The Life You're Living: Week 17

This entire week of pictures are from my phone. I try to be more present in your life and take "real" pictures, however sometimes it's the little moments that capture your growth best. Such as...  

Putting together the model car you have been wanting for so long.

Slowing your body down to watch closely a bee collect nectar and excitedly explaining how this little creature pollinates the flowers.

Going through 8 "outfits" in one day and settling on pure, innocent childhood freedom.

Or still being my baby, even though you're one, and crossing your feet everytime you sit. Oh how this melts my heart!

Averyish

Avery while looking outside at our newly blooming tulips, "Oh yay, it's almost sipping time!"  Uh...  "It's almost sipping time for the bees and then they'll make delicious honey."  All of this accompanied with his usually slurping "I love to eat!!!" sounds.

While building a domino track (the boys' latest fascination)  Avery hallered out, "Ahh somebody get George, the predator of blocks."

After leaving the American Quarter Horse Museum, Avery exasperatedly stated,  "That wasn't very fascinating."  He was absolutely right.

Stepping outside with arms raised high, "What a glorious day! Since it's a glorious day can we go to the park." With such sincere enthusiasm for God's gift of a day how could I refuse?

On the way home from Veneration of the Cross on Good Friday; "The boys in front of us thought the pattern (kneel, stand, kneel, stand, kneel, stand) was funny. I thought it was horrible."

The Life You're Living: Week 16

This week we celebrated Easter. You all did so well with your Lenten sacrifices and looked forward to the sweetness of Our Lord's resurrection. 

Paul Thomas what a blessing you are! You always want to dress up for Our Lord. You are such a gentleman and huge help for us all.

Avery, you are growing so much. You still bounce all over and wiggle and move, but you are trying so hard to be still at Mass and for all your wiggle you listen so well.

You also see the world is such a fascinating way that we all stop in our tracks with some of the truly profound statements you make. And sometimes we giggle at the way you see the world. This week was a giggler. I shared with you why I was feeling yucky and laying down so much, that it was because we were going to have a new baby. To my utter surprise you burst into tears and exclaimed, "But our bed will break!" Now I must admit it took some time to get over this statement as the connection was just not clear at first. You continued, "Soon Georgie and the new baby will be in our bed and it will break." (Mary Colette recently joined the bottom bed occupant and this must have been where all of this stemmed from.) We worked it out in the end ensuring you that your bed was capable of holding more little kids than you thought and that we had other beds for little ones to sleep in. You may not be overwhelmed with joy right now, but I know soon you will.

Oh my sweet beautiful girl, what a fun Easter we had. You so much enjoy keeping up with the big boys and still maintaining your sweet girlness.

George, what a great Easter you had.

You missed our brunch, Georgie, as your bed was calling you name. The fun, however, was not missed. Of course it's the wrapping, in this case the grass, and not the gift that proves to be the most fun.  You had so much fun exploring it and scattering it all over.

How full our hearts are to have these Easter Blessings as our own!

Raisins

Last evening at the supper table we were remembering "Aunt Jessica's wedding" and the awesome house with the huge pool and water slide. The boys wished we could live there all the time.

Avery, still a table manners fledgling, with tri-color rotini between his teeth, declared that he "would stay in that pool all the time if we lived there."

My grown-up sensibilities shifted into high gear and, coupled with my still fledgling daddy humor, I declared that he would turn into a raisin.

The laughter that ensued, I thought, was very generous for my tired, cliche of a joke. Between the bursts of guffawing and pasta gnawing, Avery managed to explain what in the world was so funny: "No, raisins have to be dehydrated."

Lesson: Sometimes taking yourself too seriously makes you no fun AND wrong at the same time.

The Life You're Living: Week 15

This week Spring time arrived, which always triggers such hope and renew. It also seems to make everyone more enjoyable and playtime more special.

Playtime

on play grounds...

on swings...

of every kind...

and with...

balls.

(This is your favorite activity right now, George, kick, kick, kicking balls around.)

Springtime brings such joy and laughter to all my little ones.

Promising

Paul Thomas was explaining his newest lego creation...

this helicopter.

He was talking about adding a piece to a specific location to make it "promise more."

Searching my brain the best I could come up with was..."articulated?"

PT, "You know, more promising."

Still puzzled

Daddy, "Oh, dependable!"

PT, "Yeah, dependable or promising so it won't break."

Yes, My Love it is more promising.

At the request of the engineer all angles of the "Dependable Helicopter" are shown.

The Life You're Living: Week 14

Can you say Legos? Everyday! I am happy to see you and your brother spending so much time building different vehicles. I will try my best to patiently listen to all the new improvements and amazing features of each new creation.  

Oh Avery, you have been doing so well with your school work. I love watching you work! Thank you for being so willing to embark on this adventure.

We got to spend some time together, just the two of us. You wanted to be just like me, hair, purse, jacket. It reminded me that my biggest job in mothering is leaving you and any other daughters we are blessed with a self-worth. The last thing I want is to leave you with any of my struggles. I want to give you a path to being filled with grace not self-doubt. I must guard my mouth and actions because you, my love, are perceptive and will pick up every nuance. When I think of who I want you to be like I think of my Godmother, you do not know her at all as she watches over us from heaven now. Mimi was the most grace filled woman I have ever known. She was true beauty because she never knew anything but kindness. I want to be that kind of example for you, Mary Colette, or at least surround you with women of that caliber. 

George, how you love this spot! Right in the middle of all the love and action! Your Father and I exhaled when you were born. I think we both knew our family would always feel incomplete without you. You have brought a depth to our family that is indescribable. 

Computers

While I was finishing some work this past Saturday, PT asked, "Why do they make computers?"

"People think that they help us work faster," I answered.

PT didn't agree. "Well, what they really do is distract us from what we really should be doing."

Absolutely.

The Life You're Living: Week 13

One of the most appealing aspects of our home when we bought it was our backyard. It has trees, a digging area and a wonderful driveway all enclosed.  This week found plenty of time out in the warm spring sunshine. Paul Thomas you made a complete airport with a crashed plane and rescue vehicles. I am so glad that you are able to have this time to be creative and play.

Avery, following your brother's lead you created spots city, with stadiums, sports complexes, race tracks and stands full of spectators.

A little young for entire city creating, but not too little to be a ham. "Take my picture like this." The phrase, "though she be but little, she is fierce" often comes to mind when I think of you, my love.

George, you love your siblings so much and admire all that they do.

Your oldest brother is especially kind and patient with you.

Which you return in kind, as you never seem to protest when your turn is over.