Random

The boys thought wearing my boots was hysterical. And that they made good weapons.

At the end of January, I flew to Florida to join Leanne, Ashley, Megan, and Leanne's other sisters-in-law Emily and Kliss for a long weekend. It was cold, but we still managed to have a great time shopping and eating out and just hanging out. I loved being with these girls, even without great weather. They are fun girls, happily married to great guys, and I am so grateful to have them in my life. This was one of two trips that helped get me through several tough months that followed. We took airboat tour through the everglades. Our guide was great...old and leathery with an accent that almost required a translator. He stopped and fed a racoon that knew when and where to show up for a snack.

We drove a road famous for all the alligators that live in the river. This was when I missed my boys. I knew they would love it.

Jason, on the other hand, had kind of a lousy weekend, since Colin spent the majority of it vomiting. Colin asked Jason if he could talk to me, then got on the phone and sobbed that he needed me to come home and hold him because he was sick. It nearly broke my heart. But they all survived, and Ethan and Jason even forayed into origami.

Happy

We went to my parents' house tonight for family home evening with them and my brother and his family. We arrived home well after bedtime, and Jason was at his weekly banjo lesson, so I hurried the kids through the bath/jammies/prayer/teeth brushing routine. I used to dread bedtime...an exhausting sprint to end a marathon day...but lately we've settled into a great routine that gives me precious alone time with each child. Once everyone's ready for bed, I rock Madeline in her room for a few minutes while the boys play Legos. Then read a book to Colin in his closet (strange, right?) and rock him and sing him a song. Then lay on Ethan's bed and play his iPod touch for a few minutes before tucking him in. It's calm...my favorite kind of parenting and not always easy to achieve with 3 young kids.

I sang to Maddie tonight, then just rocked her quietly, reluctant to put down my not-really-a-baby-anymore girl while she was being so cuddly. Then she layed her head on my shoulder and said, "Happy.....Happy." I melted. My 2011 resolution is to focus on these moments and to handle the others...the chaos of kids home from school and bored and sibling fights and demands for look, mom, help, mom, drink, mom, up, mom, sit, mom...with the equanimity they deserve. Although really my 2011 resolution should be to figure out a way for me and Jason to disguise the truth from Madeline, which is that we are both firmly wrapped around all 10 of her tiny little fingers. Heaven help us all when she realizes it. (It may be too late.)

Madeline being extra cuddly with my parents on Christmas Day 2010.

Snow!!

We love North Carolina snowfalls. School is cancelled, if we're lucky Jason gets to stay home from work, and it sticks around just long enough to play.

The boys and Jason built a snowman. Colin stuck 4 stick arms in and named him General Grievous. There was a Star Wars marathon on conveniently during the snowstorm. The boys taunted their dad until he started pelting them with snowballs, like any good dad would do. The best part of playing in the snow may be the hot chocolate and cuddling in front of the fire after.

New Year

We jumped in to 2011 with a big milestone...Colin started primary. He and Ethan looked so handsome, and were even willing to pose like they love each other.