Every Morning

...my kids squeeze onto the bench to eat breakfast.

Herston brings his blankie upstairs, and I drape it on a chair out of the way and ask him to leave it on his bed.

They like to pour their own milk. And every morning I remind them not to get too much, but there is always leftovers in their bowl.

This is our life.

Not yet

"Mom, it's cold when you wake up early, but it smells so good. I'm gonna go outside and smell it." Could it be true? Fall?!

And who let their kids ride their bikes around the neighborhood before 6:30 in the morning to celebrate. Oh, yeah, that was me.

Six hours later, I was melting in the sun and noticed one of my worse sunburns of this season.

Second Best

Ethan is on a U8 soccer team which means every other year he is one of the older kids, like this year.

I was giving Ethan a pep talk before practice because I feel sorry for his coach. I actually coached three of these boys for U6; our team name back then was Team Awesome (although Team ADD was more fitting).

"Ethan, you are the best kid out there, I want you to stay focused, listen to the coach, and help those little kids learn how to play."

"I'm the second best and the second tallest."

Yep, the concept was lost.

"Best dinner ever"

For weeks, Herston has not eaten my attempts at healthy dinners. (I know he won't let himself starve to death, so I don't worry about sending him to bed without dinner.)

Exhausted today I just made leftover slop with rice, grilled vegetables, and chicken.

He ate everything.

My secret? Sprinkle with Cheez-its.

My lunch date

I love exploring new lunch places with my buddy; it's how we role lately.

(I think Grant is getting jealous.)

Love Note Booklet

I found this book of love notes on my bed from Larissa.

I especially live the best parent page.

Perseverance

... has a new name.

And yet, I think I won.

Beans

"Mom, I actually put a bean in my nose."

"What?!"

"See! Look how cool!"

"Stop! Don't touch it! Follow me."

After getting a Kleenex and blowing, it shot out.

"Ha! That was awesome! Coolest trick ever!"

I'm aging.

Fact checker

I was impressed with my first and second graders knowledge of early America.

The knew details about the Liberty Bell and the Statue of Liberty.

I began quizzing them.

Who was fighting in the civil war?

Simultaneously, they both said Davis Brown.

I checked google, and followed up with a call to the cutest history teacher I know.

They had tricked me.

School Picture Day

This morning Raea confided in me, "do you know some people just wear regular clothes today?"

_•_•_•_•_
Larissa was concerned about having no teeth for picture day, so she used my camera to find her best smile.

_*_*_*_*_
Raea was so worried about having a messy breakfast. "Mom, I shouldn't have made a Nutella sandwich."

(Luckily for her, I finally sucked it up and bought real Nutella, which is not runny like the generic stuff.)

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I told Ethan to put on a collar shirt, so he comes upstairs wearing Herston's shirt. I whispered in his ear to get a shirt that fit him, so he comes upstairs in the same shirt he wore last year. He is just like his dad.

(I'll have to have another post entitled, "so he comes upstairs...")

Its all a blur.

Getting ready for church the other day, Raea and I decided to take our picture.

Unfortunately, it was too blurry.

Kinda like life.

*~*~*~*

When did I get a 10 year old? When did I get 3 kids in school? When did my baby start preschool?

Best Big Brother

Never before have I had a kid pay so much attention to my belly before.

The other day at church, I wore a dress that showed off my baby bump.  Ethan wouldn't stop rubbing my belly.  He was so concerned that I was taking good care of his baby. 

It's absolutely insane how big his heart is, and I have no doubt that he will make a great brother (again) and an amazing father when the time is right.

Before we knew the sex of the baby, I caught Ethan talking to my belly.  Luckily, I just caught all his words of wisdom if it was a girl.

"If it's a girl, just run for President, ok?  Still do whatever I say, ok?  If its a boy or girl, it doesn't matter."

Reading time

A little confidence has gone a long way, and her reading has improved exponentially this week.

I am also grateful for a patient brother willing to have a little sister read you Pinkalicious.

Happy Together

The photo booth was not working at a recent wedding. Since it was actually a good picture of Grant and I, I couldn't bare throwing them out.

Last night, Larissa asked me if Daddy and I were breaking up.

Confused, she explained to me by pointing to the pictures on the fridge.

Oops.

Junior Sun Devil

For Father's Day, I got Grant the junior sun devil package. Ok, technically he is just the responsible accompanying adult, but Grant gets to take one kid on a date to see multiple ASU sporting event.

Today is the first game. Hanging out with the band, shaking hands with the players, and climbing the scary bleachers, I think my big boys are enjoying their time together.

Farm Day

Cooler weather means more fun outside.

And no... I don't think my little mamas will have a problem with another baby girl.

Pink Party

Grant picked up some pink balloons, and we ate pink cookies.

Same Door

4 years apart.

First Day of Preschool

Labor Day

My kids may be loud, but they love to play... and love each other.

Which makes me love them all.