The Morning Was Going So Well...

There I was, admiring my sweet boy (even though he had sneaked into our bed during the wee hours of the night once again)...

He was still asleep and it was almost eight o'clock (- a personal record).

Then he woke up...and remembered.

Remembered that Daddy had left early that morning to go out of town...

Tears ensued.

Crocodile tears.

Then he remembered that yesterday was the last day of spring break and he had to go to school.

More tears and whines and "I don't want to go to school"s and "I want Daddy"s...

Poor kid.

After hugs and reasoning attempts and trying to coax him to get dressed, what started as a peaceful morning resulted in "If you don't stop crying and get ready, you will not be allowed to play Wii for the rest of day...maybe two days!"

He finally dried those tears and got moving. 

Amazing the power that the Wii has over a five-year-old boy.

Even more amazing?

The power that my five-year-old boy has over his mama.

May I Please Have S'more?

A Peeps S'more, that is...

This was actually our second round - they were that good. You can actually see the sugar in the kids' eyes! Has to be my new all-time favorite Easter picture.

And this one is a close runner up -

Of course, I'd snap the pic right as Rocket is licking his chops. I showed it to the kids, and they were cracking up. Crazy dog. 

Take two - 

That's better! (I can't believe he stayed still that long. It's true what they say, labs really start to calm down once they reach around two years old - thank goodness!)

*Hope you all had a hippity-hop-happy Easter!

LOVE.

It's that time of year when I take WAY too many pictures of tulips...

And there are even more where these came from...

I just can't help myself.

If Only Everyday Were Crazy Sock Day...

For this mama who can never seem to find matching socks (and swears the dryer eats them), it would make my life so much easier.

Bring on flip flop and sandal season!

Really...When Did They Get So Big?

I snapped this picture after our impromptu "First Day of Spring" party - almost two weeks ago. Two weeks? It's almost April? Where did March go? I swear, I can't keep up. 

And my kids? When did they get so big? Abby is going to be eight next month. 

EIGHT.

I can hardly wrap my head around it. 

My boy will turn six a few weeks later. 

SIX. 

It scares the bejeezus out of me. It's going too fast.

Lately, I have been a sentimental wreck. Not sure what exactly has prompted this, but even as I am typing away on this keyboard, tears are streaming down my cheeks...

(cue kiddo interruptions - composure regained)

Despite Abby's seven--year-old dramatic tendencies and Noah's complete disdain for any and all errands that don't involve getting ice cream, this is a fun age.

Just in the last few minutes, Abby has come in to show me a purse she is making out of construction paper - four different colors. I love her creativity. Her enthusiasm. Her new interest in American Idol that I DVR so we can cuddle up later to watch and fast forward the commercials. Her current obsession with the Diary of the Wimpy Kid series - too funny.

I love that my boy still likes to snuggle his mama and runs up to hug me when I come to help with Kid Writing on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  It's amazing to see how much he has progressed since the beginning of the year. I love that he wrote in his journal yesterday that it was "THE BEST DA EVR!" because his new friend was coming home from school with him.

We've had playdates coming out of our ears...oh, and there is talk of a sleepover. Her first sleepover. Not sure if I am ready for this, but she is over-the-moon excited.

At least, she will be just across the street. I should be able to handle that.

I think.

Signs of Spring and Moment Captured

After riding his bike (with no training wheels!) up and down the bike path a half dozen times, in all his short-sleeve shirt-wearing glory, he dropped his bike in the grass for just a few seconds... 

"This flower is for you, Mama."

Oh, that boy knows how to melt my heart.

Seuss Day Drama

All was well as the kiddos were eating their GREEN eggs and ham for breakfast this morning -

The Cat-in-the-Hat-a-thon was on in the living room so I have this bright idea -

"Hey! Do you guys want to be Thing 1 and Thing 2? I could cut out some paper circles and stick them on your shirt!"

"Yeah!"

"O-tay!"

 A few minutes later as Abby is picking up the Thing 1 circle - after all, she is the first born...

"NO! I want to be Thing 1!" Noah insists.

"Noah, but I'm the oldest!"

"You should be Thing 2. You are two years older than me!"

He does make a good argument, but...

"I was born first, Noah. You were born second."

Yep. She has a point.

"But Aaaaabby! You are two years older!"

I can see that there is no changing Noah's mind, and the clock is ticking away.

I look at Abby, "Since he is making a bigger fuss about it, would you just let him be Thing 1?"

Being the sweet big sister that she is (most of the time), she concedes.

 We have seven minutes to get in the car and get to the school before the bell rings when as we are walking out the door, Noah says,

"I don't want to wear it to school."

WHAT????

"Buddy, you just argued that you wanted to be Thing 1. We are running late, dude."

"But not for school. Just for home."

Seriously?

So now Abby wants to be Thing 1. I make the switch and put the Thing 2 circle on Noah's backpack.

"Is that good?"

"Yeah, that's good, Mom."

We get to school with thirty seconds to spare.

Geez louise. Really?

Sometimes I wonder what in the world I am thinking...