Something I Never Thought I'd See Pre Kids

She had washed them in the dog water dish and then obviously they needed to dry in the sun! :)

Scrubbing, Singing All The While

This morning we had to show our house and I found myself wishing I had done the things that had been on my list since a week ago. Pretty soon however I realized that I have an asset I'm not using to his full potential. My son.

My almost five year old son dusted every window sill in the house, vacuumed almost every room and swept an area of crumbs in the kitchen. He is normally more than willing to help mop the floor or spritz and scrub a toilet and I need to take full advantage of this, while he feels this way!

Granted, today was a lot of work for him, he seemed to enjoy it and kept asking to help. I think adding one more chore every day might even give him a greater sense of accomplishment and purpose. He is currently expected to empty the silverware, (or sort it if his sister puts them away in the corner of the drawer) feed the dog once per day, besides making his bed and picking up toys at the appropriate times.

It's nice that he currently has the desire to help and I'd love to hope it stays but am not quite that naive. Plus it's nice to know what I can expect from him. You know recently he bugged me enough to get my flute out and start to play it and for some reason I started thinking about my high school choir director. Yeah, I have no explanation for my train of thought, I am aware that a flute is played in a band not chorus. :)

Back to my original thought, my HS choir director expected a lot from us. We sang some pretty difficult stuff. Only back then, I don't remember knowing it was difficult, just what we were singing. My point, if I have one at this wee hour in the morning, I think that people tend to perform as expected. If I expect my son will be able to conquer difficult tasks, I bet he'll learn. I also hope it gives him a sense of belonging and pride, knowing that he is a valued part of our family.

Worry not about my son becoming a child laborer, his chores take about five to ten minutes a day. I don't think this too much to ask since maybe him helping will give me a five minute break! A Mom's chores take the majority of the day after all! ;-P

Laundry Happens!

Art is created!

The Gift of Life

This morning I finished reading the last two chapters of Charlotte's Web to the kids. Even though my son had seen the movie awhile back, I was kind of dreading the ending, as you know, she dies.

As I read the paragraph, I could see the words, "Charlotte died" several lines below and my eyes got tears in them. Now I may need to preface this a bit because my son usually sits in a comfortable slouch while we read, asking what words mean or to see if there is a picture on that page. When I read those words I saw him straighten upright. "Mommy," he inquired softly, "why did Charlotte have to die?" Knowing this answer won't last forever I told him that is how God made living things.

He seemed alright with that answer as we kept reading, and he seemed especially pleased that three of Charlotte's babies stayed to befriend Wilbur. At the end when we talked about the book, I was all choked up - hello - I new what was going to happen!! And he was fine... alas, I've got to grow up!

In the words of a pretty smart spider, "We're born, we live a little while, we die." What a big gift this small life is in the greater scheme of things. Giving or doing for others is perhaps the biggest thing we can do with the small time we have. The gift of friendship, what a beautiful thing!

4 Year Old Silly Speak

I saved my personal favorite for last...

"Have a fine rest."

"I am a very strong man, and a very smart man too."

"Get the bug smacker Mommy, I see a bug!

"Did you see me playing with those kids at the park? It was amazing!"

The tail end of a discussion in the car I said, "If you were doing as I asked then you wouldn't know that the windows were locked." To which he replied, "Yes, I would still know ... ... ... ... ... ... ... because I have a brain."

Summer Fashion

It's all in the accessories!

Your pink princess purse will go with anything this season, whether you're leaving for summer vacation...

...or planning your next nerf shooting game, it will really bring everything together!

A MUST have this season!

Three!

The number of years snippets of life have been captured on this blog. Random, I know but that seems like a long time, it should be a long time.

I'm planning on registering for advanced physics next semester because I'm taking it upon myself to slow time down. The days seem to be over in a matter of minutes, not that those minutes aren't exhausting, I just feel time slipping away, missed moments, lost hugs.

So, I've solved it like this: I'm talking the next week off teaching classes and we are going to take time to smell the roses...which are blooming, coincidentally. And I am going to enjoy each and every moment of the day instead of just using it to get something done.

That being said, I'm finally editing pictures from Easter and uploading to picasa eventually! I'm GOING to finish all of the four books I'm currently in the middle of. And I'm going to laugh, hysterically, with my kids, a lot, a whole LOT!!!

