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!