Mothers' Day 2016

Today is the Monday after Mothers' Day.  I know I should be celebrating the day because being a mothers is my greatest joy.  I love my kids more than anything and am so proud of them.  But - yesterday kinda sucked.  I miss my mom.  I miss the little things - the every day things.  I miss her check-ins.  I miss her friendship and random chats about random things.  I miss her smile.  I miss how simple she was - she wore the same uniform, didn't worry about the appearance or image, but she was the most beautiful woman I know.  She adored my kids and could listen to endless stories about them.  When I sent a video of them doing something - she'd watch it over and over and over.  I miss seeing how excited my kids were to see her walk in the door.  They LOVED their Ka.  I'm sad they won't know her how I knew her.  Miss you mom and think of you every day.

abi and her underoos

Blogging has fallen lower on the priority list this past year.  I am hoping to get back on it so that I can document all of the big and little moments in our family.  Time flies by...and THIS girl is full of personality these days.  She is independent and likes to do things HER way.  She came downstairs yesterday morning wearing these polk-a-dot underoos sideways.  She was adamant that she had put them on correctly and wouldn't let us help her change it.  This girl has decided in a blink of an eye to give up her crib, taking naps, wearing diapers, and sucking her binky - aka "uh-oh".  She keeps us on our toes - but I love her spirited personality!

Today

I'm almost a year behind on my blog.  It has been that kind of a year.  Over the next few weeks, I hope to catch up and back track with all of the (few) pictures I took last year.  I keep putting this off as it seems like a big task.  So, in the meantime, I am going to start with Today.  I want to make sure I document all of the little and big things going on in the kids' lives.  So here I go...starting with Today.

The story that keeps rattling around in my brain is one with Katie.  Over the Christmas break, we had plans to head up to Whidbey for the New Year, but Katie and then Andy had the 48 hour throw-up flu.  Instead, we stayed in and hunkered down.  We played games, watched movies, and did puzzles.  One night, I was sitting with Katie working on the 2,000 piece puzzle.  Katie had just come up from making jewelry from her jewelry making kit from Santa.  She told me that she mad a butterfly bracelet to remind her of Ka.  I smiled and told her that I loved it.  She then proceeded to tell me that when we miss Ka, we can talk to the butterfly just like we would talk to Ka.  (Sometimes I think my 4-year-old has things figured out better than I do!).  So, we practiced - I started and talked to the butterfly/Ka and told her how much I missed her, but also that I knew she was here and doing the puzzle with us because she loved puzzles.  Katie looked at me and said, "Mom, I don't need to talk to the butterfly - Ka is sitting right next to me, don't you feel her?"  I always will remember that moment.

Katie Play Date

Play dates haven't been something I've been able to do much of this past year.  First, it's hard with Andy's and Katie's schedules (Andy's school pick up an hour after Katie's), and second, it's hard with a 2 year old.  Katie has been on many play dates at other people's houses, and I just haven't been able to return the favor.  One of Katie's best buds in her class is Maggie.  Most of the play dates that Katie gets invited on is with the boys in her class.  So, when Maggie's mom called to ask if I could pick up Maggie from school - I knew Katie would be thrilled.  It was a mini play-date as we went to Bustle for a snack.  Katie WAS thrilled, but then had a major meltdown at Bustle and was unrecoverable for a good two hours.  The picture is pre-meltdown.

Date with Andy-man

I had my first day with Andy-man in awhile.  We decided that morning that we should have a date and go over his school blog together. Kyle picked him up from school and he asked, "Why are you here, dad?  I have a date with mommy today!"  His excitement reminded me of why I love our dates together.  Although they are short, it's rare for us to have one-on-one time and I love it.  He tends to open his mind and tell stories that I wouldn't hear otherwise.  While we were looking on his school blog, Andy thought it would be funny to do some "Selfies".  Silly guy!

I love how much Andy has matured over the past 4 months of school.  He loves school, loves learning, and is getting quite good at reading.  He is interested and curious - and loves learning about science, math, and really any subject that involves sitting down and researching or reading.  He still craves his "work" time to play by himself or with Katie at home, but is wanting to learn more about soccer and football and is getting pretty good and plays them every day at recess.  I am proud of his confidence and curiosity

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This Girl

Abi has decided to become a big girl over night.  Although she still is a little pip squeak in size, her personality has nothing little about it.  In the last 4 months, she has gone from a scooting, quiet girl, to a running, LOUD girl.  It is so fun to see her personality explode - but also makes me a little nervous : )  This girl has an opinion and lacks in patience.  When she wants something - she'll say "mommy, Mommy, MOMMY!!!"  I think as the third child, she feels like she needs to yell everything in order to be heard.  She copies anything her brother and sister are doing - even when they are setting a bad example.  Climbing on the table?  Sure, Abi will try it too.  Our latest challenge has been nap times.  She has discovered how to take her clothes off - including her diaper.  She also discovered that she thinks playing with poop is fun.  Not so fun for mom and dad to clean up.  She's quite the little ham and will dance, make silly faces, or copy what she "thinks" is funny in order to get a reaction or laugh out of us.  She decided wearing my underwear around her neck was the latest trend - which was, in fact, quite funny to see.  I love this little girl to pieces!

Husky Game

Yesterday we went as a family of five to the Husky/Georgia State game.  We were more focused on staying cool and taking photos during the first half because the Huskies were playing so horribly, but we pulled out a W.  The kids had a blast, and so did Kyle and I.  Abi was really into the game and lasted the whole time.  Andy cheered the hardest and loudest, and Katie was focused on the cheerleaders.  When we got home, Andy rushed downstairs to make his own Husky practice stadium, Katie and Abi fell asleep right away.  All in all - a great day!

Pre-K Apple Crisp

Katie's Pre-K Class had their first fieldtrip last week.  They went to the Top Banana Market in Ballard to pick out apples and then to Rodgers Park to play.  On Friday, they cooked apple crisp in class and invited all of the parents to enjoy.  Abi and I went (although neither Abi nor Katie enjoyed the "sugar free" crisp).  It was fun to see Katie so proud and Abi wanting to be part of the action.

Abi Spaghetti

I am pretty sure I've taken a photo of each of my kids like this - full of spaghetti.  I look forward to the day when each meal doesn't feel like a massive clean-up effort.  In the meantime, I am embracing Abi's joy of making a complete mess : )  At least our summer has been extended and we can enjoy dinner outside and take advantage of the hose to clean up.

First Day of Coop

We completed our last of many "firsts" this fall by attending Abi's first day of Coop.  I wasn't sure how it was going to go this third time around.  With our busy drop off and pick up schedule, I didn't have the same energy as I did with Andy and Katie.  BUT, Abi loved it.  She was a busy little bee exploring, walking, talking, and trying out all of the stations.  Her favorite for the day was walking and talking on the pretend cell phone.  Ruh-Roh.  Being in class reminded me what a wonderful community the Coop is and how fun it is to see your child play among their peers.