Santa's Not Coming

This is a hot topic at our house. My son is just old enough to almost comprehend or at least I was hoping he would comprehend that if he is bad Santa is not going to come to our home. I started threatening him that Santa is not coming when he acts up and I am afraid I have played it out one too many times. I came to this realization this morning when I was dropping him off at daycare. The past few weeks were pretty tame, but this morning my arsenal came up short.

Earlier this month it was

"Santa's not coming if you do not share."

"Santa's not coming if you push your sister."

"Santa's not coming if you throw your food."

"Santa's not coming if you yell."

Then, as the month wore on it became more non-sensical
"Santa's not coming if you do not get dressed."

"Santa's not coming if you bother the driver."
"Santa's not coming unless you eat all your food."

And this morning I decided to quit the "Santa's not coming" bit when I said,

"Bennett, Santa's not coming if,"
and he interrupted and proceeded to finish the sentence with
"I am mean to Daddy with sweetarts behind his ear and brush his teeth"

Conversation ended in bewilderment on both ends. I am not sure that when E.Rose approaches this age the conversation will ever pick up where it left off.

Disney World

Whenever I think about the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, I think of the line "...the gang's all here!" as Mickey does roll call. Traveling with 5 children, 6 and under (and Zach and occasionally my dad), meant a constant roll call - do we have everyone? That makes me smile. Traveling in large groups does not always mean convenience, but it is sure to mean helping hands and great memories...

Woody made the flight down! Our plane left entirely too early to worry about changing clothes. We transferred babies from beds to carseats. Bennett entered our hotel as Woody - the staff loved it! He received a birthday button upon his arrival. We were conveniently located close to Magic Kingdom - a simple boat ride away!

Hanging by the pool...dancing to music, hula hoops, jump tic tac toe game (papaw and camden in the background), our party of 11 meant we eventually earned a hot tub to ourselves. The adults were rewarded with an afternoon frozen cocktail and the kids loved playing in and around the water.

Waiting to see Mickey! It was really nice to stay on the property. We could easily move around from resort to park without the need of car seats, etc. They are so prepared for small children and strollers...thank goodness.

Magic Kingdom in sight! The boys taking it all in. Our weather was amazing. The highlights and great memories are numersous. After deleting, I still have more than 300 photos (and we forgot our camera for one entire day). Just a few that come to mind now include Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween party, breakfast with Handy Manny, Disney Junior Live on Stage, The Muppet Show, my entire family pictured wearing our 3-D glasses as we headed into an interactive Buzz Lightyear ride, Peter Pan, Main Street, ice cream cones, meeting Mickey and Minne Mouse

Pluto signing Bennett's autograph book. The characters are so wonderful with the children. All of the boys were comfortable meeting them and Elly Rose was intrigued, as well. She didn't care much for characters touching her if she was not being held by one of us and she let Minnie Mouse know about it...

Papaw and Memaw with their grandbabies! No small accomplishment to get them all wearing their hats and mostly looking like they are ready to be photographed. Papaw promised some ice cream after we did the photos...good trick...it worked! And Rosie loves ice cream. She was hysterical if we were not giving her a fair share.

Its a Small World! Bennett will randomly start singing this song now...warms my heart.

(fastforward...we didn't have our camera Handy Manny and many other highlights. Thankfully, my sis and mom did!)

Legoland! Daddy, Bennett and R2D2. Zach was thrilled to see a Star Wars presence at Disney and Legoland. Legoland is located outside Orlando and conveniently, in the same community where my grandpa and Tootie live. It just opened and we had a fabulous time. R2D2 is made exclusively of little legos. You can find this throughout the entire park. One exhibit, sponsored by Ford, includes a car - close to 1 million legos to make it.

Zach, Mom and Bennett are in the fire truck...it was a race. The sight of them pumping an air-compressor to move it along, then pumping water and aiming to the window was in one-word, hysterical. At least they won! Later in the day...Zach, Bennett, Camden and I faced off against Amy, Chris, Cooper and Carson...it was a battle and our team one again :) I think Zach's pumping method left my sis laughing too hard to contribute much help to her team...

