First Steps

It happened... she walked.  There we were - myself, Kirra (pulled a no-show in kindergarten today), Reef , Kaia and a client who sweetly accepted my need to bring the troops along.  Trying to be as professional as a mom with three kids locked in a room can be, I can't help but notice that out of the corner of my eye I see the take off... step 1, step 2, step 3 right into Kirra's arms.  Woo-hoo!  First steps are exciting.  This day officially makes me a mom of four walking children.     

Take it slow Kaia... I'm in no hurry to see you get big.  :)

Y.O.G.U.R.T.

I'm super thankful I can be thought of as the coolest mom ever

 for taking my kids to get yogurt whenever they ask and secretly feed my addiction at the same time. 

No selfish motives here, nope, never. 

I think she wants more,
oh dear, we'll have to go back again tomorrow!

Sweet Kaia

Happy 1st Birthday to the caboose of our family (August 19th). 

You have brought the sun to our shine, the butter to our bread, the dot to our i's... indeed we have enjoyed your wonderfully sweet spirit in our home.  You have been such a content baby, so peaceful and snuggly.  I love to nestle in and just wrap all around you, enveloping you into me.  

I often reflect upon the day you were born... a miracle is the only way to describe that early morning.  The experience more and more amazing to me as time passes.  The fact that your life was saved by your father in the first few seconds of your coming to this world is a continual reminder that God's power and will is stronger than ours.  You must have a divine mission here sweet Kaia.  I look forward to your years ahead to witness all that your individual path will bring.  Thank you for choosing me as your mom, I'm honored every day!

Labor Day

As Kirra and I snuggled in bed tonight, she asked me, "What is Labor Day"... I thought about it for a minute... "I actually don't know"... All I could think about was labor, like child labor.  It couldn't possibly be a day to celebrate labor.  And if it was, why have I not been thrown a major Labor day party.  Heck it should be better than my birthday: four kids x 9 months = 36 months of labor preparation, then the actual labor - we're not even goin' there right now, and then labor recovery which includes losing all the weight gained preparing for labor.  RAND... are you reading this??  Monday is Labor day, have you purchased all my presents?  Have you made dinner reservations?  Get to it... you only have a few more days!!

It was late when she asked me the question... and it's even later as I type this blog entry.  So know that you are on a random ride with me... I'll carry on -  

I figured I better get a smart answer for Kirra by morning.  So I got smartened by good 'ol Wikipedia to find way too much history talk and then finally the cliff notes.  The cliff notes contained the simple answer, well there were three simple answers:

#1. A symbolic end of summer.
#2. The last day when you can fashionably wear white and be socially accepted by the fashion police.  And if you wear white after this day, you could get a ticket.  {I wear white all year long, but I am a little rebellious like that.}
#3. Marks the beginning of the NFL and college football season.

Who knew? 

Hmmm, which answer should I give her in the morning?  I'm feelin' real tempted to go with my original LABOR day thought.  Sounds to me like the Packer kids are throwing their mom a Labor Day party.  {Figure I'll never be able to talk Rand into this idea, but the kids...yep they'll go for it!!}  Stay tuned for details!  I'm getting excited and I'm thinkin' I'll make me a massage appointment for first thing Monday morning!

Happy almost Labor Day to meeeee... Happy almost Labor Day to meee...

A boy named REEF turns THREE

Reef... HAPPY 3rd BIRTHDAY!! 

Today we looked at you and you really did look bigger

no longer a baby,

like a little young man. 

I think it's mainly because you ditched the paci two days ago.  Like cold-turkey ditched.  Amazing, you seriously couldn't get that thing out of your mouth before two days ago.  Here's how the paci days ended... You often would talk with the paci in your mouth and it drove me absolutely a little crazy so I yanked softly pulled it out of your mouth and threw set it aside and that was it, the end of the paci, never to be seen again.  And you handled it like a champion, asked for it a couple times, but really you grasped this no paci thing and you're ready to be a big boy... and big boys don't have paci's.  Nope, no way!

Reef, you are the BEST boy I have ever known {next to your super fabulous dad of course}. 

You are everything cool and adorable.  I never knew a small little guy could have so much style all his own... but boy you got it!  You light up our days and you are adored.  You are sweet and sensitive, you're obedient and funny.  Your sisters pamper and spoil you and your love for them is genuine and incredible.  We absolutely feel blessed and so fortunate to have you in our "club". 

Reef we love you THIS MUCH!!!

I can't wait for the year ahead.  I see many days of batman, paint, dirt, tricycling, swinging, funny songs and stories, trains and lots of yummy things to eat in our future. 

our new friends... by mekena

monday at mid night my moms best friend from college came with her family.the next day kirra and i played with jessica all day [ our friends names are jessica and brian]. we had a tea party, played in the lake, and lots more. but hears the bad part; they are leaving tomarow. so we are planing to have a great day today. good  bye my friends.

Because they're funny like that...

Mekena:
"How does an egg make a flower?" asks Mekena
"I'm not sure Mekena" answers mommy
"Eggsactly, I don't know either"

Kirra:
"Mommy, are toots brown?"
I just laughed and then actually pondered the question.  Oh dear.

... wanna good laugh, head to the Packers house.  Kids are hilarious.