Ask and Ye Shall Receive.

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One year ago: The Tale of Tuesday Past.
Two years ago: Chew on This.

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So I had a moment of mommy self doubt the other day when my friend Erin posted her son's awesome drawings. Are my kids supposed to be doing this??? My kids make nonsense! Casey can (sort-of-kind-of) write a few letters, but people? No way!!!

I put it out of my head for a while, until this morning when they were sitting at the table with pencils and paper scribbling away. I asked them to explain their drawings to me and, as usual, was given very elaborate descriptions involving dragons and forests and magical do-da-dids. But still... it was really just a violent mess of chicken scratch.

So, I asked them to each draw me a picture of a person.

And, wouldn't you know?

They did.

Casey drew his best friend, Merrick. With a dragon, of course.

I have been assured the dragon is NOT violent.

Jonathan drew his Uncle Jeremy. Who, for the record, does not wear glasses.

(The beard is my favorite part.)

Occasionally I Reach 'Cool Mom' Status. But Don't Worry, It Never Lasts Long.

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One year ago: Nom Nom Nom
Two years ago: Happy Birthday Hubs! (...again)

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Coloring the front door with our neighbors.
Who are moving across the country tomorrow.
Which is not helping my mood.

Somber Monday.

Having a child is surely the most beautifully
irrational act that two people in love can commit.

- Bill Cosby

I'm still mourning the fact that my baby is one. And [as crazy as I know it must sound], the fact that we haven't been able to get pregnant again.

Yes, yes... it will come with time. But in this moment, I am sad.

Ten Going Ons... Divided By Two.

1. One of hubbies animations made it onto a billboard! Actually, several billboards. This one is a funky electronic thing, so it doesn't come out well on film. Bwahahaha. I said 'film'. Well, you know what I meant, but if my kids look back and read this post, I suspect they'll be scratching their heads.

If you want to take a peek at the actual animation, it's here. It runs on television in central Florida, so if you're local you may have already seen it. (we have nothing to do with the company, please don't construe this as a promotion). The project was a fun change for Wesley, since he mostly does technically driven accident recreations and architectural/structural renderings for trial. (okay, that one was a shameless plug.)

2. My costume desensitization plan is working brilliantly.

My laundry folding plan has hit some roadblocks.

3. I took the three boys and my friends' twins to Animal Kingdom. All. By. My. Self. (okay, their parents met me out there in the afternoon... but the whole morning was totally me.)

Kind of makes my anxiety about the zoo seem a little bit silly, huh? Would you believe tourists stopped us and asked to take pictures? I guess a single gal pushing a teaming quad stroller isn't a common occurrence for most people.

4. I gave my kids a bath. They smelled really bad and were starting to itch, so I figured it was about time.

5. I attended a Wendy's event. I wouldn't mention it, except I love this picture of Angie and me and now I have an excuse to post it here for you to fawn over.

Please note, despite what I wrote in point number three about being a single gal, and despite the fact that my hubby may or may not at some point this year be ditching me for THREE (3!) days to go on a special boys' adventure, I am in fact happily married. So is Angie. Feel free to gaze longingly at the picture, though.

Happy Birthday, Baby! (((SOB)))

I cannot believe it's already been a whole year.
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Photo credits: Sarah Bray & Jessica Regan

I Heart Nerds.

...but not laundry

Butt, It's Just SO Cute!

I Think I'm Getting a Little Better at the Self-Timer. Or Not. But, At Least I'm Trying.

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One year ago: Lazy or Practical? ...You Decide.
Two years ago: Trotwood Park

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We visited the park yesterday for 'Stories and Puppets in the Park.' It's a series our local library is doing while the meeting room is being used for early voting. Total bust. Rather than convene under one of the empty pavilions, they set up about seven or so feet from the jungle gym. Because, you know, a story about creeping caterpillars that you can barely hear over throngs of screaming children is WAY more interesting than say, a JUNGLE GYM. Yeh, so. Total bust.

No biggy though, we wandered over to the lake to throw rocks and hunt for alligators. I decided to play with the self-timer on my camera in hopes of capturing something worthy of taping to the fridge. I got a couple good shots. And then I also got this:

you're welcome.

We're Here. And There.