We spent the end of our day at Legoland in the Duplo Village. It was perfect for Elly Rose (and Bennett and Cooper). Clean, gated areas to explore, play with legos and participate on simple rides.

And ending our last evening out for mexican and margaritas! Fun trip with family...Bennett talks about bits and pieces of this vacation regularly. It was his first exposure to pirates and peter pan...I have a feeling his fascination with Wendy, Captain Hook and gang will continue to grow.

Rollercoaster

We are back. We survived. We had a blast. I don't think I could have imagined just how magical it really is to see your own children (and cousins!) soaking up Disney World and a family vacation to see great-pa and great-memaw. There were a few tears (okay, one or two meltdowns), a couple long lines and moments of exhausted parents and grandparents...but mostly there was magic, happiness, laughter, excitement, Bennett stalking Handy Manny, dancing, trying new things, lasting memories, Elly Rose walking the streets of Magic Kingdom before the crowds, boat rides, fireworks, amazing shows, two -3-year-olds holding conversation and watching t.v. in bed together...the list goes on. I want to hold on to all those moments.

Oh, and there is this picture....

...which for some reason makes us laugh each time we look at it. Taken on our last day while visiting the new Legoland Florida. I think we were all pretty tired (Zach even delirious). We waited in line for 30ish minutes for the Coastersauras and this is the photo result. I have always thought, "who would ever buy a photo the amusement park snaps and over-charges you to take home..." Well, I now know. It is us.

I don't like letting bags go unpacked and laundry piles to build, but this trip squeezed between birthdays of my littles and halloween festivities last night...I am learning it doesn't all have to be accomplished immediately. Just letting the laundry sit, because my fireman and dalmation doggy loved running with friends door-to-door last night and we have a little boy turning 3 this weekend...

Imaginitive Play

I love this little guy's imagination. It is vivid, pure, fun and without hesitation. He isn't shy about creating a scene. On this morning, it was fireman play in the backyard. We had to save "Ben"...a dog from one of his library books. He had a hose, a ladder, a truck and sirens.

Really all we had were his fireman boots and hat (part of halloween costume) and a stick he uncovered from our ivy.



Over the weekend we visited a playground equipped with a pretend fire engine. Bennett literally could not get out of the car fast enough to begin driving and creating a new pretend "fireman" scene. It must have been quite the site to see me, my mom, my dad and Elly Rose seated in this child-sized fire engine...responding to Bennett's orders...running to the slide to "save Ben."


We have some exciting adventures planned for this little guy over the next two weeks. Sites and sounds that I am sure will play-out in future mornings of imaginative play.

Hoot of a Day

Over the weekend we celebrated our little Elizabeth Rosemary's first birthday. I enjoy celebrating birthdays - making our babies feel special...because they are. I think Elly Rose enjoyed her day and we enjoyed having friends and family gathered together.

It was so much fun making photo frames, party hats, treat bags and owl-themed desserts. I love homemade and thankfully my mom knows how to sew. She made Elly Rose this dress and surprised us by making a coordinating dress for a cabbage patch doll from my childhood (and didn't let out of my sight as a little girl...playing "dolls" was something my sis and I did daily).


Rosie is so easy-going. Unphased by all the other children and parents moving about. She just takes it all in. That said, she is still a determined little climber. We are having to move low furniture out of her reach everyday. She can "hike" her leg over the side of the tub and tumble in within a couple seconds. It is fun to see the similarities and differences between she and Bennett as this age.

Party hats for all to wear!

How cute is this? I love her little face...as if to say, "really...a doll baby with a matching dress...for me?!?!?"

Elly Rose was not bashful when it came to tasting her big iced cupcake. As soon as it was within her reach, she began eating the icing...right through the "happy birthday" song!

It took a few "blows", but Bennett finally helped her with the candle. She didn't mind, just kept right on eating the icing off the cake. We are just really getting into table foods, but so far Elly Rose likes most things we offer her...much like her brother at that age.

Holding this baby doll like a little mama. It is fun to have a few toys around the house that before this weekend were quite unfamiliar to Bennett. A teapot now resides on Bennett's toolbench after playing pretend "tea and crumpits" this evening.

Love her many expressions. She really is a hoot.

