It's Getting All Sappy In Here

I can't believe how fast she is becoming a toddler. While we all still call her the baby she really isn't anymore. It will no doubt be the bane of her existence when she is a teenager. I am absolutely certain the words Don't call me a baby will escape her lips at some point. But I can't help it. She is my baby. She may be my last baby. I can't help that I will always look at her and think she's little. I want to bottle up this time in her life and save it for a rainy day. Her laugh will brighten any room. She loves to snuggle, kiss, and hug. I am sure there will come a time when she will drive me bonkers. But for now I love every moment of her waning babyhood.

Rainy Day Fun

What do you do on a rainy day when where you really want to be is outside?
Try something you (Mom) have been wanting to do for months but it was too blasted cold out there.
We should probably take a dry run first. Make all the belts are tight and bolts screwed down.
Then just let her fly. This is the most fun I had all winter.
I think Mark had a pretty good time too.
Anna's baby was crying so she couldn't join the fun. Poor Anna.

A Happy Day

Just a quick one today to welcome my newest niece to the world. Sienna Amy was born Saturday to Jason's brother and sister-in-law. Congratulations guys! We can't wait to get out there to see you all.

As Promised...

Mark's first week with his new camera has been a ride. He took right off with it. He didn't want or really need a lot of help. One piece of guidance he did need. Direction. Once he got that he was off and running. He took a lot
of pictures
of his Grandpa. Who can blame him. Grandpa is very photogenic. This is but a very small sample of Grandpa pictures.
He took quite a few of Jason and I. This is about the time he figured out, Say Cheese. Now he says it every single time he takes a picture. Oh how I wish we had remembered to turn on the flash for this picture.

He has taken not less than 20 pictures of me. It feels kind of odd having the shoe on the other foot here. I have to say I do like to be the one behind the camera better.

There. That's better. The reverse of the one I posted of him the other day.
He even let Mommy use his camera once. And only once. Because as he so elequently put it, it's rude to use other people's cameras. I can get on board with that. I sure don't want him putting his grubby little patties on my camera.
Have a great weekend!

Tea Time Again

I know this isn't my first tea related post. But because it is an almost daily ritual here I think it bears updating.
Tea time in the dead of winter in the kitchen while snow falls outside is nice. It feels cozy huddling over the cup to get every bit of warmth out of it. We went through gallons of tea last winter doing that very thing. But change the location and the whole tea dynamic changes.
First, there is a seat for the little person here. Last winter she really couldn't join us for tea because she couldn't/wouldn't sit in the big chairs. Now she delights in tea time. It makes her feel so big. If for some reason I am delayed in the kitchen a moment longer than she thinks necessary, she comes and gets me.
In case it isn't obvious, she's saying Ahhhhhhhh.

Second, tea on the porch sometimes requires a lot of looking. You have to make sure you attack it at just the right angle for maximum tea enjoyment.
Even my big old fat cat likes tea time.He was not invited to tea time on the kitchen table.

Bedtime Conversations

Anna: Mouth *sticks tiny finger in my mouth*

Me: Yep. Mouth.

Anna: Eye *sticks tiny finger in my eye*

Me: Yep. Eye.

Anna: No *sticks tiny finger up my nose*

Me: Yep. Nose.

Anna: POP!! *pops my head*

My Weekend Obversations

If you have never noticed I am an observation sort of person. I go through my life noticing things. So here for you my observations from this last weekend.

1. Weather in the 40s feels much colder when you are going down rather than up. After a whole week in the 60s it feels very chilly today.

2. It's very convenient to have an entire store dedicated to speciality cheeses located between our house and my parents. It's even better when they stop on the way here. Its even better than that when they leave some here at my house just for me. Yay!

3. I forgot what clean windows look like. They were really grimy. But after an afternoon spent on a ladder they are sparkly and clean.

4. It's nice having a Dad with all the cool toys. Like battery chargers. Thanks Dad for getting our tractor running.

5. The first five minutes after Grandma and Grandpa pull out the the driveway are the hardest of the whole weekend.

7. The height at which a 4 year old takes pictures is not the most flattering angle.


8. I am not upset that Easter vacation is over. Neither is Mark. So excited to go to school this morning.


Expect pictures from Mark's new camera later in the week. He is beyond excited that his pictures get to be on my blog.

It Took Every Ounce Of Willpower

Not to pick them all. The scent was almost overwhelming. Especially since I was 3 centimeters away from them.
My very favorite part isn't the flowers. It's the stroller tires in the background. A little reminder of a fun walk.

