Ninja Go

I must take note of Max's latest obsession which shows no sign of letting up. He's fascinated with Ninjas. Ninja Lego! Ninja books! Ninja weapon building! Ninja Movies! Ninja story writing! Ninja comic books! Ninja stories! Playing Ninja with Henry! It's a Ninja world he lives in. He talks about these things like they truly happened to him in real life.

This is the hardest obsession for me to get into. The only books he will now lay with me to read are these Ninja books. I want to spend this time with him and I try. But it's 20 minutes of reading comics, with small print, and strange words that I always say wrong (according to Max and the Movies).

But I love my boy. Ninja makes him happy!

Ninja GO! lol

Clair's fourth birthday

So Clair woke up in bed with Mommy and Daddy on her fourth birthday just like she wanted. She woke up early and we snuggled before she demanded some TV time. After TV time, it was presents time, even before breakfast, just like her very own Christmas.

She liked the decorations we put up and she loved her balloons from Grannie.

She had only a few presents because her big present from us was the trampoline in our back yard which she loves to death. She enjoyed those presents she did receive - a name puzzle, Peppa wallet, Peppa stamps, markers, chalk, homemade jewelry from her sister, and a new book. As we see, it's a Peppa theme.

She asked for Chocolate Chip Pancakes for breakfast and I indulged. They scarfed them down so fast!

The morning was spent playing. Ellie created a birthday party in her room for her and Clair with sings, songs, tea and all Clair's new presents. It was cute. They enjoyed this time together.

During the afternoon Clair and Mommy got to spend a lot of time together. We played some pretend in the living room, went for a walk outside, played outside on the trampoline and playground, and just enjoyed some time together. It was a pretty day.

Dinner was as Clair wanted - pizza. Mommy snuck in a side of green smoothie and then we finished dinner off with Clair's Peppa Chocolate Chip Cookie cake that Grannie made. It was beautiful and delicious!

Clair had a great day and we had a nice relaxing weekend. Love my little beautiful big girl. She's full of energy, determination, creativity, she's smart, she is busy and she can be loads of fun to hang out with. And, boy, does my girl love to cuddle!

Clair is turning 4

Today we celebrated Clair's 4th birthday having a party at the local bounce house with friends from school, neighbors, and some family. This day was all planned by Clair. She anticipated it for many months. She picked the theme, the place, the people, helped with the gift bags and really had more expectations about the day then I have experienced previously with my kiddos.

The party went very well, despite having several friends unable to attend. There were enough people there to make it feel big and busy. I loved watching her face when everyone sung Happy Birthday to her. She enjoyed it, but didn't smile. I think she was slightly uncomfortable and happy at the same time. The anticipation of the day was felt in that moment. She smiled when it was all done and she blew out her candle.

She got nice presents and had lots of fun with her friends. She especially enjoyed having her friend Kara from the neighborhood there. The big kids had fun with Henry, Elizabeth and cousins. It was a good day.

We had a nice dinner in the evening and watched Beauty and the Beast with the kids before bed. Clair was exhausted. She was beet red in the face and totally sweaty from her bounce time. It was a long day. As David tried to tuck her into bed she proclaimed she doesn't want to turn four. Nearly in tears, she explained to me that she doesn't want to turn four so that I can still carry her and hold her. She wants to stay three forever! (Be still my heart!)

I hugged her tight and smiled. I told her I promised to hold her and carry her while she was four as well. That proclamation held off the tears and then she said she needed to sleep with Mommy and Daddy tonight. So, she's having what she calls a Birthday Sleepover. The women knows what she wants and is pretty darn good at getting what she wants from the world, even her Mommy.

Love my girl. The world awaits Clair and she is coming! She's amazing, determined, smart, loving, emotional and very vocal! I love watching her grow and seeing the person she is becoming.

Mommy and daughter weekend at the beach with friends

This past weekend Ellie and I went away with several mom's and their 3rd graders for a weekend at the beach. This was a new adventure for both of us. We were both a little nervous. We tried to go into it without a lot of expectations and that worked out great. I think we both really had a nice time. We got to know some friends and neighbors better and had fun with each other as well. It was pretty relaxing.

