Happy Birthday Miles!

We had a rockin' John Deere birthday party for Miles last Friday! He loves, loves, loves tractors and has been 'planning' his tractor party since last year.

He had such a fun birthday. We went to the toy store during the day, had dinner at his favorite fine dining establishment (McDonalds), played on the germ-infested playland, and then went home for his party.

He had so much fun, loving every second of being the center of attention. He loved opening his gifts, and was the happiest kid on earth.

So far 3 has been a magical age for him, he has finally left those terrible-twos in the dust (well, most of the time at least) and has become such a fun little guy.

Happy birthday to my favorite little 3 year old!

Left Standing in the Snow

Today I put my barely 3 year old Miles on a bus. He started a new preschool at the elementary school to help with his speech. There I stood, snow swirling around me as watched it pull away with my little guy on board, holding back the tears.

I've always known the day would arrive, even looked forward to it just a bit, that I would send each one of my kids off into the big world on a school bus. I just didn't think it would come this fast. I didn't think I'd feel so sentimental, but I just want to keep my arms around him just a little longer. Hold on to him and protect him from the big scary things that might be waiting for him. I know this is a great opportunity for him and for us. . . I'm sure it will help him catch up in the words department, but just for today I'm a little sad and wanting to keep my little ones little forever!

Ski Day

We put Jacks in ski lessons this year. He hasn't loved it until this Saturday - we left Miles and Lola with grandma and grandpa and went up with my brother and Jacks had so much fun. I was on the lift heading up the bunny hill to meet Nate and Jacks, and I saw him, heading down the hill in his little snowplow screaming at the top of his lungs, "I'm doing it, dad!"

And she's off. . .

Lola finally got her wobbley little legs going. She's so proud of her new feat and spends her days toddling up and down our hallways enjoying her increase in freedom!

Teeth!

I never thought it would happen, but Lola finally sprouted her first teeth. She's definately doing it in style, growing not just one, but five. Better late than never, I guess. I love the way it changes her sweet little face and can't get enough of the toothy grin! I can't believe how fast she's grown up. . . it's gone faster with each one and I'm having a hard time letting go of my baby!

Chinese lessons

My sister went to China last year and brought back an old school Mickey Mouse movie for my kids. Jacks was just dying to watch it today and when we put it in, it was totally in Chinese. I was about to take it out but they protested.

Now I am sitting here on the computer for a moment of peace all because Jacks and Miles are fully engrossed in a movie. . . completely in Chinese.

Crazy kiddlets. . .

Moments

Some days with three kids can be so far less than perfect. Today was one of those days. Between a sick little girl, a busy almost 3 year old and my eldest, who has been going through 'one of those phases,' sometimes I look around and wonder how I can possibly wake up tomorrow morning and do it all over again!

Then Jacks came home from going somewhere with Nate with the happiest little face. I said to him, "You look happy" to which he ran over, jumped up on my lap and said, "I'm very happy." When I asked him to tell me why he was very happy, he responded, "because I'm so happy to see you."

Those are the moments that make all of this worth it. That make me put it all in perspective and realize that even though this may be the hardest thing I've ever done, it is also the very most rewarding and wonderful thing I've ever done. I'm so grateful for my life. . . for my wonderful husband and my beautiful children who really do bring so very much sunshine into my days.

Extinguish

So my boys have invented this little game they call extinguish. We have experienced book extinguish, blanket extinguish, puzzle extinguish and the new one. . . diaper extinguish. I'm not sure where Jackson came up with the term 'extinguish' - maybe he had some preschool lesson on firefighting skills and decided to come up with a game revolving around it.

Anyway, the basic rule to extinguish is that whatever is being 'extinguished' is scattered. So book extinguish - every single book; blanket extinguish - any and every blanket they can find in our house; puzzle extinguish (my personal favorite) - puzzle pieces from thousands of different puzzles all over their room. Just the other day I found them in the middle of a riveting game of diaper extinguish in which every diaper from a new Sams Club pack was thrown in Lola's crib as they frollicked around in them.

I promise I do watch my kids. . . these are those rare moments when I think my boys are getting along and I try to get a thing or two done (usually something super fun like cleaning my toilet). . . only to walk into the biggest mess of my life. Even after spending half the day cleaning up after extinguish, they still tend to revert back to it from time to time.

And. . . to be honest. . . there are days when extinguish isn't a horrible trade-off for a few moments of brotherly love!