From the mouth of babes

I know I haven't posted anything in a long time. I've just not had the motivation to do it. After it's been so long, it starts to feel a bit overwhelming- like I need to post about everything that's happened since I've last posted and, while we don't lead the most exciting lives, over months, things add up. And then it feels like too much to cover. But something happened today and laying in bed today, reliving the moment with Alex, I just had to write it down. I want to be able to remember this and savor the sweetness weeks, months, years from now.

Kellen is our sweet, sensitive little guy. He is always running up and giving us random, but passionate, heart-felt embraces and telling us he loves us SO very much. Today he was sitting at the dining room table, playing legos with Brady and I was in the kitchen, getting dinner ready. I had a song in my head and burst into song, randomly singing the chorus. I heard Kellen say something about my singing, but I couldn't make it out. (I honestly thought he said something about please stop singing and I thought it was funny.) So, I stuck my head into the dining room and asked what he had said and he told me "I said thank you for singing that Mom. I love you.". Talk about filling my heart to bursting! Warm fuzzies- I tell you, this little guy is full of 'em.

Homemade drums

I can still remember the few toys that were at my grandma and grandpa's house for us kids to play with when we visited when I was growing up. One of these was an empty quaker oats container that had been fashioned into a drum. It had a string around it so you could carry it around and bang on it on the go. Each time I make the boys oatmeal, I think "I should have the boys make drums with these when they are empty.". So, one day, a while back, I finally got around to actually doing this project with the boys.

Step 1. (okay, I just had the NKOTB song "Step by Step" start playing in my head. Yes, I know the words still. Just a little insight into my awesomeness...or is that awkwardness? ha ha)

Take an empty oatmeal container. Either remove the label or cover with your choice of paper. (or leave it the way it is, as the one at my grandparent's house was). I used the container for the Trader Joe's quick cooking steel cut oats. When I took off the label, I discovered that the underneath surface was plain white and perfect for decorating.

Step 2.

Punch holes in the side (I stuck scissors into the side to make a tiny hole). Cut string to desired length, insert into holes and tie a knot so it doesn't come out. Make sure the knot at the end of your string is on the inside. (I also put a little hot glue on the knot to further insure it wouldn't come out of the hole.)

Step 3.

Hot glue the lid to the top of the can. This is only needed if you want to discourage you're kiddos from taking the lid off. I did.

Step 4.

Have your kids decorate with much abandon. Stickers and crayons work great.

Step 5.

Get your drum on. Bring in other instruments to create your very own jam session.

A day in the life...in pictures!

There was a day, probably about two weeks ago now, that was nice out and it was before our glorious 5 days in a row without rain. So, we were motivated to get the boys outside for as long as possible, to say the least. Who knew when a chance to play would come again? It was going to be nicest later in the afternoon, so we waited to go out until after lunch and decided we would push Kellen's nap time to a little later. Let's just say our day confirmed that boy needs his sleep! ha ha There was raking and playing in the dirt, stomp rocket launches, "motoring" and "weedeling" (mowing and weedeating), building the trampoline enclosure and then plenty of jumping now that the trampoline is officially open for business. And popsicles. And tears. And I took pictures of it all.

What is art?

My husband has always claimed that he doesn't have a creative bone in his body. But I had the opportunity to go out of town recently for a quick trip and when I came back home, I discovered this creation. He thinks it's not artistic at all because he just figured out a pattern and repeated it, because it's very structured and logical. He had lots of excuses, I mean, reasons why it wasn't artistic or creative. I think he's just in denial.

Adventure of the day

Getting exercise with three small children is always a challenge. But today, I decided I was going to make it work. I checked out the Jillian Michaels 30 day shred DVD from the library a few days ago (have I mentioned that I LOVE the library?) and I hadn't so much as cracked the case yet. So, today was the day! On a side note- there are 3 levels of workouts on the dvd. But do not be fooled....level 1 is no joke. Hello! I may not be able to move tomorrow. The fact that there are two harder workouts kind of scares me! I got Gavin set up on the floor with some entertainment, Brady chose to color and Kellen parked himself on the couch. Under a blanket. Yep, I had an audience for the first half of my workout. Apparently me working out = quality entertainment! Ha ha After a while, Kellen decided he needed to be closer to me and got down on the floor next to me, scooting himself as close to my side as he possibly could. Let me tell you, doing crunches with a small child snuggled up next to you is not the easiest thing to do. But how sweet is that? By the end of my workout, Gavin was crying because no one was paying attention to him and both Brady and Kellen had joined me in doing the exercises. I love that they just want to be a part of whatever I'm doing, even if it makes things a little more difficult sometimes. ;)

My life be like....

