Growing and growing, it's good, I know

Clair turns 4 in a month and a half, she comfortably wears size 5/6 clothes at this point. That size is really not little girl clothes anymore. She is starting to get into big girl stuff. I find myself having to retire favorites that have been a part of the clothes rotation between Ellie and Clair, and even Max sometimes for 5 years.

This morning I dressed Clair in these little brown corduroy pants that I knew were too small, but they have been so cute on her for about 2 years. She complained, "These are the ones that make my underwear push into my bottom Mommy."  Okay, darling, I guess it really is time they go into the donate box, and on they go. She is comfortable, and I tuck those cute little pants into a box in the closet, a very big and full box of things that show the baby stage and toddler stage of my life and my children's life is really something of the past.

I have 3 big kids. I have one who borderlines a teenager sometimes. Max, he's happy being a little boy still, and also has his preferences for clothes. And the baby, she's really not much of a baby anymore.

This morning Facebook showed me a picture of Max's Baptism Day 6 years ago. He was such a handsome little fellow, and he still looks the same today. They are growing, as they should. I love them so much. I do know I will long for the days they were little cuddly babies in my arms, where we snuggled with blankies, bottles, pacifiers and books. That was the stage I always wanted growing up. I sure did enjoy it. It's sad admitting they are in the past. But, I wouldn't want it any other way. I am grateful for the journey being their Mom!

Be Like Max

Every morning Max is the first one awake and he comes to find me with a smile on his face to say Good morning.

I love the positive energy he brings to our house. Often he wants to share some cuddles with me and sometimes he just needs to be silly and make me laugh.  Today he told me he "woke up on the silly side of the bed."

The other morning the kids are sitting around watching a few minutes of TV as a reward for being ready. Clair is cuddling blanky, Ellie's eyes are glued to the TV, and Max has a few moments in his latest favorite costume. It's just a regular morning at our house while they prepare themselves for the day, each in their own ways.

Last night I had a box of clothes arrive and spent time getting the kids to try things on. The girls put theirs on and they admire themselves and their pretty clothes. Max, puts his clothes on and takes on different poses that could be straight out of wrestling movies! He's a fun boy.

I have a little belief that I'd like to live life like a Tigger! I feel Max is my Tigger most days, especially the mornings after a good nights sleep!

Ellie Rocks School

I'm so proud of how Ellie does in school. She has had great, perfect report cards this year. Here's a sample of her most recent progress report.

Way to go Ellie!

I'm in charge

Clair is really testing her limits. She gets away with more bossiness and more of having things her way then Max or Ellie ever did. I'm starting to get a little concerned about it at times. We are trying to remember to not laugh (which is honestly more of the tendency at this point with number three and no babies to follow) but to discipline her.

Yesterday it was time to come up for a nap and she yelled at me, "No."  When I reminded her that I was in charge, she looked at me and firmly replied, "No, I'm the boss. I'm in charge of you." She cautiously looked at me to see what would happen next.

I quickly lowered my eyes to her and responded with something like, "Excuse me, who is the mother here?"

Her response was then something like, "Me, I'm the mom."

It was naptime and I gave her a quick choice / bribe which she decided to comply with. Head up the stairs right now or no story. She gave in and did what was required, sort of.

This girl... she's giving me a run for my money. She won't be a rule follower when she doesn't want to be.

My Clair Bear Vonita....

Two more babies

Last night I'm laying in bed with Clair as she's trying to go to sleep. She lays on top of me and asks, "Why is your tummy so big?"

I sort of laugh and tell her it's because I've eaten too many treats.

I think the angle she was going is that she hoped for me to say because another baby was coming. Her response was "when will you have another baby?"

I told her there were no more babies coming and that she is my baby. I said I did want to have another boy though. She said she wants a baby girl too. She says I can have "Two more babies." as she puts up her two fingers to show me exactly what she wants, as to avoid any confusion with her ask.

I do think it's super sweet she's willing to relinquish the role of baby in the family. I do wish I felt I could handle another baby without sacrificing the relationship I have with the ones I have already, but I don't feel that way. Plus, my body couldn't handle it.

So, Clair Bear, I hope that you and your siblings continue to love and appreciate each other as a group of three. It's a good number!

Piano Girl

Ellie started piano officially 3 weeks ago. She wasn't sure if she wanted to do this or not, but I decided it was time to give it a try.

Three weeks later I'm totally convinced this is a great opportunity for her. She's enjoying it a lot and really excelling in her abilities to play the music. She's interested in practicing, she's asking questions, and she's generally looking forward to her lessons. This makes me so very happy!

Last night we tried Heart and Soul together for the first time. It was so much fun. She was interested in me trying to teach her something.

I hope that this continues. I'm proud of my girl. I am so thankful we took this leap!

Candy Man

Last night I went to tuck Max into bed. As I am straightening his bed, I find orange Tic Tacs and a candy cane hidden under his pillow.

The look on his face as I pull them out and look him in the eyes saying, "Maximilian John Cummings." It was serious, sad, worried, cautious, embarrassed and horrified. When I asked him why these were there he just kept saying, " I just wanted to look at them, i haven't eaten them." "Mommy, I just wanted to look at them." "Mommyyyyy"

I walked away, for time to think, and got David.

We go into his room to talk to him. He is very serious. He maintained that he hadn't eaten them and put them under his pillow because he thought he would be hungry a couple nights ago.  We told him we were disappointed. This is the third time we've caught him sneaking candy at night in the past year. He's not learning.

When I tucked him in I made sure he knows I love him. Everyone makes mistakes, including mommy. I mentioned that the important thing is that we all learn from our mistakes and don't keep making the same mistakes twice. His question, " Do even Grannies make mistakes?" I laughed and said, "yes, they just make less mistakes because they have had more time to learn from their first mistakes in life."

He was baffled at the fact Grannies make mistakes, not so much that mommy's make mistakes though. This makes me smile.

I left him telling him we would think about his punishment and I have no idea still what that will be. I love my boy. I wish this wasn't such a big deal for him.