A play date for Max

Today we met some friends with a little boy Max had fun playing with at Amy's birthday party at the park. Max was so excited. He and Logan were stuck at the hip for over an hour. They played so well together. There was a lot of laughing, smiling, and pretend play. At one point they were on top the rocks pretending to be lions. 

I haven't seen Max have this much fun with someone other then maybe Mary Kate. 

I'm so happy he had this time. I enjoyed chatting with Dana. Ellie was a little down because she didn't have a friend, but she did make some big kid friends. Clair enjoyed a swing and would have preferred to be crawling around. 

So sad

I'm getting rid of many baby items. This makes me so very sad. They say you supposed to know when you're done having kids, and I know my body and worklife balance can't handle anymore. But it surely doesn't make the reality any easier for me. I really do love being a mom. I hope in the end my kids can see this and know my heart is always with them; Through the yelling and the frustration of trying to get through the days, I hope my love shines through. 

Trying to walk

This week Sarah decided to introduce Clair to a walker. She is suddenly a walking machine. If it moves, she will push it across the floor and walk. She even tried using an exercise ball for this last night which was quite funny. She actually stayed verticle for a few seconds. She's getting fast!

Ten and a half months!

This too has passed

For at least the past 6 to 9 months each night we would put Max to bed and he would be screaming for one of us to come to him within 5 minutes. Usually he needs to go to the bathroom: Sometimes socks: Sometimes just a chat. 

As much as I love my kids, this drama was time consuming on short nights. It felt like it would never end. 

Tonight, laying in bed with max saying prayers and saying good night, I realized this very long phase has passed. 

What they say is true, each little thing can feel like a lifetime, but it always passes. 

St. Patricks Day

Ellie has found great excitement in preparing to trap the leprechaun. This started a couple years ago and has continued. 

One of her friends at school told her that he caught a leprechaun last year, so she is determined its possible.

While they were sleeping the leprechaun visited and turned many chairs, some toy baskets and the trap upside down. This was just more fuel for Ellie. And max was really excited by it too!

This year we had the pleasure of a snow day to enhance the amount of time; yes, the eleventh snow day of her kindergarten year. All day Ellie and Erin tried to build traps and even video tape a leprechaun trying to steal their treasures. They barely left the room and traps for a few minutes before running back. Ellie was so thankful to have Erin there to play and enjoy conspiring. 

Below is an example of one of the elaborate traps they set; it's a rainbow with drawn gold coins and a pile of gold ol' American coins piled at the end. 

As the day ended Ellie's antics were a bit more drastic. The day ended when Ellie was trying to trick the leprechaun into believing we had left the house by opening and closing the door and the. Telling. Everyone to be quiet. David only played along for a couple minutes and then said t was bath time. At this point Ellie had a breakdown. She wasn't ready to give up. 

I was talking to her at bedtime about why she wanted to catch the leprechaun. She wants to make him take us to the end of the rainbow and catch the pot of gold so that I don't have to work anymore :(. This is sweet and breaks my heart at the same time. I am sad that I can't give my kids all the time they want from me. I wish I could give more. I love my kids very much!

Simply take the bottle

Clair hasn't wanted anything to do with a bottle for the past 2.5 days. She has had an intestinal bug and has been drinking water for the past couple days. At first I didn't mind it, but after about 24 hours I started kt feel guilty and like something was missing not feeding her bottles. She is still really young. I tried soy milk, water, pedialite and mixes, but nothing was acceptable. The doctor told me I had to keep her off her formula for 48 hours. So tonight I settled into her room into out chair, we snuggled up and I offered her a regular bottle. At first she tried to push it away, but once I managed to get enough into her mouth that she realized it was her normal, she took right to it with pleasure. We enjoyed a lovely snuggle and leisure bottle. It felt so comforting after the past few days. I had missed those moments and I think she did too. 

Feeding a baby their bottle is one of theost relaxing and fulfilling things. I've always loves doing it. I can't even explain why, but I have. Add onto that witnessing the recovery of my little girl from feeling horrible and it made that bottle the most magical since the first feedings. 

I'm hopeful for a good night sleep and that she keeps it down. 

Prince and princess

Ellie and Max have been pretending to be  each other's prince and princess for the past month or so. It's really cute. Max nearly believes it I think. 

Today we were waiting for Ellie to get in the bus. Max was in the car and we were waving bye. Max yells, "bye princess!" He was so serious, not even a smile. 

I just smiled and I enjoyed his belief and love in his relationship with his sister. True love!

I asked Ellie about it after school. She smiled and said it was a little embarrassing. I told her not to be.