A Kid: Week 2

Concentration.

Awesome

Dave and I are basically the awesomest people ever.
We live such a thrilling life that regular people like you probably couldn't handle it.

It's no wonder we have like a million friends.

On Friday nights we basically party like it's 1999.
This week we rocked our world by spending the evening filling up
my new buckets (yip yip) with a zillion pounds of food storage.

And then I blogged about it.

Wow.

We. are. awesome.

Anyone want to hang out?
....Anyone???

We have food!

A Word from the Baby

The littlest one at this house is growing up.

No doubt about it - time is flying.

She's the happiest little cherub,

but she's starting to show me that she's got a mind of her own.

Remember how I just dropped a ten dollar bill on 20 jars of baby food?

I should have just taken myself out to dinner instead.

She wants to karate chop me in the face if I try to put that crud in her mouth.

She's all about the real stuff.

Give it to her straight, that's what she says.

And just for fun - take a little peek in her right sleeve.

She's saving that one for later.

First Sentence

For awhile, I was concerned about Bradley's speech.

He understood it all, but he sure wasn't saying much.

But my friends, things have recently changed.

And really, I have Jack to thank.

Jack gave Bradley the motivation he needed to produce his first full sentence.

What a guy.

Check out this picture.

Any guesses on what Bradley's first sentence was?

"Jack hurt me."

And truthfully folks, that's a heavily used phrase in this house.

Good thing Bradley learned it first.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

This picture could also be titled,

"Where is Mother?"

The boys are fighting, the baby is crying on the floor,

and a dinosaur is about to bite Jack in the foot.

(oh, and I cropped out all the toys on the floor)

Ya, that sounds about right.

Home Sweet Home.

:-)

A Kid: Week 1

I've been thinking a lot lately about what it must be like to be a kid.

NO insurance to pay, meals to prepare, legs to shave, laundry to wash or bills to pay.

Pretty much awesome, if you ask me.

One of my resolutions for the new year is to slow down the chariot

a bit so I don't miss the show.

Who knew every day was so full of fun and magic?

I've still gotta do what I've gotta do,

But do you know what?

The dishes will wait for me.

The laundry won't disappear.

No one will die if the train tracks are scattered on the floor...again.

The bathroom can wait another day.  (cleaning, not going)

The closet isn't really that bad.  (Ok, that one might be a lie)

And dinner will happen.

But my little midgies aren't going to stop and wait for me.

So, until I get tired of it, I've decided that I am going to share my favorite 

wild child picture of the week.

And you're going to like it.

And I think you're practically going to feel like you are 6.  Or 4.  Or 2. Or 7 months. 

Whatever the case may be.

Maybe there will be a story, maybe there won't.

Woot!  This is going to be fun.

I love this picture.

But I don't love the thought of all the dog hair and slobber.

Ick.

Oh wait, did I just ruin the moment?

Dah, I tend to do that.

Excuse me.

Scroll back up and picture an adorable 6 year old girl laughing til her belly aches

because she's being snuzzled by her favorite overweight pooch.

Priceless.

Christmas Rundown

Hot Diggity Dog!

We had a fabulous Christmas!

Grandma got the kids some cutie Christmas duds.

I badly wanted a picture of the 4 of them together, happily smiling with rosy cheeks and Christmas lights twinkling in the background but alas, they wouldn't have it.

So here's a big poo for this lame picture.

Lame sauce, I know.

But here's a little sneaky peaky at each of them.

No really, I had to sneak up on them, or distract them with tantalizing goodies.

 (This was actually Brooklyn's Christmas dress when she was a wee little lassie.)

 (See those tree branches?  I smooshed myself back behind the tree to get this delicious picture of this handsome man in his bow tie (and his perfect little lips.))

What do you know?!  He will rarely give me a good smile...
give him a present and POOF!  perfect smile.

We've already seen this beauty - but she's just the sweetest little peach

Santa stopped by one night for a little visit and to drop off a little something.

Jack got his very own Santa hat and rewarded Santa

by doing a little jig with his eyes practically popping out of his head

and yelling in his slightly shrilly voice,

"Mom!!  I got what I wanted!!!  How did he know?!  Oh, I love Santa."

It was pretty sweet.

The funny thing about Jack is that every time Santa came on the scene - he turned into an absolute angel.

As if those 3 minutes of angelic behavior would make up for a whole year of spunk.

Bradley though, only had eyes for the candy canes.

He's pretty focused on what's most important.

For Christmas this year, Dave and I *froze* our buns off at midnight on Black Friday

waiting in line for broken bones and stitches

er, I mean, a trampoline.

By George, I forgot how fun those babies are.

Although childbirth x 4 + a trampoline = well, it's just not the same experience. 

You do the math.

And if you can't fathom what I am talking about then go give birth a time or two, spend a few minutes on the trampoline and then give me a holler.

If you're still confused, then this blog has probably traumatized you more than once.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We had a good ol' time with the relatives for Christmas. 

The grandparents enjoyed spoiling the kids,

and I enjoyed watching them hold on for dear life while flying down a zip line at the beach.

And throw dirt in their own face.

I should also mention that we spent plenty of the break with the sickies.

Which was definitely not my favorite part.

P.S.  I would like to publicly apologize to my mother
whom I used to tease for saying that she couldn't jump on the trampoline with us
because she might wet her pants.
She gave birth 4 times - and I have been humbled.

Drumroll please

Presenting, the Amazing David and Kira and their 4 magnificent children.

My terrific friend Stephanie was a sport and did wonderful job taking our family photos for the year.  And by golly, we didn't make it easy on her.  My two sons (who will remain nameless) were S.T.I.N.K.E.R.S.  

I'm pretty sure Stephanie ran at least 8 miles that day...What a woman!

Behold!
Lots of ice cream bribes and a firm hold on Bradley's right leg produced a beauty.

Forget the "firm hold," I practically had to put Bradley in a choke hold to keep him on my lap.

And isn't Aubrey's expression a classic?
And I know I shouldn't point this out, but please don't blame Dave for his haircut.
Ya...that was me.
Chop Chop Chop - "I know we're having pictures in a few days...chop chop chop...
It'll be fine."
Famous last words.

I absolutely could not pick just one favorite of each kid 

so you'll just have to look at a sprinkling of my faves.

 This next one of Bradley is absolutely priceless.  

For me, it captures the real Bradley and makes me laugh.

Perfect!

Oh, and pretend that this is my Christmas card - 

because I just might have been too lazy, tired, busy to get one out this year.  

But those who love me most will forgive me.  

Right?