hugs, kisses and other mommy fuel

Being a mom is hard, messy, and sometimes ugly.  But if I focus on everything that is hard about it, I might miss the stuff that makes it worthwhile, magical, real and beautiful...like spontaneous hugs, and book dedications, and love notes from little boys...

 Kyle's Kingdom Tales book entitled The Slippery Tale of Super Slick the Flying Banana

Barrett's Kingdom Tales book entitled Minecraft Ninja

I'm so lucky.

Enjoying a warm weather weekend in February

We opened up the windows to let the fresh air in and we headed outside for some family time before Cody had to leave on a business trip.

There was a small hole in the screen.  It keeps growing (you should see it now). While the windows were open Barrett sat on the sill and looked out.  I love that gorgeous eye...his other eye is just as awesome too.

 Annabelle and Bailey are best buds...and they now weigh the same too.  I think Bailey's going to pass her up, though.

Coooooool rider,
A cool, cool, cool, cool rider. 

(M.Y. and J.G. that was for you)

Kyle discovered a box and a stick in the garage.  Next thing I knew he was in a "kayak in the middle of a shark-infested ocean."

 Below is a series of selfies taken while swinging on the giant platform swing...none of them are even close to being in focus or properly exposed but I love them.

Tree Climbing

Once there was a tree...
and she loved a little boy.
And every day the boy would come
and he would gather her leaves
and make them into crowns
and play king of the forest.
He would climb her trunk
and swing from her branches
and eat apples.

 ~Shel Silverstein The Giving Tree

The boys were enjoying some warm weather by climbing the tree in our front yard...they have climbed it many times while waiting for daddy to get home from work, or while "helping" Cody and me work in the yard...

Painting

Annabelle wanted to paint today.  It's Tuesday.  She doesn't have school but the boys do, which means we get to enjoy a little girl time.
When she finished, she asked for a piece of tape and took it up to her room to hang her painting on her wall.

 Had to change clothes because Bailey knocked over her water cup and got her wet.

Love that little tongue sticking out...talk about concentration.

What do you get when you mix 3 kids, bubble bath and jacuzzi jets?

This...and a lot of laughter...and a big mess.

Christmas Vacation

Christmas Vacation song lyrics

It's that time, Christmas time is here
Everybody knows there's not a better time of year
Hear that sleigh, Santa's on his way
Hip, Hip Hooray, for Christamas Vacation

Gotta a ton of stuff to celebrate
(jing-a-ling-a-ling-a-ling-ling)
Now it's getting closer I can't wait
(jang-a-lang-a-lang-a-lang-lang)
Gonna make this holiday as perfect as can be
Just wait and see this Christmas Vacation

This old house, sure is looking good
Got ourselves the finest snowman in the neighborhood
Ain't it fun, always on the run
That's how its done on Christmas Vacation

Lets all deck the halls and light the lights
(jing-a-ling-a-ling-a-ling-ling)
Get a toasty fire buring bright
(jang-a-lang-a-lang-a-lang-lang)
Give St Nick the warmest welcome that he's ever had
We're so glad it Christmas Vacation

And when the nights are peacful and serene
We can cuddle up and do our Chirstmas dreaming

(jing-a-ling-a-ling-a-ling-ling)
(jang-a-lang-a-lang-a-lang-lang)

Christmas Vacation (repeat)

We're so glad it's Christmas Vacation

Peace and joy and love are everywere
(jing-a-ling-a-ling-a-ling-ling)
You can feel the magic in the air
(jang-a-lang-a-lang-a-lang-lang)
Let the spirit of the season carry us away
Hip, Hip Hooray for Christmas Vacation

Fa-la-la-la-la and ho ho ho
jingle, jangle, jingle as we go
Let the spirit of the season... (fade)

We love that movie, and we've always wished we could have that song to play at Christmastime, but it's not for sale anywhere that I can find…Anyway, Here's some pics from our Christmas Vacation.

Ice Skating at the Galleria, Silent night by candle light, Kyle the Shepherd, and Barrett introduced the Christmas poem, Annabelle almost kidnaps Baby Jesus right out of the manger, O Holy Night, the stockings were hung by the chimney with care, notes and milk and cookies (actually fudge (because Santa might be getting tired of cookies)) for Santa, Trying on the stockings, Twas the night before Christmas, finding the (dad-gum-fight-inducing-and-therefore never-to-be-seen-again) pickle…although I was able to get some nice pics thanks to "Dad-gum Pickle", so maybe we can become friends again after some healing time, Santa brought us a puppy - (He's so FLUFFY!), peeking, loving on the puppy named George "Bailey", Daddy got a new guitar, Santa also brought a giant swing, Grinch on a stick, hanging out on giant swing, more cuddles with Bailey, Rockin' around the Christmas tree, Annabelle made Papa a princess and curled his hair, 5:40 am wake-up time catches up to some of us, Kyle loves the new swing, and Bailey poses in front of the tree, overhearing one of the kids say this was the best Christmas ever…Best Christmas Ever.

Our Kitchen Remodel: Before and After

It's finally done! It took WAY longer than expected, but we are very happy with our new kitchen.

Before:

two man demo crew

old pantry

And AFTER!!!

 Subway tile backsplash in a herringbone pattern.

 The countertops are soapstone -  a black matte finish with sparse white veins.  Cabinet paint color is Benjamin Moore Dove White.

 New fixture over breakfast table.  You can also see the wood planking we put on the walls in there where there used to be wallpaper.

New Pantry - so much more functional