Exploration

So H started playing soccer last fall and has continued to play it this spring. I'll admit his not the best on the team...some games we're just happy if he actually kicks the ball. BUT he always has a good time and loves hanging out with his friends. It's been a little hard as a parent b/c you want your child to excel in everything they do. This experience has really made me grow as a parent. I've learned to relax and let him enjoy this childhood and not to push him.

As a player, he definitely not aggressive and would rather analyze the whole situation before making a move. Unfortunately in most sports you have to get in there and get in done PRONTO. For the past couple of days, we've been going to the park and practicing which I think it helping him understand it's okay to "steal" the ball. Yesterday, after playing with us a little bit, he wanted to come up with "game plans" and sat on the ground with sticks for least 15 minutes developing them. I discovered he has more of "coach" personally and wants to explore every aspect before getting on the field. Maybe he'll enjoy golfing where he could take ALL DAY for one round :) I love my lil man's mind.

My H

So I mentioned last week that H wants to live with us FOREVER and I said we'd add a couple of levels to the house to fit him, his wife and their EIGHT kids. 

HE loves this idea and keeps talking about it.

H: Do you think my kids will live with us forever too?

Me: No, I'm sure some of them will want to move out.

H: I think I want to get in-floor carpet on my levels. 

Me: Okay. You can do what you want on yours but you can mess with my level. What kind of carpet do you want?

H: (thinking, thinking) LEOPARD PRINT!

Me: That sounds great and your stains won't show.

H: (big smile) YES!!!

My W

My W, my poor W...she's cutting four teeth at once so she's been Miss Cranky Pants lately. Her wardrobe is definitely not worth the battle so I let her pick out whatever makes her happy that day.

Too Many Projects!

Harrison and I were reading a book called "Too Many Toys"...

Me: Hmm, too many toys. Do you know anyone like that??!!

H: Well, you have TOO MANY PROJECTS!

So true.

Book Giveaway!

Kat and I have a book giveaway this month...YAY! Who doesn't LOVE a good book??? AND a free one???!!! I would tell you more about it but you have to find out HERE instead. 

Wavy Wav

On the new blog, Urban & Proud (click HERE) we feature kid photography each Friday. It was Wavy's turn last week and I got a few good ones.

This smile and laugh sums up her cheery personality. Love you little Way-Way.

My 5-Year-Old Baby

H: Mama, is it after college that you get separated from your family?

Me: Well, some people go to college out of state so you live away from your family then. But we're never going to separate. (not sure where this came from...)

H: (quiet...pondering)

Me: You can live close to us when you're older.

H: I CAN'T...There's never any houses for sale on our street!

Me: Okay, you and your family can live with us. We'll just add a few more stories to the house.

H: (big eyes, excited) I've always wanted an another floor AND we're going to need to get some bunk beds!!!

Now he keeps talking about all the extras we're going to need once we add on. Ahhh, the 5-year-old H wants to live with his parents forever...wonder when that will change.

I get this eye-rolling look quite a bit these days but I still love him more than ever. Happy Birthday, Buddy!

Birthday Bash

It's party time! Make it a good wish!

This little lady was having a BLAST!

Reading Buddies

I never know what these two will be up to. It was really quiet in the house so I went to check on them. Luckily, they were only catching up on the Highlights Magazines.

BIG week, BIG TIME!

It's that time of year for H's birthday photos. Getting these two to get dressed and outta the car was very challenging! I guess the pictures are worth it though. 

It's been a big and exciting week in our land. There's the number FIVE birthday (how did that happen SOOOOO fast?), Wavy used the toilet THREE times (no joke! but I'm not going to push it, we have a vaca coming up and I'm not making a million stops at nasty, public restrooms) and (drum roll please) H started reading! Yay, I'm so excited and proud of the lil man!

TGIF

Sometimes Wavy will be walking around and she'll feel the urge to stand on her head...actually this happens pretty often :)

Second Time Mama

I have a couple of friends who are pregnant with their second children so I've been reflecting quite a bit on being a second time mama. Someone told me it's TWICE the work but DOUBLE the fun. I couldn't image more work but it true but it's definitely made life funner! 

