Reasons that I smile...

Parenting is tough work.

We have hit a bit of a rough patch.

Boundaries are being tested.

Then pushed beyond the point.

Over the years I have had good and bad days as a mother.

Typically when it is time for bed and I reflect on the day I only remember the good.

Lately my daily memories of the good 

are also accompanied by not so fond memories clouding my rose colored glasses.

This weekend was a pretty good one.
During quiet time today I was laying with Griff.
He reached over gave me a giant hug and said,
"I love you mama."
I could tell that he meant it with all that he is.

That right there is all that I need to recharge my battery.

Tonight I am looking at pictures of my precious children.

They are truly the reason that I smile.

Afternoon swinging at the park.

Baby Bear enjoying his first sno ball of the season.

Griff enjoying his afternoon treat too.

You can read exactly what is on his mind!

Running with his endless supply of energy.

Can't get enough of that smile.

Griff the great with his hat and wand.

Mischief has a face...

Busted! 

Bedtime story with MiMi

Whoops did I really sleep until 8am?!?

Baby Bear insisted on a pair of sunglasses on
our way to church.  This is what I could find.

Boys posing with their "wobble goggles."

Peak-A-Boo!

When did my baby get so big?

Yogurt upon request by this guy.

Someone needed a break during our afternoon stroll.
Sure... I am 7 months pregnant.  What's another 30 pounds to carry around.
On my head!

Picking flowers for their princess.
Their Momma.

Griffin- 4th Birthday... the afterparty

When we asked Griff what he would like to do for his birthday this year his response was immediate. "Chuck E. Cheeses."  He even implied it with a tone of "duh-what else would YOU do for your birthday?!?'  We have only been to Chuck E. Cheese 2 times.  Both of which were for birthday parties well over a year ago.

 Well, what my birthday boy wants.  

My birthday boy GETS!  

On Sunday morning after church we headed over to Chuck E. Cheese for a little over the top stimulation birthday fun!

Here is the birthday boy so excited to go to Chuck E. Cheese.

Once we settled inside Griff ran loose and jumped from game to game.

Gotta love a place with maximum stimulation for a child who is already highly stimulated.

He is a tad hard to keep up in that madhouse place!

This was my favorite part of the day.

I loved watching my boys play foosball.

Initially Baby Bear sat on the side lines watching the big guys play. 

Here is Griff looking so mature in this picture for a 4 year old!

Gotta love that genuine smile! :)

It didn't take Baby Bear long before he wanted in on the action.

So.... do you think he liked to play too?

Still can't decide who enjoyed the games the most.

The big guy, the middle guy, or the little guy?

(shhhhh.... secretly I think the Big Guy had a blast!)

Oh how I heart those smiles...

p.s. should I remind Baby Bear that he is only 22 months old?!?

 Oh my goodness.

This baby had so much fun.

He was hugging Chuck E. Cheese.

Uh-huh yeah, and kissing him too.

Nothing like a hearty shot of everybody and their brothers germs for a little Sunday fun!

The big boys (ah-hem SATCH) enjoying guitar hero.

 This picture gives me nightmares visions of what our life will be in the not so distant future.

Big brother crazy driving with no seat belt while little brother eggs him on.

Lord... help us! 

Once we walked out of Chuck E. Cheese it took a minute for all of us to decompress.

Wow.  We all walked out very wired.

We now fondly refer to Chuck E. Cheese as the casino for kids! :)

And that is how we celebrated Griff's special day(s) this year.

Once home I was laying down with Griff for quiet time.

I couldn't help but notice that he was being extra sweet to me.

He was giving me lots of kisses and extra long hugs.

I guess that is the way a 4 year old expresses that he just had the best weekend of his life!

Griffin- The BirthDAY

Hopefully one day my children will have fond memories of their birthdays.

We have fun traditions that we do each time we celebrate a birthday in the house.

One of my favorites is decorating for the birthday boy/girl.

They wake up on the morning of their birthday to balloons, banners, and a gift to open.

The birthday person gets to use the red place mat that is only reserved for birthdays!

We then sing "happy birthday" and blow out the candles 

and enjoy breakfast together.