Out

Every single day Anna stands next to the door and points. Out. Out she says. Over and over. She loves the sunshine. This girl was born to be outside running in the green grass. When she was a tiny baby she cried. A. Lot. I knew I could always calm her down by taking her outside. Something about the fresh air soothed her. The vast wide openess of the outdoors made her happy.

All I can say is she was born into the right family.

Small Pleasures

The kids and I walk just about every day now. I try to take my camera with me most of the time. Mark has it all figured out. Mommy likes flowers and rocks. Oh, and cool looking rusty things. He points out every single flowers and every single rock on our walk. Take a picture of that flower, Mommy. There's a neat rock over here. He and Anna wait patiently while their mother crawls around on her hands and knees on the sidewalk. I have to wonder what the other passersby are thinking. Two kids in stroller, woman crawling around looking at the ground. Maybe she's drunk. Or she lost her diamond tiara. But probably it's drunkness.
I happen to know a special Grandma is bringing a camera for big Mark for his Birthday. Me thinks he is going to like it.

On. Off. On. Off. On. Off. It's Madness!!

This whole week I've been having a blinking cursor moment. Maybe it is all the fresh air and sunshine finally coming to my world. I don't spend much time in front of the computer when it is this nice outside. We walk every day. We go to the park often. We play in the yard until dark. There just isn't time for sitting here.
Maybe our taxes have my brain fried. I finally tackled them yesterday. I don't like to rush into things like this you know. We had someone prepare our taxes for us this year. We had a big year with the move, selling, and then buying houses. I decided I didn't want to mess with that on my own. That doesn't mean I didn't have to spend half the day trying to track down all the information. Because I did. I called a local tax preparer on Monday. She laughed at me when I asked for an appointment. Then she said she had an opening for yesterday. Oh goodie. A tax person with a sense of humor. She was really good and found several deductions I would have missed. So I'm glad we went with her. Then she worked late so that we could sign last night because Jason had to work today. My days of doing our own taxes may be over. I think we will use her again. As we were leaving last night she told us not to do this to her next year. Come in in February she said. I'm going to try. I think I would rather spend a day in bitter weather in her office than one like yesterday.
So today while I try to think of new things to entertain you with, I will let my wee ones amuse you. Some days I take their pictures and they smile handsome and pretty. Someday they do this.

What's a mother to do.

The Air Out There

There is something in the air out on the sun porch that makes big brothers be nice to little sisters. Big brothers on the porch share with little sisters. Big brothers on the porch hug little sisters. They say things like Anna, come on lets play. Or want to play with my cars and trucks, Anna. I don't know what it is. But I wish we could pipe it in to the house. Little boys in the house are not that nice lately.
Winners for my contest later today after I figure out the random generator. I guess it takes more than one cup of coffee to operate that thing. Or I am just slow. I will let you know which it is.

Update: What, it's still today. And the winner is Christy. Your boys are going to love this book. Please email me at Ellynm78 at gmail dot com with your mailing address and I will get this sent out to you.
Thanks everyone else for playing. This was really fun. We will be doing it again very soon.

Happy Easter

The Trials of Motherhood

Her baby is very needy.

Almost Alien Like

Actually it is the oak buds from our back yard.
Don't forget my contest. Ends tomorrow. It you haven't entered yet please do. This a really fantastic book.

The Day He Turned 4

Dear Mark,
Today marks the anniversary of your birth. The day that forever changed my life. My how life has been altered since that day four years ago.
Where has time gone. It was just last week when you were a tiny baby. And your father and I were a complete wreck. I used to stand above you bed and watch you sleep. So afraid that at any moment you would stop breathing. I ached for you when you weren't in my arms. I missed you when you were across the room. You were the most frustrating and rewarding thing in my life. My life wasn't really mine any more. It was yours. You dictated when I ate, slept, showered. I delighted in your every coo, laugh, wiggle.
You have come so far in the last 4 years. It's hard to believe how fast you are growing. Gone are the days of the rolly polly baby. Gone are the toddler years. You are long and lean and all boy. People in stores often believe I have pulled you out of 1st or 2nd grade to shop with me. They are shocked to hear your age.
You started pre-school this year. I have so enjoyed watching you grow and learn. This little school has been so good for you. It amazes me how far you've come. That little shy boy from September is gone. Replaced by an outgoing down right exuberant child who ask every single day if you can go to school. While I miss the boy who asked me to stay with him that first day of school, I am so thrilled to see the leaps and bounds you have traveled this year. Now you run down the stairs in anticipation of the fun to come. You greet your teachers with enthusiasm and ask question like, How was your weekend? or What did you have for did for dinner last night? (it's all about the food for you.)
You challenge me Mark. Your thirst for life is exhausts me. You never stop. Even in your sleep you move and talk. Your endless questions about everything force me to always be on my toes. You ask questions about everything in the world around you; most recently the anatomy questions. I am about to tell you to go talk to your Dad.
I love that I am your sounding board. You are testing your environment to see what works. Some things definitely don't work. Some things do. Even on days when you frustrate me to the very end of my frazzled rope I love you.
Last night during cuddle time you reminded me that this was your last night a three year old boy. I can't believe three is behind us. And I can't wait to see what four brings. Continue to be the sweet special boy you are.
Happy Birthday, Mark!