With Harrison, we worried about every little bump and bruise. I remember it taking HOURS to drive back from the coast b/c he would cry and we would pull over. And the time, Ryan and Darren took the boys hiking...30 minute ride turned into 3 hours. We read to H every single night and waited on him hand and foot. 

Fast forward to baby #2 and your whole outlook changes. I really ENJOY every moment of raising them now. I no longer stress over the small stuff. If they cry, it's not the end of the world, they probably just need a hug and they'll forget all about it in five minutes. As I've said before...life is good.

Bow Legged H

Everyday I go through H's backpack and somedays I actually find artwork! I absolutely LOVE this drawing. He told me he drew his shoes too! I really had no idea he was bow legged ;) This one is definitely frame worthy.

Easter 2013

Happy Easter Ya'll! I love that H automatically puts his arm around lil sis.

This was the best pic of the fan. Almost everyone's eyes are opened.

We bought Waverly's dress when she was still a baby. It's made from a vintage tablecloth. 

These two are up to no good...not really :)

So STYLIN'

What do you think of my vintage-stamp covered shoes?! You can read all about it HERE. 

Here's one of my hand-stamped necklaces. If you've digging it, go HERE and make a comment to register to win it. You have until Wednesday, March 27th. The winner will be announced that night.

Happy 89th Nana

We're heading on the road again. I try to shove as much as possible in the back seat with them to keep them occupied until we get there. I've learned snacks and stickers are my saving grace.

Look out ahead, it's the birthday lady! Happy 89th Birthday, Nana!

Lucky Green One

It's the luck of the Irish, Wavy bounced back after a 24 hour bug.

Happy St. Patty's Day Everyone!

She's a natural on the tractor (as long as Pink Bear is near).

More chalk fun. I realized after we got back that I didn't get a pic of Hudson. H loved having a sleep over with his Spider Man sleeping bag. 

Our poor baby seemed to have caught something. She NEVER falls asleep on us. Lucky R :)

Spring Break 2013

It's finally Spring Break and we decided to head south to the farm with CJ's family. Wavy and Addison became fast friends. AND Addison introduced her to NAIL POLISH!!!!

Who needs mouse ears and ski poles when you have sidewalk chalk! Ha!

Peas in a Pod

Noh-Noh and Baby have been hanging out a lot lately. 

If you examine this picture closely, you'll notice Wavy has sat ON TOP of NK and NK is pushing her out of the wagon. No boys are going to run over these girls!

INDIANA H

Harrison has been enthralled with Lego Indiana Jones lately. He's practicing some moves here.

Play Time

The kids have been enjoying their homeless fort made out of pallets and trash bags. Hey, anything to keep them entertained.

Harrison has been having tons of birthday party fun lately. He can't wait for his big day next month.

The BOIL 2013

Welcome to our first annual Crawfish Boil! This is our first time cooking em' ourselves so I studied up on some YouTube videos the night before :)

Gotta have the new potatoes. Note for next year, buy less potatoes! Tons of leftovers that you really don't want to eat again.

After searching four stores, we still couldn't find the BIG bag of seasoning so we opted for 10 of the small. Next year, we'll have to order in advance. I've heard mushroom are pretty so we threw in a few.

Awwhhh, the little mud bugs.

The boys watching the water boil...only it didn't until Bob showed up and fixed it.

TA DA! I believe our first one was a success! 

Could've used a little more stink but there's always next year :)

OH Sista

Always a clown, even when I'm trying to take her pic!

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Poop and Thomp

Miss Silly Buns has quite the vocabulary these days...

Her new favorite, go-to word is "poop". In the morning when she wakes up she'll say "Mama, POOP, Dada, POOP, POOP, POOP". Then I have to explain to her that it was just tinkle (ting-ting) and not POOP. I am really excited about his development b/c it means she'll be easy to potty train!

Another word is THOMP. She says this as she's standing on the arm of the couch about to face dive into the couch cushions when I tell her not to. THOMP, THOMP.

Shark Attack

Harrison HATES water in his face...washing his hair is a major chore. Anyways, Mimi won a silent auction Safety Before Skills swim lessons. He started today and did fairly good. He said next time he wasn't going under...I didn't tell him it's not his choice :)