Yeah, I might weed the weed patch , a-hem, garden and a spend some quality time with what's his name Adam too!

Pleeeeeease!!!!

She does this little side to side thing with her head when she says it that makes it hard to refuse.

Photos actually two months old :)

To My Dear Beautiful Children,

I have my alarm set at 7:15 for a reason. Not 5:30, nope not 6:22 or 7:14 either. I set my alarm now so that I can get ready for the day with about 15 minutes to myself. Seriously, I need it. So please, please ignore Mr. Sun, he's up but that doesn't mean you have to be!!!

All my love, hugs, kisses and tickles,

Mommy

Suddenly a big boy!

It's been almost three years since I started this blog, THREE YEARS!!! Just a short time ago...

Now we are enjoying this age with our baby girl but it seems like just yesterday he was saying things like, "choo choo nunnel" and smelling roses.

It wasn't yesterday though, because yesterday he asked to have his training wheels taken off. Yesterday, he blew his mommy's socks off! Yesterday he made himself and both his parents proud. Trying and trying and that first real try once we put the pedals back on, was awesome! He did it! HE did it!

It's hard to focus on something (the post of the basketball hoop) and steer away from it! So Adam took him around the park while I pushed my daughter on the swing and we cheered him on. His last ride was about 40 yards or so and I was cheering all the way!

Then as I was pushing him on the swings he really 'got it' pumping his legs to keep himself going. How is it that my baby boy is big enough for all of this, not to mention some other things that for him I'll keep off the whole big internet! It has been an amazing week...

I'm glad he still says things like,"Mommy what was the name of that movie again?" "The Little Mermaid." He emphatically replies, "Yes! It was a little scary, but I still joined it."

Well my son, I have enjoined every moment of you! You are amazing!

Why

A conversation heard by a fly sitting on the living room ceiling yesterday afternoon. <\p>

My 4.5 year old son: Mommy, what is this ploping down like rain.
Me: Clumps of dust.
Son: But why is it ploping down like rain, I mean like snow?
Me: Ah, because I haven't dusted this fan in a long time.
Son: Why don't we dust it everyday.
Me: Because I have to get out the ladder to do it.
Son: Why do we need a ladder, because you are not tall like daddy?
Me: Right, but even Daddy needs a ladder.
Son: But why does it have to plop down like snow? I want it to be snowy like this outside.
Me: It doesn't usually snow this late in the spring many places.
Son: Why does it not snow anymore.
Me: Because that's how God made the earth to have seasons.
Son: Oh. Me: (Yeah, I can see him thinking) son: Why did God have to make, snow and not snow and deserts?
Me: Because he's God. Can you switch the fan on please? Son: (Switching on the fan) Why?
me: So that I can make sure it is going the right way. Can you turn it off now please?
Son: Why?
Me: Because it's blowing all the dust around, we'll vacuum it after your sister wakes up. Now, let's go playoutside until the napper wakes up and we can vacuum.

Mommy's Day, Another Perspective

Mother's Day seems to be getting me back into blogging mode for whatever reason. I've just been keeping things close to the heart for the last month or so. It's not a lack of writing, just the lack of publishing my rants, poems, and loves.

Stepping up and I'm sure tired of clicking over here and still seeing the same stuff about the Easter bunny, my Mom has written something about me and for me to post here. I'm touched by what she wrote, I love you Mom.

---- ---- ---- ---- ----

From Heidi’s mom, to honor her this month for Mother’s Day.

When, in March I was looking for new blogs here, she suggested I write one about my visit in February. A few weeks later I wrote a rough draft and have been thinking about it since. As Mother’s Day approaches I want to share this visit from a different viewpoint than I originally planned. Yes, I have many fun memories of my visit; however the best ones are of a special mother.

Heidi, where has the time gone? It seems such a short time ago that I was tying your wispy strands of hair out of your eyes, now I see you dong the same with your daughter. Or playing a game with you as I see you with your son.

Not that long ago you helped me bake, or put away the laundry. These and many more loving moments I enjoyed watching you share with your children. It is very special that you are raising your children to love God and Jesus, while teaching them the Golden Rule, to love one another as He loves us.

Time does fly when you are having fun! The way I see it you are having fun raising, caring, molding, and loving your children.