Here is a list of snippits from my life lately...I've been having some "you know you're a mom when" type moments and wanted to share. Extra cool points for you if you know the song that my blog title is referencing! :) Here is a glimpse into what I've been up to as of late...

finding play-doh under my finger nails and thinking it's the new "french manicure" - realizing my shirt has drool spots and maybe even a little bit of spit-up on it and not changing right away because I'd probably only be clean for two minutes, and the only result would be more laundry- hearing "MOM! You want to see this? My poop is like a ball!" - promptly writing this down on the quote board as soon as I caught my breath from laughing- attempting to burp Gavin by patting his head instead of his back- dressing up in one of the most awesome one-piece jumpers ever bestowed upon this earth and going roller-skating - rejoicing in the all-consuming love and forgiveness of Christ

Whew. Life is a bit like a circus, a bit like herding cats but full and SO worth the chaos.

Two months

I can't believe Gavin is already two months old. He is quite the little charmer. He loves people talking to him and is quite generous with his smiles and coos. Brady and Kellen are still quite taken with him, Brady more so. That boy just loves babies! The other day, I had gotten out of the shower but was still in the bathroom and overheard something like the following conversation:
Brady- "When are we going to have another baby?"
Alex- "I think Gavin will probably be our last baby unless God wants us to have another one."
Brady- "Can I pray to God for another baby?"
Alex- "Sure, you can ask God for another baby brother if you want."
Brady- "Well, it could be a girl next time..."
So sweet!

Snow complex

That's right. I'm beginning to have a complex about snow. You see, I love the snow. Not just looking at it, but playing in it too. Two years ago it snowed enough to play in right after I had Kellen. So I was confined to the couch, forced to watch the fun out the window. The snow skipped us last year but decided to come back full force this year to torture me, not once, but twice in a matter of months. Once when I was super pregnant, once after having Gavin. I guess if you're stuck being the observer, it helps to have some adorable little guys to look at. :)

Is there such a thing as blogger's block?

It's been brought to my attention that sitting on my butt all day while I heal from my c-section would be a perfect time to write a blog entry. And it's really logical, seeing how I have the laptop upstairs with me for my entertainment. I just can't seem to muster the motivation to write anything. So, this is me writing anyways. I cannot be held responsible for any level of "sucky-ness" this may achieve. Be forewarned.
Recovering from a c-section is hard. There's pain, there's the feeling drugged all the time, there's isolation. I think the transition period where I'm healing and am not part of the everyday life (and discipline) of the boys puts a huge stress on my marriage. But I see Gavin's tiny little face and his sweet eyes looking back at me and I can't believe that God has entrusted me with another amazing gift. I am blown away by that. And beyond grateful that God gives of himself that I might love these boys in a way that is glorifying to him. Because I definitely can't do so on my own.
I can't believe I'm the mom to three THREE! little boys. Yikes! I'm so excited though to see them all grow into their personalities and to see what Gavin will be like as his personality becomes more apparent. Brady and Kellen are such a riot, he has a lot to live up to. :)
We had a family movie night a few days ago and introduced Brady and Kellen to the awesomeness that is the musical "Annie". (Gavin slept through most of it, so he'll have to be reintroduced later. ha ha) There aren't many non-animated movies I can think of that would hold both boys attention, but the singing and dancing had them glued to the screen. As I watched them watch the movie, I found myself racking my brain for other appropriate musicals I could share with them. The highlight of the night was singing "Tomorrow" along with the movie and having Brady and Alex join in. (Kellen couldn't make it through and had been put to bed, or I'm sure he would have been right in there, singing his heart out with us.)