1 Preschooler + 1 Toddler + 1 Painting Furniture Project =

Guess who finished the project AFTER bedtime (and a good bath for the boys!)?

They sure had fun though!

 

This Floridian's New Favorite Part of Winter?

SPRING!!

For the first time, I planted bulbs (that doesn't work so well by the Everglades). And they bloomed!!!

 

 

 

You can spot the flower beds behind us as we dine alfresco :)

Veggies are no guarantee I'll use them ;), but flowers I will always appreciate!

 

They Better Not Expect an Allowance!

Cooking with Daddy

 

Not to be outdone, Gavin climbed up our stool on his own to help with the dishes.

"Seriously you two need some help in here!"

A lack of height didn't stop him!

 

Hope they still like helping in the kitchen at 13!

 

Three new things Gavin wants to show you

1. His new hair cut

 

2. He can ride his four-wheeler now

3. He figured out if he sticks out his tongue he gets a big laugh!

 

 

 

 

Doesn't look like they're over 2 years apart

Gavin now climbs up onto the couch by himself and sits right next to brother as they watch a show. He just became aware of television in the last couple of weeks. Yet another reason I'm glad we strongly censor Ethan's viewing choices! (Current obsession is British "Fireman Sam", highlight of his month was watching it WITH his idol, "Firefighter Suz").

 

New Sandbox for Spring!

 

 

 

 

 

I Blog To Save the Rainbows

Hear me out.

The forecasts for this stay at home mom's day are usually partly cloudy. Sun peeps through in small moments and occasionally there are days filled with thunderstorms and lightening. The pay offs come when the rainbows of parenting come out, rare fleeting and touching moments that takes my breath away.

I blog to remember and share these.

Years later, I'll remember vaguely this was "hard". Hopefully I'll forget how many days I had to go between a real shower, years without shutting a bathroom door for privacy, the uncertainty that I'm getting any of this parenting thing right, and the years, yes, YEARS straight without sleeping through a single night.

But as our children are grown, I hope to look back at these entries to remember the rainbows. The moments that made it all worth it.

After a long day, blogging is a moment of reflection. As the children are finally in bed, I sit and take a moment to remember a highlight from my day. It's a nice way to end with a smile.

But the days aren't all filled with smiles. I want those of you who share my journey to know that.

Today, I met two wonderful moms who are great friends and their kids at a playground. We each have kids Ethan's age and a younger sibling, who range from 20 months to 2 months.

An hour later, after a tousle under a play set, all three of us were dragging our crying oldest back to the cars. I had Gavin strapped in a carrier on my back and was carrying a crying and hollering Ethan in the front. I was quite the mule.

I had planned on getting a bite to eat out as we were out late and far from home. But, I forgot my purse.

Gavin hadn't his chance to play yet so I had two boys crying on the ride home.

Without dinner planned I threw in a frozen pizza.

And then the rainbows appeared.

 

Gavin tried for the first time, and LOVED, his first slice of pizza! (Big surprise that I waited that long right? ;)

And after taking off Gavin's pizza laden shirt and Ethan having more regulated blood sugar (another boy taking after his mama), Ethan gleefully got Gavin to giggle for him.

 

 

Those are the rainbows I want to be sure to save. Just wanted you to know, I admit there are plenty of storms too!