Heidi, although we live too far to enjoy a Mother/Daughter treat in person this month, it is a treat to write a blog entry.

Hugging arms
Ever loving
Interested in learning
Dynamically creative
Inviting laugh

I love you very much and I bless you, child of mine!

---- ---- ---- ---- ----

Thanks Mom, I hope this will jump start a round of postings around here... ;-)

Out of the blue today

My son says, "Mommy, the Easter bunny is smarter than Santa."

Curious, I ask him, "what makes you think that?"

His thoughtful reply, "because he's a bunny and Santa's a grown up."

My hesitant reply, "ah, so what you're saying is that bunnies are smarter than grown ups.?!"

"Yup," he replied as he walked out of the room satisfied.

A Princess Give Away

I must admit I was both excited and nervous to review the DVD "Prima Princessa Presents Swan Lake." Excited to have a DVD to show my kids something I'm very passionate about. Remember, I used to be very serious about dance. Nervous because I knew the story line of swan lake was a bit above most small childrens thinking capacity with some dark and twisted stuff :). Turns out I should have just been excited!

After watching it with my children I am happy to say it was great! The selected scenes from the Paris Opera Ballet's performance were simply narrated by the voice of a young girl. The performance is interspersed with scenes from children at the New York City Ballet's School of American Ballet (SAB) as well as, my personal favorite, little girls in tutus dancing barefoot in the grass.

My 4 year old son was surprisingly very interested in the lingo and movement taught by the kids at SAB, especially the young boy doing pirouettes and jetes. He seemed happy that there was another boy to relate to. My 19 month old little princess had a blast twirling with the girls and surprisingly the whole 40 minute video held her attention span.

This is an extremely well made video and I recommend it for anyone especially if you have little girls. A most fabulous way to introduce children to the ballet!!!

The company was founded by two mommy entrepreneurs one of whom, Stephanie, is going to give a copy away to one lucky reader!! You can twirl over to their website www.primaprincessa.com to learn more about them.

To be entered into the drawing just leave me a comment on this post by 11:59pm Wednseday, April 8th! You don't have to have a blog, just make sure to leave me your email in the comment or email me. So that I'll be able to contact you if you win!!!

Thanks Stephanie, you didn't disappoint!!

The rest of our trip...

I love the above photo, very telling of our Sea World day, relaxing, and both kids loved everything. While they were standing there, my 4yo kept saying "whale, see the whale?" and the baby says, "way-el" just too cute.

Technically, this is a family photo. Can't find my husband?? Well that's cause your not a CSI tech. Yeah, his reflection is in my glasses if you really zoom in - I'm sure they'd do wonders with it in "the lab" LOL!

The next day at La Jolla Shores it was a tad foggy, as you can see, but still warm (uh, yeah sunny San Diego, not snowing the last day of March, Idaho!) The kids had fun. Well, let me rephrase, my son had a blast. Even went into the cold water with me - those photos of me and him facing away from the camera, they are for Adam only, even I don't want to see 'em! ;)

Seriously though my son just loved it, even digging with a plastic spoon from our yogurt cups and making sandcastles from my Aunt's recyclable tubs was a blast. Chasing a stubborn sandpiper who kept coming back for more and, ah, trying his best to make the sand look appealing for his sister. She, however was too busy almost drawing blood as she clenched me so tightly.

Seriously, she was content only to nurse at first. Yeah, it was rough, lying on a blanket, listening to the surf I really didn't complain! We just chilled for about 45 minutes or so. Then she was okay on my lap eating yogurt. A bit later she would venture around our safe blanket but no further. Finally, when left no other choice, as I had packed up the blanket, she reluctantly walked about 15 feet along the sand.

And we've got pictures to prove it!

Thanks to my hubby's Mom for moving back to sunny San Diego, and to my Aunt and Uncle for letting us stay there...it was a very fun journey.

Beach Baby!

Wishing we were still there!!!

Moments of Life

Written March 17, 2009 And yes, I'm still doting on my baby girl!

I immensely enjoy nursing my toddler. I have watched it transform over these many months from her life source to a down time of snuggles, providing us both with comfort, bonding and grounding.