We are looking forward to her one-year well-baby visit, but travel schedules have pushed it back to mid-November. In the meantime, we are planning to hear the fire alarm ring as we plan a 3rd birthday celebration for Bennett!

One year ago...

One year ago today (the date), we were soaking up what would be our final day as mommy and daddy to just Bennett. It was a Sunday and we spent some time at Holliday Park. Zach snapped this photo with his phone...

I remember those final days before Elly Rose joined the world like they were yesterday. A little anxiety for life with two and how would Bennett adjust, etc. I remember squeezing him tighter each night after books - trying to figure out how I might help him understand.

The same set of swings (babies facing the other direction) about 10 1/2 months later. Bennett looking less like a baby and more like the adorable big brother he is. Elly Rose growing like a little weed. On this day (3rd Monday of the month) one year ago, we were within hours of meeting this little lady. Our babies have changed our life dramatically...challenging us in ways I could not have imagined.

Over the weekend we celebrated this little girl's first birthday. Tomorrow we will celebrate becoming a family of four. Just enjoying the miracle they are. The love we have for our babies is like none other. Happy Birthday to our sweet girl!

Side note: I wrote this post quickly in the last few minutes of my work day. It would not publish, so I saved it and packed up to pick-up my babies. Brought them home to find Rosie has a new trick...she stands up in the middle of a room with no help and she walks. 6, 8 or 10 steps. Like she just planned it all along. When I turn one...I will walk.

Swing

This little boy...

...loves this little girl.


And the feeling is more than mutual.

She cares more than ever where he is and what he is doing. It doesn't always translate when toys and personal space are involved, but it is there.

Busy Bees

I have now typed, then backspaced the first sentence of this post 5 times. Thinking about how quiet it is I sit in our family room where our u-verse is not working (not monday night football), no. How big she is getting, no. How I can remember where I was and what I was doing 10 years ago yesterday...like it was yesterday, no. The list goes on...

I don't like this feeling...where so much feels crammed into my brain (lists, laundry, work) that any hope of a sequential output seems futile. Our routine over the past few weeks is evolving.

The good stuff...she is funny. She does things to make us laugh and repeats when she gets this response. She climbs on EVERYTHING. After climbing to standing on a ride-on toy next to the couch, I found her standing on the couch. She is gaining confidence with standing - letting go of furniture to reach for toys nearby. Still only 2 teeth, but she likes to try all types of table food.

He likes school. A little hesitant each morning, but he is thriving. We know because he is already talking more about letters and songs. Last night while taking a bath, we practiced drawing the letter "B" and he did a good job of immitating my instructions. He asks lots and lots of questions. Conversation and comprehension with this little guy continues to evolve. It leaves Zach and I excited for more of these moments.


A couple Sundays ago, my mom, E. Rose and I ventured down to Louisville to cheer for Amber as she completed her first Ironman Triathlon. It was amazing to see her and the many other athletes that day. Can you imagine? 12+ hours and 140.6 total miles...

At the finish line!!! Moments after finishing...would you look at her? Gorgeous. Elly Rose wore a #1 Fan onsie with Amber's number on the back. Thank goodness for jungle-gym Kevin for her to climb on during the "down-time" between Amber-sightings.

This is literally seconds after she crossed the finish line. We are so proud of her for this accomplishment. I would get so nervous for Amber each time I saw her ride by on her bike or run on the scorching-hot pavement. Knowing she had to continue...but, once she passed it was such a sense of relief. So positive and well-prepared for the day. You rock!

Change

It is the time of year where excitement begins building around the change of seasons. I never wish summer to end, but with a new school year beginning and our grass looking quite brown, I can't help but let my mind drift to all things apple, football, fall coats, halloween costumes, piles of leaves (I love you, Zach). I have already started outlining our weekends...

I am fairly certain I could look back and find a similar post one-year-ago. But how different one year ago was...we were moving into our house one-year-ago, we were anxiously waiting to meet Elly Rose one-year-ago and one-year-ago I wasn't about to send Bennett to preschool for the first time.

But today...today we know Elly Rose. And she likes to play peek-a-boo. Our house is our home. It is the place we un-wind, play imaginative games of trucks and tools. And this Thursday, Bennett will go to a "meet the teacher" morning at his preschool.

