Meet the babies

Clair got a baby at Christmas and the big kids have revived their babies. Today Max  also renamed his baby Colin to baby Jesus Colin Cummings. 

Lol

These two are Monkey see and Monkey do. 

Christmas break 2014

I am very grateful for the two weeks off I have with the kids this year at Christmas time. Ellie and Max are both very excited about the festivities and counting down to important days. It's week after Christmas and they are still counting which day of Christmas it is. Ellie is convinced we will celebrate all 12 days.

Ellie is enjoying the time off from school. Max I believe is mostly enjoying his time, though he does ask every day if Macera's coming tomorrow. He admitted he misses her. I think that Clair is enjoying the time with me. Perhaps the exception would be me letting her hit her head three times this one morning. She seems to be okay though. She is my girly.

Christmas break included a long visit from grandpa Bob as normal. We spent Christmas night at Katie and Danny's. And we had Saturday with mom and the cousins at the Mapleville farm. 

Present opening lasted all morning on Christmas morning. But we did get through them for the first time ever. They were good sports about it all. Max, was the most discontent and he really needed to open presents and play with them as we went. He wasn't very good at waiting and enjoying watching others open their gifts. Ellie was very good about enjoying others and giving out presents as well.  Clair just needed to be busy whether that was helping others or playing with her toys she needed to be busy. It was no different than any other day really except there was a lot of paper and commotion.

I think Ellie might about ground playing in the wrapping paper for the first time. She humored me for the traditional picture, but Max and Claire enjoyed playing in it much more.

The kids got so much stuff. Sometimes it all feels overwhelming. You're spending the week after trying to play with this much stuff as possible. Also, trying to keep the new electronics from breaking. That will be a constant struggle.

David is working for a few days but not many. It's like having us both home. It's good to have this time as a family.

Artful Christmas from Ellie

This Christmas Ellie provided the family many gifts. She did very creative things with her art skills. My favorite is the elf that she made in school which included an elf application. She made Max a race track out of paper for a car. She made lots of cards and drawings for us. She is very talented and sweet and loves to use her skills and truly loved giving her artwork. On Christmas morning she was more interested in giving out her artwork presents to others instead of opening her presents.

Love my Ellie bean!

Old fashion air popcorn popper

I asked for an old time air popcorn popper like Vonita had when I was growing up for Christmas. I was always fascinated watching the popcorn come up through the funnel and full the bowl waiting below. Today the kids and I opened mine and they were as summated as I was. It was great watching the excitement and the giggles from all four of us as we watched the popcorn first come to life.

I am off from work all week, and we do not have that much of an agenda. I am grateful for this time and hope to be able to relax and enjoy my children and allow them to enjoy me.

Another month of life full of changes

It's been nearly a month since my last blog. I am guilty of not recording. The precious and lovely conversations I have with my kiddos. They are fantastic!

Clair is starting to speak. She says single words often and still uses sounds and actions to get everything she wants and needs. She know how to work the situation. It's adorable really. 

Some words she said today which were very clear to me were: Snack, Katie, Jesus, and many more. 

She and I have enjoyed playing together a lot more since I recovered from my stomach bug last week. She's a girl who loves to play, giggle and laugh. 

She's starting to sit and try to concentrate on things sometimes- for example she really seems to enjoy the Lego duplex blocks. It's amazing to watch what she can do at 20 months!

My gorgeous girl is 20 months old today. I can't believe it. I got her to wear a hair clip most of the morning. I think it changed her look to more grown up. She's adorable. 

They love me so

Tonight we had Katie and kids over for dinner. After dinner we were downstairs watching the daily show. I was sitting next to Katie and she got a bit frisky and tried tickling me. I started to fear the tickle and nearly cry. Max and Ellie broke their show characters and yelled at Katie to leave their mommy alone. It was so cute  

When Katie proceeded to tickle, Ellie ran over and hugged me to protect me. 

Katie was awe struck. In not sure if this level of protection is healthy or not, but it is surely evident they love me and don't ever want to see me in any pain. 

Love my kiddos 

Kissed her back to sleep

During our one day presents around New York City, pointe Claire was napping in her stroller while we were waiting for a train. It got quite noisy in the tunnel and she started to stir and open her eyes. I've been down and quietly tried to push her back to sleep. I kissed her gently on her for head and told her my name. She turned over and went back to sleep.

I was excited, and told Ellie I kissed Clair back to sleep. She thought that was cute.

I watched Ellie as she started hovering over Clair. She was waiting for the next train so she could take care of her baby sister and kiss her back to sleep. When the next train came I left Allie to it. And she quietly kissed clear back to sleep successfully. Ellie was so proud of herself. She was really sweet and gentle.

When she backed up after completing her task, I smiled at her and told her she was going to be a great mommy when she grew up. She got that very proud and very happy smile on her face and just gave me the best look of achievement and happiness. 