It's easy for both of us now to be distracted and less in tune and present in the moment of it. Our time together seems to be caught up in other things (dancing, talking, running) with so much less time spent snuggling together some moments seem to be lost on "quick, let's finish this and get stuff done." As just another routine moment in our day, some are lost.

I can't begin to express how nice it was today to just relax and be present in the moment. Letting go of the rambling in my head an just absorbing the world around us. Even though there were constantly people walking on the path in front of us they took a far background and this little grassy nook felt like the entire world.

The smell of salty florals filled the breeze which gave my shaded skin a slight chill. Slowly, as I relaxed a deep warmth overtook me as I lay my sleepy daughter on my chest. Amazed at how long she is becoming that her legs were hanging off the other side of me I snuggled her in close.

Hearing the muted Shamu trainers in the background brought my thoughts to my son and his Dad, sitting there just out of the soak zone I could picture the looks on their faces. I was glad they could have this moment just the two of them, sometimes I know things seem more special when he gets to tell Mommy what he got to do with Daddy. Even though I wished I could be both places at once, I was happy with my choice to experience this little grassy nook of earth at Sea World.

With each breath my lungs gently rocked my girl, slowly and relaxed as her own body gave in to the land of dreams. I could still smell cotton candy on her breath - a long cry from her baby milk breath.

The wispy pines made a splendid foreground to the perfect blue sky as I gazed upward watching seagulls tirelessly fly overhead. Occasionally a pair of butterflies would dart in and around a small tree with funky thin palm fronds that stuck out and up, disrupting a swarm of gnats. Surrounded by bright yellow and purple flowers, as if they were welcoming us, to stop for a bit and live.

So we did. The boys had a blast watching Shamu and the girls had our own amazing experience. The benefits of which are still being reaped. Colors seem a bit more alive, hearts are happier and renewed and minds are a bit more present.

It is great to be alive and even better to live.

Sometimes the shoe is on the other foot!!!

My wonderful son has done a great job of teaching his sister many things. How to give great big bear hugs, how to say many words, how to have a blast and very much how to be tough. Now, he might start to rethink this course of action! She actually climbs into him to roughhouse and she's only 18 months old.

Note:I wrote this back when she was 18 months but now another one has gone by and she's 19 months old in the blink of an eye.

Eighteen months old already! So much has changed, I'm starting to mourn for my baby girl while I rejoice for the toddler she is becoming. Oh, she is still my BABY but I've been around a few other tiny ones and I'm kinda jonesin' for a wee one. *****SMACK***** Yes, I am perfectly happy with the two I've got, I never (I know about saying never) want to be pregnant again but all the while I can't help but wonder if or when more kids will enter our family.

Back to my baby girl though, she's going through this verbal explosion at the moment. Everything used to be "mine-O" just a few months ago she put the words "mine and "no" together to make that wonderful phrase! Daddy thought it was the cutest little thing and she would say it at the drop of a hat. Now she's out of that phase and has moved on to saying, "owwwww" anytime anyone touches, tickles what ever - she's learned what gets a reaction.

She has a love for accessories, shoes especially. I have some pictures that I'll upload eventually. She loves getting my heels out of the boxes and puts them on her hands, but now she'll try to put them on her feet (not very successfully) but she's very determined.

A very, very busy girl she is becoming as she rarely sits still for long and loves to spin around while Adam plays the piano. Oh, and now (at 19mo) she will sing key words of songs with him like "me" and she'll do a lot of Hey Jude especially the "na, na, na" part. I do have to say that it is the sweetest thing to hear her little singing voice she actually changes pitch and everything, I'll have to upload the video one of these days.

Just like her Mommy, she loves to be outside, even on some of these rather cold spring days she begs at the back door signing and saying "play, play, play" until I oblige her. I will never, ever tire of her walking into the kitchen signing raisin and saying "ples" or saying "zezl, ples" (pretzel please.)

My heart is again out on my sleeve with her, words cannot describe the love that I have for her. And remember when I was pregnant with her I (for a fleeting moment) wondered how my heart would grow to love someone as much as my son. Certainly I know that the heart is just one of those things that can grow exponentially, DAILY!

My little Goose, I "la,la" you too! And I love your "ugs" and cuddles and everything about your soft, pudgy, smiley, charming, wonderful you! A true blessing!

