Off to the Races...

This is our fourth year of celebrating (in "true Derby fashion) the Kentucky Derby at Arlington Heights Raceway in the Chicago suburbs.  Our good friends, The Peters, were nice enough to host us yet at their house again this year...

So we packed up the car (with plenty of movies, toys, blankets, binkis, drinks and snacks) and hoped for an uneventful 5 hour drive down Hwy. 55 North (one long and boring highway) from STL to Chicago...

We arrived in time to get to hang out and play before bedtime.   Kim and Steve's oldest son, Justin, had a baseball game, so we headed to the park next door and the boys got to climb and slide.  I dread the day one of them breaks something..but I know it's bound to happen as daring as they are...

I've also found kids can find the fun in the littlest things...like this fire hydrant...they probably jumped over it like a gazillion times...

And sure enough, while I was making sure Coleman didn't fall off onto his head...there goes Cooper, off and running...

This is their youngest, Jillian, but we all call her "Jillybean".  Coleman and her got along so well on this trip!

The sun was out and it was a beautiful afternoon...

Then we headed back for ice cream sundae's (with all the fixin's) before bed...

Although, Coleman had two bites and said he didn't like it.  What kid doesn't like ice cream??

But he managed to eat lots of the toppings...and after their sugar high of cherries, M&Ms, Brownies, Heath, and chocolate chips, wore off, they were very ready for bed.

The next morning, we made breakfast and then played for a while.  Kim has a very organized play room, but as usual, they discovered a way to destroy it...

Then the limo picked us up and we were off to the races! 

There were ten Arlington Raes and the actual Kentucky Derby started around 5 so...it was a long day, but we had a great time...

We were happy to have our friends from Dallas, Wendell and Eisha could join us this year!

The party went on long after we returned home...

Coleman stayed up way too late...

And the guys ended up heading the Casinos and stayed out way too late...but I was okay with it (because Jay won! And Wendell got rolled)

On Sunday we got home in time to enjoy the 90 degree weather and play some tee-ball.

Coleman was hitting some heaters!

 And teaching Cooper how to tee it up...

and then run and fetch his ball...

Again, as usual, someone is trying to sneak off...

This time it was Cal, headed up the stairs...but Momma caught him!

And we headed back inside to start our nightly routine of bath, reading and bedtime.   The weekends fly by and next thing you know, it's Monday...and we're off again to the races...

Crossing paths...

With Jay and I both traveling for work, the last two weeks have been a whirlwind and we literally crossed paths for one night in between...(So I apologize for my second post being over a week late.  I promise I'll try to be better!)  

Jay was the first to leave for almost a week.  He was headed to Kansas City, Topeka and then to Dallas. But not before helping me to get the kiddos out of the house...then off he went!

Our first night started off busy with soccer practice.  Coleman was so excited to have some fans show up to watch him.   Grandma Murch, Grandpa Jim and Grandma Iris came to cheer him on (and help me with the little ones!)  He's getting better at listening...

And being patient at waiting his turn...

And stopping the ball with his foot...

After practice everyone was tired (and melting down), so Grandma Murch read "Goodnight Moon", Cooper and Cal's favorite book...

We made it though the rest of the week and it was finally Friday.  I always look forward to Fridays, because it's my day off to spend with the kids.  Coleman still goes to school on Friday because he has music class.  He's always coming home with a new song that I've never heard of and expects me to sing along.   When he tries to teach me and I get it wrong, he's quick to say..."Noooo, Mom, not like that"...with a disappointing eye roll.  I quickly get a glimpse into his teenage years and it's not pretty!   

It's lunchtime and we make it easy with some lunchables...

Then some play in the bounce house.  As you can see, Cal is causing trouble as usual...

They love to hide in the closet and get into things they shouldn't (like unwinding the cord to the vacuum)...

Saturday morning starts with the three of them pulling up a seat at the Murchison Theater.  Coleman is the  Director and (at only 3 years old) knows how to navigate the iPad better than me...

It's unusually chilling for a March day in St. Louis, so we bundle up and get some fresh air...thankfully it's Sunny!   Our first visit to the local farmers market.  The sun brought everyone out.  There were tons of vendors and of course everyone had to have a fresh baked cookie...

All three were so excited to see this little puppy. Coleman's getting a lot more comfortable with dogs these days...

Then it was back home for some a nap and afterwards, more play time.  Although this one is a little small, they love building forts....

And Cooper loves tearing them down! (Coleman gets so mad)...

Ever since we got Coleman a "big boy" bed, the mornings are pretty tough...(again, glimpse into the future troubles I'm going to have with him as a teenager!).  Here is Cooper and Cal trying to get him out of bed...wake up sleepy-head!

But Mom!  He's not waking up...

Maybe a hug will help...

Then it was time for me to head out.  And honestly?  I was ready for the break! 

I don't travel much (only a few times a year for training and our annual National Sales meeting).  This years' meeting happened to be in Dallas as well, and actually in the same hotel from where Jay just returned.   With me gone, Jay was ready for the challenge...and man, did he do a good job!  It started off with some play... 

And some crazy hair...

And buckets on their heads...

And bathtime...

And more crazy hair...

And Cal trying on Daddy's shoes...

And Cooper trying on Daddy's shoes...

And each of them running of with one...

The next morning they kept Daddy busy with a little "Hide and Seek".  Note: empty cabins can provide hours of fun...

They did make it out of the house and to the park that day, thanks again to Grandma Murch.   Then, before you know it...it was Sunday and I was finally home!

Crossing paths is no fun, but we made it!  We're off and running to another busy week.   Hope you have a great one as well...