The girls really enjoyed the fun times together.

The moms also enjoyed some relaxation in the sun, on the boardwalk, at dinner, games, and even wrapping up the night with a big puzzle.

I appreciate the time together with Ellie and new friends. It was great to have this opportunity. I don't prioritize friendship enough with everything else at this stage of life. I am very thankful for it though.

Observations from St Patrick's Day Adventure in NYC with the family.

It was a great trip. The kinds enjoyed it. I call it a successful Family Adventure. Here's my top 10:

1- the parade is all day long. Anyone can join the parade. The best part of the Irish st Patrick's day parade is at the end when the counties of Ireland come through with their people, their colors and their banners. It was a ride around Ireland, full of memories and smiles for me. Cute seeing the families and little kids enjoying being in the parade even though they had gone 40 blocks!

2- the subway is still the kids favorite

3- I love watching Clair try to engage strangers in important conversation such as her age and what we've done all day long. It's funny because NYC subway etiquette is don't engage anyone. My girl doesn't see it and doesn't believe it. People smile and her and love her energy and her smile. I love this!

4- Ellie really enjoyed the parade with me. I think it was and example of how she wanted to enjoy it with me because I was. I think I might have set a good example today.

5- I think I was more laid back today and I hope the kids saw it.

6- I had to tell Ellie not to listen to things that she shouldn't hear, such as curse words. At one point she was walking with David and I hear her rattling off the sins of manhattan to David as if it's confession. "Daddy, today I hear 2 a word, 3 f words, and saw some mans butt because he didn't have his pants up and he didn't even care. I wish the police would have gotten him."  Gosh I love this innocence.

6- max likes to laugh. This isn't news. He wants a good laugh. Oh how my boy will fit in at these Irish pubs one day soon.

7- we visited no less then 10 distinct bathrooms and several multiple times. We didn't go 30 minutes between visits. Yet, still, something was achieved and memories were made.

8- I said the phrases "Max, puddle!" "Max walk on the left." "Max watch where you are going." And "max, stop spinning" at least every minute All Day Long!  By golly we kept him alive and his feet dry! It was a miracle.

9- kids didn't enjoy the taxi as much as the train. They don't understand traffic. They are blessed by country living.

10- candy. It pleases kids. Always! A visit to Dylan's Candy shop was the highlight of the day to them.

David is now out having a few drinks to celebrate. I'm in bed. No cider for me. The upper east has been good to us as a family today. But it's foreign territory. This is why there was no cider to be found. It must be. Here's to a dry st Patrick's day where I am not pregnant. I don't think I've had one of them in 20 years.

Slante!

There's a fine line between creativity and mess

I often can't determine the difference between mess versus childhood creativity. I would prefer a magazine perfect house all the time. But I have 3 kids, and a husband, and let's face it, myself that live here. So this isn't possible. I must accept something less. The struggle is real and daily, as to what's a mess and what's allowed as part of growing up for my kiddos.

Sunday night I usually walk around the main floor and try to ready it for the week. I try to have it someone cleaned up for when Sarah arrives on Monday mornings. Usually, there is something to clean up, but sometimes it's worse then others. As I stood in the living room aka playroom last night, I glared at this structure thinking what a mess.

Then, I remembered Max's tour he gave me earlier in the day. He was so proud of this fort. "This is a multi floor fort Mommy, it has a basement Look!" Clair has a bedroom in the basement of the fort. Max has his own room on the main floor, and Ellie has her own room, separately as well. Max was so proud. He built this. He tried to urge his sisters to hangout and play with him in this latest and greatest masterpiece. He would give them anything to play in his space with him.

Max is physical. He is creative. This fort is his kind of thing!

Is it a mess or creativity? Last night I decided it was more creativity then mess, and I left it up for another day. Each incident is a struggle, sometimes the kids lose and I make them "Clean Up this Mess!" Last night, I was able to step back and enjoy it. I imagine in about 15 years, I'll be longing for the days of forts to clean up in the living room.

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!