The Best Parts of My Day

Seeing this face as soon as I wake up. (Who cares if she is the one who wakes me up?)


Looking out of my window and seeing this little boy playing outside.


Watching this kid come running out of school with the biggest smile on his face.

And best of all, putting my kids to bed so I can hang out with this guy.

Happy Spring

We had a family friend take some pictures of the kids over the weekend- I am in love with these pictures!

Random Moments Monday- Sam Centric

For some reason Sam seems to be the focus of this post- not sure why.

Where's the love? Look at the picture below. This is what I found written inside my minivan right by Sam's seat. I vaguely remember that he was mad at me while we were driving last week- I can't remember over what- but apparently he took out his anger with his crayons. Upon this discovery (and after his punishment) I asked him why my name was crossed out while his dad's name had a heart over it. He said it was because he didn't love me. I guess he got over his anger because at some point he drew a heart over my name (in pink). Glad to see he loves me once again.


My "Adventure Bag" makes a resurgence. A couple of weeks ago I got out my sling diaper bag so that we could go to the nature center. As soon as Sam saw it on the table he exclaimed, "Yes! You got out your adventure bag!" I had to laugh because he was right- I really only use this diaper bag when we are going on a hike or downtown. I guess it really is "our adventure bag".


Does the picture below make you laugh? For some unknown reason Sam thinks that it is HILARIOUS. And no, it's not because Andrew looks INSANELY creepy in it (in fact, I almost didn't have permission to post this picture). The reason is that Sam thinks Afton looks hysterical. He goes onto the computer at least once a day, opens up this picture, and cracks up over it. I guess this isn't the first time that I have been completely and utterly confused by my firstborn.

*For those wondering, Andrew is actually wearing a bow from one of Afton's birthday presents

Home Makeover challenge- it's game time. A couple weeks ago I decided to finally take on my living room. As you can see from the picture below it was previously decorated in the "bla" style. For the past 8 months I've had no idea what I wanted to do to this room, so I've tried to ignore it. I guess the winter got to me, because as of last week I couldn't handle this bare room any longer. I convinced Andrew to let me paint, and I'm slowly easing him up to get some decor. So far so good, but due to my complete lack of decorating confidence (I have no clue what happened to me), updates on this room may take a little while longer. We're also tackling the back yard, but that is REALLY going to take some time.

before...

and a little preview of how the room is shaping up...

We started reading chapter books to the boys. My neighbor recommended this series and now I am recommending it to all of my friends. It is simple, fun, and manages to keep the interest of both my 4 year old and six year old. We have found a winner!

Playing Hookie

Ok Ashley (sometimes known as "anonymous") this is for you-

I love the National Zoo. It has a huge assortment of animals and best of all it's free. You can have an amazing experience there, but the trick is to go when its not crowded and when the weather is just right. This basically leaves you with two options- you can either go on a school day during the fall, or on a school day during the spring. If you choose otherwise (like in the summer) you will likely die of heat exhaustion (this zoo is really hilly- not fun to push a stroller) and the only animals you will see are humans, humans and more humans. Trust me, I know this from years of experience.

Sam's been asking to go to the zoo all winter, so I promised him that when the weather warmed up he could miss a half day of school and we would go. I decided to make good on that promise last Thursday- which was a perfectly beautiful 70 degree day. Aghh, springtime.

Luke's 4th Birthday

When the weather is nice we walk Sammy to school. The arrangement is that Sam walks, while I push Luke and Afton in a jogging stroller. During these short walks, Luke loves to twist around so he can talk to me. A few months ago he even took to calling himself my "co-pilot". Then about a month ago he asked, "Mommy, are you glad I'm your co-pilot?"

I can't begin to express how glad I am to have Luke as my co-pilot. From 6:30 am to 7:30 pm I have that little boy yapping my ear off. He says things that melt my heart, that make me laugh, and sometimes things that make me want to ring his neck. His is an imagination so vivid that I almost think he feels as much joy pretending to eat a lollipop as he would feel actually eating a real one. Of our 3 kids, he is easily the most affectionate. I'm slowly realizing that it won't be too long before he doesn't fit into my arms anymore. He's also my child that can fall asleep anywhere- like in a shopping cart at a store. He continually thinks he can do things beyond his years- which he occasionally can. But when he can't, he is seldom discouraged from trying again. The phrase "one of a kind" seems to fit Luke just right, and boy are we crazy about this little guy.

So, happy birthday Luke-- to the best co-pilot in the world.

Random Moments- winter bla edition

We survived the blizzard(s) of 2010. I say survived, but I still think only half of my brain cells are functioning. The two consecutive snow storms we received (the second one aptly dubbed "Snoverkill") resulted in Andrew's work and Sam's school (and the greater DC area) being canceled for the week. A WEEK! Being stuck inside of my house with my cabin fever-ed kids (both boys actually had fevers...Luke even threw up a couple of times) and stir crazy husband certainly took its toll. I did manage to get out of the house once to make a quick trip to the grocery store...yes, me and the rest of the world. We never did lose our power, but like many other lucky home owners, our back gutter did come crashing down from the weight of the melting snow and ice. All in all, we really cannot complain.

On a related note...I am D-O-N-E with winter. If you see a woman and her 3 young kids wearing shorts and sandals- it's likely us. I've decided that I'm going to will spring to arrive by dressing in warm-weather clothes.

Sam's new mission in life is to be dressed comfortably. The problem is that this kid's definition of comfortable is his pajamas. Since his mother does not find it acceptable to wear pj's to school, Sam changes into them the moment he gets home...which is 3:10 in the afternoon. He also puts up a fight when I try to dress him in jeans, khaki's or layers because they are not "comfortable." Maybe it is time to buy him a sweat-suit.

I started to digital scrapbook. Yes, I'm a scrapbooker. It is annoying and immensely time consuming, but my family and I love the results. While stuck inside my house last week I decided to download a digital scrapbooking program. That may have been what kept me sane. Make fun of me all you want, but I am shamelessly converted!


















I have been hooked to the drama of men's Olympic figure skating. I became a fan of the Olympics back in 2002 when Salt Lake City hosted the winter games. We were living in Provo at the time, so it was impossible not to catch the Olympic spirit. I was mostly into the skiing, snowboarding and speed skating competitions, but this year I couldn't get enough men's figure skating. The outfits, the moves, the catty remarks- it is SO much better than reality TV! Now that it is all over, Andrew and I are going to have to rent Blades of Glory (for which we have a renewed appreciation).

Snowmageddon

President Obama has dubbed this snow storm "Snowmageddon". I'm just calling it insanity. The snow started Friday afternoon, lasted until Saturday evening, and accumulated a total of 30+ inches. I believe this is nearly a record for our area. The last I read 100,000 people in suburban Maryland were without electricity, and thankfully, we are not one of them. School has been canceled until Wednesday, which is also when the roads in our neighborhood may be plowed (at least that is what the county website says). This is just in time for the next snowfall which is due to start Tuesday night...aghhhhhhhhh!

In the mean time the sun is out, we have food aplenty, and there will be no work (at least for tomorrow), which means we're enjoying being snowed in. Well, at least some of us will be snowed in- Andrew is planning on walking to his brother's to watch the Super Bowl tonight (where there is a larger TV...and even more food). It's nice to know that there are some things he is unwilling to sacrifice.

the snowfall about 3/4 of the way through