Friday Photo Favorites

 This past Labor Day, Philip, George and I were treated to parade. The prominent attraction in the parade was the trash can band led by Paul Thomas and siblings. They, all on their own, came up with this idea, assembled their instruments and Paul Thomas whipped out their matching hats.

The Band!

The only way to get a picture these days is to promise a silly one next.

Not sure why the littlest member has the most cumbersome instrument?

She managed though.

Round the corner.

Great Job Leader!

Music to my soul!

Okay, it is far from a beautiful sound! It is, however, a beautiful site to see these three, so creative and encouraging of an activity from start to finish all on their own. From the excited preparation to the carefully execution it was a joy to watch them produce such a wonderful memory. 

Manic Monday

George may have found his favorite toy.

Friday Photo Favorites

I came back from Adoration last Saturday to this little sas-a-fras.

 

 

 

She loves her new boots, now she just needs to grow into them.

Just tonight...

while the big boys were doing this.

And this.

My littlest was doing this.

And a little of this.

A tire swing un-swung can be just as much fun.

Even for sisters.

Goofy sisters.

And biggest brothers.

So yes, just tonight my littlest made his parents gasp with pride as a milestone was reached and a little sadness as a milestone was reached.

Oh and also just tonight this happened.

Beauty is on the inside?

Avery was drawing on unnamed extended family member today and this how he talked his way through the portrait.



I'm gonna draw _______. I need something skin color. First a circle for the head, then the esophagus, then the stomach and the second belly, now the small intestines and then the big intestines. Now the *insert accurate term for male anatomy* and then the bottom.

Not sure how the second belly snuck into such an anatomically correct picture, crunches anyone?

Can I have a do-over?

Six years was not enough time to prepare me for this day.
He starts Kindergarten today.
He's ready, can you tell?
I am not...is any Momma ready for their babies to grow up?

Speaking of ready, his biggest admirer is ready too.
All morning she has been saying, "I go school too!' in her most persuasive voice.

Please stop growing!

Yes, all of you! I just can't soak it all up in time!

Okay, you're right I can't stop the growing up process and I won't be able to soak it all up. Instead, I pray that each day is deposit into the character bank and that you will have far more cherished childhood memories, whether little or big than well the ones that I fear are so easily imprinted.

Avery needed a turn holding George.
He is eager to be my "Big Helper." He is doing a great job at his self prescribed new role and has even taught Mary Colette how to fold the napkins!

Now for silly faces!
This is how childhood should be!

"I hold George too! I big girl!"

The Deception of Sensory Data

I thought he was asleep.
Heavy, measured breathing. Involuntary twitching of tiny arm muscles. His fifteen pound body given        over completely to somniatic bliss and my right side is sweating under his PJs
Michael O'Brien's book has enraptured me. Sensory data is met with uninterested cerebral reception.
Without impetus, I turn my seeing from the pages to the crook of my arm: two dark, pure eyes meet        mine.
He has been watching me.
What does he see? His face is expressionless and not blank; his eyes pierce and do not invade.
Is he looking for something? Trying to find a real father behind all the facades I've erected?
Our brows are 6, 8 inches apart.
Neither mortal coil moves.
Knowing no human awkwardness, his gaze is fearless. He fabricates no distraction to disengage and           his innocence in challenging.
I cannot recall the last time I stared into someone's eyes for 180 seconds.
Pupils are too near the surface; Rods and cones measure only one dimension.
Father and son speak with eyes and hear with souls.
His curiosity quenched, or his quest fulfilled, pudgey eyelids collapse under their own weight.
Three, two, one.

Life in a Bubble

 That's kind of how I feel our life is at times and I like it. Our boys have no idea who the popular action figures are and after finishing Winnie the Pooh, they think it's so amazing to find him in the stores, having no idea that he is marketed to a much younger age. (By-the-way if you haven't read Winnie the Pooh, do so. Several times Philip and I found ourselves in stitches, it is so cleverly written.) Just tonight as we were eating with Poppy at a local favorite, where they announce the name of the patron when the order is ready, the boys, being rather silly, started in with, "Theresa?! St. Theresa is here for dinner, I didn't know she was coming." So yeah, we live in a little Catholic bubble and I wouldn't change it at all.

Quite a lead in for the litany of pictures about to ensue.  Avery has found that he really enjoys bubbles now. We have found, through trial and much error, that it is an activity only suited for children mature enough to control their insatiable appetite for pouring out all things, including freshly opened bottles of bubbles.  We have not had bubbles in our house for over two years because we have lacked this maturity, however with an 80% off clearance and some giant bubble wands we took a rewarding 60 cent chance.

Without further ado, I give you "Backyard Bubble Shindig"

Warming up.

Impressive!

Love the smile breaking through.

Giant bubbles, I tell you.

Love those wonder filled eyes.

There is an explanation to what is going on here.

When do we stop looking at that world like this?!
I pray that my children will always find awe and amazement in life.

Like I said, there is an explanation.

For this too.

Paul Thomas joined in the bubble fun.
He is more serious about it...the tongue is out.

Okay so I was trying to capture them through a bubble.
Biggest picture-taking-workout to date.
(I may die if my kids decide to run. Chess seems like a nice option.)

So the boys blew bubbles and we all scrambled to snap some pictures, which really are funny if you don't know why Avery is hiding behind bubbles with a "did you get it" look.

Yup, I got it Aves.

And, PT, thanks for a memorable evening of bubbles and giggles.