Check it OFF the List

At the beginning of the season I had an internal list in my head of things that I wanted to do with Seth this summer. Most of which we have accomplished and a few that we hope to squeeze in in the next 3 weeks before the summer ends and I have to go back to work. I have been bugging bugging Ro to take Seth and I on a boat cruise in the bay all summer and it just hasn't been the right time. Saturday we had no plans so I suggested we go. Ro said there was NO way he was going to the bay on the opening of Pirates Weekend, so I was super bummed, but I respected his feelings. So, Saturday morning we all showered and got ready to go letterboxing or so I thought, but Ro really planned for us to go to the bay and on a boat tour! YIPPEEE! It was the most perfect day, it was warm, but not hot and the tour was amazing.Did I mention that we'd like to be rich and own a house on the an island on the river?? Well, we do!

Zoo Buddies

On Thursday my friend Sarah and I decided not to waste a beautiful day and to take the kiddos to the zoo in town. Seth would go to the zoo every single day if we let him as he loves loves loves animals in any shape and form. He was thrilled! The main priceless moments were when the kids held hands through most of the park. We found if they helf hands, they wouldn't run and fall. It worked out great and they had a blast.
On a side note, I have to say how sad I feel for the animals at this zoo, they all look so sad and their living areas are not well kept. I left feeling horrible for them all.

On a second side note, I have a ton of pics from our wonderful day yesterday, but I still need to upload them, so that will be top on my list for Monday.

On a third side note... Happy Anniversary to US today! We have been married for 6 years! We have know each other for 14 years and been a couple for 12 years. It is crazy how life seems to be speeding up, but no worries with this blog we won't forget a thing! We enjoyed a wonderful anniversary dinner on Thursday night at our favorite restaurant, Ryan's Lookout. Thank you to Mom, Tom & Uncle J for taking care of Seth while we enjoyed our night out! Today we are cooking a big feast and enjoying every minute of our time together!

Walking Boo Boo

I swear at this point in the summer Seth has a cut, scrape or bruise on just about every party of his body. He walks and runs at mock speeds and never never looks where he is going. Thus, the various band-aids all over. Did I mention that he doesn't even like band-aids? He says they hurt! This is the latest!
Don't you just love those chubby legs?? Today, we are headed to the zoo at the park with some friends and then to have a picnic. AHHHHH, summer is so tough!

Serious Fear

Last night we thought it would be fun to take Seth to feed the ducks. He was super excited since we haven't gone since last June. At first we actually couldn't even find any ducks, but when we did they swarmed us. That is when I realized that I'm actually scared of them. If you could have seen me hiding behind my brother you would have died laughing. This HUGE goose/duck not so sure scared me the most because he hissed at us and kept waddling closer and closer.



Seth had a blast and kept saying, "Hi big goose!" Many ducks and geese were happy that we stopped by because they had full bellies when we left!

Making Memories

About 2 months ago our friends Rod and Jen asked us if we would be interested in going on a little mini trip with their family. We were a little hesitant since we had just gone to Burlington with some other friends, but we stuck to our motto of... "You Only Live Once". So we decided to go for it. They were worried that it might get too crazy with all three kiddos and that it would ruin our friendship. Well, we are home now, we had a great trip, they were super easy to travel with and our friendship is well in tact! Here are some of the best pictures of our trip to Toronto and Seth's first time in Canada!

Bedtime stories ala JenExcitementThe butterfly house

Ending the day with some messy messy ice cream!

It was a great trip with great memories we will cherish!

A Dream Reached

As most little boys do, Seth loves loves loves fire trucks and today one of his dreams, to sit in a fire truck....was reached!

I've never seen him with such a HUGE smile on his face and he would have sat in that truck all day had he been allowed to. He now has a fireman's hat and sticker to remember this moment with!

Seth Quote

Last night Seth and I went to my moms for dinner while Ro and Tom were golfing. We were all swimming in the pool when Justin asks Seth if he is cold and if he wants to get out? Seth's reply, "No, I'm just chilling!" Love it!

1st BIG Show

On Saturday afternoon, compliments of Poppy Tom, we took Seth to see his first big show on stage. He talked about it all week and was super excited, but when he got their all he did was hold onto his ears. "Too loud!" he kept saying. Well, that wouldn't have had anything to do with the fact that we were in the second row and the speakers were basically in our laps. Once he acclimated himself to the sound he got right into it and shook his booty! Take a look...

The show was a bit short, but in any event Seth had a great time!

Go SEE It!