And she takes her blanket and her peek-a-boo seriously.

We have slowed down a little over the past couple weekends. Spending more time in our jammies (all day, in fact). The timing is good because this week and the next couple will certainly be an adjustment period as we learn new schedules with my work, Bennett's preschool 2 days/week and our beloved summer nanny returning to school in Bloomington.

We are a little nervous for Bennett to begin preschool. I think he is ready and will soak-up the learning, creative, fun environment. But this will be a new routine for him and that is a little scary. I just can't imagine him "napping" in a classroom with other children.

Elly Rose will be adjusting too. She will be without her brother two days/week. And returning to the routine of drop-off/pick-up at our sitter's house...adjust to napping in her pack-n-play and being with 2 other children. Right now she continues to explore crawling, climbing up stairs, cruising along furniture, eating all types of fruits (NO to bananas) and veggies.

Bennett truly loves his tools. Imaginative play associated with tools and construction equipment makes him so happy. We have been casually looking for a backpack and lunch box for him the past couple weeks and I kind-of figured I would just order one of the adorable Pottery Barn Kids ones because that is what arrives in my mailbox. But nothing jumped out at me, so I googled preschool backpacks and found many I loved. Then, I found one I know Bennett will love. We showed it to him tonight...bulldozers, dump truck, mixer truck, excavater. It is so Bennett. And that makes my heart happy.

Stafford Cottage

Being together with family and friends in a place that gracefully holds 5 generations of memories is special. We are lucky to experience Northern Michigan this way and we know it. Lucky that we have memories for us and now our children that include a cottage built in 1926 and friends we hold so very dear.

We loved being here. Really being present...aware of how beautiful it is and experience daily activity so different from the busyness of home. Changing the routine is not always easy, but so very worth it. Every second of it.

While in Michigan we experienced many firsts...

From trips out on the ski-doo, the kayak, the boat, going tubing, naps taken under a tree while the water provided us with a natural sound machine, record time spent awake, record time spent in the carseats (7 hours drive time).


Stafford cottage in the distance as we pull away on the tube for Bennett's first time. He LOVED it...no suprise there. Each time we stopped so they could check on us, he just repeated "I want to go fast, mommy."

We all (babies included) ate nearly every meal outdoors...breakfast, lunch, snacks...all by the water or in the sand. Perfect break in our routine. You know those Michigan commercials...they suck me right in each time - talking about "pure Michigan" and all there is to do or the way you can slow down. It is true, those commercials. Even driving to dinner where the blue sky had turned grey...the back-drop was rolling hills, beautiful wildflowers - interrupted only by the occasional farmhouse.

Bathing suit babies started early and continued throughout the day. No reason to change.

Bennett and Exy.

Bennett playing with Mr. Stafford's bulldozer from when he was a child. He brought it out of storage after seeing how much Bennett loves construction equipment. It is over 50 years old and worked like a charm.

Kevin and Amber don't have children. At least not yet. So, we basically feel like they are saints for inviting a family of four to be part of their vacation. Truthfully, we know they love our children. And you love the people who love your kids. We have always known they were a special couple, but it just keeps growing. They also love to teach Bennett new tricks. On one of the "man trips" out on the kayak, Kevin and Zach taught Bennett that anytime you see a boat with girls on it, he should say, "hey ladies!"

Elly Rose and her sweet Godmother. Amber is training to complete a full Ironman at the end of August. We admire her strength, commitment and determination because just thinking about the grueling training schedule is exhausting.

Bennett and mommy on our way to go look for Amber during one of her long, morning swims.

The spring water just outside their house is delicious. I look forward to this water with each trip. Bennett spent so much time playing at the stream...gaining confidence to jump over it, drinking from it, rinsing his sandy feet at it. When Bennett spotted a decorative fountain while out to dinner, he stood up and stated he need to go drink that water.

How many times could he carry a cup of water from the fountain to the beach? Walking on his tippy toes, careful not to spill.

On our drive home, we passed a couple trucks filled with pigs that did not smell so pleasant and without prompting, Bennett perked up both times (hours apart) and announced, "mommy, Elly Rose stinky." Just left Zach and I laughing.