border.  Someone doesn't like heights so much but managed a picture near the rail after quite a bit of encouraging!!   

While descending on the tram, the guide pointed out that the lake below the mountain was crystal clear and made of water from the melting of the mountain glacier.  So pretty! 

Day 3 was an in-country travel day.  After 4 hours on the bus, they stopped at the medieval town of Rothenburg.  The town is over 1,000 years old and boasts 42 towers, cobblestone streets and many historic sites.   

Lunch was a giant (but skinny) German sausage as the guys tried out the local specialty.  This was got rave reviews! 

The next 4 hour drive put them in Trier for their home for the next couple of nights.  On a rainy afternoon, the street vendors were waiting on shoppers.  Notice the McDonald's in the background.  They have Bitburger beer on draft with Big Macs!! 

Because we love food pictures, dinner was Guinea fowl with risotto and vegetables at Brasserie at the Park Plaza Hotel.  Looks yummy! 

Day 4 began with a drive to Bitburg to visit the Bitburger brewery.  It has evolved to a modern structure due to the demand of the beer.  They pioneer traditional German brewing with state of the art equipment. 

Another dinner pic . . . filet mignon at the Hotel Eurener Hof in Trier.   

Day 5 started with a tour of the wine country town of Bernkastel/Mosel.  The small town had a beautiful square with traditional architecture.  The rain was still lingering. 

Frankfurt was the next stop on the agenda, and everyone boarded the ferry to cross the Rhine River. 

On day 6, the group drove to Lich to visit the Licher Brewery and meet Dr. Peters.  He walked everyone through the entire brewing process and ended the tour with a beer on top of the brewery in the beer garden over-looking the entire town of Lich.   

After the Lich tour, the guys had free time to explore Frankfurt.  Kevin and his travel buddy (from California) McCay ventured out to see the sights.  Frankfurt was the most modern city they visited on this trip.  It was full of high rise offices and buildings and had the most normal-like scene.  

The group met for one last dinner at the super fancy Neuer Haferkasten (Italian restaurant).  After a few raw courses and a plate of osso bucco, Daddy was ready to be done with international food!  Where's the pizza and lasagna???   

One long 9 hour flight and 2 hour customs line later, Daddy was back home to normal life!  The boys were so excited to have him back . . . we sat on the sidewalk eating popcorn and waiting for his car.  Daddy brought fun German gifts for the boys, and they love them.  Beau got a wooden animal book, and Lincoln got a ghost tower game.  We have played it a million times already with lots of happy squeals! 

We are all glad to be back to normal.  Daddy experienced all of his normal Texan-American life right away . . . we had Mi Cocina for dinner just after he landed, we watched a Rangers baseball game on Sunday night, and he had a Jersey Mike's sub for lunch on Monday.  I'm pretty sure he's glad to be back home, and I'm pretty sure we are glad to have him back home.

The Freeman's Visit!

Minnie, Bubbles and Ally came to visit!!!  Daddy has been away for work, and the boys were ready for some new entertainment.  Allyson brought their belated birthday presents, and they were loud!  Our marching band is much more diverse with a fun guitar.

We headed to the mall on Saturday morning, and everyone was excited to shop.  We hit up the Apple store to get our iPhones inspected (and fixed) and found a few boxes of Jelly Beans that we couldn't turn down.  Shopping is fun!

The Shops at Willow Bend has the best food court because they have a Chick-fil-A!  I texted this picture to Daddy, and he asked why Beau had a devil face!  I'm not sure about his frown, but they gobbled up their nuggets, fries, fruit and milk in minutes.  Chick-fil-A is always a special treat to my little guys. 

After a fun trip to the mall and a nice nap, we headed out to the Rangers game!  We watch them on TV each night, and Lincoln and Beau were so excited to see the BIG BASEBALL GAME!  I guess it's been awhile since we have taken them . . . maybe we only went sans kids last year!  They were eager to cheer right away! 

Mommy was instructed to get hot dogs and chips almost immediately, and there was only one station good enough for our dinner.  The 3rd base grill made us a yummy dinner, but the boys definitely thought it took too long for Mommy to get back!  These hot dogs were super good and super big, but they figured out how to eat them (after Mommy took away the extra bread)!   