Rotten Candy

You might be able to guess just what this is. It's pink and blue and sticky. We gave it to our kids for the first time in San Diego at Sea World. Sort of felt bad giving it to my 19 month old since we held off with my son until he was 4.5! LOL! It was so funny though when we got back to my Aunt's house and he told her he ate "rotten candy" possibly the funniest thing to happen on our 2000 mile adventure!

Life just keeps happening regardless of if it is recorded here or not. So far this month I've gotten another year older, got a preschooler beginning to recognize words, and my 19 mo old to sleep throughout the night. Well, really my husband did this last one but I'm certainly enjoying the benefits uninterrupted sleep for the first time since the middle of my 3rd trimester.

I really do miss writing about our silly happenings around here and I'm trying to figure out if there is time enough in the day to keep up with this place or not.

We leave in the morning for a marathon adventure to Las Vegas and then San Diego. It should be an exciting time driving - our drive time tomorrow I believe is about 11 hours so. The travel time will be up there pushing the "happy envelope" but I've got some stuff up my sleeve that will hopefully keep the kids occupied for much of the time.

Or so I pray.

I just loaded a Twitter app to my phone so I'll probably be twittering our doings when we have service. If you want to follow me, I'm heidibutterfly. Plus there's always facebook which sucks me in occasionally...

I have been writing drafts about all the rapid changes my baby girl is going through that I hope to complete before she changes too much more! It's hard to imagine her as tiny baby anymore, she walks, is starting to talk, and wants to do whatever her big brother is doing. Very fun!

Hope to twittter with you this week or see you on facebook -it's going to be a long car ride peeps :)

Quote for today...

The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. - Anne Frank

May I have this dance???

Valentine's pancakes

When my husband travels (once every three months or so) for work I always try to make things extra fun because I know the kids miss him. Usually breakfast for dinner is a way to make the evening a bit less stressful too.

Well, it was just a couple days before valentine's day and I made (very pitiful) heart and mickey mouse shaped pancakes.

While I was making them I told him that the heart ones didn't really look very much like hearts, but more like triangles. When I brought them over to him he said, "You did it Mommy, you made hearts, I knew you could do it!"

Then, holding one of the triangular hearts up to his chest he says, "Mommy, you make my heart SUPER happy!"

I am so very very blessed!!!

Pardon Me?

Whoever is stealing precious minutes from my day please, please, PLEASE return them to their rightful owner. Moi! Seriously, this is my first blog post for the month!

Sigh, I don't even have anything going on I'm not planning a wedding or awaiting a new arrival or anything fun I seriously am just loosing time.

Ugh, here are a few photos because it's what I have time for!

Encouragement

Check out this wonderful post: My Life Is... what an inspiration!

Reading things like this is why I keep blogging!!! I love to be challenged, encouraged, inspired, and lifted up!

Hope you are having a wonderful Tuesday!

Reading

Sending a big thank you to all who left awesome comments about what story and chapter books you enjoy reading with/to your kids.

I wish we had more time in the day for reading because so many of the suggestions took me back to my childhood. I started looking them all up on amazon to order a bunch. Then I got smart and looked up which ones my library had and put a hold on some of them.

We picked a few up today and began reading A Bear Called Paddington. On deck are Hello, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle and Children's Classics to Read Aloud.

He LOVED reading the chapters of Paddington (one yesterday and one today) and is looking forward to another installment tomorrow. So, I thank you for your suggestions and am SO excited to begin the next step in our reading adventure!

"Horsing Around" Photo Contest

I couldn't resist entering this picture into the contest that Susan and Janice have playfully titled the "Horsing Around" photo contest. Sponsored by A Rocking Horse To Love there are already some fabulous entries to check out.

The story behind the photo can be found if you click here!

And if you really love it, you can go leave a comment on the contest post at 5 Minutes for Mom and let them know you like mine (Butterfly Mama!) Thanks!

Volcanoes

This post could also be titled "The ah-ha moment where I see how unschooling really does work." Oh, and if you think unschooling means unlearning or not educating think again and click on the above link for a plethora of definitions and explanations.

About a two weeks ago now my son asked me to tell him about volcanoes. I was able to put about a dozen sentences together about the topic to tell him about hot lava bursting out and cooling into rocks.

