going on two

Oh man oh man - we are in the throws of what I've affectionately dubbed the pre-two blues... With the girls, I found the even number years to be particularly enjoyable (0 - so sweet!, 2 - how adorably curious, 4 - we're just getting there, but the independence is inspiring to watch) - it was the second 1/2 of the odd number years that have you thanking natures ability to make children cute - because if they weren't you'd have sold them to the Gypsies long ago.  The boys are following in the same footsteps as their sisters, mimicking this pattern, but as the boys are want to do, they've taken the pattern spun it around in circles, built a tower with it, smashed it to the ground and then dissolved into tears.  They are the girls on speed and there's no break peddle on this bike.

Ushering In Summer...

Hello my friends... I hope that you are all having a super marvelous Memorial Day Weekend.  It's always one of my favorite weekends of the year - filled with joy and hope, the excitement of summer and more hamburgers than you can shake a fist at.  

A Little Bit Prep

My OCD comes out of the closet when I get the kids dressed in the morning.  It's a real problem.  Whenever possible, I like to dress all of them (and myself, if possible) in co-ordinating hues, trends, or layers as though we're all on our way to a photo shoot.  The shit of it is, I hardly ever manage to get a picture of all the kids together, so it really is a wasted effort on my part.  I can tell myself this, but when the opportunity arises, I will pull out polo shirts for everyone (skinny jeans and a navy izod sweater for mommy), and I will feel great about the organized and picture perfect start of our day.

A Spot of Tea

Their eyes were wide with anticipation as they pleaded silently... desires yet unknown to me.  I knew something was coming as I tilted their heads back in the tub and tried to rinse the soap out of the bottom of their hair.  

"Mommy, can I tell you a question?" 

"What is it, muffins?" I asked - braced for something crazy.

"May we have tea as our snack tonight?" they exploded... "That would be SO great!"

Too Ambitious

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Perhaps I was a bit overzealous this morning... I think the disposal of the high chairs yesterday made me think that perhaps I was the mother of 5 and 7 year olds, not 1 and 3 year olds... and so it was that in a serious lack of judgement I called to the kids:  Let's play out front this morning! (insert the threatening musical tone:  dum dum DUM!)

A Monumental Occasion

Originally posted on Wednesday, April 4, 2012

I have been waiting for this day for the last 3 years.  3 years is a blink of an eye when you're watching your children grow, but 3 years is an ETERNITY of bruises on your hip from the two oversized high chairs that really don't fit in your small/normal sized kitchen.

Co-Sleeping

The boys...  (co-starring my shoes)

You guys, I did it... I snuck in at night and caught Alex and Jack sleeping in the same crib!  It was all for you, Aunt Sallie!  Picture taking was a bit rough - as it was DARK!, but you can hopefully absorb some of the adorable quotient here...

Spring on the Deck

Originally published on Monday, March 12, 2012

This moment of brotherly joy brought to you today by Jackson and Alexander.  A little sunshine, a folding chair, a push toy and lots of smiles.  The two boys were out here for over an hour, giggling and playing as happy as could be.  Even though financially I occasionally regret putting on the deck, I simply cannot argue with the benefits it has brought to us as a family

The Kingdom Dance

Originally posted on Friday, March 9, 2012

 Seriously Cute Disclaimer:  VIDEO COMING SOON {as soon as I get to it }

This may have been one of the cuter things I’ve witnessed in a long time.  The girls are pretty much in love with Tangled {Rapunzle} right now... they ask me to play the songs over and over as they act out what happens at that particular time in the movie.  Tonight it was the Kingdom Dance.  Over and Over...  I played it and they danced. 

Sister Snuggles

Originally posted on Thursday, March 1, 2012

 I love the moments when we find the kids in a loving moment together... here are the girls cuddled up in mummy and daddy’s bed waiting for their turn to get ready in the morning.  They pull the covers up tight and then tell each other jokes and change characters and voices more often then any adult could possibly keep up with.  Their giggles fill the room, muffled under covers, until we uncover them, shove them into clothes, get them breakfast, and push them out the door to preschool.  

Kid Cave

Originally posted on Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Today was one of those days where I could feel my school work piling up and creating a constant weight on my shoulders... as soon as dinner was over I found my mind drifting back to the office and the unanswered emails, the files that had to be downloaded before the two day inservice, the to do lists to post, the study guides to get ready, the bags to pack...

Spooning

Originally posted on Sunday, February 19. 2012

Today both gentlemen apparently decided that they were big enough to feed themselves.  We can only assume that this closed door secret meeting occurred sometime between the hours of 12 am and 6 am in Jack’s Crib.  As I witnessed this my mouth hung open - I was completely flummoxed.  When?  How?  Shouldn’t there be a learning curve?!?  With just a gentle amount of support on the bowl from Auntie and Mimi, both boys devoured their ham and bean soup using only their spoon... and then their face.  We are filled with equal parts awe and dread, but you can’t argue with those smiles... just look how proud they are!

Puzzling

Originally posted on Friday, February 17, 2012

The blessings of a full house are too numerous to mention.  I’ll let you know when I come up with the list.  The difficulties... well sometimes it feels they’re too numerous to mention as well - though the one that gets to Tony and I the most is the feeling that we don’t spend enough time with each of the kiddos - individually.  Sometimes we feel like we’re co-ordinating a battle operative, not dealing with individual people.  The days can pass in a blur of clothes, tubs, dishes, and diapers.  We find ourselves trying to fill each other in on the most insignificant details of the kids days - grasping at the tiniest straw in order to paint a picture of who our children are.