Here is a video of Isaac playing his drum set, as promised over a week ago.  I love that the bass drum is always the last thing hit. A sign that the end has arrived! :)

Here is a short video of Isaac riding his new bike.

Isaac's Birthday

Isaac turned 5 last week...Amazing!  We had a great time celebrating with family & friends.  Isaac's been eagerly anticipating his birthday since Christmas!  Some of the things he wanted included a Lightning McQueen with wings, a drum set, a bike helmet, and an I-pad.  The last two were encouraged by preschool since he has both there.  He wasn't disappointed!  Aunt Lacy & Grandpa Leif went together to buy the drum set.  Both boys love to sit down and "play" it.  Their interest only lasts 5 minutes so we haven't had to soundproof any rooms...yet. :)  We bought Isaac a LeapPad, which is the child's version of an I-pad.  He loves it and knew exactly how to work it before we showed him.  I guess that is a foreshadowing of years to come!  We also got him a new bike since his old one was getting too small and with that came the Lightning McQueen helmet.

The Saturday after his birthday we were courageous (or stupid) and invited 10 of Isaac's friends over for a birthday party.  It was wild!  That many boys in one place without organized activity leads to lots of wrestling and running.  Good thing we had games planned and it was nice enough of outside to let them run!  Isaac had a really great time and is so glad to finally be 5!  Here are some pictures for your enjoyment!

Isaac wanted Ninja Turtles for his theme so Zach decorated his cake with the 4 turtles.  Isaac's favorite one is the red one so he was the biggest. 

Isaac with his new LeapPad.  The Leap Pad makes coming to work with me on Monday afternoons much easier!

Opening presents from family

Isaac got a Mack truck that can hold Zach's old micro machine cars from when he was younger

Getting ready to open the drum set

Sticks in hand

Happy birthday to you!

Caleb really loves the drum set

Isaac on his new bike with his new helmet

playing a game at Isaac's friend birthday party

Opening his new Iowa State hat

Happy birthday Isaac!

Easter

I know, I know...Easter was a month ago but I just uploaded pictures to the computer and I found a couple I wanted to share.

Family picture after dressing up for church

Daddy & his boys

Mommy & the boys

Isaac & Caleb hunting for Easter eggs hidden in our living room

Caleb found one

So did Isaac

Weekend away

A couple of weeks ago we took a long weekend away to Minnesota.  Zach's sister flew into Des Moines on a Wednesday afternoon and we took off for Austin Thursday.  We spent Friday going through items in the house as Zach's dad is thinking about selling soon.  We visited family and friends and even spent the evening watching the Austin boys basketball team play for a spot in the state tournament.  Saturday afternoon we took off for the cities to stay in a hotel with a waterpark.  This was Isaac and Caleb's highlight!  They spent time playing in the smaller section of the park and also played a little basketball with Grandpa & Daddy in the bigger pool.  Caleb must have jumped into the pool 100 times with his little life jacket on.  There is one thing for sure, our boys love the water.

Our hotel stay had a deal where we got a free pizza and some tokens to the arcade above the water park.  We were thinking we would get maybe 10 for each boy but we got way more than we bargained for.  We didn't officially count but I'm sure we had almost 50 tokens.  That gave us a lot of time in the arcade and a lot of opportunities to win lots of tickets.  Isaac spent most of his tokens on a motorcycle racing game while Caleb tried some Skee-ball.  Aunt Lacy & I used quite a few on the Wheel of Fortune until we came across the most addicting game ever.  The object of the game was to drop a ball into the hole with JACKPOT on it.  Timing was everything and we didn't win Saturday night although we did get a few 75's.  Sunday morning we came back to finish using our tickets & Lacy dropped the ball into the JACKPOT on her first try!  We have never earned so many tickets at an arcade and the boys were able to get some really nice cars with their winnings.

On St Patrick's Day we went to Zach's cousin's for a big meal.  We really enjoyed ourselves and hated that time passed so quickly.  We got back in the car around 3 PM to drive back to Indianola.  By the time we got home it was bedtime and the boys needed the sleep.  Such a fun little get away with family!

Isaac trying out the most addictive game ever

This is basically where Isaac spent all of his tokens

Going down the slide in the little people area of the water park

Caleb's turn

This is an adorable picture of my boys

My boys

Snow Fun

More and more in the last few days I have heard many people say "I am ready for spring."  I agree with this statement but the ground does not reflect the same sentiment.  Last week we received 11 inches of snow in a snow storm that was only supposed to leave a trace.  Isaac and Caleb loved it and helped me do a little shoveling one afternoon.  Isaac was a great help, Caleb not so much!

On Saturday we decided to take the boys sledding on one of the more popular hills in Indianola.  They had a blast and each one braved the hills by themselves which neither Zach or I thought would happen.  I guess our boys are fearless.  After getting home from sledding, Zach & Isaac stayed outside to build a snow fort in the yard.  Isaac wasn't a lot of help in this project and actually quit in the middle to come inside but Zach finished it and both boys enjoyed walking around in it the next morning.  Good Job Zach!

Zach doing the work while Isaac watches

Finished product!

Warmer temps are coming our way this weekend with some rain so a lot of our snow will melt and the ground will start to look more like the agreed upon statement of "I'm ready for spring!"

Big Boy

The Erickson's have been dealing with sickness the last 2 weeks.  First Zach got a nasty sinus infection and then gifted Caleb and I with it this week.  Zach spent a day home from work and I...well there has been no rest for this mommy!  All of us have had antibiotics and I feel much better and I think Caleb is better too.

Caleb has been doing great without his pacifier and we are seeing more full nights of sleep!  I got a little excited about this transition going so well that I decided to try out potty training too...didn't go as well.  Caleb loves his pullups and I even let him wear some training underwear a couple of times.  He is so proud of them that he won't wear pants when he's wearing them, which is pretty cute.  While we aren't officially potty training yet, we are still allowing Caleb to try when he wants to.  I don't want to push him before he is ready, I learned that lesson with Isaac.  He seems interested but we will need to wait for his body to be physically ready.

Caleb in his training underwear

My boys love to wrestle and Caleb LOVES to sit on Isaac

This last picture is Isaac's handiwork.  He really wanted to take a picture of Caleb and me so I let him.  It didn't turn out half bad!

Mommy & Caleb, picture by Isaac

ABC's

This week we had Isaac's preschool parent/teacher conferences.  We were so proud to hear Isaac's teachers tell us how well he is doing.  They said he's a good listener, great participator, and a good friend.  We wondered a little if they were talking about our Isaac when telling us about the listening but extremely glad he listens at school even when he doesn't always at home.  People have told me that children are usually better for other adults than their own parents & Isaac is no different.  Thank God it's not the other way around!  Isaac's teachers told us he was definitely ready for kindergarten so we will continue making preparations for the fall.  Mostly this mommy needs to get used to the idea!

Caleb loves to sing and has recently "learned" his ABC's...at least through letter P.  He makes up the rest of the song so he can sing the ending of "Now I know my ABC's, next time won't you sing with me?"  He does a little better when Isaac sings along.  I got a video of it today, one of just Caleb & one of the both of them.