After him asking me to tell him again and again over the course of a few days we made a trip to the library last Monday where we picked out some volcano books. I now know more than I ever wanted to about volcanoes, and ash clouds, molten magma, pahoehoe (said pa-hoh-ee-hoh-ee) and 'a'a (said ah-ah) lava.

He knows more than I wanted too! One book has a section about Mt. Vesuvius. They cast the voids in the lava where the decomposed people were. Ah, yeah I didn't read that part, but he's a bit analytical and won't let me skip over any pages so he looked at the pictures and asked me, "what is that?" I said it was a concrete rock and he looked at me and said, "Mommy, it looks like someone dead." I just said "yeah, it does" while prying the page to turn it.

Long story short, he still can't get enough information about volcanoes and is just eating it up. It's really neat to teach them stuff when they want to learn it! One of the books had instructions to build our own volcano.

Of course we had to try it! What fun to teach him to gather the equipment and follow the steps of the experiment. It is more of a demonstration of the way an ash cloud works and it is proves it's point quite well. Just a bit of flour blown several times through out the day can cover an entire kitchen!

"Mommy, get on top of the ball!"

This morning, I found myself at the computer, you know on Facebook, reading other blogs and random stuff.

I'm not sure how this happened, but the kids are getting along. I should have known better because a few days ago when they were getting along they made THIS mess. But they were happy. They were happy cleaning it up together too, it was an afternoon affair to remember. Seriously, miracles are happening here!

Back to this morning, I hear my son telling the baby, "follow me" and "bring the toilet paper." To this my silent alarm rings enough for me ask what they are up to. And he tells me that they opened the case of toilet paper and are distributing it to all the bathrooms. He's done this for me before, so I think nothing of it.

Yeah, you're waiting for something right? Well, here's the kicker. Apparently, they weren't just stowing the tightly wrapped new rolls under the sink for when we ran out. They helped the current roll run out all over the floor. Then my creative four year old took the old tube off and put a new roll on. In all three bathrooms!

Can I just tell you how much toilet paper we go through here? It's like the four year old has regressed to a toddler and recalled just how much fun it is to TP a house. Despite my begging him to be the good example for his sister, if she's into mischief, she's the leader and he's happy to be the accomplice!

On a tangent I'm on pace to raise the first male in history that will change a toilet paper roll, not just set it on top of the spent one. Sadly, my husband promised to have a talk with him when he's of age, lest he make the rest of the male gender look bad! :)

And to finish the above tangent. The mess eventually made into the best work table for the little ones. They sure love their gift Grandma, thanks!

Look carefully, they both still have styrofoam pieces in their hair! Enjoy your day!

Slurp, slurp...

My son loves his Tag reading system that we got him for Christmas. He plays with is multiple times a day.

The other day, I saw the cord that downloads the books onto the pen and remembered that I could sync it up to see his progress. I did and according to them his reading comprehension is on a 1st grade level. My 4 year old.

By no means am I trying to brag or boast in my son, or what I've done with him at all but this did surprise me at first. Now that I've thought about it though it really doesn't. (Also, I don't really know what they are basing it off of either, it will ask him questions, but who knows really.)

In the reading department, my kids are polar opposites. From a young age (6 months) my son would sit on my lap for as many books as I could read, my daughter, on the other hand, has just now upped her window from about 5 seconds to maybe 3 minutes.

Usually on days we come back from the library with new books my son and I will sit and read for my daughter's entire nap 1-1.5 hours.

This week he found the Little Bill book series (he knows the tv show very well) and even though the content is a bit old for him they separate each couple pages into chapters and have more words than pictures.

I've been reading many places lately about people who read chapter books to their young children and I really want to fit this in. If anyone has any suggestions about good ones I'd love to hear them. I was think about CS Lewis but would love some other suggestions.

He just eats up reading and stories so I might as well give the sponge something to soak up!

Little snitcher...

One Cold and Foggy Day

Today is like a Saturday around here, Adam has the day off and usually we are slow to get going. This morning I made coffee (not an everyday thing for me) and followed a different recipe than normal for pancakes, just to change things up.

Somehow the combination of smells combined with the relaxed atmosphere took me back to the lake.

