S Club Mama

I wasn't sure about the premise of this book: an old lady takes a bus. Woohoo. However, despite my misconceptions, Harriet Beamer Takes the Bus took me by surprise. Harriet is a widow, for a few years, who has a tumble at Christmas. She takes a sucker's bet with her daughter-in-law: if her ankle is broken, she'll move in with Prudence and Henry, her son, in Calidofnia. If it's not broken, she can remain in her home in Philadelphia. The ankle was broken. The house went for sale and Harriet decided to move her own way - by taking public transportation as much as possible across the country, collecting salt and pepper shakers along the way. She comes to realize that her trip wasn't crazy (well, maybe) but that she needed to do it to move on with her life. To show her that she still has a few wonderful years left; that she's not being put out to pasture. The journey itself is awesome - something only from a novel. She rides buses, trains, a motorcycle, a he...

Oh my, how those precious bowed legs took me by surprise. I had 9 months to get ready but I wasn't prepared for the storm that was you. Grumpy doesn't begin to describe our first year together, son. But I think we grew on each other. You took my heart right along with your brother's and dad's. Definitely marching to the beat of your own drum. Those blue eyes just peering at you, watching your every move. Learning every second. The challenges of having you as a son, are nothing compared to the joy of being your mama. Seeing you push your limits, set new ones for yourself. I've learned your fears: being squirted with water, fireworks, and sometimes nothing at all to let go your infamous whine. And I'm always ready for a hug and cuddle. My favorite request of yours is "will you cuddle with me, Mommy?" Always. he didn't like the fireworks this year any better than last. It's getting har...

Moose and his birthday balloon! I tried to find a newer picture I hadn't used; apparently I don't take as many pictures as I used to and when I do, he is never looking at me. This weekend is the boys' Despicable Me family birthday party! I'm so excited. I'll post pictures later, but you can see where I borrowed the ideas from here .

Moose's first t-ball game! Moose's first hit at his game! Moose got home!!  The season was short (3 practices, 2 games), but he had fun. It was hot for him so he got upset quite a bit, especially at the games.  We'll see if this is what we do next summer. The boys learned that if you push Mommy's patience too far, you get to clean. So far, they have cleaned (started cleaning bc I know they can't really do it) the bathroom floor/tub (shown) and the dining room and kitchen floors. They do a pretty good job for 2 and 4/5. We were so blessed to be invited to go swimming with the Ayers family. They are missionaries at a seminary in Haiti and our church helps support them and some of their seminary students. Stacy's blog is such a blessing! I was so thrilled to meet her (for real as we've briefly met before).  Below is Squirt. He was real tired from swimming. Our little rogue garden has been struggling for lack...

I wasn't ready for this birthday.  It kind of snuck up on me.  But the day has come - I have a 5-year-old!!  I think this is the first big birthday milestone we've had. They really don't lie when they say that times flies when you're having fun.  Because these past 5 years have been a blast with you, Moose.  I love you, buddy! In these past 5 years, have you changed more or me? Moose about 1 month old. Moose almost 1-year-old. I almost forget how little hair he had. Moose almost 2-years-old! I also forget how much beautiful hair he had. Moose just turned 3-years-old and got his first (and only, so far) stitches. Moose as a 4-year-old. Moose on his last day of 4. 

Squirt has been a wiggle worm as long as I remember (I do have better video but I can't find it).  (excuse the high-pitched "badaba" from Moose. This was how he, long ago, asked to see himself in the video camera.) Mostly it doesn't bother me.  But lately it's been making our meal times last entirely too long! I don't give him too much food; in fact, I give him much less than I think he can eat so he's not trying to stuff himself. He likes (most of) the food, but is always looking at this or that, turning around in his chair or his stool, getting up to go potty (almost every meal, no joke), laughing at nothing - anything to distract from the task at hand. What to do? Anyone have any ideas? My only idea is to make a weighted blanket (with a liner on top for spills and such) to see if that would help. It's aggravating!

I officially rock at making homemade (baked) doughnuts! Well, at least me and the kids think so... and really, that's all that counts! Perhaps it was the great recipe/instructions I found on Pinterest.