"Sniff..Sniff..Sob"

So, I think someone got this whole school thing wrong. I feed them at all hours of the night, change a million diapers, teach them to feed themselves and potty-train and then just when they are self-sufficient, pleasant helpers, who are joys to be with, someone else gets them all day. Who's idea was this??????????? This handsome little man started Kindergarten today and yes I cried. (Actually I sobbed in the shower, but he didn't see that.) Despite my separation anxiety, Ben did great and kept telling me "Bye, Mom, Bye, Mom". True to Benjamin style, only the carrots came back in the lunch box, and he proudly wore the green bracelet for great behavior. He can't wait to go back tomorrow!

His buddy Spence made the transition smooth, as well as his fabulous teacher and aide. I really am so excited for him. We love the school and Benjamin is more than ready.

Jefferson also started Pre-K and I could just about eat him up this morning he looked so cute. He was so anxious to be like Ben and truck off to school. They are right down the hall from each other and he had a blast as well. He told me his favorite thing was recess! I can't believe he is so big.

I think the highlight of going to school for Jeff was these new shoes. He wears them all the time. I think he loves that there weren't Ben's or Noah's first. He loved having Avery in his class, although I think the whole Boy/Girl difference even takes precedence over playing with your cousin.

Lukey also had a great day and will thoroughly enjoy the next few months having "Wukey time" until the baby comes. We went to the library and to get a donut while the boys were gone. He loved every minute.

Now maybe I'll have time to post all our summer fun.

Worst Idea Ever?!

Indtroducing the "Belly-Up"

There have been a lot of great changes in maternity clothes in the last five years that I am enjoying, however this will definately NOT be one of them! Now your pants won't just slide down, but they will take your bra south with them...simply genius.

I wish someone would focus their energy on making great nursing bras. Any suggestions?

I'd Like to Declare My Independence...

from DIAPERS!!!! Yep, after five plus years of changing at least one little boy's diapers, if not two, we are done. This little guy decided, if you know Lukey you know it had to be his idea, to be done being a baby about two weeks ago. Thanks to Courtney's great tips, it was a relatively painless process (minus the first four days). I put away the training potty yesterday and it is official. Way to big a big guy Lukes.

Boys!

If you ask the boys where they left their shoes, often they will answer, "in the room where we fight". These videos are taken in that favorite spot in our new house. Growing up with just one sister, this wrestling thing is new to me, but the boys love it! At least they are learning teamwork. Can't wait till one more joins the crew. Welcome to a little piece of my life.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuUCRt-uf18
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHAE_iiMXUM


PS Garrett you can come join in anytime!

7th Honeymoon/ "Staycation"

Since we got married we have gone on at least one trip together each year. It has been a great tradition that I look forward to each time. This year, our seventh anniversary/honeymoon had to be spent within a reasonable distance of a hospitial and my beloved OBGYN, just in case, so we chose Scottsdale for the occasion.
The Montelucia. We've been lucky to stay at a few resorts in the valley, but this was by far the best one! It was so relaxing, quiet and gorgeous. It sits right next to Camelback and the view from the pools is incredible. Brian loved climbing Camelback in the morning and I loved sleeping in uninterupted. We layed out, ate out and were just generally lazy.

This was my favorite find of the weekend. We went to this restaurant for lunch and the Salmon was simply divine. Highly recommend the hotel and the restaurant.

For our actual anniversary last night we took the boys to Golden Spoon to celebrate the brithday of our family. They thought that was pretty cool.

Thanks to everyone who watched our kids and did such a great job that they didn't care if we even came back!

Happy seven years to my sweet husband who remembers all the good things about me even when lots of fun hormones get in the way. I love you babe and the wonderful life we have.

The Death Hours

Sometime between 5pm and the time my husband walks through the front door, motherhood becomes overwhelming. All the creative fun things I've planned for the day are done, the deep fatigue of the late night/early morning cocktail kick in, and I am spent. My half naked boys are left to their own devices playing machine guns with my heels in the closet and I shut the door to the not so tidy laundry room and contemplate whether PB&Js constitute a nutritious dinner if it is served on my homemade bread (at least its got some fiber!).
This isn't always the case, but between being pregnant, my weekly progesterone shot, which staves off the preterm labor and transforms me into a super emotional walking zombie for forty-eight hours, at least two days a week this is commonplace in my home right now.
Just felt the need to document, everyone tells me someday I will miss this. Really...Really????

Just try and keep up with the Jones'

Summer = BUSY!

I feel like I had a ton more time when we were all in school. June has brought gorgeous weather, swim lessons, Spanish/Space/Science Camp for Jeffey and Lukey, library time, Movie Fridays, basketball camp for Ben and eating lunch in the van again.

However, we are finding time to celebrate the little things:

1.Luke is well on his way to being potty-trained (or "grass-trained" as he prefers to take care of things watering the lawn than on the porcelin throne).

2.I am twenty-one weeks pregnant with no signs of labor...yeah!!! Somehow I still manage to squeeze in the vital rest time every afternoon. (everyone knock on something wood)

3. Jeff can snap his fingers.

4. Our little garden, which consists of one cherry tomato plant, two squash plants and lots of flowers, continues to flourish.

We can't wait till things slow down next week and we can play with friends. Hope everyone is having a great summer.