Well Played

Bennett's new favorite thing to do is climb, and quite frankly he's really good at it.  He's pretty stealth like in his maneuvering.  You turn your head for two seconds and he's sitting at the kitchen table holding your full cup of water in his shaky little hands.  That'll make you move quickly, believe me.  I got the below sequence of pictures the other day and I thought they were kind of funny.  He starts out all sweet and innocent playing with his truck, and then boom like a lightbulb went off he decides to climb up on the table.  The third picture you can see the "are you talking to me look" as I was telling him to get down, and the 4th picture is him standing on the table with a shit eatin' grin on his face as if to tell me "nice try lady but I'm the king of this castle."  All I have to say is "Well played Bennett, well played.  You pulled this little stunt off in amazing lighting for my pictures so I let you do it…this time".

Rookie Mistake

First off…Happy Valentine's Day!  Valentine's Day is not huge in my book, although today was pretty good.  I was sitting at the counter this morning and Nolan walked down and said "Mom, is today Valentine's Day?"  I said, "yep it sure is".  He responded with "Yeahhhh, Happy Valentine's Day…I Love You Mommy".  Now, tell me that isn't precious!  You can't can you?  I rewarded him with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Legos and a Light Saber.  What can I say cuteness gets rewarded in this house.  Bennett's present is still sitting unwrapped on the table as I write this.  Coincidence?

Anyway, Nolan had his party at school today.  And he was all pumped up.  Last year he came home and told me it was a "girl party", but he obviously has forgotten that aspect in a years time.  So we were embracing the Valentine tradition and set out to make our Valentine cards last night.  My "friend" Michelle made fun of me for making homemade cards and said I would be the only one who made them as oppossed to buying the box for $1.99.  She was right.  BUT I can't lie, Nolan loved the cards and so did the other kids (boys mainly).  There was actually jumping and screaming involved when one kid opened his (insert pat on back).  So take that Michelle.  Here are the cards we made, I give all credit to Pinterest…

So you might be wondering about my "Rookie Mistake".  Well you see, I thought it would be a good idea to have Nolan sign all of the Valentines.  We got about 4 deep and he was D-O-N-E.  And quite honestly, so was I!  Who knew writing your name a few times would be such a task.  Next year I think we need to start a few days in advance and do 3-4 a night.  Poor Bennett, when it comes time for him to start signing cards we will have to start in like June with his long name.  I'm naming my next kid "O"…just "O".  It's easy and fast.  

I did go to Nolan's party today.  Nothing special, decorated some boxes, handed out Valentines, played a game and ate a snack.  And guess what?  I didn't even bring a camera!  Do you know how proud I was of myself?  Decided to enjoy the party instead of fretting over pictures this time.  Truly liberating.  Although I did snap a few with my phone.  #oldhabitsdiehard

And tonight Chad and I are headed out on the town for a little dinner and dancing…okay maybe just dinner.  We are so romantic I can't even stand it.  

Cool Cats

I have a very close group of friends.  Most of the members of our little crew I have been friends with since high school.  I know, crazy right?  I'll try and spare you all the details of our little Soap Opera but in a nutshell I married one of the guys in the group, my friend Kim married one of the guys in the group and then the rest of the group is basically made up of the girls and husbands they brought in from the outside (gasp).  Most of our other guy friends have moved away, probably to escape us honestly,...Except Mr. Riffee.  Mr. Riffee was bold enough to stick around AND bring a girl into our group.  HE HAS GUTS.  I'm sure he was nervous because girls can be vicious (except me I'm nice to everyone), but he went with it and we are so glad he did.  Amanda is perfect for him and she's a perfect addition to our group.  Besides the fact that she constantly reminds us how much younger she is than us, she's a cool cat.  So put two cool cats together and what do you get?  Cool kids!  Well, I guess there is just one cool kid currently but there is one more cookin'!   Owen is going to be a big brother soon so we thought we should document with some pictures. Hope you enjoy, next time they are on the blog little Jude will be the star of the show!

50% Solution

The other day it snowed for about a hot second…actually a cold second I guess but not sure that would make sense?  It was short lived lets just say that.  Of course I see this as an opportunity to go outside and take pictures play with the kids.  So we bundled them up and out we went.  Turns out we are at about a 50% solution in this household when it comes to liking snow.  One kid likes it, one...not so much.  Bennett literally could not even stand, let alone walk, in the boots that we had for him.  In the living room he just kept falling over, while funny yes, I knew it would mean his time outside would be limited and we would need to act fast.  I just didn't realize exactly how fast I would need to act!

Here is proof that Bennett actually made it outside, and touched the snow.  This is it folks, soak it in.

And here is the kiddo that was dressed totally inappropriately for rolling in the snow, yet kept rolling in the snow.  Yes, he's wearing jeans.  Go ahead, call the Division of Family Services.  We don't have snow bibs.  Please see paragraph above, this snow was very short lived we had to seize the day while we could.  He just kept running, and falling, and rolling and saying "this is so fun Mom, this is so fun."  Ahhh, the little things in life.

And this is where you could find Bennett.  Standing at the door screaming while he watched Nolan roll around in the snow.  Maybe next year B.  Who knows, maybe I'll even spring for some boots that fit!

My Favorite

Dear Nolan, 

Today you are my favorite because as we were dancing around the kitchen you said and I quote 

"Mom, you're really shaking your TINY hiney".  

Love,

Mom

(I think he really emphasized the TINY, just sayin)

Dear Bennett,

Today you are my favorite because you were extra cuddly and actually let me read you those books that you usually just throw.  

Love,

Mom

New addition:  Bennett you are also my favorite today because you just went upstairs by yourself and stood by your bed with your blanket for a nap!