Easter Sunday Dakes.

Happy Easter One.

Happy Easter One. a video by mandydake on Flickr.

Happy Easter Part Two.

Happy Easter Two. a video by mandydake on Flickr.

Thursday All Before Eleven.

I was up with Zach, who had a coughing fit, before 6:00 this morning.

I have read 120+ pages in my book, leaving 66 pages to go.

I went through 3 totes of Jason's old clothes for the twins, got out what they could wear now, and packed 2 full again of bigger sizes. I organized their dressers, hung up clothes and got summer wear labeled and in a box ready to pull out.

I cleaned up the I pitch everything in here spare room.

I have a trash bag, a box of clothes, and a large bag of toys to donate today.

I have a load of laundry going, the shades up, and a clean office with clutter free shelves.

I have a batch of shirts ready for Jacques to iron and a lot of caffeine in my booty.

And it was all done before eleven. Go, Thursday! I love you.

Sweet Sprout.

Updates on the Dakes.

Zachary- Love cooking with daddy. Wears snow boots 24/7, even when naked. He tells me "my tonsils are coughing." Rocks a Wii and an Xbox. He even plays Live and wins against another 4 guys. He's the least impressed with Lincoln out of all the boys. He loves Tootsie Rolls and eats 3 every time he is aloud just one. He also says, "You make me cry" while he cries. He may be a slight hypochondriac, as he will say,"I need a doctor. I need medicine. I need a cast." all in the same sentence. He is not the best listener and he hogs the bed, but I still think he is the best thing since peanut butter on pancakes.

Ryan- Loves puzzles, big ones with 25-60 pieces. He loves Thomas and all the trains, including the videos. (Thank you Netflix Instant!) He is great with Play Dough and has a vivid imagination. He spends a lot of time drawing pictures, usually of Stay Puft, Trains and bees, or bugs now. He is always asking for paper and pens. He is the most in love with Lincoln, and Lincoln is all about that love. He loves Spongebob. He is an earlier riser and goes to bed at 800. He does not drink soda or sweets, only white milk. He is tall, heavy and has a crazy head of hair. But unlike his father, at least he has some.

Jason- Was the VIP of his class this week. He lost his 7th tooth earlier this month. The Tooth Fairy left him a $20 bill. He is a picky eater, and is skin and bones. He is finally able to get his dirt bike out again after a long winter. He got a haircut yesterday, and never wears shirts around the house. He is currently loving Halo toys, Call of Duty. He loves Ghostbusters and both his brothers. He had his very first sleepovers just this year. He is still always drawing and reading. I think his mother is his favorite parent, but I'm just guessing here.

Mandy- I am working 3 days a week, currently reading my 35th novel for 2011, Wuthering Heights. I have read 2 unpublished novels (that will be published later this year) to rate and review my thoughts on. I have another "advanced copy" coming in the next weeks to read. I am working hard with Zachary on the potty training, and Ryan shows some interest, but has yet to tinkle in the potty. I am watching Lost Season 5 and Dexter Season 3. Tomorrow, I'll be up early for groceries. I wore my good gym shoes outdoors this week, when the family went on a 2.5 mile walk, thinking I wouldn't have to go to the gym until this fall, and by then, I'd need a new pair of running shoes. Unfortunately, the weather is yucky again. Thanks, Minnesota.

Dake- Is a great father, chef and busy soldier. He will be outta town next week for 3 days, and nights. Then again in a couple weeks. He's been working on tilling the garden for this year and adding gravel to our slush of a driveway. He is currently not reading anything, shocking, I know. He prefers "waiting for the movie." He and Zachary constantly fight over whose turn it is on the xbox, and I think he drinks too much hot chocolate from Caribou Coffee. He makes me laugh and I poke at him with a stick. Last week he woke me up to tell me the coffee was done. I explained to him that I need coffee when I wake up, not that I need to be woken up for it.

Sunday In Photos.

We spent all weekend outside. It was warm, sunny and snowless! I also shut off the heater (for about 6 hours) for the first time since September. Shocking! We worked getting the garden ready, and some branches cleared from the yard. The boys were covered in mud and tracked a significant amount in the house. Laundry was black, so was the tub. In the 3rd photo of Ryan, he is saying, "Worm all gone."

Conversations from the Dake Household.

Me: "You know why I don't mind Zach skipping his nap? It's so he goes down easy at eight and we can have time together." Jacques: "No, it's because you can go to bed at eight-o-two."

Jason: "Dad wants me to come out and help him work." Me: "That's nice. So you're gonna help him?" Jason: "Nope. I'm gonna ride my dirt bike."

Zachary: "Can I have a pop ice?" Me: "No." Zachary: "But they make me happy." It was so cute, I give in. Then he asks for another, and I say no. Then he tries to play his "happy" card again. I tell him that only works once. Then he says, "But I need a big tummy like you."

Me: "I cooked 3 meals this week!" Jacques: "That's more than you cooked our entire first year of marriage."

Blog Break for a Book. Be Back Monday.