It seems that a chip war broke out in the 2nd inning . . . I think Lincoln won, but I'm not telling Beau!  This super chill Mommy didn't even worry about nutrition on this evening because they had already had their fruit at lunch.  (I'm never actually chill, but it's fun to pretend!) 

Nana texted us that we should get new hats while we were at the Ballpark, so Lincoln and Mommy went in search of the hat store.  He wanted red, and Ms Sharon was happy to provide a red hat just his size!

Linc decided that Beau would like a blue hat because he has blue eyes, and Beau was happy with his hat . . . miraculously!!!  Lincoln did a great job of shopping for his brother! 

Beau was ready to do some exploring of his own after Mommy and Lincoln returned.  We walked the concourse for a bit and found a Rangers Girl making balloon animals.  Beau requested a blue doggie, and she was so sweet to make him a balloon and take a picture.   

Beau wanted to walk a bit with his new hat and balloon doggie, so we checked out everyone buying their snacks.  When we got back to our seats, Beau had to show off his new balloon doggie to Lincoln!  Of course Lincoln wanted his own balloon animal, so off we went to find that sweet Rangers Girl for Lincoln!  She was kind enough to grant Lincoln's wish of a purple butterfly!

I'm so glad we could go to a Rangers game with Minnie, Bubbles and Ally!  They were decked out in their Rangers gear, and I think everyone had so much fun.  Allyson loves the Rangers, but doesn't get much coverage in Arkansas.  Aren't they the cutest?

Before we got ready to leave, Mommy got a picture with her two best little guys.  Love that!!! 

What a fun night at the Ballpark!  I was a little unsure about driving us there, but Daddy gave us great directions.  (He also suggested that I pay attention in the future, so I won't be so worried if I need to be the driver!)  Everyone had fun, the Rangers played great, we all got home safely, and everyone got cleaned up to go to bed.  So much fun and (hopefully) so much rest . . . both boys were still singing quietly in their beds at 10:30.  They have to be tired eventually!!!  

Getting Back to Normal

This week has been challenging so far, but we are hopeful that we are have made past the bad part!  I alluded to Lincoln's vomit wake up call on Saturday morning before Mother's Day.  He only got sick three times early in the morning and was so happy to play and eat all day, that we guessed it was just a fluke.  On Monday evening, Beau disproved our theory.  He got sick just before bath time, and I sat with him in my lap and the puke bucket nearby for a few hours.  Poor little guy was so tired for being up late and sad about being sick, but I tried to keep him up until I thought the worst was over.  I bathed him and spent several hours (until almost 2:00 am) watching him sleep on the couch until I was confident he could go to bed with no more episodes.  Luckily he woke up (early) with no more sickness, but he was a little sensitive all day. Lincoln went on to Pre-K, and Beau and I spent the day together gently playing.  I don't think he returned to his usual self until I busted out the popsicles after dinner.  I should remember that popsicles make EVERYTHING better in the future.

Everyone got back to their normal routine on Wednesday, and we played lots of games after school.  Chutes  and Ladders was the favorite, and I loved that everyone was felt happy and healthy.  Playing Chutes and Ladders with a 4 year old and a 2 year old is a bit challenging.  The 4 year old has to mind the rules of the game . . . you can only move your game piece according to your spin (no re-spins if you land on 1), and you have to go back down the chute if you land on that spot (sadness).  The 2 year old only has to count the number of spots and can ignore the chutes and ladders because counting is the main lesson.   Oh, the drama!  Luckily, Lincoln won and Beau had fun counting.  Mommy considered it a win because everyone learned a bit, and no one cried. 

I hope I'm not jinxing anything by saying that we are all on the road to being healthy again.  I prayed so many thanks that we are never sick and that this would be over soon.  Our entire house has been Cloroxed numerous times, and I'm not so bothered that it has smelled like a sterilized hospital!  These little guys are so resilient, and they barely let this stomach bug get in the way of their happy spirit.  I am a lucky Mommy, indeed.