Since I am still recovering and we couldn't go to the Enchanted Forest yesterday, my hubs took me to see Mamma Mia!, which we had seen live in Toronto years back, but were super excited to see on the big screen! It was everything we dreamed of and more. You would have laughed if you had seen the both of us swaying and singing our hearts out. It was a great movie and we would both recommend it highly!

We are now headed to see the Doodlebops, which Seth is super excited to see. The rest of us adults will suffer through it just because we love the little man so much. A special thanks to Poppy Tom for getting us the tickets! Pics to come...

Dear Diary #3

Dear Diary,

Seriously... I've taken all that I can take at this point something needs to give! Last night as I thought I was going to have a blissful night of sleep I was rudely awakened by some serious sickies that tortured my stomach every hour on the hour the entire night! AHHH! What gives? So after I had all that I could take I called my mom this morning at 6am and asked her to take me to the ER. After 4 long long long hours I came home rehydrated and feeling almost back to normal. I then took a much needed nap followed by my hubs bringing me home all of the fruit that I was craving. He cut it all up for me and I had a little feast on cantalope, pineapple and grapes. My belly is now feeling much more content and I'm thinking that hopefully I have kicked the worst of this beast! Thank you to all of my wonderful friends and family for your kind blog comments, texts and phone calls. Thank you to my mom for waiting ever so patiently in the ER this morning, it was truly torture. Thank you to my hubs and my wonderful son for being right by my side, taking care of me and loving me. I am a lucky lady! Here's looking forward to the new momma!

~ JLC

Dear Diary #2

I know I said I'd only write once a week, but maybe if I write I will start to feel better. Here goes...

Dear Diary,

The rollercoaster that took a break for most of yesterday has recharged itself and has been moving at full warp speed for the past 16 or so hours. I am at a loss at this point. I'm sick to my stomach, food turns me off so I'm forcing it down, I'm going to the bathroom literally every 10 minutes when I'm awake and every two hours when I'm trying to sleep. Sleep has become a foreign concept at this point and I think that if I were able to sleep for a bit that I would feel ten times better.
I'm bummed because I was supposed to go into work for a few hours to make some extra money, but I couldn't even get out of bed this am. Ro took Seth to Pat's for the day and I'm desperately saying my prayers and hoping to feel better soon.
Before Seth left this morning he yelled up, "Feel better mommy!" It broke my heart! So at this point I'm trying to think positive thoughts ( a friend told me a positive attitude equals positive feelings so I'll try that!), drink as much as possible and eat as much as I can muster. I know that all women go through this, but when you are deep in the midst of it you feel like you are dying and that you are the only one. So for now I'm thinking positive thoughts! Please send some vibes my way!

JLC

Diary Entry

This pregnancy is SO different from being pregnant for Seth I decided that I'd write a diary entry once a week to share with you all my trials, tribulations and joys! Here goes...

Dear Diary,

The past few days have been a crazy whirlwind of emotions, sickies and the feeling of being so very grateful! Since Sunday I have felt as if there is a rollercoaster ride going on inside my belly and the people on it are just have a grand old time and don't want to get off! I've had my ups and downs throughout the ride and today it feels like for maybe just a little while the people are sick of the ride and are giving me a little break. So needless to say, I've been down and out and laying flat on my back at any given chance. Food has become a neccessity, but a foreign concept to me. I've been living off oyster crackers, grapes, ramen noodle soup and rice crispies, but at least they are staying in my belly!
My husband has been a lifesaver! He has picked up the slack, given baths, read bedtime stories, etc. You name it, he's helped with it and I am so very very grateful for him!
This pregancy feels very different in the fact that for Seth as long as I had food in my belly I was fine, but this time I'm eating as much as I can muster, but it hasn't made much of a difference in the way I feel. So, as I always say, "This too shall pass!" I'm trying not to stress because in time I will feel more like myself. No worries! So until next week...

~ JLC

Where to Start?

This past week has turned into an utter and complete blur, not only because we have been busy packing in the summer fun, but also because the morning or should I say all day sickness has set in and as much as I try to smile, my insides feel like they are screaming! I'm trying to keep it under control by keeping food in my belly at all times (buckets full of grapes make me the happiest!) and resting when Seth naps. I feel like a great big bum because my house is a mess and I'm getting nothing accomplished as I lay in my air conditioned bedroom every afternoon. I just keep saying to myself, "This too shall pass!"

Beyond all of my bellyaching we have been having all kinds of summer fun. Here are some views into our days...

