Cleaning and scrubbing will wait ’till tomorrow, but children grow up, as I’ve learned to my sorrow. So quiet down cobwebs! Dust go to sleep! I’m rocking my baby. Babies don’t keep. – Ruth Hamilton

Thursday, June 28, 2012

SNUGGLES

Yep, I'm too big for this bed, but wouldn't you want to snuggle with this little girl?!?





Friday, June 22, 2012

An Avery Day

We joined Avery's cousin and another friend at the movies-they have dollar movie days for kids. The theater was playing Kung Fu Panda 2...we made it for over an hour, but had to leave because of dance class. She did great (once we went to the bathroom twice!) she sat and ate her popcorn and snacks.  I only had my phone for the pictures, but here she is enjoying her time.




Next time I might try Mack, but I'm not sure if he will sit all the way through.  Then it was off to dance class!  The picture below is from the first week:

We had some make up sessions from Little Gym and used them towards dance class...and she HATED it!  There are no pictures from this week because she never once stopped crying.  Not just a whimper, a full blown break down.  I tried to leave the room for a little while, but it made me almost start crying hearing the screeches!!  All the other little girls were listening to the teachers and Avery was standing (with her back to them) crying.  I went back in and tried to put her down and there was no way she was doing anything.  The owner came in and invited her to another class where she was much more comfortable.  Needless to say, we will not be participating in dance from now on.  I am not going to be a parent that pushes her to do things she doesn't want to do.  We tried it (and will try it when she's older) and she didn't like it.  Next class is swim classes-I will be teaching them so her and Mack have a great time!

I love my Avery days!

Monday, June 18, 2012

Spray Yard-A Summer Delight

The heat has been kicking here in Missouri and we have been on the go!  We have had play dates and found fun things to do around town.  One place I have been wanting to try now that they are a little older is the spray yard at Stephens Lake.  Last year they were still pretty small and scared of the water.  This year they are warming up to them.  Last week was our second trip and Nanny, Aunt Heidi, Cohan and Ireland joined us.  We played and then had lunch.
Avery has so much love for Cohan



Not sure about this hand ALWAYS in her mouth!


Ireland (only two weeks old) and Lincoln were there...you can't see little Ireland! 

Nanny and MeMe  (our nanny-I know confusing)




Can't wait to explore more this summer with their cousins!

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Father's Day, Daddy's Day, and Papa's Day

Father's day was a little different from Mother's day...we didn't do anything with our family!  It was sad because I love showing my appreciation for others who mean a lot to me, but it was great to be at home. 

Mark deserved this day (even though he doesn't always act like he wants it) and I was happy to make a weekend of it at home.  We cooked every meal at home and did whatever we felt like doing!  Those are rare weekends-it felt good.  I am not sure I could survive with three children under three without a father like Mark.  Let me tell you a little about Mark:
He always knows when I need a break
He always plays/reads/LOVES our children
He always tells them he loves them
He always kisses them when a kiss is needed
He always gives our daughter compliments (so important for a little girl-I learned that from my mom and my dad ALWAYS told me how pretty I was)
He is always home in the evenings
He makes sure they are safe
He makes sure they have what they need
He can stay up all night with them if they need a parent (I am not good without sleep)
He embraces these times with them knowing it will go fast
That is just what I can think of off the top of my head...there is much more!

We are surrounded with good role models with Mark's dad and my dad.  They have both given us what we bring to our own children.

My dad means a lot to me-he has helped me have the confidence as a woman and been there whenever I need him. As a child, I remember wanting to make his day special. It was really hard to not be with him on this day, but we were with him in spirit and will make it up with other weekends at the lake (we hope!) With our special relationship and my memories, it has helped me appreciate and respect the wonderful connection Mark has with our children. This day (like Mother's day) is a Hallmark holiday, but I love it and so did our kids. It's nice to just have a day and honor the men in our lives!

Lincoln likes to lay outside while we grill-even when it's 90 degrees!

Yeah he sure does have Batman PJ's on and Elmo slippers!

I told Mark to let me clean up and go sit with the kids...he really did (he never does this because he wants to make sure he helps) I was happy to see him relax.

Today, we grilled and enjoyed our garden!


