fairy-god-daughter

Kiera is my goddaughter, the youngest of 5 children.  She's 'not 3 anymore', she's 4 and I adore her.  She wears cute dresses and plays with action figures.  She doesn't take any sort of pushing around from anyone!  I love being her fairy-god-mother.

Let there be Peace on Earth...please!

I'm a pacifist, really, I am!  And yet I have these boys who LOVE military everything.  It is my greatest hope that they discover a way to live in peace with the world, but if not...they will be the most prepared soldiers our military has ever seen!

Selfish Baking

I love baking cut out cookies with the kids.  I love their creativity and enthusiasm for baking (and eating dough).  But, what I really love is baking by myself!  All the cookies are in order, moderate amount of sprinkles on each, no crooked stars, no headless snowmen.  The kids probably have it right, but I still like doing cut out cookies all by myself.

Scoliosis

The tree looked so perfect...while we were holding it up at The Farmer's Daughter.  So straight, so proportioned, so tall.  It wasn't until we got it into the stand that we realized our perfect tree has scoliosis...one severe bend in it's 'spine'.  No matter how we turn it, it still looks crooked.  No matter how we decorate it, it still looks crooked.  Next year we keep our eyes open for scoliosis

Compromise

What I would really love is a working fireplace.  A roaring, crackling fire to warm up our house, to cuddle near.  Instead, I have this.  It looks like a working fireplace, but alas, it is not.  If I invest hundreds of dollars I can have that roaring fire.  But, for now I can't use it to produce heat.  But I can make it so cute and cozy.  I have such fun decorating my little useless little fireplace and I love that it's the first thing my eyes fall on as I walk in the door.  Not a bad compromise after all.

Toes

I've always loved the little feet.  Baby toes are the most amazing things.  Those cute baby feet become little boy feet...still very cute and soft.  There is a moment when those cute little boy feet become big stinky gross boy feet.  Not so cute.  I'm glad these little toes sticking out from my covers are still cute and soft.  I'll miss them when they are gone.

Torture?

Homework is usually torturous for all involved.  Having 3 children with 'attention' or learning issues can make this time of day quite stressful.  One day last week I looked up from the kitchen and behold...they were working, independently and no one was crying or throwing pencils!  I believe there is hope for a future of homework without torture!

Bossy Santa

"Get ova hea!" commanded the bossy santa at the tree farm.  My unbelieving boys were slinking by, trying to avoid a photo with Santa.  He wasn't having it.  We have a cute picture and an appreciative mom who believes in the power of Santa!

How much is that puppy in the window?

This sweet dog cost me a fortune this week.  I'm soaking her incisions, administering antibiotics and weeping a bit when I look at my checkbook balance.  But she smiles and wags her tail, gives little nudges of love while staring fondly at me with those warm brown eyes.  Can I put a price tag on that?  

Piece of Cake

For 4 years I foster parented other people's teenage boys.  There were some challenging moments, but all in all it was pretty great.  I came into the adolescence of my child a bit cocky, feeling like this was going to be a piece of cake.  We are 2 years in and there is nothing 'piece of cake-ish' about it.  I daily remind myself that we love each other, that every other child and every other parent goes through this brutal phase of life.  I breathe in...and breathe out and remember that someday, we will celebrate the passage of this phase...by eating cake.  

Blast from the Past

College roommates who found each other on Facebook after 16 years without contact, only to find that we live in neighboring towns and have a million things in common.  It's the stuff of movies!  We celebrated Thanksgiving today - her family and mine.  Cindy's son Connor calls my kids his 'cousins'...which is as good as true.  This is family!

Weebalos

I'm not a very devoted Scouts mom.  I can never remember if it's a 'den' meeting or a 'pack' meeting.  The patches are ironed, not sewn onto the uniforms.  Nevertheless, I love the joy that these 2 get out of being in Scouts.  They love the achievements.  They love the shooting and archery.  Jack could live without the bugs.

34 Hours a Week

South High...where I spend my working hours.  I love this place and the people who spend their days here.  I gave staff flu shots this week and met some of the nicest people.  A woman who retired from teaching here and now works with student teachers here, a few 'cafeteria ladies', and aide that works one on one with very special needs children.  How lucky am I to be surrounded by people who devote their days to making someone else's day better?  So lucky

Bendy Boy

When we bought this house Eli and Jack were two and spent a lot of time hiding in sneaky little places.  This kitchen cabinet was a favorite.  It freaks me out...just a little...that at 9 1/2 years old, Eli still fits in it.  He's an uber bendy boy.

Brotherly Love

I know it's a big brother's right to torture the younger ones, but is it wrong to wish that he didn't look so happy while doing it?

Zack and Bobby

Zack became part of our family when he was in high school.  He has ALWAYS been such a gift to me.  It's been a tremendous joy to watch (from a distance these days) as he has grown into an amazing man, loving husband and very smitten dad.

When Life Hands You Boys...

...you have to just borrow girls!  I love being the mother of boys, but there is something so fun about having little girls around.  Ivy and Bella spent an hour today playing playdough, singing, giggling.  No one got shot.  Nothing exploded.  Nice change of pace!

El Tigre

Our little cat Tiger has brought such joy to our clan.  He was one of the kittens we rescued in June...the only one we kept.  Everyone loves his fun, sociable nature.  If anyone sits for a moment, the little purrer arrives to give some affection.  Who could say no to that?

The King of the Boys

Josh at 15 is the King of the Boys.  Eli, Jack and all of their friends think he's incredibly cool.  He knows so much about the most important things: music, tech decks, trick biking.  They clamor for his attention, to show him what they know.  In the world of boys, he is king.

Pack O Mustaches

Nothing like a brand new pack of mustaches to kick off our Tuesday morning!

Jack "The Hawk"

This photo of Jack was taken a few weeks ago.  It has been fantastic to watch him fall in love with soccer over the last few seasons.  He has a natural affinity for the sport and truly loves being on a team.  He laughs a lot and spends much of the game chatting with his teammates...and opponents!

Eli in Black

Eli has such specific clothing requirements...it's a short list.  Must be warm. Must be fuzzy on his skin.  Preferably black.  I found this sweatshirt at Old Navy.  It was a winner because it has 'fur' all the way down the sleeves.  It only came in Women's sizes, so I bought him an XS.  No shame in wearing women's clothing when it meets ALL of your criteria!