Growing up

I got this little quote several years ago and saved it because I really liked it. I came across it recently & liked it even more after stumbling onto it again. I'm so glad I saved it. I'm not sure who said it, but I thought it was worth repeating, mainly for myself. :-)

"As we grow up, we learn that even the one person that wasn't supposed to ever let you down probably will. You will have your heart broken probably more than once and it's harder every time. You'll break hearts too, so remember how it felt when yours was broken. You'll fight with your best friend. You'll blame a new love for things an old one did. You'll cry because time is passing too fast, and you'll eventually lose someone you love. So take too many pictures, laugh too much, and love like you've never been hurt because every sixty seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back."

basket of fun

I know I've mentioned before that I'm not a big fan of laundry. Today however, I had such a great helper, that it was a little more fun. :-)

Cameron loves to sit in laundry baskets. He likes to put things in them, push them around and sit in them for us to push him around. Today he insisted on dumping out the things that were in this one, and climbing in to sit by me while I folded clothes. He was not satisfied with that alone though. He had to have his goldfish crackers in there as well. His other household item of choice was the large vanilla candle that it sitting to the left of him. This candle is one of two that sit on a low shelf in our living room. He has a fascination with these candles and carries them around to various places in the house every day. I think it is because they are within his reach and a good size for him to hold. Whatever the reason though, he really likes to play with them. and he wasn't content until the candle had joined him in the laundry basket. Ahhh . . . goldfish -check, candle-check, laundry basket to hang out in- check. How could anything be better?
If only all of us were so easily amused.

Baby Talk

I just have to say, I LOVE hearing my little boy learn to talk. He says new things every day and it just brings huge smiles to my face every time! That little voice is absolutely precious. I love it so much and could listen to him talk to me all day long. This week the favorite words he's been using repeatedly are:

"ah - oh!" - said with a pointing finger at various items on the ground, or counter or elsewhere in the house, that he thinks are out of place.

"Mum, Mum, Mum, Mum" . . . in that order, until I answer him with a "Mama" and he grins at me and replies with, "Mum, Mum, Mum"

"Mi-ee." or "mi-ee . . . babble, babble." He has learned that when he wants something, he says, "mine" to tell us that he wants it. Or if he wants something that we took away, he says mine and then attempts to name the object. It is so cute to hear him making these little conversations with us. "Mine" is even cute for now, but I can see the future well enough that I don't encourage it, too much. :-)

"Mmmmmm" is now the favorite response to anything he eats that he likes. A few days ago he sat in his highchair with a spoon in one hand and a fork in the other eating lunch. He would take a bite, look up at me and say, "mmmmm," then take another bite. He did this the whole time he was eating. It was great entertainment for me while I did the dishes next to him! Who knew cleaning the kitchen could be so much fun?

My personal favorite is "shoooooo - shooo." It is said repeatedly in a sing song voice, as he walks around calling for his shoes, which he always wants to put on. He is under the impression that if shoes are on, we are going outside. This is not always the case, which is very disappointing to him. He LOVES to be outside.

It is baffling how much my baby has turned into a toddler recently. He's not just bigger, he understands and communicates with us and hangs out with the family just like one of the big kids. It's so fun to watch them grow, but "sigh," can't they stay small just a little longer?

Grrr.

my dishwasher's broken.

that stinks.

(actually it's gonna be the dishes that stink, if it isn't fixed soon. )

The Break's over???

We have had plenty to do the past two weeks! We did a little of lots of things, like . . . cookie decorating, playing with friends, wrapping gifts, Christmas caroling, picture taking, blanket collecting, reindeer feeding, Santa visiting, packing bags, blanket delivering, unpacking boxes, road trip, DS playing, cousin visiting, egg collecting, gift opening, pajama loving, sneezing, coughing, medicine taking, unpacking bags & packing again, RV'ing, Dino track hunting, hiking, game playing, barbecuing, glow stick loving, reading, unpacking cars, packing cars, traveling some more, beach exploring, sand castle building, swimming, more cousin visiting, traveling, movie watching, "Rain forest" exploring, eating too much and of course, never enough snuggling. Whew! It's been a whirlwind of a Christmas break. There was never a dull moment.

I can't believe we're headed back to real life tomorrow. It was SO nice to have a break from the every day routine and we packed the days full of wonderfulness. We spent more time gone then we did at home, but we made some great memories with our kids. Cameron found heaven at the beach. He had an enormous smile pasted on the whole time we were there. He ran back and forth, screamed in delight and dug in the sand to his hearts content. Brooke joined the big kid club with her own Nintendo DS and had lots of fun playing games with Austin. She was also right at home by Mommy's side every day, where we both love for her to be. Austin got to use his very own new pocket knife on a camping trip friends. We all explored the outdoors and discovered how cool real Dino tracks are. John got to drop his fishing line in salt water, even though he didn't catch any thing. It was great to spend time with family and friends and most of all with each other.

I'm not excited about getting back to school tomorrow. I have to admit, I'm missin' my kids already and they're still in their beds sleeping. I'm one of those mom's that cries when they go off to school, and contemplates homeschooling, just to keep them around more. I never quite get my fill of them. This was a much needed break, we had a great time together. Thankfully, they thought so too. Last night as the kids were drifting off in the car and we were driving home, I asked what their favorite part of Christmas break was. They both had the same answer, "Everything!" That was a great answer. I totally agree.

Now tomorrow I start on all the stuff that we didn't do over the break . . . like, you guessed it, laundry. But, I'm grateful for that, right?? Of course I am! :-)