Our new family event...dancing!



This is our first bell pepper!
To all the fathers who deserve a day-HAPPY FATHERS DAY!  Much love to Mark, my dad (Papa), and Hiram (Mark's dad and Papa H)

Thursday, June 14, 2012

What's Inside? I Don't Know!

To continue my quest of eating fresh, I have been letting the kids explore in the kitchen much more! Who know a cantalope could be so intriqing? They sure did! They touched, smelled, tasted and looked at what was inside this ball...



It may get messy, but well worth it!

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Art in The Park

Every year Columbia has an event at our favorite park-Stephens Park. They bring in artist from all over and set up tents around the park. There is music and a fun atmosphere!  We loaded up the three kids and Nanny came with us. It was really crowded, so it ended up being more of a picnic than walking around.


But that resulted in cute pictures!!!!
Ugg those blue eyes get me every time!

Avery is obsessed with this dress right now because it is a princess dress.


They decided to dig in the dirt a little...shocking!

Monday, June 11, 2012

A Letter To Our Three Babies



Dear Avery, Macklin, and Lincoln,

I felt the need to write this letter directly to you in hope when you get older you can read this and remember the weekend we just had together.  This blog is for you-to document your lives and maybe even help you remember some of the events that have happened.  You three have changed our lives and made it better than dad and I could ever imagine.  There are times when we look at each other and can't believe in a matter of (almost) five years we have three perfect babies!  How could we be that lucky?  Our lives are and probably will always be busy, but that doesn't mean we don't stop what we are doing and embrace the moment.  This summer is all about the three of you-I am focusing my attention on you and letting the small stuff go!  With that being said, we decided to go to the lake with just our family of five.  It was the best weekend so far for dad and I!  We had no worries and spent the entire weekend having fun.  That is the way we want our lives to be... FUN!  Let me take you on a journey of our weekend, so when you look back through this blog you can print this time in your little book of memories...


MAN OH MAN

DID WE

HAVE FUN!

 We drove down on Friday afternoon and you were all excited to go.  When we got there we tried a new pizza place with Nanny-to continue our pizza Friday tradition. 
 When we woke up, we were all relaxing around the house and casually made breakfast.  Then, we headed over to Nanny's house to swim in their pool.  It was Lincoln's first time to swim and...
 He was NOT a fan of the freezing cold water!!!!!!
 But you two were!!!
 Mack, this is one of my most favorite pictures of you.  You are such a ham now with the camera.
 Lincoln, you were too tired to care anymore, but you enjoyed a snooze pool side.
 As much as I didn't want to (because I've had three babies and it was really cold) I got in to be with you!


 Mack, you had no fear.  We were working on blowing bubbles-it was pretty funny to us!
 Nanny got in and swam the most with you both. 
 Do you notice the hat?  It only stayed on for a few seconds, but I love this picture too.


 Look what princess (that is what you demand to be called) Avery got...a canoe!
We had to get you out of the pool to eat some lunch.  Of course Nanny had tons of food and fun treats for you.

After naps you headed out to the garage where your bikes await you.  This is such a fun place to ride bikes and you two have fun together.

 We contemplated going out to dinner, but I'm glad we stayed home and grilled our dinner.  You all played and then set up the table outside...oh and we also danced, but there are no pictures of that because we were all too busy!

 Daddy shared his passion for looking out on the lake with you.  You all loved to find BIG boats.
 We also found a new hot spot for the two of you (and Lincoln next year)- Miner Mikes.  Avery, you were all over the place climbing by yourself with other kids!  Mack you will be there next year when you get a little bigger, but for now mommy and daddy climbed everywhere with you!

 I loved these Nerf guns!!!

Of course the end of our trip had to come and we headed home later Sunday evening.  This entailed McDonald's in your chairs! 


I hope these pictures captured our trip and we thank Mum and Papa for letting us use their house and of course Nanny for letting us swim in her pool!  My hope is you will begin to remember these times as you get older and no matter how busy we get, we need to remember US being together.  I love you three more than anything (didn't even know it was possible!)!  Now it's off this blog to wake you all up (at 8:30!) on this raining Monday morning.  I think it might be a pajama day!!

Love,

Mom