it takes a village

.....to help the village idiot. 

The past month has been unbearable and "over-the-top" challenging, to say the least.  I have the best friends, family, and neighbors that have gone out of their way to help me.

How about the neighbor that brings dinner a couple times a month "just because"?  How about the same neighbor that takes Gracie on a walk with her grandchildren or calls me from Costco, PCC, or the post office to see if I need anything?  How about another neighbor that has been searching for a helper for me through some friends at the Northshore School Board because "you can't do it all yourself, honey"?  How about my brave friends that plan play dates with me and my pack of raccoons?  It's surely not the calmest of play dates but the "tag team" effort of a group of Moms ensures that I get these kiddos to the park..  How about the sweet friend that helped me get started on sewing some curtains for my laundry room?  How about the other sweet friend that left 2 of my favorite chocolates from "Oh! Chocolates" on our gate?  How about the friend that plays "wood fairy" for the kids and leaves a gift or two hidden in the yard with gold fairy dust sprinkled around?  How about my Mom that watched the kids while the horse vet was here.......or when she camped out at our house a few hours so I could clean.....or when she watched the kids so handy husband and I could go to happy hour at Ruth's Chris?  Two burgers with loads of fries and 2 beers for $20?  I'll be back. 

Point being: it takes a village and I'm so grateful for the village I live in.  You are all so wonderful!  Thank you. If it wasn't for your help, my kitchen would always look like this (and so would my mind!).

should we be worried?

To his defense:

summer 2010

a dose of love

I received this card in the mail today, addressed to me and only me.  Read the inside and out:

Isn't it funny and so perfect?  It was sent to me by our dear friends.  Well, I should say our family members, Mike & Penny.  It just made my heart smile when I read the personal message-a "just because we're thinking about you and you're doing a great job with those kids of yours" message. They've "known" me before I was me.  Mike was stationed in Agana, Guam with my Dad when I was born....27 years ago.  So, as I was saying, 36 years ago they were there when I was born.  After a few moves, they ended up not far from us: just one ferry ride and an hour in the car .  We get together every Christmas, they have never missed any of the kids' birthday parties, they always send cards so they arrive the day before your birthday, and with every birth of a baby they arrive with gifts, champagne, and home cooked food.  They are the kindest and most thoughtful people I have ever known.  I am so thankful to be able to hear stories of their time in Guam with my parents: boonie stomps, lizards on the furniture, the lovely housing on the base, and celebrating my 1st birthday.  Now they get to play with my kids.  Where does the time go?

 "Why does it say I don't appreciate you yet?"

Mike & Penny...thank you!!! xo

to infinity and beyond

An evening with Buzz Lightyear and the rest of the Toy Story team has just wrapped up.  The kids were taken upstairs to their room as space ships while we all chanted, "to infinity and beyond!".  Sometimes I love being a kid again! 

I'm ashamed to admit that it was our first official movie night as a family.  We started with dinner, moved on to popcorn, and finished up with cozy blankets and cozy kids on our laps.  Koby secured his spot on the couch-directly in eyeline of the popcorn bowl.  Graham checked out at 7 for the night and Henry and I are now on to our Friday night tv run...."Supernanny" followed by "What Would You Do".  It's our weekly dose of  morality.  Dorks, nerds, no-lifers.....call it what you wish but Jo the Supernanny knows what's goin' on when it comes to raising kids.  At least I can pass the blame on to her if my kids fail to make a positive contribution to society and possibly TP your home. 

 Fascinating

 Graham never misses out

 Quality control

 the best view

Koby...gosh darnit if he isn't the sweetest

all about me

I'm 4 months old.
Well, almost 5 months old.
Don't tell my Mom, it makes her sad. 

I'm handsome, adorable, and dearly loved.

I have the best belly laugh.

I giggle at everything, I mean everything.

I rarely sleep during the day. Maybe 20 minutes or so at a time.

