Hugs all around

I'm here, but not in much of a mood for typing. I just finished writing in the boys journals and that just wore me out. Just know I love you all!!! Nate's gone to the Yukon soon so I should have you all over for a partay!

Sleep and how it taunts me

Actually, sleep doesn't taunt me as much as Jericho does. I think he's wanting to give up his naps, but he's not quite ready yet. He's missed his nap for the past two days, but crashed early and crashed hard. He also had one night, I think it was Thursday, where he basically had a tantrum because he didn't want to go to sleep. It lasted until 10:30! We were quite firm with him and he hasn't done it again at night, but he does push the buttons a lot more at naptime and I just have to figure out if I should cut them out and put him to bed earlier or just keep fighting. The expression "pick your battles" screams at me through out the day and I don't always know when to listen.

I've actually, in spite of all that, had a pretty amazing few days. My kids are pretty awesome and I kinda love bragging about them! I'm sorry if you don't want to hear it, but THEY ROCK! Last night we went out for dinner with my parents with the boys and Kai spent the night being cute. He ate his ice cream with a spoon and managed to stay amazingly clean. He gave out kisses to everyone, smiled, said his "peez" and "tant too!" And when we were leaving, he blew kisses and waved like crazy to the man in the car next to us. When Nate's home I feel like I'm constantly pointing out cute things. Tonight Kai found his play camera and proceeded to take pictures of all of us while laughing and saying "cheese".

Jericho asked me this morning if he could wear my black beaded necklace. I said no. It's a nice necklace and the worry of him breaking it far outweighs the cuteness factor. So I found this old dog tag I got at the PNE a few years ago and he ended up wearing it the entire day. In fact, he's currently in bed... still wearing it.

Ok, enough with the kid stories... my friend R had her Granny pass away this week. I was very sad for her. But apparently the service was really good and I think she's happy she was able to go and see her and be with her family. It makes me want to invite my Nana over more and try and see GG more often. Both my Grandmothers turn 80 this year. They are both splendid in their own rights. My Grandma had 6 sons and never remarried after her husband passed away in his early 40's. My Nana had 8 children and her dream is to write a book about her life.

I know that before I know it, my babies are going to be 12, then 20... and maybe one day I'll be wishing I saw my grandkids more often. It kinda freaks me out actually to even ponder those kind of things, but I think that's what happens when you take time out of routine to try and do things right. I feel like I always want to try and be better, nicer, more intentional... but at the end of the day sometimes it's just an accomplishment to have my house clean.

What a rambler. Oh - and for those wondering about the Thailand thing... my sister in law will likely be getting married there next March. Nate and I are trying to decide if it's better to go for 3 weeks and make it an amazing family vacation... or go for a shorter period and make it more about just the two of us. Maybe even to celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary? There are pros and cons to both sides, so we'll see.

Anyway, my house has been completely silent for about an hour now, so I think I'm going to join the slumber party.

May Part 1

This week has been a little different than most, but because we bought a NEW CAR it was much less stressful than it could have been. My babysitter has had the stomach flu which is terrible for her, not good for me. I tried doing work with the boys being downstairs, but they have a love of papers and there are quite a few down there that are off-limits. I have been able to work a little during naptime, but I wasn't as productive as I like.

Because of all of the above, I almost felt like a normal stay at home Mommy. I spent a tonne of time with the boys, went shopping, did other errands, etc. It was awesome. I was a little worried because I haven't spent that much time with them in a very long time. I was concerned I wouldn't be as patient because I'd just be thinking about all the work I should have been doing. When in fact, my patience seemed to just keep going and going and going. It was like I wasn't ever frustrated with them, but things just didn't bother me as much as normal.

It might have had something to do with how hilarious they were. Jericho now says, "Know what I saw today?" and when you ask him what he saw, he usually talks about some fire truck with either a puppy or a baby in the back. Random. He also has this stuffed giraffe that he's been carrying around and he calls it his baby Moose. If he's carrying it and I'm nearby, he'll ask me over and over to "Pet my baby Moose!" Hmm. Kai is definately getting more cognitive of language. He says a few more things, but mostly just to copy whatever it is you just said. But I can say to him, "Malachi, please go pick up that train and put it away in Jericho's room." And he will do it right away! He also loves getting his shoes and hates taking them off. Socks however come off as soon as humanly possible.

Tomorrow is Nina's birthday. She's having some friends come over to our place for a late dinner that Nate is going to make for her. Tonight was a test run on recipes we hadn't tried yet and he burnt his hand pretty bad. BUT the food was OUTSTANDING! Too bad I don't get any tomorrow. I'm excited to decorate for her and get things together. It will be the fourth day in the row we go shopping, the three of us!

Speaking of which, Jericho has been impressive with his listening when we've been out. I've let him walk beside me instead of having to be in the cart or stroller. Now the deal has been that the SECOND he walks outside of where I'm comfortable, and doesn't come back when I ask, he goes right into the cart or stroller with his brother. End of story. Works pretty good! I'm quite proud of him.

Again, I've waited too long to blog and there are too many things going on. Oh - I might be headed to Thailand next March.