Amazes me how much LA respects me and when I give her praise her reaction is priceless and so very grateful. 

Trying to start a new Christmas family tradition

Or so I told myself. That was the excuse I used when suggesting we take a one day one night trip to New York City with three kids on Thanksgiving night. I managed to convince David it was a good idea and the kids thought it was a great idea, all except for Clair who had no idea what she was in for. 

We stayed across the river in Weehawken this time. We took the ferry into the city. That was the start of a great adventure for the kids who have no memory of being on boats.

The morning started off a bit rough, as Clair hardly slept last night. And then, through her breakfast up all over the club lounge floor, table, me and her. After a rejuvenating and cleaning for us both In the hotel room, where clear sat on the bed and watched the birds fly across the Hudson whilst eating baby food, she seemed good to go. So we ventured into the city.

The ferry ride was a great way to start. Once we landed we hopped a bus down to see the Macy's Christmas window display. That was mildly entertaining as well, because Ellie pointed out what she had seen on TV the day before watching the parade.

Next stop was a Christmas market in Union Square. The entertainment during the spot was shopping for mommy and daddy. Food for Ellie and Max, and mommy and daddy. For Claire, it was chasing pigeons for the first time in a park in New York City. It was hilarious to watch her wobble around the park.

After a snack, we then proceeded to head uptown to Rockefeller center to see the unlit Christmas tree and explore a few more store windows. This was probably the least impressive spot to the kids. Nonetheless, I think it will be more exciting when they watch the big tree get lit on TV remember they were just there. We also captured a few other Midtown highlights such as the big Christmas ornaments and lights outside the Time Warner building.

After this, thankfully Clair fell asleep in her stroller. This was what I was afraid wouldn't happen so I was thrilled.  But she enjoyed a nice nearly 2 hour nap while we enjoyed a nice pizza lunch. At this point, I was amazed at how well Max and Elly were truly doing. So we decided we would stay longer and venture back to my old wood in the upper West side.

We went to the local but data that I enjoy and got clear her lunch. Then we let the kids play at the local playground until I noticed Clair was literally shivering as she ran up and down the slide. It was at that point that we realized it was just too cold and headed indoor at a fancy treat shop for another treat for the family.

The last stop was a visit to miss Sarah's aunt. The kids thought it was really cool to be able to see Sarah, Erin and Jim for we were up there. 

As we made our way through the day the kids begin loading the large number of transportation types we enjoyed throughout the day. Subway rides are always a highlight for Max and Elly. One thing this time changed a little bit when Max got shaken to the ground on one of his trips. He quickly started realizing the value of the seats we offered him as soon as we entered the trains. It was funny watching him scramble for a seat the last time we got on the train. He wasn't going to argue about not sitting down, he was going to secure himself a seat so he didn't get through me when the train took off.

I was reminded how nice New Yorkers really are today multiple times. They were very helpful people along the way who always offer the bathroom when we needed it for kids, who gave up their seat on the train for us to sit as a family at times always for the kids, and who helped with directions and information to make life easy. Honestly, it couldn't have gone much better today. I'm really glad we went. And I think the kids are too. And, I think David is too. 

Rejuvenating

Nighttime arrival at midnight

Macys

Max kept telling us he was so cold, so he snuggled in whilst Clair took every given opportunity to trot around the city. 

My local, playground that is. 

Waiting for the ferry back to Jersey, all in good spirits. 

They slept nearly the whole way home. Perfect little Angels. Lol

So darling

Ellie's teacher has this thoughtful document for the parents at conferences. How nice. 

Happy 7th birthday Ellie Grey

Ellie is now 7. This means I've been a mom over 7 years and honestly it's true when they (who are they anyway) that it's hard to remember life before kids. I do have memories, but it nearly feels like I was a totally different person. I think I was someone for 31 years and then the day Ellie was born I lost the old me and became who I am today. 

I would not trade it for the world. I love my kids. I love being a Mom; it is the best! Sometimes though I think my kids would have surely had more fun with the pre-mom me. I hope that's how it's supposed to be. I spend my life worrying about their safety, health, development, friends, school, care, do they know how much I love them even though I leave every day to go to work. It's a nightmare the amount if worry I carry daily. 

My prayer and hope is that at least some of this is normal and despite it, they will grow up happy, knowing God, healthy, fulfilled and part of a well connected and loving family they keep close to forever. 

Ellie is seven. She is in first grade. She has some friends. She is very smart. She is a great artist. She has athletic talent and is only interested in using it for things she likes. She can dance and she enjoys music. She is trying to teach herself to play the piano. She is a great big sister who loves Clair and Max. She still thinks I hung the moon. I'm really not sure why. I tell her that will end but she says it never will. We will see about that. I don't deserve to be seen as so perfect. 

