Smells and Sounds

Smells & Sounds

I am not a sit around and do nothing all day kind of gal, but today is different.  Once again, it’s blazin’ hot outside.  While we were at the farm this morning at 8:30 the temp was already reading 86°.  I’m not interested in trying to play in 99° this afternoon.  By the way, if you were to ask me what I think the temperature of Hell is I would simply answer with 99°.  It seems to be the number Mother Nature is stuck on these days in the greater Chicagoland area.  My boys instantly want to come back inside the second they walk out the door and into the wall of  suffocating heat.  So, today we are staying in.  Opening new school supplies.  I am obsessed with the way a new box of crayons smell.  Doodling over anything that will accept a new coat of color.  Making endless trails of perfectly lined up Match Box cars.  I guarantee that the boys can make car noises for an hour straight without taking a breath.  We'll also be watching movies until our eyes pop out.  Without a doubt Cars and Cars 2 will be making appearances.  And, there might be a couple of batches of cookies in there somewhere.  The laundry is going to have to wait, and so are the dishes.  I’ll be drawing geometric shapes and quizzing my two and three year-olds if the vacuum calls wondering where I am.  

Movie Night.

Movie Night

My kids’ bedtime is 7:00 pm.  Not tonight.  They helped me harvest three pounds of lettuce from our garden this evening.  

So, popcorn and a movie it is for all their hard work.

Needless to say they squealed when I told them they could stay up late.

School's Out for Summer

School’s Out for Summer!

Michael’s last day of Pre-2 was today.  I snuck in for the first 15 minutes of the morning to snap some pics of our soon-to-be three year-old.  Geesh, that’s weird to say.  I was pleased that Michael didn’t pay me any attention.  In fact, he was so busy in a block build-off I don't think he even knew I was there.  

I can describe Michael’s year in one word: EVOLUTIONARY!  I know that between the ages of two and three kiddos change quite a bit.  But, our MLB started the year not saying a single word other than hi, and now he is life’s little commentator which has been a huge sigh of relief for me personally.  I was beyond worried on our first day of speech therapy, and what do ya know Michael simply needed a little bit of time to come into his own.  He knows all of his colors, can count to 17 and backwards from 12.  Can identify numbers 1-13 and half of the alphabet.  He’s a shape wizard (thank you iPad), and has mastered the tricycle.  He refuses to color inside the lines, which I think is a great characteristic trait.  And, I am pleased to report he was excited every single Monday and Friday to see William and I waiting for him on the other side of the glass door.  I hope to always remember those hugs.  He is very much looking forward to having playdates over the summer with all of the friends he made during the school year, and we are all anxious for Pre-3 in the fall.  Oh, and Mr. William will also be in school come September.  One kiddo in school every day of the week.  What I’m I going to do with all my spare time?!

Too Many Cooks in the Kitchen!

Too Many Cooks 
in the Kitchen!

Michael and William,

Today you asked me to make you pancakes for breakfast.  Actually, Michael you asked and William agreed with an “uh-huh!”  So, I retrieved all of the necessary ingredients and put them on the counter.  Mother Nature called so I made a quick trip to the bathroom, and returned to find this...

You both had pulled over stools and dug right into every ingredient I laid out.  I couldn't help but grab my camera, sit back and watch you work.  I could get used to this.  You both seem to enjoy being with me in the kitchen and that makes my heart smile.  William you are my official taste tester, and Michael, our professional mixer.  Needless to say I was cleaning up flour the entire time you were enjoying your flapjacks with extra syrup. 

I love you to the moon.

Mommy

Eighteen Years

Eighteen Years

Eighteen years ago I remember standing in my parents’ kitchen, anxiously watching my mother pace back and forth in labor with who was to be my first and only brother.  

Over the course of the last 18 years I have grown to love him more than I ever imagined or could begin to explain.  Our twelve year age difference proved to be one of the best things that ever happened to me.  I loved him the second he arrived.  I had the privilage of watching him be a tiny tot.  First steps and endless airplane rides.  He spent hundreds of hours in our high school gym as my number one fan at sporting events.  He cheered me on and memorized team rosters at the age of three.   He gave the best high fives after victories, and the sweetest hugs after losses.  He never complained when we dressed him up in girlie clothes for school projects.  He danced and knew the words to songs he shouldn’t have been listening to, but did because he had four older sisters.  He was a great travel buddy and weekend visitor later when I had moved away from home.  The roles were then reversed when his love for sports took up his time.  You could find me in the bleachers screaming at the top of my lungs and fetching him Gatorade.   And, now, he is an amazing young man with mountains of talent and a bright future ahead of him.  He is a phenomenal uncle to our boys and although we are not as close as we were when we were younger I hope he knows that I love him more than he could possibly understand.   

Happy Birthday, Mikey.  I love you more no matter what you say.  I love you more than a fat kid loves cake times infinity plus two no matter what you say.  Da Bears.  Go Cubbies.

Michael, I remember taking this picture and thinking I would share it with the world on your 18th birthday.  I just didn't know it would come so quickly.