On our yearly summer trip from NY to Central California, where most of my Mom's family lives, we'd always fit in a weekend trip to my Grandparents' cabin up at the lake, as we called it. It was filled with hot and dry days followed by cool nights and mornings. Leisurely walks down to the dock and pontoons skimming the water as we rode wrapped in wet towels. Watering young trees, hammering dried wood onto the old tree house and sampling tender, juicy barbecue.

I stood in the middle of my Idaho kitchen this morning, overwhelmed by aromas, sounds of kids and delicious pancakes. All of which became, for a fleeting moment the air conditioner humming in the cabin, my Gram in her robe and slippers sipping coffee and making pancake batter. The small stand alone pantry full of goodies that we'd only ever eat up there (like canned cheese LOL!) topped with Gramp's sunscreen, his hat there and his boots by the door waiting to be filled as he took a rare opportunity to sleep in past the sunrise.

The lazy-susan overflowing with eggs, pancakes, bacon and fruit. The dark blue drapes pulled back to reveal a view of the lake, smooth as glass, waiting for the early boaters to make the first waves. Feelings of anxiety, similar to Christmas morning, to hurry down to the dock and get to water playing!

For a minute, as I tore my daughters pancake into bite sized pieces, I was out on the deck in the silent, quickly warming air tearing leftover pancakes to feed to the birds. For a moment I was giggling with cousins on the tire swing watching my Gramp throw horseshoes down by the barbecue pit where he worked his magic nightly.

I had a glimpse of my Gram sitting with my Mom on the dock, watching all the fun we were having eating chips, making mud castles, and just being kids. My Dad out with my Gramp on the boat came around to see who wanted the next ski. In general, my Gramp was one of those men that emanated confidence and diligence to us kids, almost unapproachable. But these times at the lake, he kicked back, laughed a laugh that you could see rejuvenate his soul and had patience as if time would stand still. Especially the time I was determined to learn to single ski, he let me keep trying until I was fed up, and then he let me have another go.

Hit it! The boat would smoothly and seamlessly accelerate at my Gramp's hand as the cool water flowed over my face and past the shoulders of my life jacket. Faster and faster pulling me up out of the water slightly, as if teasing me, before slapping me back into the cold hard surface as my fingertips slip off the rope handle. Over and over, seemingly forever, as if the lake's refusal to yield it's grasp on me was stronger than my will. Finally, one last time victorious I'm up on the single ski, the warm air on my face, the water beads up on my goose fleshed skin a glorious smile on my face is mirrored in his!

It was a fleeting minute but it also held with me while I savored my breakfast and went about my day. There is this feeling of peace that I always found there that has come back to me today.

Maybe someday we'll get back there so my kids can play were we once did. Mostly, I pray for the special times with loved ones in their childhood to tuck away in the corners of themselves. Maybe on some foggy day in their adult life something will take them back and keep them warm and fuzzy.

On my way into the store today I saw a license plate that read

NO YNIN

Good reminder!

Life just keeps plugging away around here, hopefully sometime I'll start writing about it again.

Groggy New Year!

We hadn't planned on keeping the kids out 'till midnight but it just worked out that way. We had fun playing games (can you believe I'd never played dominoes before.) Yeah, either could anyone else, now it's on my list to own!

The bigger girls played with my one year old who chose markers over her "nigh-nigh" milk. And my 4yo played and watched a movie. Before we knew it, it was 11:30pm and what's the point of leaving then!

Thankfully, (people out there must have been praying for this) they both slept in AND went to bed early last night!

He ended up sleeping until 11am!!!

I'm up Mommy, really, I am!

2008 Snapshot!

Reviewing this place of my random mommyness I've attached some of my favorites from the past 12 months. Mostly, I just can't believe how much my kids have changed over these months. Nor can I truly fathom just how very blessed I am!

Happy New Year!!!!!

January:Five Beautiful Months.

February:Tonights Table Prayer and Grace.

March:Mommy A Flower For You and Pick Up the Checkers!

April:Eight! Eight! And we can skate!

May: You are my love!

June: While I was fixing lunch and I'm eating sweet potatoes...

July:When you set a date, it comes... and Enough said.

August: Opening Ceremonies and Since it's been a busy week...

September: Why was I lying on the grocery store floor?? and More Please.

October: 9 Quart or 2 Kid Canner and Embrace

November: Loving Fall and Gone in 10.3 seconds...