She hates that I work and wants more then anything to win the lottery so I can stay home with her. I am sad that will never happen, as we don't even play. Actually, her version of this fantasy is that we will find the lucky pot if gold at the end of a rainbow or with a leprechaun. 

She is innocent still in her knowledge or the world, of good, and all things right. I am thankful. 

I hear seven is a great year. I believe it because they all have great moments to offer. Tonight Ellie and David put together an electric circuit and played with lights. They enjoy doing projects together. 

Ellie is one of my greatest blessings I life. I'm so happy to be her mom. Celebrating her birthday with her was really fun this year. She really anticipated it and had a vision of what it would be. And in the end  if the night, she said it was the best day ever!

Some highlights include an afternoon date with Mommy for Starbucks and ice skating, a dinner she loves with an ice cream cake she asked for, loads of presents and a new movie to watch before bed. This all meant we had A happy happy Ellie Bean!

Life as a story or a storybook life?

Max loves stories. He loves listening to them and he is also very creative and loves making his daily life into a story. Often, he comes up with a story for any given moment to make it more exciting. 

This morning when he got up I asked him, "how is my little dinosaur today?" He responds, "I'm a skunk. Don't touch my stinky tail mommy!"  I sort of laugh and say. "Okay, how's my little skunk this morning?"  

Max replies withou skipping a beat and begins playing with toys outside my bathroom door still in his one piece red winter Jammies. He is making up stories about the toys homes, and what thy are doing. After a few minutes I asked if he had been to the bathroom yet because usually he has to rush off for a morning pee. He replies, "no, I haven't pooped in a while!" and rushes off to the bathroom as if I just had a brainstorm. It was quite funny. 

He sits there for a couple minutes and does his thing and then announces, "mommy my poop is my stink that was in my tail. It's coming out now so you don't have to worry about my spraying you anymore with my stinky tail anymore "

Okay then. My only reply was to laugh and thank him. He cracks me up. 

Maybe I'm the one with a story book life :)

I woke up beside a cow this morning

15 years ago perhaps one might ask what I had to drink, but there was no alcohol involved.  It is simply being the mother of 3 young children. It's a toss up as to who left us this plastic cow in our bed- Clair or Max. My bets on Max simply because Clair can't climb with things in her hands yet, at least that I'm aware of?

This is the stage if life I'm in. I wonder what will be there tomorrow morning. 

Nighttime kisses

I was explaining to Ellie and Max that each night before I go to bed I check in them and give then a kiss. 

Their reactions were cute. 

I told Max that I usually have to put my hands on his chest to feel his heart beating because he lays so still. He laughed. 

 

Ellie wanted to know what she did when I kissed her. I told her she usually tosses and turns over acting a bit bothered. She went quite. 

As I was leaving the room later Ellie says, "mommy, I move around a lot when I sleep so in sure I move when you kiss me because it is time for me to move. You aren't bothering me. So you can keep kissing me."

Isn't that cute?? She doesn't want me to stop. My Ellie bean loves me and my attention so much. I hope hat never changes and that I am able to give her what she wants. 

Field trip with my boy

This has been a relaxing morning. I took off work to go on a field trip with max from his preschool to the local rails and roads museum. 

It was a cute and short trip. Max was happy to have me with him. However, his favorite thing was clearly pushing the bottoms. He loved wage he knew he made the train move. 

He couldn't decide if he wanted to go back to class or home with me. It was only about a one hour field trip. He ended up back in class as that seemed to be what everyone else was doing. 

My boy is well behaved, engaged, and enjoys being with me! I am so thankful to be his mom. 

He is growing every day. This is him 3 years ago and then now. My boy is so sweet. 

Today he told me he was going to give me 22 kisses when I came in for the field trip. Apparently he told this to his teachers too. When we walked out the door and down to the street. He stopped and started kissing and counting. It was adorable. I got my 22!!! 

A mommy Saturday

today David had a side job so I was home alone with the kids. I still am not supposed to lift Claire after my hernia operation only 3 1/2 weeks ago, so I decided that this was a day where we would not try to accomplish anything but just enjoy it. I believe that principle set us up for a very good day.

Ellie told me she wished every day was like today. We all agree we had quite a nice day. We just hung out in the house. We played together and we were able to do some things that I never have time to do with the kids. I taught Ellie another song on the piano - twinkle.  Max and Clair took turned on the new baby piano. We even managed to play outside for about half hour or 45 minutes. During that time everyone seemed to have a pretty good time and I even clear the deck of leaves. Once inside I let everyone paint, and I even had time to paint with them. Clair is quite the artist for her age.

We enjoyed a nice lunch and after Claire went for her nap, I let Ellie and Max watch a movie with me. The three of us sat on the couch, I will admit I did some work during this. But was also very much engaged with them in the movie.

