Hubby and I took our babies to the zoo today. It was a beautiful, warm spring day (80 degrees!). We thought it was the perfect way to spend the day as a family.
Apparently the rest of the world thought the same.
Zoo joy.
And this is my favorite photo from the day.
Hubby's office is right across the street from the park so he came over to visit us while we there. The boys ran right over to him and then looked at him as if to say, "what are you doing here?"
Sometimes the expression says it all.
Wordless words joy.
I went on a date with my favorite 4-year old this evening. It started at the eye dr. for a check-up. Then we went to Culvers. His favorite. After enjoying some ice cream, we ventured on to Border's bookstore. His other favorite. We took the hilly road home. It made our tummies tickle. Our time ended with a game of "What's your favorite...?".
He's my favorite 4-year old.
Favorite 4-year old joy.
This is very clearly a face that does not want to be photographed.
I just couldn't resist those catchlights in her baby blues.
Catchlight joy.
Him: I found this leaf for you, mom.
Me: Thanks, buddy.
Him: It's pretty like you are.
Should I be worried that my son is comparing me to a dried up leaf that has an abundance of purple veins?
Pretty leaf joy.
In other news, I'm feeling blessed for some much needed quality time with my mom and sister-in-law last night and some dear friends today. My life is so deeply touched by these amazing women.
My son missed making dinosaur eggs in school last week because he was sick. So we made them today at home. Once my kiddos got over the messy feeling of paper mache, they had a blast making them.
These dinosaur eggs will make great Easter decorations.
Paper mache joy.
I often want them to move faster. I often want them to move slower. I often want to turn them back. I often want them to just freeze.
The hands of time joy.
I registered him for kindergarten today.
Tomorrow I will cheer him on with a lump in my throat as he receives his high school diploma.
And the day after that I will tearfully and joyfully watch him marry the woman he has been praying for.
Where does the time go?
Kindergarten registration joy.
My sister-in-law is making her dream of becoming a personal trainer a reality.
I'm so proud of her.
Personal trainer joy.
Check out her website Underground Fitness
I didn't have to bribe this little man with sugar-free candy to wear these bunny ears. He eagerly put them on and kept them on.
He loves to make me smile.
Cute baby boy bunny joy.
Sending out a big birthday hug to my sweet sister-in-law, Becky! Hope you had a great day and that brother of mine spoiled you rotten! LOVE YOU!!
Spring has sprung?
God certainly has a sense of humor.
Despite the snow that continued to fall from the sky all day... spring is here!
First day of spring joy.
Happy Birthday to my dear, dear friend, Angie. Hope you had a fabulous day! Love you!
She loves to dig in the dirt. The dirtier her little her hands get, the happier she is.
Please excuse the ugly, rocky, never-plant-anything-in-me dirt. We were right next to our driveway.
Dirt joy.
Today was a perfect kite flying day.
Unfortunately, I was the only one who thought so. My son was not thrilled with holding the kite string. My daughter was cold and mad because her kite got tangled up in a tree within the first 5 minutes of our kite flying time. It was so windy I thought they were going to blow away.
So, I tied the string around a left-over soybean plant, bribed them with sugar-free candy, and demanded them to stand by the kite string just so I could get this shot.
I know they will soon love to fly a kite. It just wasn't today.
Let's go fly a kite joy.
If you look closely you can see my reflection in the bubble. This is purely St. Patty's Day luck.
Hope you had a wee bit o' luck today! Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Me in a bubble joy.
It's o.k., little buddies. Winter is nearly gone and spring is just about here.
Little buddies joy.
This little man gave me a run for my money today. Good thing he is stinkin' cute.
Stinkin' cute joy.
There is something amazing about watching a child learn about colors while creating a masterpiece with watercolor paints.
Watercolor joy.
After months of tearing out walls, cabinets, the bathtub, and toilet, picking out cabinets and tile, my hubby is one step closer to finishing another project in our home... the remodeled kids' bathroom.
I know it's just a room but I'm looking forward to the memories that will be made in this bathroom. Countless baths, brushing little teeth, potty training 3 more kiddos, admiring their cuteness in the mirror.
And then... there will come a day when they will be bathing themselves, wiping their own butts, shaving, fighting over the space, and primping.
That day will be here before I know it.
Kids' bathroom joy.
A teeny tiny library isn't so teeny tiny when you are teeny tiny.
Not so teeny tiny library joy.
The youngest of them all.
You love to look at books. You love to cuddle. You love to climb on the couch. You know how to say "up", "all done", "momma", "dadda", "out" and "sh" for shoes. You can destroy a room in seconds but you also love to help me clean up. You light up like a firecracker when I get you out of your crib. You love to give kisses.
I am proud and honored to be your mommy. I love you more than words...
Jackson Roger joy.
My daughter was spending special time with my mom. The twins were still napping. Hubby was still at work. It was just him and I.
Him: It is just you and me right now, mom.
Me: I know, buddy. What do you think?
Him: I love spending time with just you, mom. Want to color together?
Me: You bet I do, buddy.
Him and I joy.
I sit here and am finding the words difficult while my heart feels so much. It is breaking and overflowing at the same time. Tears continue to stream down my face.
The life of sweet Layla Grace has touched my heart deeply. Layla lost her fight to Neuroblastoma and went to play with the angels early this morning. She was two years old. I never had the privilege of personally meeting Layla or her family but am honored to know them for they are such an amazing example of a strong faith and fighting spirit. Millions of people have been touched by this precious family. www.laylagrace.org
As a mom of 4 young children, there have been moments that I want to scream for Calgon to take me away. Instead, I send a prayer of thanks to God for blessing my life in countless ways. I especially thank Him for the Calgon moments because my babies are alive and well.
Now I'm going to give each of my sleeping babies another kiss goodnight and tell them how much I love them.
Layla Grace joy.
I don't know what I enjoyed more... the sound of his laughter or mine while he discovered the many silly faces he can make on the shower door.
I think it's a tie.
Silly shower faces joy.
Homemade guacamole and rice chips. Me gusta mucho!
Guacamole and rice chips joy.