Jungle Safari

Don't forget to go enter my giveaway here.

Did I tell you I recently went on an Amazon Safari? I didn't! Well let me just tell you about it. I was trekking through the jungle. Just me, my camera, and my machete. Oh and my guide, Miguel. He carried pot, pans, my 3 room tent, clothes. What?! A girl has to live. So we went along parting the palms as we went. Then we saw it. I had heard tell of this strange little mullet topped creature. There had been a few grainy pictures. Mostly just a blur in the distance. No one has ever gotten this close. Could this be my moment. The moment every explorer dreams of.
And what is this?
It seems I have caught it in the middle of some ritualistic dance. Could this be a rain dance? Or maybe SNOW!!!
I think I have been spotted.
It did mysteriously start snowing soon after I snapped these. It was a little unusual for the Amazon I have to admit.

One Dark Night Review And a Giveaway

We read here. A. Lot. Jason and I are both avid readers. We have tried to instill a love of reading in our kids as well. We've been reading to them daily from the time they were very small. They have always enjoyed the sound of a person's voice even when if they couldn't understand the words.
I love books that have a flow to them. We enjoy stories that build from page to page.
For Christmas my dear niece, Peyton, shared some of her book collection with Mark and Anna. She is a little old for these books so she passed them on. She is a good kid that Peyton.
One book in particular has become a favorite here.
One Dark Night By Lisa Wheeler
This is a clever book about a wee little mouse and a wee little mole who head out in the forest on one dark night.
Meanwhile in a big giant den lived a big giant bear who fills his jowls with big beasty treats.
This book builds on it self in such way that at first you afraid to the tiny creatures. The little animals become lost while the bear gets hungrier. It is beautifully illustrated
and wonderfully written.
The story and rhythm hold the attention of both the 4 year old and 21 month old. How many books can claim that I ask you. Not many in my experience.
What makes this book even more meaningful to me is was special gift from a great kid.
I want you to enjoy this book as much as we have. I am giving away a copy of it here in my little slice of heaven. Contest rules are as follows.
1. Leave me a comment telling your favorite childhood book. (I am always looking for more books to add to our collection.)
2. Tweet this post. Leave another comment. Have another shot of winning.
3. Blog my contest. Leave a comment and get another shot of winning.
4. All a eligible to win.
See, easy peasy. Contest will run until Apr. 10th at midnight.

Signs of Life

Make sure and stop back in Monday. I will be hosting my first ever contest. I hope I can sleep this weekend.

The Day We Sat Under A Cow

Please tell me you remember the Cream Cheese Festival. If you don't, you must not know me at all. It was only the most fun I had all year. Worlds most biggest cheesiest yummiest cheese cake. That jog your memory for you. OK. Good. I thought we had a communication problem there for a minute.
Before the festival we went and saw this lovely lady. Just for the record she has way more clothes than I do. This is what she looked like last week. She wasn't drunk but apparently I was. Have you had your V-8 today?

It's hard to get an idea of how big this thing is. So we sat under her. She is huge.

As a little side story. There is a little cheese store just next door to the big cow. Uhhhh....YUM!! The lady inside told us about a couple from Illinois who came in last December. They insisted the cashier come outside and take pictures of them milking the cow. Those people from the mid west are just a little off their rockers if you ask me. You would never see anyone from my neck of the woods doing anything like that.

Don't Look Too Close

And you won't see the snot.
Wrestling
Cuddling
It's amazing how different they are. Mark sees his Dad laying there and takes the opportunity hand out a beating. Anna sees someone who needs a good cuddle. Both get what they need. He's a good Dad.