More adventures with Calvin.

Calvi has never been a great sleeper - the most difficult (by a long shot) of the four- but things have gotten a little interesting over the last few months. Calvin has gotten really creative with his sleeping arrangements...we're never sure what we're going to find when we go up to check on him before we go to bed.


That's his toybox. He keeps his stuffed animals in there so maybe it just looked really comfy...


This is under Talmage's bed. You see his superhero's scattered around - I just can't figure out why he went under there to begin with.


At least he stayed in the bed this time. Poor guy - he was pooped!


I guess he decided that if he couldn't sleep in the toybox with his "pets" then he would bring them all into bed with him.

The beginning of the end.

It's happening. Elisabeth is growing up. It's such a bittersweet time I just want to hang on to every moment. However, there are some definite signs that time is passing whether I want it to or not.

For the past month everytime I go to get her out of her crib she is standing at the side saying some baby version of "momma" - at least I think that's what she's saying :)

Her bottom two teeth have poked through - one more than the other so she looks like she should be nicknamed "one-tooth"

She crawled up the stairs for the first time - not my favorite phase!

Oh, I love this girl!!

Her favorite smile! (Yes, those are apple cores in her hands. Calvin [did you see the scavenger post?] loves to eat two or three apples at a time and leave his cores around...clearly El doesn't mind even if mom does :))

Scavenger...Part Two

Apparently, Calvin is working on perfecting his scavenging skills. It seems like everytime I walk into the kitchen I find evidence of a little two-year old forager everywhere I look. It's kind of like living with a really cute little rat. For example...

One day I got out of the shower to find Calvin in my room with - what else - a bowl of marshmallows!

I open my pantry to find three half-gone juice boxes!

Notice, he took one bite out of all twelve cookies!

Blah, Blah, Blah

A few weeks ago as we were walking Tal to school I was trying to convince Naomi that wearing a helmet was non-negotiable...

Mom: Naomi! If you do not get that helmet on your head right now you will NEVER ride your bike to school again!
Naomi: (Looking at me with absolute lack of concern and putting her hand up) Blah, Blah, Blah.
Mom: What? What! (Thinking: "No you didn't! You did NOT just "blah, blah, blah" me)

A few months ago:
Tal: Mom, did you know the Incredible Hulk has an uncle?
Mom: No, I didn't know that.
Tal: Yep! He's called the Incredible Sulk!

Apparently, I have Uncle Dustin to thank for the Incredible Sulk. One night when he was babysitting he came up with this story to warn against the consequences of whining...ha ha! I love it!

Wish I had a tape recorder

I wish I carried a tape recorder with me all the time. Mornings like this one, when Tal was in rare form, would be classic...

Tal: Where's Calvin?
Dad: Maybe he's still in bed?
Tal: No, I checked his bed.
Mom: Well maybe he's sneaking around. Did you teach him how to be sneaky?
Tal: Remember a year ago when I showed Calvin how to sneak out of his room? I guess I did teach him to be sneaky.
Mom: Well, I guess that's what brothers are for.
Tal: No, brothers are for taking care of you, helping you, being nice and teaching you how to do stuff...
Mom: (Internal Dialogue: Really? Whose kid is this?)

A few minutes later...
Mom: Tal, today we'll go to the book fair together and you can pick out a book.
Tal: Great. I'll use my money...remember my blue piggy bank.
Mom: That's okay Tal. I'll buy the books this time.
Tal: No Mom! I want to help!

And yet a few minutes later...
Tal: Mom, did you know the blue whale is way bigger than the leopluradon (a water dinosaur that Tal is obsessed with).
Mom: Wow.
Tal: Yeah, the blue whale is the biggest thing on earth. If you put a lady bug next to it it would be like 100thousand times bigger than it!

He's funny. You should hear him describe bats and spiders...I could listen for hours :)

Uncle Spencer

Andy's brother, Spencer just moved to Houston! Yay! He is great with the kids - and has quickly become the "fun" adult in the house. Which is really great for our kids - Andy and I have "fun" way down on our list of character traits.

Motherhood is.

Motherhood is.

Taking all 4 of your kids to the doctor's office. Having them throw themselves on the ground (repeatedly) during a tantrum, color on the bed, pull, hit and scream at every adult in sight, and smiling through it all as if you've got everything under control.

Getting your child out of her carseat only to realize she's covered from head to toe in poop.

While at the park trying to figure out the equation that will succesfully predict the exact moment you should leave - taking into account the amount of sleep they got for the last three nights, what and when they've eaten, if they're sick, and how hot/cold it is. Enabling you to maximize the fun while just escaping the inevitable meltdown that will occur if you stay to long.

"Going to the bathroom" on the airplane - just so you can sit and cry in private at how loud and disruptive your kids are being.

Motherhood is also.

Waking up in the night to cries that can only be comforted by you.

"I love you's", two-year old kisses, and sweet little hands that fit perfectly into yours.

Crying over every milestone and setback. Just because you feel so much of your childs triumphs and losses.

Saying I'm sorry (for the many mistakes I make) and realizing how completely my kids are willing to forgive me and love me still.

Halloween

Another Halloween has come and gone! We had a great time and the kids got enough candy to ensure a permanent sugar rush for the next three months. Luckily I have no problem helping them out in that department - maybe at the rate I'm going it'll be gone by week's end! I love Halloween!

It was all I could do to get them to sit still long enough for a picture!

Captain Hook

Wendy

Peter Pan...notice the candy already on it's way to his mouth?

Tinker Bell

On the way to the Ward Trunk or Treat!

The whole crew. Captain Hook, Peter Pan, Mr. Darling, Tiger Lilly, Tinker Bell and Wendy.

Wow! These two are having a good time!

The morning after...