Trunk or Treat!...plus my thoughts.

We had a great time at trunk or treat at school. We got to try out the clone trooper costumes and a pretty cute little Princess Leia. Anne went as herself for tonight and really enjoyed the candy! It was so wonderful for all of us to walk around together and enjoy each other's company and saying hi to friends. What a great time. The kids had a lot of fun and got a hefty supply of pre-Halloween candy.


And then there's Jacob. You know, he's a happy little guy with some traits that I just love. He knows what he wants, and anymore, if he's offered something he doesn't want or doesn't like, he's just fine - he doesn't usually want something else, or complain that he missed out, he's just fine. This is very frequently the case with candy or desserts - he has his few favorites, and beyond that, he'll just say, "No thanks." Such was the case tonight - he would trick or treat, but then if he saw a kind of candy that he didn't like, he'd just walk away. We figured we should have him just accept graciously and we could work out the details later. Just thought we'd avoid the big walk away & not accepting. He didn't mean anything by it, he simply wasn't interested. He was then ready to just give away the stuff he didn't like. I encouraged him to at least try & trade his brothers or something (they all got plenty - didn't figure they all needed donations). And furthermore, due to his selective nature, he didn't have nearly as much candy as everyone else. And did he mind? Not one bit. He is such a happy and content guy.


And then the other thing I'll remember from tonight. At first, Nathaniel was a bit bashful about getting started with the trick or treating. Well, one of the first cars was giving out huge pixy sticks and long rope licorice. Nathaniel didn't get up to get one by his choice. By the end of the evening, he was ready to go back by there. We did, but they were all out. He actually didn't complain. Leyton then asked why he needed one, "Did he not get one earlier?" I told Leyton he didn't. Then Leyton said, "I'll share some of mine." Thanks, sweetheart!


So as I walked around, I noticed so many families we know and saw many kids enjoying the night. And afterwards, on the way home, and when we read stories and got ready for bed, I took a step back to relish the day. Patrick & I often discuss how our life is always dynamic, that we really don't have a status quo. I was laying by the kids and I thought, you know, maybe it's changing and maybe we're busy, but I also know that I wouldn't trade it for anything. This is my life and I want to appreciate and enjoy it with all of its busy-ness. I thought about it a bit, too, after the school event - I know things will continue to change, but I don't want that to happen too quickly - I loved that we were all there together, that the kids wanted to stay together and we could all do this as a family activity. Someday, I know, they'll want to go with their friends and I know that's to be expected, but I'm definitely not in a hurry. They're just too much fun.

It was one of those days...

...when I put the kids to bed after a wonderfully busy day, and I took a few minutes to just watch them sleep so peacefully. It literally brought tears to my eyes just to be there to appreciate the moment and wonder how I became this amazingly blessed to have these precious people in my life. Each one of them is so special in their own ways and each of them represents an irreplaceable part of our family.

Leyton, Nathaniel, Jacob, Leah, and Anne...Mom loves you more than you know. Sleep well my little angels.

Birthday Pictures

Finally a few from Leah's big day.

A Year-round Giggle

Although this is a Mother's Day e-card, I really find it quite funny all year round. I remember seeing it a couple years ago, but think about it now and then in the scheme of life and all of the precious happy voices. Hee, hee.

Hoops & YoYo - What we say, What Mom hears...you can click on a flower on the left to hear the kids version, and click the same flower on the right to hear the Mom's voice.

Leah likes to be "a mom" part 2

This morning, Leah was taking a shower. I was getting ready to leave the bathroom, so I said, "Leah, see you later, alligator."
She said, "I'm not an alligator, you silly; I'm a MOM!" (said with much inflection)

And, that reminds me of the other day when we went to see Funky Mama sing. We've seen her before, but Leah really heard her introduction that morning. Funky Mama was explaining, for those who were new to her show, that, well, she's a mom and a little bit funky. Well that really got Leah going, "Mom, Funky Mama is a mom! Mom, she said she's a mom. Did you know that Funky Mama is a mom?" It was so cute. She's quite a character - mom, child, princess, etc.!

Happy 3rd Birthday, Leah!

Time flies and flies and flies. My "lady cakes" turned 3 today and I just can't believe it. What a nice day. The boys were all out of school today and we planned to go to a pumpkin patch - silly rain foiled that plan. Oh well, we still had a great day. She actually slept in until about 10am. We ran to the store, and then Patrick was able to come home a little early. This evening, Grandma Sally & Grandpa Dan, Aunt Stacy, Uncle Robert & Aunt Beth & Mya, and our neighbor Charlotte came over for a fun family birthday gathering. I made Leah's favorite meal: CHILI. I made a regular beef one and then a white chicken one. We had Dora cake with ice cream and rootbeer. All her favorites. She got some books, several nice outfits, a Dora doll, a baby bassinette, and a few other things. She was happy as a clam. Her total phase these days is babies. She's so cute with them and plays with them so nicely. It is still different to me seeing a little girl go through these phases and enjoying dolls, etc. What a sweet girl. She said she had a great day, and I'm glad she did.

Always interesting to look back to the day each of the kids were born. This is one of the phases of parenthood I never really thought about before they were born. Each time a birthday rolls around, I just really enjoy thinking about their actual birth day and reveling at the joy and love they've brought just by being them. Each of them has added a unique part to our family and I really think it is a special day for me as Mom to just think and enjoy how much I love each of them and how grateful I am that they are here.

We love you, Leah!

(Maybe tomorrow I'll get a few pictures up from the day - just too tired right now)

Anne's 15 Month Update

Anne had the pleasure of the well child visit on Thursday. She didn't sleep well the night before, and, as usual, sickness either shows up when it's time for a visit or right after. She had her first ear infection. She is enjoying the amoxicillin just fine - and her siblings are jealous. Yep, at least three of them asked why Anne got to have the pink medicine but they couldn't. "But we like it, Mom." Silly kids. Anyway, Anne's doing great. Walking all over, pretending to talk on the phone, brushing her hair, and making more and more conversation sounds. She weighs 25lb 6.4oz (~75-90th percentile), 30 inches long (~50-75th percentile). I'm pretty sure her favorite word is "Mama" which I'll never complain about. She also got the pleasure of leaving after three shots. She has definitely hit that stage of absolute melt down at just being in the exam room. I felt bad, but her not wanting to be in the room coupled with not feeling the best and then getting three shots, she really turned up the volume on all the screaming. Yep, she was exhausted and a bit unhappy after all of that.