R turns three!

Can you believe that this little bundle turned 3 yesterday? Because I cannot.

Just look at that sweet baby face. He was so small, the smallest of any of our babies, but he came into this world fast and furious and our lives have been changed in the most incredible way every since.

His last night as a two year old, fast asleep.

What can I say about R? Him and I have a bond that is all our own. He is definitely a mama's boy, and I love it. He is also rough and tumble and can keep up with his older bothers and all of his friends. he often reminds me of a puppy, sweet and cuddly, yet rambunctious and always ready to play, even with the bigger dogs.

(The morning of his birthday, waiting for him to wake up for his balloon surprise!)

He charms everyone he comes in contact with. And that's not a bias mom talking, it's true. Not a day goes by where someone doesn't comment on how adorable he is. He melts hearts with his squeaky little voice and his mischievous smile. He has all my friends wrapped around his finger, and even when he acts naughty he does it in an unimaginably cute way.

(Breakfast donuts for the birthday boy!)

He is also incredibly smart. He watches his brothers and quickly figures out how he can keep up. He is friendly and kind, he always wants to play with everyone, and everywhere he goes he makes friends.

(Birthday Dinner at Humble Pie!)

He's my guy. I love all my children wholly and equally, but I think you have different bonds with each of them. L made me a mom, he is my oldest, the one I rely on. L2 taught me how much I could handle. He made me a mommy of two, and he also taught me how strong I can be, by showing me his own resilience and incredible spirit. And R is my baby. Everything he does I wonder if it will be the last time I experience that milestone, because it's always a possibility that he could be my last baby. And so I hold him a little closer and baby him a little more.

Anyway, enough gushing. He had a wonderful birthday. He got to spend the morning in school with is friends (while I ran around like a mad woman getting things finished for his big day!)  We had a wonderful dinner out as a family and then came home where he got to open all of his presents, definitely a highlight in his day!

And I'll leave you with my favorite picture. It shows him on his first birthday, second birthday and third birthday. I remember on his first birthday when I caught this face on camera, cracking up because it was so amazed and awestruck! Then he did again on his second birthday, and again on his third! I love that he still gets the same expression overtime he opens a gift!

R starts preschool

So..... this happened yesterday:

How is it possible that this little tiny boy, who just yesterday was my little tiny baby, is starting preschool?

I have to admit, I had a harder time sending him off to school then I did with L and L2. It's just been me and him for the last year, and he's my little buddy who I do everything with! I know it's going to be amazing for him though.

And just look at those smiles! There were no tears (from him) at drop-off either. He ran right down, yelled out, "Hi Friends!" (even though he didn't know anyone yet!) and went straight to playing! He loves going, he loves having a little backpack, and he loves all his new "friends"!

Halloween 2016

Happy (late) Halloween!

We had our usual group together for trick or treating, and this year we had two Power Rangers, a jail bird, Fred Flintstone, and Bam Bam!

They're a pretty cute group, if you ask me!

Pumpkin Carving

We spent this last weekend getting ready for Halloween, and of course we had to carve pumpkins. This year some of our friends had a "carving party", and it was so much fun! It was perfect because the kids got to "help" carve, but were also occupied with playing with each other!

Our masterpieces:

(Her 4 year old picked the cutest little pumpkin and then carved the cutest little face in it! It was my favorite!)

The final product. I can't believe my beautiful owl didn't win the contest!

I'm just feeling so great about life lately. Now that L is in school we are really starting to feel settled in this community, we have this great group of friends, and out kids have this great group of friends. Life is good.

A Scary Moment

You know those moments, as a parent, when you watch your kid take a nasty tumble, or see blood, or hear that cry that you know means they are hurt? And your heart stops until you know they are going to be ok? Well, we had that moment times a thousand this last week, when L went out to check the mail and ran back in the house screaming and crying the a dog had bit him.

Thankfully, he's ok. But, you guys, he got bit by a dog. And I'm not saying a little dog nipped at him. Some teenagers down the street had let their pit bull get out of the house and it chased L down and got him hard on the back of his leg.  Even just writing that makes me angry, but we are so so grateful that it wasn't worse.

We had the cops out and the firemen came to check his leg. One of the punctures was really deep so they wanted us to take him in for stitches, but then urgent care decided it was best not to stitch it and instead keep it wrapped up and cleaned with antibiotic ointment, and oral antibiotics.

L is doing good now. His leg was really sore for a few days, but he took it in stride and was pretty excited to tell his friends about the fire department coming to the house and to show off his bandages.

Oh, and this is why we didn't make it out for L2's birthday dinner!!!

L2 turns five!

Our little L2 is five! These past few months have been so amazing for him, and I just know five is going to be such a great year. L2 is probably one of the most loving and sweet kids you could ever meet. He hugs everyone, he always wants to cuddle and hold hands, and he always says "I love you". He can also be super stubborn, and he can have a temper when he doesn't get his way. He is our little bear and we love him so much.

We actually got back from camping on the morning of L2's birthday, so after we all got cleaned up and took L to school, we took the little boys to a birthday lunch at their favorite place : McDonald's.

And of course the favorite part of any kids birthday, the presents.

It's really hard when you're two and it's someones else birthday.

After presents we were suppose to go to dinner. We had a bit of an incident, which I will post about soon, but things got a bit derailed. We ended up sticking some candles in some ice-cream to sing happy birthday, and dinner has been postponed until later this week!

Luckily, L2 is sweet and easygoing and was fine with just his presents and ice cream!

Happy, happy birthday, my sweet boy. You have made me a better mother, and a better person, in your short five years here. You are so strong and determined and kind, I know you are going to take this world by storm!

Camping Fall 2016

While the rest of the country is enjoying crisp fall weather, and quickly heading into winter, we spent this last weekend escaping up to the lake for a weekend of camping! (Most of the time of super jealous of all the fall weather, but you can't beat camping and kayaking at the end of October!) This trip we had friends and their boys (my boys best friends!) join us!

It was so much fun. The boys spent pretty much the entire day in the water kayaking. It's nice that they are getting old enough that we can give them some freedom (with lots of rules and life vests obviously!).

They even took turns "paddle boarding" by standing up on their kayaks! 

Once we got them out of the water and fed them some dinner, they spent the rest of the time exploring. Our campsite backed up to a big hill which they spent the rest of the time climbing and having adventure on!

And then of course there was s'mores and after a long day of playing the kids went to bed fairly easy and the adults got to stay up and enjoy the rest of the night!

It also feels important to mention that at 32 years old I got my first ever bee sting. It was not delightful.

The second day our friends unfortunately had to head back, but we stayed another day and night. It was the perfect relaxing family time, and because we were there on Sunday the campground and lake were practically empty, so it was very peaceful!

This face though!!!!!

We did campfire and s'mores again. I spent a good portion of my childhood camping and I love that my kids are going to have these amazing memories, just like I did, that they will pass down to their kids too.

Until next time, Lake Pleasant!