Photo Bomb 43

Dear Hubby,

You would think that I would take more than four pictures in a week's time.  You would be wrong.

Grandma came up Sunday afternoon and stayed with us through Wednesday...and I only managed to think of taking pictures about 5 minutes before she left...while the boys were taking my shoes for a spin.  What can I say, when I have a captive adult in the house I take advantage of having someone to talk to that doesn't make me pretend to be a puppy-giant-monster-transformer-ghost.  I am still kicking myself for not taking advantage of getting some cute Grandma/Grandkidlet pictures though.

Thursday night the boys had a blast with the babysitter.  Over my lunch hour I interrupted nap-time and ended up having the most fun I have had in a long time just playing with the boys.  That evening we headed to my sister's as the boys were invited to have a movie night sleepover with their cousins (they didn't have school Friday).  Mom picked them up the next day and will be keeping them until Wednesday. I have been stressed out and short fused and Grandma decided I might just be burnt out and in need of a break.

It was very strange to wake up and not hear our children.  For everything that was tidied up the night before to still be in its place. No toys scattered, beds still made.  Peaceful and a touch lonely all at the same time....at least I was able to reclaim my shoes though.

Why Do We Even Care What Simon Says?

From what I have gathered in my 28 years of experience on this earth I have one burning question.

Why do we even care what Simon says?

Really who is he anyway to order us around and tell us what to do all the time?  Why do we listen?

Simon is very bossy and I have found zero merit in listening to any of his silly commands...well expect maybe exercise.   All the up and down, jumping, twirling has to burn some calories.  Not enough in my mind to bother with though.

Besides, where is this Simon anyway?  Have you ever seen him?  I just notice little toddlers and evil spirited babysitters telling me what "Simon says".

I'll let you in on a little secret. I think Simon is a hoax. A hoax with a lot of pint sized supporters and con artists keeping the gig alive.

**PS - Have I ever mentioned I don't posses a lot of patience?** 

Life as a Godmother

Another show off post (with another picture lifted from facebook).

The oldest little boy is one of the Toddler's best friends.

The littlest cutie is my godson.

Aren't they just adorable?

Dear Hubby...my official stance is that I don't have baby fever....despite all of adorable babies everywhere.

(When you get home remember this...no matter what I say)

Photo Bomb 42

Dear Hubby,

Another week down, another week closer to having you home again.  The boys definitely know how to push all of my buttons.  They are always into and up to something.  I love watching them play though, and the things they come up with never ceases to amaze me.

There was the sweeper truck that needed to sweep our house, bathroom disasters, everyday kid destruction, games, books, splashing in puddles and food fights. Relocating chairs, crawling on counters, too much sugar, cookies, and candy and not enough sleep. A bit of screaming, yelling and crying (and that was just from me) Fortunately there was also lots of hugs, kisses, pleases and thank-yous   A whole bunch of I love yous and enough peaceful moments to make all the hectic ones worthwhile.

We love you very much and can't wait to have you part of a chaos again.  Stay safe.

Its hard to know what to think initially when you see a waving broom coming from out of a doorway.
Sometimes its a fight, sometimes its a cleaning machine.

Unfortunately for the sweeper truck most of our house is carpeted and little brother gets in the way a lot.  In other words, it was slow going with little progress

Can you spot the sleeping mess maker?

(Also you can tell this picture Grandma was here helping us out)

So peaceful and innocent looking when he is asleep.

The boys playing hide and go seek in the laundry room.

I probably shouldn't encourage them hiding from me...someday they are bound to get better and I will regret all the practice I allowed them.

 While I was chatting with you on the IPad and getting ready this morning, your son was in the bathroom.  Going potty wasn't enough, so from what I gather from his story he needed to brush his teeth.

There is some evidence to his story...

toothpaste on the mirror and squeezed all over and sink and a wet toothbrush.

However that doesn't quite explain his face and arms.

What does explain his face and arms is watching me get ready and putting on makeup,

apparently he decided to have a go with the mascara.

