Hush Little Baby

Max wasn't much into books for the first year and a half. He has recenty started to enjoy a few key books. Once he finds something he's attracted to, he wants that same book night and morning.

Recently he has been a big fan of the Lullybye book made for the song Hush Little Baby. We got this book when Ellie was a baby and I usually sing it to the kids. Max really likes to help with singing songs. He has recently started filling in the last word of each lyrical phrase within a song.

When we read this book now, he has started sitting beside me in the rocking chair and filling in the last words. It is so cute. He's such a little boy sitting beside me in the chair, but he's growing so fast. He's stubborn too. Sitting beside me wasn't my idea; it's the idea of my very independent little boy!

My mother's day

Today was a relaxing mother's day with both kids able to assert their opinions, have fun with their cousins, and say Happy Mothers Day (or nearly). It was a gorgeous sunshiney day. We started with a relaxing morning at home. We then joined the extended family for brunch. We have 15 people about half kids. They all did really well, enjoy their food and each other's company. Mom enjoyed her time too. Max even nearly sat still, or stayed near the table for about 90 minutes. I was really happy with everyone.

After brunch David and I took the kids to try a new park. We hung out for about an hour and then came home for naptime. It was a relaxing afternoon. I cooked a nice dinner with Greek Braised Meatballs that were almost as good as my favorite restaurant.(I am quite proud of these!) We had a lovely evening playing out front. The kids really like to go out and visit our neighbor Larry each evening. They are developing a cute relationship with him. Bathtime and bed went smoothly and I even squeezed in a workout. I wasn't very faithful to my diet, but I will try to get back on track tomorrow. I allowed myself some fun today.

Pictures are impossible

It is purely impossible to get a picture of me with my kids. This morning we spent about 10 minutes trying. If it wasn't Max upset, it was Ellie. If they were both still for a moment, I wasn't happy with my own photo. I am not sure how anyone posts all these gorgeous pictures of multiple kids and/or their family. It amazes me.

The Celtic Festival

Today while David worked on the outside of the house, the kids and I spent the day together. After dance we decided to check out the local Celtic festival at the fair grounds. We got to see all kinds of Celtic things - sheep herding, westies, swords, ancient battling, Irish hound dogs, log throwing and a few other historic sports, kilts, dancing, music and some nice people. The kids were really interested in the different events. There was a lot to do at our own pace. As we went around the grounds I tried to help them understand this was their heritage. I'm not sure how much really sank in this year, but it is definitely an event we will return to. Hopefully Daddy will enjoy it next year. Here are a few photos from the day. Max was very excited about his new ball. Mommy was very excited about the colors!

  

Learning to tell time

Friday morning, after Ellie was up at 6:30 am and according to David, "helped him off to work like a little wifey," I decided it was time to teach Ellie how to read the clock. Or, at least she was going to learn how to read 7 am (what time in the morning she could get out of bed) and 4pm (what time after nap she was allowed to get out of bed).

She's a quick learner and was excited at the idea of her new found responsibility and freedom. Saturday morning it worked like a charm. She wasn't up before 7, which was my goal. Later in the day she told me she wasn't ready to get up at 7, so she went back to sleep. That was fine with me!

Take 2, was nap time. I showed her what 4pm would look like and put her to bed. I thought we had this down, but after about 45 minutes, I was taking something up the stairs and little miss thing was coming down the stairs. I asked what was she doing. She explained she was done sleeping. I explained she wasn't done until it read 4 on the clock. She didn't like that, but with strong conviction, we walked back into her room together. I put her in bed. I explained that she could sit there and read until 4pm, but she had to be quiet and couldn't move around. She listened!

My little bean sure is growing up.

On Monday, she even got herself up and dressed before I was done with Max. Her independence is welcomed in ways like this!

Ellie is wearing my sweatshirt at Celtic Day after polishing off a huge cup of ice cream and being cold. She wasn't into the idea until I told her it was like a big dress.

Mr. Independence

Max's independent streak is making itself loud and clear this month. His favorite words are "I do it." I think that's probably officially his first sentence. I hear it so much, I should be rich.

We were on a family bike ride Friday night. Instead of riding his little bike, which he is actively learning to peddle, pretty well I must add. But instead of riding his bike, the little independent son of mine, wanted to push his little helmet through the neighborhood. It starts so young!

Sunday morning

I'm really enjoying our Sunday morning routine and visit with friends at Wiggles and Worship. It was hard finding a worship ritual that works with the kids so little but Wiggles and Worship is perfect. We are starting to make some friends and both kids feel very comfortable and I believe look forward to it.

It also helps that we enjoy a little visit to Starbucks each morning. The kids get little treats and enjoy saying hi to Miss Natasha. We've been breaking Max in. Natasha is determined that Max will like her too. This week he was really excited to see her and wanted me to pick him up so he could see her. When he saw her, his smile was so broad. Then, when Natasha engaged him in conversation, what did he say, "Daddy" with gusto!

There leaves me to explain "Daddy is his hero and everyone should know it." It was so cute.