Max in Time-Out

Max's new time-out spot is the stairs. When he is in trouble, it is usually because he is doing some obnoxious! Yes, sometimes it is also for hitting, but usually it's for running around at dinner time or screaming at the top of his lungs. When he is scolded, he doesn't laugh, but he gets this little twinkle in his eye, like he is trying not to laugh, as if saying, "I know I'm in trouble, but it was so worth it!
Here he is hanging out in time-out!


And here is the look I am trying to describe!

A Tear to my Eye

It came up in converstation the other night, when my mother-in-law was talking about the animals on her "funny farm," that the one eyed horse, named Kissie, had died. She was telling us how the pigme goats were pregnant and we were questioning her on how many animals there were total now. Her response to our teasing questioning was, "well you know Kissie died," I was shocked to hear this news.

Immediately, I told her that we had to tell Owen, because he was just talking about that particular horse the other day and I wanted him to know that she would not be there when he came to visit.

The following day, Sue worked it in to converstation with Owen, she told Owen that Kissie went to Horse Heaven and he responded, "well then she is with Papa Tommy!"

Back to Reality

And I'm back to the life of a working mommy! Monday was my first day back from being on maternity leave for 11 weeks. It went surprisingly well for my first day back. I left Max and Lyla in the hands of my mother-in-law and didn't shed a tear, until Owen to throw a fit when I dropped him off at preschool, which made me teary eyed. I got finally broke away from his tight grip on my thigh and drove to work. I was very thankful that "It Won't Be Like this For Long," or some other song that sings to a mother's emotions, didn't come on the radio!

I got to work and immediately had to stop in the office, because I realized I had forgotten my keys! I had to dig out my sub folder to get the spare key. Other than that, the rest of the day went very well. I was a little overwhelmed with how my desk looked with piles of papers that I weren't sure what they were, but throughout the week I started to sort and throw away and my room seems to be getting back in order!

Not only was it my first week back, but it was teacher appreciation week. Throughout the week LaPetite was having special things for their teachers. On Tuesday, it was flower day, we were supposed to bring on single flower. So, inorder to do this, Owen and I had to stop at Smith's on the way. Surprisingly, even with this stop, I made it to work early enough to sit in the parking lot and finish the last few sips of my coffee before heading in! But then on Wednesday, I decided to start feeding Lyla at 7:00, and was almost 20 minutes late for work!!! Luckily, we are supposed to be to school 45 minutes before we pick up any students! Thursday, we had to stop and pick up candy bars, and I made it to work ontime! Friday, I was within the time frame, too!

I started an exciting unit that I created in one of my Master's classes, which is fun along with all of the end of the year things going on it is sort of a no stress transition.

Lyla, has adjusted well, too. She seems to be getting into a three hour eating pattern, which is better than how she was when I was home with her, although, on Friday, she had a no napping day!

Max has not complained at all about not going to preschool, I think he is enjoying his time at home with his sister and Grandma!

I am fully aware that the true reality of being a working mommy of three will not set in until the start of the new school year in August, when my mother-in-law is not around and I have to get all three children out the door, but I am trying my best to practice now, by getting everyone dressed in the morning and fed breakfast, and I'll figure the rest out in August.

It Won't Be Like This For Long....

I often say these words to Gavin, or "you're gonna miss this," when we are standing in the middle of 3 screaming children, usually around dinner time! I try to say it with a smile, but usually with tears in my eyes. These words are both comforting and sad all at the same time.

When I'm up at 3 am, or when I get kicked in the stomach while in a sound sleep because someone snuck in there, it is nice to think, this too will pass. But when I'm having an intelligent converstation with my 4-year-old, or hear my 2-year-old say, "I love you," in that sweet little voice of his, or when I see the two of them hug and kiss each other goodnight, or when I watch my 10 week old smile a little half smile, I find these words sad, because I want to hold on to those little moments.

I know that with each new phase brings even more fun and enjoyment, but I can't help but sometimes wish for time to stand still.

Last night we went to see Darius Rucker, and "It Won't Be Like This For Long," is just one title of many of his hit songs. Sometimes I feel like he is writing our life's theme songs, but really isn't that what country music is all about, the fact that everyone can relate to it?

Anyway, here is one song that brought tears to my eyes last night...



Another song, not by Darius Rucker, but by Trace Atkins, also brings tears to my eyes when I listen to it.

Grandparents

Growing up, I had the privelage of seeing my grandparents on a regular basis. I have many fond memories growing up with my grandparents living right next door. However, it wasn't until I moved so far away and had my own children that I truly appreciated the fact that I got to see my grandparents on a daily basis. My children do not have that luxury, as we live over 2000 miles away from our parents. Because my kids do not see their grandparents on a regular basis it makes it that much more special for them when they come to visit. Since interacting with their grandparents is not a daily occurence, I feel the need to take lots of pictures when they are here. Here is a video documenting the total of 6 weeks that we were lucky enough to have grandparents around.

Enjoy!
Grandparents

Sibling Photoshoot

Monday I decided to torture my children and force them to partake in a photoshoot! I got the boys dressed in their "Big Brother," shirts and Lyla in her "Little Sister," shirt. As I was getting them dressed I neglected to look at the clock and so round 1 of the photoshoot is with Lyla screaming because she was actually due to eat. I quick fed her and then started round 2 of the photoshoot, which went pretty well. At the end I got the idea to put Lyla in her bouncy seat so that she would be safer than with her brothers holding her. While trying to get a picture the boys thought it was just hilarious to stick their fingers in the hole of the bouncy seat where you attach the toys. When Owen did it the first time it really wasn't funny, he and I both thought he was truly stuck, but after I got him out they both took turns "getting their fingers stuck."

I decided to create a whole video of this photoshoot, because I think although only a few of the pictures would be considered frame worthy, the actually photoshoot is pretty comical! Apparently my camera wasn't impressed with this photoshoot either, because immediately afterward it died, time to upgrade!

Enjoy...
Sibling Photoshoot 3

First Day of Freedom

What did I do the first day home with all my kids when I didn't have to squeeze in homework too? Well I:

~Danced with my boys in the kitchen
~Rearranged the contents of the kitchen cabinets
~Tortured my children with a photoshoot in their sibling shirts (more on that soon).
~Went on a playdate
~Organized/sorted some stray papers
~Played Uno with Owen during Max's nap
~Nursed my baby without having a laptop on my lap at the same time.
~Chatted with my Grandma on the phone
~Laid on the floor with all three kids for "tummy time."

Sure it wasn't all that picture pefect, I did break up quite a few fights, but overall it was a great day! It makes me really look forward to this summer.