This mess was much  more manageable then two other messes I have found in there in the last couple weeks.  One of which I will probably never fully recover. (More on that later) 

We picked your grandma up and headed to Dickinson to visit your Great Grandma.

The Big D was fascinated and obsessed with your Gma's walker.  In fact he stole it from her and crawled up and down on it and tried to give the Toddler a ride around the room in it shouting "Go Go Go!"

The boys were excited to see another grandma!  

When you get back though I would love to make another trip up.

Josh(3) and Great Great Grandma (104)

Your Grandma hasn't changed a bit...I can't say the same for our son.

Josh (1 month) and Great Great Grandma (101)

Moving on UP

Last month my sister's family moved, my contribution was bringing food, drinks, and snacks for the moving crew.  Considering I was told they had only wrangled one helper and his son (roundabouts the same age as the Toddler) I decided adding my two toddlers to the packing/moving equation may not help all that much.  But I could meet them there, have food and watch the kids (5 kids...what was I thinking?)

When I got there more and more vehicles kept arriving.  They had rounded up extra help last minute.  Luckily I tend to overcook and prepare, even so when 4 adults and 5 kids turned into 7 adults and 8 kids the main dish stretched pretty thin.  (8 kids....what was I thinking?)

My two urchins decided that morning at the grocery store that sugar cookies were a must, so I picked up a dozen.  We arrived before anyone else so I told the boys they could each have one cookie.  I'll tell you what, while I was assembling lunch I couldn't believe how long it took each of them to eat a cookie.  I mean at home they attack them like a Tasmanian Devil.  The mystery was solved when the work crew showed up and I realized there were only 3 cookies left.  It also explained their hyper behavior and jittery giggles.

 The Big D with Uncle D.....and his nemesis.

He is quite the manipulator...maybe he was channeling Yertle the Turtle?

Also the coffee table was placed to keep the kiddos in the back room with me and the toys while the big and heavy stuff was being moved.  My son viewed it as an opportunity to reach the light switch.

My sister never one to pass up an opportunity to up the ante on playing dinosaur...

you win B, you were the more ferocious dinosaur.
(I guess all those years in Speech and Drama paid off)

No one looking too impressed...I'm going to go with worn out.

Luckily care was taken and they remembered to pack and move their children.

 My nephews room was were all the action was.  After all, 6 of the 8 kidlets were boys.

 The Toddler liked the gun safe.

(He is his father's child)

I wish I had something clever and witty to say about this photo...but I don't.  It just makes me smile.

Caption contest? Comment below.

A Helping Hand

Top ten reasons I will have a daughter in law that loves me.

1) Toddler quote: "I like being a helper and making things clean and shiny".
2) He also loves helping me do laundry.  He helps me sort, load the washer, and load and unload the dryer.
3) He helps set and clear the table.
4) He actually will pick up things of the floor and throw them in the garbage (this does require some keeping an eye on)
5) He likes to help vacuum
6) He likes to help sweep
7) He likes to help mop/scrub the floor
8) He loves dusting with the swiffer
9) He likes to help me cook.
10) He likes to help do dishes and clean

It is not actually the fact that he likes to help at the moment.  I am a realist that will pass.  Kids like learning new things and doing what they see others doing.  It is still fun and a game.  Once it is a responsibility and a chore, I highly doubt I will have such a willing helper. However I find it a good sign that he is interested now.

Which is why this impatient mama, who tries to hold it together when a 5 minute task takes 20 with "help", will keep on encouraging any interest he has in helping out. (That and when he gets old enough for chores I'll know he is capable of doing them)

In my mind he won't be the helpless college guy that doesn't know how to do laundry and only knows how to get a meal by ordering a pizza. He won't be the husband that doesn't know how to pitch in around the house and for that alone, there has got to be a girl out there that will love me for that down the road...unless he talks to my dad and Grandpa passes on the advice of "do a bad job and they won't want your help ever again."

 

In the mean time, if nothing else its cute :)