It's the Little Things

Just when I was starting to feel even more guilty about the mood I've been in since Saturday (insert mental image of myself arguing with three year old daughter constantly throughout entire weekend) It dawned on me right before I would normally start sending everyone off to their beds that there was a bag of oreos in the cabinet, a picnic table on the deck and some amazing March weather outside.

View from our backyard

So I asked everyone six and under in the house, "Who wants to go outside to have cookies and play in your pajamas?" That was an easy sale. Everyone was out the door within thirty seconds while looking at me like I might have just lost my mind.

It's the little moments like this that seem to lift everyone's spirits a little higher. No one was fighting, not a soul was crying and I think all three children were actually playing together. I must make note to buy more oreos.

Photo Curtosy of photographer, Keaton

I have to wonder if we all might just think about everything a little too hard these days. I was talking to my mom about parenting advice last night and she acted pretty calm about the whole thing-she raised five capable children afterall so I usually ask her opinion. I think back to the days when I was little and what mattered most. What I remember were holidays, outings with my older brothers and sisters, family traditions and going to Grandma's house.

Since my mother can't even turn on a computer (or typewriter probably) I know she wasn't reading about what the other moms were doing, (no internet in the 80's either) asking people if her parenting method was correct or even discussing it with other moms-she was just doing what she felt was right.

How can a girl who looks like this ever be sassy?

All I can ask is that my daughter and I have the same relationship I have always
had with my mother. And just maybe if I'm lucky it can be an even better one.

Two days until Cameron turns 2. He is really starting to show his funny personality. And he totally broke the two cookie limit rule tonight. That's ok-it's birthday week and he knows it.

This child is one hard baby to photograph

I will be back later in the week with special birthday details and photos. Then its off to somewhere even warmer for a spring break trip adventure.

How have I not noticed this before? Oh right, I have three kids.

What are the little things you are enjoying right now?

What I Love Right Now

Everything seems a lot brighter when the winter snow melts away, when you see the first group of robins who have made their way back from the south, when you can open up those windows that have not felt fresh air since last October and when you can once again go outside without a jacket.

All of the above happened within the last few days. Awesome early spring weather brings freedom-getting outdoors, riding bikes, playing baseball in the yard and just simply enjoying all of the fresh air.

I love how Keaton is old enough now to play a competitive game of basketball. Game of Choice? HORSE which sometimes turns out to be PIG depending on time or my level of patience. He has his own March Madness going on in the driveway.

I love that Averie thinks this world is really just about ballerinas, crafts, baking cakes and dress up-her favorite three things in life right now. Because that is how childhood should be-no stress, just wondering about which doll to sit at the table for the next tea party.

I love this time of year-not only because of the spring weather but also because we have a special birthday we are preparing to celebrate in the next week. Cameron Patrick will be turning two. What a milestone this will be for him as well as our family.  We call him our little Irish boy-we are so lucky to have him. It's like he already knows his special birthday is coming because there is no hiding the smile on his face.

And brother knows that it's nice outside and he is not going to miss one minute enjoying it.

After I took this picture I thought to myself how one day my husband and I would look back on this very photo and miss 'the good old days' when all of our kids were little and making us laugh while also driving us crazy. These are the hold on to type of moments...

 Happy Early Spring~Wishing you many happy hold on to moments,

 Dena

 

February Fly By

There are two months of the year I dread: January & February.

But this year I was not going to let those two wintery cold and snowy Wisconsin months bring me down. Not this year. So I decided to make some plans in the hopes that the shortest but also longest month (February) would fly by. And it did.

We took off and packed ourselves plus three kids almost every weekend in February. I just might have overbooked a little too much adventure.

I find that I do this often. Make plans-especially for the weekends. This girl is big on creating memories.

We did that during a recent Wisconsin Badger Hockey Game...

We did that while trying to do a photo shoot to capture Cameron's 2nd year photo-yeah right, that boy will stop for nothing and runs immediately at the sign of my camera.

I will get this photo shoot done and we will have some great ones-that's still on my to-do list for now.

We created more memories by visiting family and celebrating birthdays. We celebrated birthdays in resturants, in waterpark hotels and even in a spa (kids not a part of the spa celebration). Because each birthday is special and deserves to be celebrated in a major way.

Last summer my husband and I spent hours packing for a Father's Day camping adventure with my sisters. It was very hot, not everyone was feeling well and I think all were sleep deprived. Needless to say after a weekend of swimming, hiking, roasting marshmallows and sleeping in tents was over I asked Keaton what his favorite part of the weekend was. His reply, "Seeing the racoon in the dumpster." So there you have it.

I don't think I have learned my lesson yet. Maybe we should try a few weekends at home with less packing, driving or plans and see what happens. I'll be sure to report back.

Top Stories of the Weekend:
1. Cameron is starting to say more words. He handed a doll to Averie and said Barbie.
2. Keaton practiced some serious basketball skills with cousin Ciara
3. Averie worked further perfecting her plie and other ballet moves as her life goal is to become a professional ballerina.
In her most recent spare time she can be found playing cars and trucks with her two brothers. Her car is the red one and everyone knows you don't mess with that.

And as for me? I didn't make any plans and I find myself a little. . .disapointed.

More Later,

Dena