December: Today's Wisdom and of course Christmas Memories

Christmas Memories

Well, it's over, and it was a relaxing whirlwind of fun. We try to keep Christmas day as low key as possible but it still flew by like a winter breeze.

The kids are having a ball playing with new games like Hullabaloo and Hyper Dash. I seem to have a new spring to my step and have found a renewed joy in just playing with the kids. Not so much to do I suppose and so it's nice to be able to spend days in my pajamas playing games and dolls and building legos!

Some photo memories...

Christmas eve...

Proud of his creation, yet to him it's still not complete. A sunken roof top halted the decorating fun and Mom and Dad fixed it later adding icicles.

Christmas day...

Snow play!

Snuggly clean.

Perhaps,

the funniest thing my son did this year I forgot to blog about.

About a week before Christmas we wrapped his present to his sister, a princess phone (we've been inundated with princesses :) this year) and put it under the tree.

Because it was small or by chance she just knew it would be her very favorite gift, she'd been carrying the wrapped package around all week. I thought it was cute and she's not really into unwrapping (unless it's tissue paper) so it didn't bother me.

My son would feel compelled to very gently (perhaps the gentlest I've seen him be) and slowly remove the box from her tiny hands while saying in a sing-song voice, "No, no sweetie we have to wait till Christmas, it's a phone!

Merry Christmas!

Wishing all my blogging buddies the Merriest Christmas and a very happy and blessed 2009!

Christmas Wishes!

This Baby is the reason for the season!!!

May all your Christmas wishes come true!!!!

Just call me the plagerized mama!

Since everything else this month has been from my 4yo why not continue the trend shall we? Here are some things I've written on the side of the fridge this fall, as he's said them, so I wouldn't forget.

"Mommy, there's frosting on the grass." (It was near our first good freeze and we had only had a few frosty mornings.)

"Do we have all the geridients?"

"Right on dude!"

"Holy Gannoli!" (I say holy cannoli a bit!)

We were pretend playing, "Mommy call the firefighters because you're all fired up!"

I'd upload some pictures if I could only find the removable drive that one of my kids removed and promptly made disappear! Yes, both kids can remove it but really it's the littlest one I'm suspicious of...

Can't get enough of my 4 year old at the moment...

Tonight at dinner my son says, "I love Mommy and Daddy and sister and God and Jesus and all the angels."

Daily I hear, "Is it Christmas today." So I'm making a paper chain with him tomorrow and we'll cut the links off until Christmas. Mental note for next year, need some sort of advent countdown!

Oh, and today I actually had to say, "Please do not lick the snow off of the truck." Of course followed by the obligatory (on his part - being 4 and all) "whhhhhhhyyyyyyyy." "Ah, because it's gross!"

M.D. love...

Both my kids had physicals this week and I was reminded of something I already knew. I love my kids' doctor, she makes me feel like I'm the expert on my kids. Which of course I am!!

Seriously, she just asks if we are still wanting to hold off on vaccines and makes no comments to change my opinion. Not to mention she takes time with us and is upbeat and positive, never condescending.

She wanted to run a food allergy blood panel for my son after I presented some complaints and she's testing him for Celiac as well. So hopefully those come back with some more tangible answers.

I am feeling wonderfully blessed today. I got something in the mail that I'm giving to my husband for Christmas (he doesn't normally read here but he is sitting right next to me now) and it has a picture of the cutest kid in it! Anyway, I'm about ready to call it quits for the night, my baby girl hasn't let me sleep much this week!

Today's Wisdom

from my four year old.

"Everyone knows I'm good at anything I'm good at."

Talking

Suddenly my baby girl is a chatter box - apparently she'll fit right in to our family! Now, if you want to be able to understand you'd have to come live with us for some total immersion style listening. Otherwise the word "baba" might sound the same for diaper as for baby as for ball-ball to your amateur ears!

Pretty soon she'll be able to say the most brilliant things, in fact today after kissing her big brother she said, "ilala" just like I love you. (He always got the biggest smiles when she was an infant and now he gets the first I love you! Hmmph ;) LOL)

On a day when I'm convinced that I have super smart kids one of them, who shall not be named, goes and says, "Mommy, I love candy canes, they are sorta like candy."