Rainy day playdoh funBreaking in the new playset with friends

Fair fun

The last summer parade of '08

It's DONE

Let the summer begin and the kiddie fun! The playset and the yard are ready to go so come on over to play with us!

FACT

The cat nap mentioned below turned into a full blown amazingly refreshing nap that lasted two and a half hours! I am one happy Mom!

Now that's a Parade

Last nights parade was more then Seth ever dreamed of! It was jammed packed with fire trucks, ambulances, tractors, 4 wheelers and on and on and on. He was in boy heaven! It was also the craziest parade I've ever been to. I have never seen so many of the above vehicles all in one place along with so much self promotion in my life. If you run your own business in Lewis County then you had some sort of float or truck in the parade. I said to my mom that there could have been a major robbery in Lewis County last night because literally ever single person in the whole county was either in the parade or at the parade. With that said, we all had a GREAT time and came home with the heaviest bag of candy I've ever seen. It also marked Seth's 3rd year in attendance and we will be going back down to go to the fair on Friday! Can't wait!Today I am so tired from all of yesterdays activities that I am counting down the minutes until nap time. I'm beat and can't wait for a little cat nap!

Favorite Day

Today is one of my favorite days of the year, it's the Lewis County Fair Parade Day! I know this might seem silly or corny to some of you, but to me it represents family tradition and I love that I am instilling it in Seth for his 3rd year now. We will be heading up to my Gram's tonight for dinner followed by the biggest fire truck and tractor parade that ever lived. Seth will be in his glory and I love to see his eyes as he watches it and is in awe. Pics to come!

Letterboxing

Friday night we didn't have any plans for a change so we decided to head out for some letterboxing adventures. We took a beautiful drive to Henderson, but after much searching were unable to find the box. We were super bummed, but had a great night as a family anyhow and that is what it is all about.

Ro searched and searched but no luck!
We decided to give Seth the letterboxing stamp instead
All smiles in front of a beautiful waterfall!
My boys

Today we are going to storytime and then on a picnic/playground trip just the two of us! Have a great day everyone!

Who needs a water park just come to The Charlton's!

You don't need to go far this summer to have fun in the sun. Our backyard will do. My question is, where were all of the inventors of these amazing toys when we, 30 somethings were kids?? Check out the splurge we bought and all of the fun the kiddos have been having on it.

I actually tried the slide and it is super fun! Rod also tried it and the whole slide tipped to one side and that was even funnier!

Today is a rainy day so we are trying to keep busy. Here's to a rain free and fun week!

PS~ Happy Birthday today to

Dad, Big Ro & Papa Charlton!

Old McDonald Has a Farm

Every single day Seth says, "Can we go to Old McDonald has a farm?" Then he would ask if Poppy could go with us, so I called Tom and asked if he could take a couple hours off of work and go with us. Today was the day and we had so much fun!

Feeding the goats

Memories with Grandma and Poppy

On the hay ride

First pony ride

Our new friend Paprika the Alpaca

I have a ton more pics and videos, but these were the best of the best. Tonight Seth's first Thursday night at Grandma and Poppy's and Ro and my first date night of the summer. I think we are headed to the Boathouse for dinner. YUM!

I still have to post the pics from the waterslide party on Tuesday. I'll try and post them tomorrow. Have a great day!

Happy Birthday Sarah!

Have a GREAT day!

Summer Fun

Sorry for the late late fourth of July post, but we have been busy having summer fun! You name it, we've been doing it. Here are some pics from our recent adventures!

We spent the 4th in Lowville for their 200th year celebration

The sunset amongst the windmills on the way home on the 4th

Our friends the Voss' had a big BBQ on the 5th. The kids played themselves silly and our friend Eric was a hit as always with the kids. Kristen made her famous fruit salad and all the kids wanted a taste of Eric's!

Sunday night the playset started going up. Thank you one more time to Rod for helping Ro. It is about 96% done now! A pic of the final product to come.

We have also been busy this week. Yesterday was jam packed. We went to storytime at the library then headed to the beach followed by a trial run of our waterslide last night. In the middle of that Seth took a three and a half hour nap. Little bean was tired out. Pics to come from Mondays adventures when I upload them later today!

Beachy Day

Today we headed to the beach for some sand castle and water action and we had a blast! We bought the season pass for all the parks in the state and we are going to put it to good use this summer. The boys had a blast and then napped like champs!

Seth and Jacob digging away
There goes the castle
Our sand castle
Water play

Tomorrow we are going to the farmer's market. YIPPEE!