Happy Birthday Hubs. Thanks For Being an Awesome Dude.

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One year ago: Flashback Friday! The October Edition.
Two years ago: ...In My Birthday Suit for Daddy's Party!

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Date lunch. We do it up klassy style.

What's Big Round and Orange All Over?

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One year ago: Practicing for the New Baby!
Two years ago: It was Good While It Lasted.

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It's October. I know this because my patio door is wide open and the air conditioning unit is silent. Also, I had pumpkin soup for breakfast, and Saturday is Wesley's birthday. Deductive reasoning and all that.

We hit the pumpkin patch yesterday. It's something I truly look forward to every year. I think I enjoy the pumpkin patch more than the kids. And that's really saying something, because they love it.

Brusha Brusha Brusha!

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One year ago: A Tribute to Friends... New and Old!
Two years ago: Moody Monday

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So, the older boys had their first trip to the dentist yesterday. Now, don't go thinking we're amazing parents or anything ridiculous. We only took them because Jonathan had a suspicious sumthingorother going on with his tooth. (And we finally have dental insurance.) Had those two stars not collided I would have blissfully ignored my kids dental health for several more years.

To say I was nervous about the appointments would be an epic understatement. Amazingly (AMAZINGLY) they were angels. It doesn't hurt, though, that the dentist and his staff were (clearly) voo-doo snake-charmers.

Seriously. No one cried. NO ONE. Not even a whine or a whimper.

And, *Major Bonus*? Nothing wrong with Jonathan's tooth.

Phew.

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If you're in the central Florida area and your kiddos need a dentist, check out Dr. King at Dentistry for Children. He and his staff were really and truly fantastic. Snake charmers, indeed. But, don't worry, I paid for it the rest of the day.

Ready or Ready, Halloween... Here We Come!

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One year ago: Manic Monday... The Klassy Parenting Edition.

Two years ago: Would You Like Some Raspberries With Your Burrito?

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dear mom, you suck.

You may recall that Halloween last year was kind of an unmitigated bust. Between the heat, the mosquitoes, the infant, the c-section and the completely and utterly uncooperative toddlers, it was NO. FUN. AT. ALL. This year I am absolutely determined to have a good time. We will ALL have a good time. Seriously. I don't care if they hate it.

...er, I mean. You know. It will be fun.

Anyway, in preparation of the big day, and in anticipation of their not wanting to wear costumes, I pulled out my big box of dress-up clothes. At first everyone was coming from a place of NO --- but eventually, after looking at all the fabulous animal outfits, I snagged them. And I'll be damned if we didn't have loads of fun!

It's Fishing Season Again!

Reeling it in like an old pro. Kind of because he IS.

Yep. That's how it's done, folks.

Jonathan's first catch!!! He's totally not into holding the line, though.

Casey will touch anything. Seriously. And, gross.

Hmmmm... still not so sure.

Yay! So brave!!! And, gross.

Stephen took the moment when no one was looking to steal a big boy snack.
Good job, buddy. Enjoy your spoils.

Getting Out of Town

Earlier this week I took the boys to spend a night with Wesley's parents in Gainesville. Go Gators!

Casey didn't waste any time getting Uncle Jeremy to the computer to play the dinosaur game. No, I have no idea what the game actually is. Yes, it's probably not preschool appropriate. No, I don't care what you think about it.

A quick meal on Grandma Mimi's beloved tray tables. It's amazing how yummy their carrots and applesauce suddenly became when we said they could play outside with flashlights if they finished all their dinner!

We all cozied in together. My intentions were to sleep on the floor, but I just couldn't resist cuddling up with Casey when he gave me those big puppy dog eyes and asked me to 'sweep wif him for just tonight.'

Of COURSE everyone was up bright and early! There are dinosaurs to inspect! (And I have no idea what my father-in-law is holding, but I can assure you it's not a gun. I don't think? No, definitely not.)

The Oaks Mall has the coolest kids play area. And an amazing bathroom, complete with private nursing section for mamas. Not that I used it, since a certain little someone has taken to big boy drinks. I did get to peak at it as I walked to the changing table to deal with mr. big boy drink's exploding pants.

Nary a sippy was safe from mr. big boy drinks.

And no trip would be complete without sand and water play in Grandma's garden.