I go to sleep at night without even a fuss.

I'm a good night time sleeper.

Except for last week. 

I love it when Mom sings, "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star".  Love it.

I smile at my Daddy when he comes home from work-even from across the kitchen.

I laugh when I'm watching other people's conversations.

I find it hysterical when clothes are pulled over my head during changes.

I love to be "messed with".  I don't care what you do, just mess with me.

I love my car seat.

I have excellent hand-eye coordination and can grab anything with one swipe.

I roll over....to the left.

I've never peed on anyone.

I can stick my entire right hand into my mouth.

I drool like a leaky faucet.

I'm so dearly loved.

So dearly loved.

distraction

How do you parent a 2 and 3 year old?  I'm going to write a book about it.  It will be a bestseller because it works everytime (almost).  You distract.  Period. It's the only way to attempt to avoid the next altercation.  It's unbelievable how loud my home is, how many fights there are, and how many toddler tears are shed during the day.  Truly unbelievable.  What is it with my house?  I've been told several times by those who have experienced this that it is solely because of their ages.  2 and 3, 15 months apart.  There is nothing like it. Extract the middle child from the scenario (which I would never want...just hypothetical)  and you have a baby that is content and a 3 year that will sit for hours organizing cards or coloring.  Quiet.  Dreamy.  Extract the 3 year old from the scenario (which I would never want either) and you have a content baby and a 2 year old that will build with Legos all day, practice his circle drawing, or read books for hours.  Quiet.  Dreamy.  Put all characters together and you have Lego towers demolished, crayons thrown across the kitchen, screaming, and crying. I am now experiencing what all warned me of that had the same thing.  "The first few years are hell" were the exact words of our pediatrician.   "Then it gets better and they are best friends."  Best friends?  Right.  Gracie is currently filing to change her last name just so it's different than William's. 

 I remember the woman (a customer) in Paper Source when I was 6 months pregnant with William and carrying 12 month old Gracie on my hip.  I opened the door, she stopped the conversation she was having, picked her jaw up off of the floor, and exclaimed, "how far apart will they be?".  She then proceeded to counsel me on the "hell" I had just set myself up for...she was just coming out of it.  I had a 6 month old that was sleeping through the night, laughing at my jokes, and had recently flown 6 hours and was given the "you can fly on my flight anytime award" by those sitting next to us.  Having another one was going to be a breeze.  Right?  We had this parenting thing down. I've been offered special websites for mothers of kids so close in age,  offered support groups to prepare, and have been given books.    Forward to now, I'm living the exact life everyone said it would be.  I see the 2 year age span between siblings and it is amazing the difference a few months can make.

 I'm getting distracted.  See?  I'm good at this. 

Distraction: painting.  At "Paint it Up" with our little artist.  Her first time.  She sat at a table with a 45 year old woman and her 10 year old daughter.  You would have thought Gracie was 10. Polite, methodical, quiet.  This girl gets focused on something and there is no stopping her. She wasn't buying the idea that her bowl would be there in 5-7 days.  "Mom, why do they set it on fire?"

Distaction: making bran muffins.  She's so 1950's.

 A toddler's work is never done.

Divide & conquer.  Notice they aren't at the same counter.

Distraction: goggles in the bathtub.

a glass of fresh

Green drink.  Juice.  All the same beverage.  It's a glass of fresh.  When the juicer emerges from the cabinet and hits the countertop, the kids squeal with delight.  We pull up 2 chairs for optimal visual entertainment and go to work:  wash, chop, peel....whatever preparation needs to happen to make the particular juice of the day.  This green drink seems to bring out the most excitement and the kids slurp every last piece of pulp out of their glasses. 

A glass of fresh

1 bunch of spinach

a few stalks of celery

1 bunch of Italian parsley

1" segment of ginger

1/2 lemon

1/2 lime

1 apple

Too many antioxidants at one time.  Who wants a wooden cupcake?