Glamm-o & Elmo

Glammy is muy importante in the life of the children.  Indulgence does this.  Tonight, they shared a few moments looking at "Elmo Goes to the Doctor." And it was good. Especially since that was my Shiner Bock in the background.  Sunday.  Complete.

Swangin'

Swinging.  It's how my third child sleeps the best.  It's how child #1 is refining his questionable motor skills.  It's how child #2 found her Zen moments today.

Boxing Day

Boxing.  For the first time.  

My girl is a climber.

Let's Send Santa a Number

Elliott is obsessed with Christmas.  All things Holiday, really.  Everyday we have at least one conversation that goes something like this:

E:  It's almost Halloween!
     What comes after Halloween, Mommy?

Me:  November.

E:  It'll be. . . THANKSGIVING!
     And then it'll be. . . What comes next, Mommy?


I'll let you predict for yourself how the rest of it goes.  Based on this obsession, we've had several (hundred) conversations about Christmas.  He already has a list for Santa:  an alarm clock and blocks (Legos).  I was completely confused when he spontaneously told me this morning:

E:  Mommy, we're going to give Santa a number.

Me:  What, Elliott?

E:  You said I could give Santa a number at Christmas. (very emphatically)

Me:  (racking my brain for some clue)

E:  We'll give him a number to tell him an alarm clock and blocks.  You SAID!

Me:  (light dawning)  You mean a letter?  I said we could write him a letter?

E:  (completely indignant) Yes, Mommy.  You said.

Ah.  I suppose it never occurred to me that my three-year old didn't know the difference between a letter that is a symbol and letter than is a form of correspondence.  So yes, we'll be sending Santa a number.

I Got This.

 Remember yesterday when I said I couldn't be a stay-at-home mom?  Today I had a boost of false self-confidence when my wee baby slept for (almost) three hours in the swing.  

My boy likes to run.  Claims his Crocs are his "running shoes."  

Butterfly exploration.

 Writing his name.  "With wots of E's.  You wike it?"

It was a good day.  Thanks to the baby swing.  

I'm a Reader. From Way Back.

I've been in love with reading since forever.  I can't remember a time when I couldn't read or didn't enjoy it.  It's a compulsion, really.  There's just a handful of books that I've started that I haven't finished.. .  the compulsion.  I've read fewer books with the advent of blogs and social media, but I'm reconnecting with my inner reader.

I'm not typically one for apocalyptic tales, but holy moly have I become entranced with the writing of Justin Cronin.  The Passage held me captivated and now I've downloaded The Twelve, on the first day it was released.  I'm not usually the first to anything, so this speaks to how much I am into this story and his writing. Read it.  Do it.  Disturbing, yes, but also utterly captivating.  Yes, there are vampire-like creatures involved, but there is also serious character-development and creation of these creatures was seriously plausible.

READ.  You won't be disappointed.  I promise.

Cheese.

Mommy caught some of those elusive smiles for the picture books.  On my phone.  Don't judge.

I'm a Mess

I am fairly certain I could not be a full-time stay at home mom.  Or I should say that I totally could be a stay at home mom, but not for long because my husband might leave because he would tire of me never getting out of pajama pants and t-shirts, my hair stuffed up into a ponytail, no make-up and unplucked eyebrows. Not a pretty picture.  The good news is that I do cook more than is typical, but the house doesn't seem any neater, so there's that.

I keep waiting to find my own personal style.  To step out in coordinated work-out clothing (that's what other stay-at-home-moms seem to do) or to look like I'm wearing an outfit.  Basically, I want to channel the flair of my blogger crush, Brooke.  She's fancy.  And stylish.  And it looks effortless.  Maybe someday?

Finding the Yes

Life as a three and a half year old is a study in hearing the word no.  A lot.  I read a blog post a while back about saying yes--to most everything.  Hogwash.  I think I've posted about this before.  I continue to find this  concept is a big ol' challenge.  I find that Elliott hears "no" as the big brother to a year and a half old sister and 6 week old brother far too often.  I am trying to stop and ask, "why not?" Not easy.  By a long shot.  I am le tired.  It seems as though every waking moment of their lives I am busy--running from one chore to another.  I want to say "no."  It is easier.  And honestly, that's what I say quite a bit.  However the result is a helluva lot of whining.  Which makes me bonkers.

Elliott has been asking repeatedly to make a cake.  Random.  BUT we managed it.  A lemonade cake straight from Pinterest.  For this moment, the no was conquered.  Seeing the joy at the end result was worth finding the time (and energy) to say "yes."

Mommy, wanna play chalk?

My sweet boy asked this question no less than 14 times this weekend.  So with weather perfection this afternoon, out we went.  All 5 of us.  We played chalk, we visited with neighbors, Elliott let the dog out 4 different times (no exaggeration), it was a good time.  If you are wondering how chalk is played, it really  just means drawing on the sidewalk--nothing all that exciting.  Unless you're three.

My future's so bright. . .

Baby feet.  Nothing better.

\

She carried the chalk around, not actually using it but managing to get quite dirty.

Look at those curls!

From a Three-Year Old? I am not Prepared

Actual conversation with my 3.5 year old in the car on the way home from school today.  (I should also add that our childcare provider is much more conservative than our own views, but it works for her):

E:  Mommy, God died.

Me:  (listening to fascinating talk radio story & newborn crying) What?

E:  God died. 

Me:  (frantic thought searching) Uh.  Um.  Sort of. . .

E:  He DID.  Why did God die?

Me:  (frantic thought searching) Well, some bad men killed him. 

E:  Why?

Me:  (frantic thought searching)  They just did, but then God only died for a little while and then came back.  God didn't stay dead.  (Ha! Problem solved.)

E:  Why did he come back?

Me:  (oh shit) Well. . . to show us that he loves us and that God is still here.

E:  God is in the sky?

Me:  (frantic thought searching) Sure.  God is everywhere.

E:  In the clouds.

Me:  Sure.  (Dodge & give non-commital answer.)

E:  Why?

Me:  Well, God is everywhere because God made the earth. (Sigh.  That one was easy.)

E:  Why?

Me:  God just did.  That's the way it is.

E:  Oh.  Okay.

Me:  (Why didn't I go with this answer in the first place?)

I thought for sure that I had a few years on this one. . .

She's Serious

I like to play with taking pictures of my kids.  I aspire to be a good amateur photographer, and someday that title will be mine.  The truth is that I don't spend enough time on how to use my camera, although I do take most of my pics in manual mode.  Score. After some basic Lightroom lessons, I've tried to kind of teach myself editing.  It's not as easy as it might seem.

Straight out of the camera:

Running a basic preset from Oh So Posh Photography:

More editing of my own:

And the bottom one converted to B&W:

Not sure which one of the edited versions I prefer. . . weigh in?

Touch a . . . What? And McWho???

Truck.  Touch a Truck.  There was a (FREE!) event in Fort Worth yesterday with trucks and tractors and ambulances--oh my!--all available for exploration.  Little boy heaven.  Because Kellen needed to eat, we also had a pit-stop at McDonald's for an ice cream cone and visit to the indoor playscape.  Elliott had never been to McDonald's.  Never before, but thoroughly enjoyed it.

Moving truck madness.

NASCAR was a bit less appealing.

Ringing the bell on the Frog Horn!

Visiting the FW Fire truck.

Trying out the wheel on the 18-wheeler.

That's what Brooklyn thought of the trucks.  

B was wishing she could play with the big kids.

I love this shot.  Love.  

It was a good day.  That is an accomplishment with a one-month old and events during naptime.  Win for all!