Bored photo shoot

First hand written notes

After putting the boys to bed tonight, Jake came out. He had already been out once and used the bathroom. Then a second time to ask for a piece of paper and pencil. So, I was frustrated when I saw him again. Especially because we let them stay up late tonight. However, this time he came out with a personal note for me and Jon. My heart just melted. Love you Jake. 

Getting so big

Littlest you are getting too big for a mama's heart to handle. if someone were to ask you, you say you are six. Big bros age, but you act like a twenty one year old!! You are a little guy, with a big personality. You always have a lot to say..... Often. You are my biggest backseat driver. You know what you want and when you want it. Let's just say, I don't worry about bullies with you. You are too funny and you don't even mean to be. You are as tough and as cute as they come. You can already drive a car and do three point turns (power wheels). You fall down and don't even flinch. So tough. And yet, you are my snuggler who gives me the most kisses and hugs, I eat it up. I just cannot take how much you have grown and learned this past year. One day, you will be someone's boss Kev. In the meantime, you stuck with me monkey. Love you little boss man!! 

Medium boy. You are a piece of work lately. I am the luckiest mama to have you. You are our piece of work! Lately, you like to get up in the middle of night and well... Just hang out. Mama doesn't hang out at 2am. Mama gets grumpy. So, we have had our moments lately. You remain the sweet, gentle spirit you always have been while gaining a toughness too. Your sense of humor is amazing. You make me and your brothers laugh each day. Your eyes and smile can make a heart just stop in its tracks and melt. At this moment, you are struggling with a few things and are becoming a very brave boy. Out of all three boys.... You still let me rock you. You are the first to check on me if I get hurt or say, bless you mom. Thank you for that!! You love being a big boy and everything that it entails. Lately, you try and,"read," things after Jake does. I love it! Your love of music and dancing continues to grow. You told me today that ,"dancing is my favwit (favorite)." We love dancing together. So, blessed to have a fellow music lover. Lucky mama! Love you my sweet sweet boy.

Biggest, you are old. Six looks good on you, let me tell ya. You are such a kind, thoughtful boy. Your always thinking too. I can always see that mind working. You sir, will cure cancer I'm sure of it. You attempt to be a major multitasker. I do believe one day it will work, but at your age it looks like a Hansel and Grettle trail of Jake projects. I love your enthusiasm for learning and doing. You love projects and lately learning to read. One of my favorite things, is overhearing you in the hall while you read in bed at night. So sweet. You are incredibly social and love others. Everyone is still your best friend, which can cause your sensitive heart to break easily. You truly don't understand meanness and cannot see it coming. Stay that way! You love God and trust him already. You don't kiss and hug as much these days... But I steal them everyday from you and when you give them out.... Boy are they priceless. I'm proud of the boy you have become and can't wait to see more. Love you.

Visit from the Girls

Abby and Edie are visiting Jersey while Thomas is traveling and we couldn't be more thrilled! Abby always brings happiness and now so does little precious Edie. She is the sweetest, cutest little girl. Here are a few pics of Abs visit so far. 

Happy St. Paddy's

Every year we bring in St. Paddy's day by reading he book, The Night Before St. Patricks Day. Afterwards, we create leprechaun traps and set them up the night before. We have yet to catch a wee man, but he has left us gold... Lucky charms and last year we even got green milk! Jake loves it and this year Will got into it too. Kev still doesn't really get it, but he had fun. This year, we decided to have some friends over to join us in our tradition and eat some yummy green snacks too. I think they had fun! So, here we are night before... Traps are set... Wish us luck!! 

Picture update

Daddy's little helpers

I wish it were summer day for Wills school

Neighborhood Fun

Messy fun with friends 

Williams first dental check up. He did great! Jake was an awesome big brother and was such a good role model too.

Fighting my winter discontent

I I struggle with discontentment. Mostly in my home. I have a beautiful, wonderful home that I feel blessed to have. However, I'm always tweaking, redesigning and changing it up. It is partially because I love projects and decorating, but it is also because I struggle just being content. I don't enjoy sitting still for too long. I love playing with and teaching my boys and I also enjoy domestic things like cleaning and taking care of my house. But, something about house projects feels like, "this is a ME thing." So much of my job right now involves my family's needs and I have learned to be more patient with house projects and I have learned to focus on the important things in life. When I focus on what really matters... Paint colors, furniture arrangements and untidiness are completely off of my mind.... 

However, like I said I DO like house projects and I LOVE painting. So, being stuck in the house this winter has been trying for me. I have already cleaned out some old clothes to donate, rearranged the family room, rotated my dining room table, recaulked the baseboards... And cleaned, cleaned, cleaned. So, I needed something fun!! 

I've always wanted to improve out entryway and have pinned a million different looks on Pinterest. They all involved some sort of molding. I then began researching DIY molding and inexpensive options. I then came upon,"board and batten." I LOVED IT. After saving a wee bit from my budget.. We did it! We spent less than $100 including paint! It looks beautiful. My hubbs did all the cutting and placing of boards. I did the caulking and painting. It looks awesome! Of course.... I already want to do it up the stairs and in the upstairs hallway!! Discontentment... See!!! For now, I am going to save some more mula and enjoy my foyer!!! Love board and batten!!! Take a look at the before and afters...

Keeping busy

It has been soo cold around here. We are definitely ready for spring. These boys need sunshine and open spaces! Thankfully, they like playing in the snow. Personally, I have been feeling a case of cabin fever! This usually results in me over cleaning and some sort of a project. (Stay tuned... Project is in the works) I have never been one to sit around. I have a hard time relaxing typically. Completing projects and being active actually make me feel more content than sitting stil. Something about the winter makes me feel more cooped up than usual. Our boys are...Well.. Active... And they need to get energy out. So, spring can't come soon enough. In the meantime, we are staying busy and trying to be creative inside. We have had lots of jump city (all pillows off the couch, jump session), dance parties, running races, car races, crafts... My mommy creativity is running low. Yesterday, Kevin and I just stared at each other... Which caused us to laugh... And it became a game... Stare and laugh game. It's getting desperate people! Here are a few recent pics. 

Daddy's birthday! We do a birthday breakfast for the birthday boy and daddy's was superman themed.

Jake has resorted to creating long "movies" here he is setting up one of his scenes. Oh, and we are robe people.... Lots of time in our robes lately!

Neighbor snow ball fight.