Another Mommy Weekend

Doug was in town this weekend, but was preaching, so was quite busy.  That left the boys and I to enjoy this crisp, sunny weekend together.  And we did!!  Well, I have to admit that Koen was a handful and therefore a challenge this weekend, but we made it and he had plenty of bright spots to get us through.  Being seven must take its toll on a little guy (because it's sure taking a toll on me as of late!).  

On Saturday morning, Doug was around for family breakfast and some sweet (much needed) one-on-one time reading to Koen and getting him started on a Lego project.  Then after he took off, the boys and I soon after took off to run an errand in Bloomfield.  We were delighted that we walked this direction because once we hit Liberty Ave., I realized it was the Columbus Day parade!!  What a lucky strike!

Penn is a huge fan of parades.  He was so excited and waved at anyone and everyone that went by!

My favorite school band that we got to see.  The boys loved watching them play and step to the music.

We eventually had to pull away to go to Koen's soccer practice.  We walked down Liberty to catch whatever we could on the way out.  It's a super long parade and kind of slow moving, but has some great attractions along the way.  And I was so excited we didn't miss it!  Koen was distracted the whole time about getting to soccer practice on time, but we made it.  He loves this little sporting outing each week.  He's quite the hustler.  Here's the pictures I got of him.

I couldn't get a lot of pics of the soccer star because of needing to keep an eye on the little guys.  They had their picnic lunch, played on the playground, but most of all enjoyed throwing leaves.  You've got to love the joy brought by simple fun.

Before we left, Tavin did some biking around.  The last few days he's been working on getting started on his two-wheeler all on his own.  He had a few successes while I was ready with video.  Yay, Tavin!!

After soccer practice, we headed home for naptime and a restful afternoon.  Then in the evening we hung out with some neighbors, which was the perfect way to pass the playtime in between naptime and dinner.  

On to Sunday...we were carless, but Doug suggested that he could pick us up before he preached live at Oakland at the 5pm service, so that was an easy "yes" (alternative was home church or walking to the East End and that's a big hill back up which baby does not like these days...can you say Braxton Hicks??!).  That left the boys and I to fill the morning with fun around here.  No problem on a gorgeous Fall day.  We got some chores done around the house and then headed to get a few groceries and then to the playground.  There was a street hockey game going on when we arrived, so the boys enjoyed getting to watch that in between playing with each other.

The swings were popular with all 3 as usual.  Koen can pump totally on his own, Tav still requires pushes to really get going and when he gets tired of pumping and Penn, you know, does his own thing on his belly.

It was a fun day to observe the boys doing their thing because they entertained themselves well and they played well all together too (always so sweet to see when Penn gets to be included!).  Koen and Tavin did have their bikes, so I got some one-on-one time watching Penn do his thing on the playground equipment.  He looked so cute in his little sweater, I took the opportunity to snap just a few pictures (can you tell I'm a little crazy about him?).

Of course I brought lunch so that we could extend our stay as long as possible, so I got these pics of all three Melder men munching away.  Pretty cute bunch!  (Sorry about the food in their mouths!)

Like I said, the boys found a few activities that they loved doing together.  They played in the leaves and threw them at each other and all over the playground.  Then Tav and Koen developed a game where they need acorns as ammo and the collection of the ammo ended up being just as much fun (or more) as the game, plus Penn was able to totally get in on it.  So fun to see all three working together!

Eventually it was time to head home so that we could get situated before naptime (i.e. pregnant momma could have some lunch).  The afternoon flew by as I had a long list of things to do and both Tav and Penn took great naps they had to be awakened from.  We were ready to go with Doug at 4:15pm and we had him drop us off about a half mile from the church at Schenley Plaza so the boys could get some fresh air and exercise in the grassy expanse before the 5pm service.  They worked on cartwheels and somersaults and again it was fun to see all three enjoying an activity together.  Here Tav and Koen are wrestling and Penn is showing off his somersault.  What a bunch!

Now it's time to chase...

Then they are off and running and Penn is wondering what happened!

After our short run-around time at the plaza it was time to walk to church.  I was so glad we were able to go to church this weekend even if the timing was a bit odd for our usual routine.  Doug did a fantastic job preaching and the worship was lovely and there were a bunch of friends at the service, so all in all just a blessing of a service (oh, and it was communion Sunday which is one of my personal ways to worship and reflect, so I was so thankful I didn't miss it).  A lovely end to a tiring, but good weekend with my boys (to be followed by homemade calzones with Doug after we put the boys to bed, not a bad finisher!).