ch-ch-ch-changes!

the week before last was a big week over here in the land of tiny people.  we took the bedrails off the boys’ beds (because they broke and I was sick of looking at them!) and . . . Sister made a big ole jump—literally—from baby to Big Girl!  We wrapped up her pacis, gave them away, and transitioned her to a big girl bed after she launched herself (multiple times) out of her crib!

Big Brothers are always very helpful when it comes to carrying heavy objects . . . unless, of course, they knock you in the head!

We had a great time last week celebrating Uncle Brett’s birthday!  Our kids adore him, and ask to be with their Uncle Bretty all of the time.  It is so sweet and such a tribute to what a wonderful uncle and friend he is to us!  And, what a better way to celebrate the big ole 3-2 than to go bowling?!

Hudsey and Uncle Bubbles having some fun!

We also had some interesting activity this week . . . FIRST:  this happened, and I do not want to talk about it . . . other than to say that the child who did this had to push a chair over to a tall piece of furniture and scale it in order to get the Sharpie into his hands.  I may also add that this was not his first offense.  (this is our iPad, which was a Christmas gift!)

Second:  Our first tiny friend, Tiny Duck, has resurfaced, and we are having trouble remembering life without him/her/it!

Third:  The boys have started “fridge races” where they race the very short distance from the cabinets to our fridge.  I have no idea why, but this is not a quite or calm activity during meal prep!

And, finally, it was brought to my attention by both the boys’ teacher and the boys themselves that they need their own lunch bags for Lunch Bunch at school.  It appears that sharing a bag and taking turns unzipping it is just too much to handle in life, so I grabbed our boring black insulated bags and whipped up some nametags . . . and onward these happy boys went!  Disaster averted . . . I think . . .

And, we have had two days of gorgeous weather around here, so we headed to the park!  It was so fun!  William seems to love helping out his younger friends, and it is very sweet!

  

hold on, jakey boy!

And, last but not least, it is Friday!  We made it!  So, do a silly face and have a party . . . the weekend has arrived!

  

Happy Balentime’s Day!

we had a fun, sweet celebration of “balentimes day” . . . the boys’ exchanged valentines with the other kiddies in their class for the first time this  year, so there was lots of excitement and preparation for that . . .

Huds felt puny last Friday, so we took that as an opportunity to do some painting . . . we made quite a mess (paint was in William’s hair, on the chandelier, all over our clothes despite our smocks, and on tables and chairs and faces and hands) but we had a good time together.  I was reminded of why I don’t do crafts all of the time with my kids . . . but we loved working together, and I loved seeing them paint!

their teacher asked that they write their name on each Valentine.  It was a lot of work and they had some help, but they did a great job!

I love this one . . . William’s name is written backwords!

We wanted to give our littles a special treat to start their morning, and they were THRILLED to find that Daddy had left them these treasures . . . They took turns sitting in my lap as I read their notes to each of them.  It was such a sweet time.  They were so excited and so proud—It was a definite highlight for me of the day!

If you ask Anna what she did on Balentimes Day, she will tell you that she went with Jakey to The Pharmacy for a yummy breakfast of a big pancake! 

While that is true, there were some other special people there, too! (and Sugie, who was our photographer!)  We love having Granddaddy and GranSue close by!  What a special treat for us all! 

Anna and Jake crack me up in this picture!

 

And, we had an impromptu “fancy dinner” on Valentine’s night . . . complete with left over food and snacks from the day (goldfish, bagels, apple sauce) . . . when you add candles to the mix, it really doesn’t matter what you are eating or if you are wearing your pjs!  As soon as we lit the candles, Anna started belting out “Happy Birt-Day to YOU!” . . . so adorable!  This morning, Hudson looked at me and said:  “Mommy, we had a really fancy dinner last night.”  It was so sweet and such fun!

from Little Miss ‘Parkle Heart to you, a great big cheeeeeese and a squeeze . . . and feel free to join us for a fancy dinner anytime!

{a belated} happy GiGi!

about a month ago, we loaded up our car for a wild and crazy road trip!  we traveled a whole three-ish hours north to celebrate our beloved GiGi’s birthday!

our littles squeezed in a car nap, which was a must for the party that we had ahead of us that night!

you see, our GiGi turned 90, and we wouldn’t miss celebrating with her for the world!

we had a great time with the family—especially the California cousins and big girl Maggie, who was quite prepared and entertaining!

Anna loved being with her good friend, GiGi, who she still calls on the (pre)‘tend phone as often as possible!

Sister even got in a good squeeze with her Daddy!

we had our first family hotel stay while we were there, and it was thrilling for us all!

 

these three hit up the pool before we hit the road to head home!

something about this picture makes us think Hudson looks like he is about to start college . . . it is so funny!

And, after lots of celebrating and fun, this little Miss was ready for a snooze!

GiGi, we love you and are so very thankful for you!  Congratulations on 90 wonderful years!  We were thrilled to be able to celebrate with you!  Happy, Happy Birthday to our sweet GiGi!

this week . . .

because my family loves me and we have wonderful grandparents who love helping with our kids . . . and, because, you don’t have to ask me twice to go to NYC to be with friends, I headed up for a big adventure last weekend.  my traveling was less than pleasant, but once I got there, all was well with the world!  I loved spending time with great friends . . .

. . . and celebrating “Owlie’s” fabulous new apartment!  One day, I was sitting on this sofa drinking my organic juice . . .

. . . and the next thing I know, I am back in Virginia for less than an hour, and this is happening all around me!

my big city adventure came to a close, and I was met with lots of back-to-reality adventure this week within my own life . . .

we made it through monday without much more than an overturned grocery cart that landed three kids on the floor of Kroger . . . but, tuesday held some true chaos for us . . . after discussing that there was no blanket to be found in the top of their closet, the boys decided to ignore my wisdom and climb up their closet anyway, and piggy banks and treasures came crashing down!  It was sad and traumatic for those boys.

Anna had given her pacis up to a baby-girl friend of hers, and she was not napping (as can be expected).  However, Sister also hopped on out of her crib.  That is right, this child gave up her pacis and also began climbing out of her crib all in about 10 minutes.  I thought my freedom was disappearing before my eyes.  We threatened her with reminders of broken collar bones, and after 4 jumps out and some discipline, she stayed in her crib.  Wednesday was her first day napping in her crib without her pacis . . . and, as is true with every big girl, all a girl needs to make her happy is a cupcake with ‘prinkles on it!

We even sang “Good Job to YOU” (to the popular tune of Happy Birthday)

She was quite proud and quite excited!

Also this week, Sister was bitten at school.  She did not cry, but I almost did . . .

someone tied himself up in knots . . .

and claims he “sees land” up in the skies . . . {dear Jesus, thank you for warmer weather and a yard that my children love.  thank you, thank you, thank you.}

. . . as for me, I feel like I’ve been “swinging” by the seat of my pants these days.  It’s Thursday and I am one tired mama.  Bring on the weekend.  Bring it on.

More soon!  {and follow me on instagram for more frequent photos!  @shannonreppard}