After the movie we baked some nice fall bread together the three of us. After Claire was up we sat on the couch and read the human anatomy book for a good 45 minutes. Ellie was really interested in it all. I enjoyed having a chance to sit and talk with her and see how she really does pick up on things. She is a sponge for learning at this age.

We also made some time for a little roughhousing play in the basement before David got home. I've been a Max getting hurt a few times, I think it was  good day. 

I even spent extra time with Max and Elly putting them to bed this evening. I read to them each and we snuggled and cuddled. It was really nice just having a day to be a mom to my three wonderful kids.

Most impressive accomplishment of the day may have been actually not having to pick Clair up. At 18 months I was able to negotiate with her to do everything that needed to be done to get through the day without any breakdowns. That included coming up to bed on time, getting diapers changed we needed, washing hands when needed, coming inside when I asked, and eating and climbing into her own highchair. She is a good little girl.

I love my kiddos and I love being their mom!

Preschool pickup

I absolutely love to pick up Max from preschool. He gets the best grin on his face and is squirmy in his seat. He just giggles and can not wait to be released so he can come hug me! That boy makes me so happy. His delight is felt by the whole room and no child gets close to it. Even his teachers commented on it. Today Ms Debbie says, "Max are you excited to see someone today?"  

My boy is too cute!

Artist of the Month

This week Ellie also brought home the artist of the month award. We are so proud of her and she is quite proud of this as well. She couldn't wait to show it to me when I picked her up yesterday!

Way to go Ellie bean!

My lite bright bug - Ellie Grey

This morning I received a call from Ellies first grade teacher. She introduced herself and started off by saying this is a positive phone call home about Ellie. Ellie was so proud of the fact that she was going to get a phone call home to me about how she had been doing in school.   To earn her call home, she turned in 15 bright bug points which she had dutifully earned for good behavior during the school days over the past month and a half. Her teacher informed me that she was the first person to earn a phone call home.

Ms. W had only good things to say about Ellie. She said she is a great student who is a role model for others. She takes her responsibilities in class seriously. She does not goof around during class, even though she does at lunch like many if them do to let off some steam. 

It was a short, sweet conversation, and it is best summarized by Ms Ws parting words, "congratulations on raising such a wonderful little girl!" This makes me feel proud. I know Allie is wonderful, but it is wonderful to have others and society see this in her too. She makes me proud. I am excited to watch her grow into all God has planned for her. 

Here's a picture I took of Ellie practicing her math flashcards last night.

Suregry for Moma

I finally bit the bullet and had the hernia surgery this week. It's two days on, and the recovery is slow. But I am enjoying the time at home with the kids even with limited mobility and usefulness.

The most striking part of the whole day was the conversation I had with Max before he went to bed that night.He said to me when I got home from surgery, "now that you had your surgery mama, you don't ever have to go back to work again right?" With a hopeful gleem in his eyes. It was so sweet and innocent, if only it was true.

Max is a sweet little boy I love him to bits. He is just about to read me some bedtime stories. We will both then go for naps.

Apple picking

This past Saturday we went to pick apples as a family. Everyone was looking forward to it, but I think David was most excited. He's an apple addict and the thoughts of unlimited number of apples to eat each day is thrilling to him. 

It was a nice adventure. Everyone helped out, including Clair who was particularly excited to help out. She was diving under the trees at one point to fetch her view of the perfect apple. She also Barrie's her figures into the images bad apple on the ground once before finally deciding to be a bit more picky around what she touched!

Max loves helping daddy an the tractor ride to and from the orchard. He also loves playing on the old tractor at the playground. 

Ellie was a good sport about it all, although this wasn't that exciting to her I don't think. 

All in all it was a nice morning and I look forward to doig this yearly if we can. We bought 47 pouns of apples. Let's see how log they last!

Max couldn't wait to get home and eat a whole apple himself, just like daddy!

Poor Max

He has been a trooper her his bike and scooter. He's really very good at both.  However, today something happened when he was out with ms Sarah and Clair for a morning ride. He had a bad fall and the handlebars hit him in the face. Poor little guy was a tough boy when he got home to get it washed, iced and medicine. It looks horrible though. Thankful it didn't get his eye. 

Toothless girly

Ellie has been losing a lot of teeth these past few months. She's lost 3 of 6 in the past month I believe. She loves losing her teeth and has collected a whopping $25! The tooth fairy pays well. 

She's a cutie pie. She's very patient waiting for them to come out and very happy when they do. She uses her back teeth a lot now and has some trouble with raw veggies like carrots!

First grade field trip with Ellie

Monday I was able to take the morning off work and be a chaperone for Ellie's field trip to the Great Frederick Fair. It was a nice morning. I love being able to so these things with Ellie and the fact that she wants me there!

Here are a couple photos!