This is what it looks like when you wake up on your birthday in our house.

6:30am- here is the birthday boy!

He is still semi-sleeping and taking in the sights.

Griff opening his gifts.

He received Spiderman, some new "guys" and his very own Magicians hat and wand.

Party hats/ accessories are always a must!

Next up~ Waffles with strawberries and whipped cream with 4 candles.

"Happy birthday to you

Happy birthday to you,

Happy birthday dear GRIFFIN....

Happy birthday to you!"

Here is the birthday boy ready to make a wish and blow out his candles.

Dream BIG my sweet boy!

2 boys ready to party!

Shortly after breakfast Satch had to run out to school for the day. :(

MiMi Kat was with us so she was able to spend the day with us. :)

I kept it a secret until we got into the car.

I then revealed to Griff our plans for the day.

We were heading over to the North Shore to the strawberry farm

to pick some fresh strawberries and enjoy the fun toys and play ground on the grounds.

Last year we went with a large group to this same strawberry farm and Griff loved it.

One year later he still talks about the strawberry patch!

We enjoyed a couple hours picking strawberries, playing on the grounds, 

and visiting the adorable animals.  (except for the turkeys- they were yucky looking!)

Here is my favorite 4 year old boy in the whole wide world.

The boys giving MiMi tight hugs.

Gotta love it.  4 years old and not a care in the world!

After lunch we stopped for Griff's favorite food- PIZZA!

My big boy ate ever last bite of his FOUR pieces of pizza.

Where in the world did that appetite come from?

He must be a growing boy!

Once home Griff had to lay for a little quite time.

Here he is laid back and looking mighty comfy.

Looks like he is really enjoying this whole birthday thing!

Once Satch returned from school we sang "Happy birthday" again and enjoyed cupcakes.

Baby bear digging into his cupcake.

Literally.

Like he would be in a pie eating contest or something?

I love that we were able to make Griff's birthday a fun day from sun up to sundown.

He is still talking about his birthday 2 days later.

And that is all I need to make me smile...

Griffin- Let the pre party begin!

Ever since I was a little girl I subscribed to the idea of a marathon birthday celebration. 

I remember having lots of parties in my honor.

You know- one at school, one with family, one with friends, etc.

I have carried on this love of celebrating life with my children.

They love attending birthday parties and also LOVE when it is their turn.

Here is the pre-game party leading up to Griff's big day.

The boys love to help me bake. 

Honestly, I believe they really love to be the official taste testers. :)

Inspecting the cake batter.  These 2 expect only the finest ingredients!

Griff helping to stir it up.

Baby Bear give it a thumbs up.

Ta-da! Griff and his cupcakes ready to share with his classmates at school.

Griff's  teacher is 1 of a kind.
For each child's birthday she decorates the classroom in their honor.

 Griff enjoyed his day at school.  He especially loved when his friends sang "Happy birthday" to him.

Griffin "4"

Dear Griffin,

I can't believe that you are already "4" years old.  I still so vividly remember the moment that you were born.  You were my first baby.  My first glimpse of a love so great that words can never express just how big it is.  Thank you for being patient with us as we figure out life as a family together.  Hard to believe that something so precious as a child comes with no sort of instruction manual.  Hands down the scariest moment of my life was being rolled out of the hospital with you in my lap.  You were 2 days old and I had no idea what we were supposed to do next.  You were so tiny.  You were so fragile.  You were so precious.  You were mine.

"3" was a very trying year.  You were beginning to become into your own person.  A little person with big ideas and big expectations of the way that things are supposed to go.  I am really excited to see what "4" will look like.

You have added so much to our family.  You challenge me as a mother everyday.  It isn't always pretty but the love that I have for you is never in question.  I am so in love with your heart.  I see that one of your special gifts is serving others.  This is such a beautiful quality that will carry you far in life.  We are working very hard on obedience and following directions.  (I am 35 and still struggle with these same issues.)  I love your smile.  It can light up a room.  I love your spirit and try so hard not to ever squash it.  I love your curiosity even though it occasionally gets you in trouble.  I love you with more than you will ever know.

This coming year is sure to be a year of change and adjustment for all of us.  At the grand age of "4" you have big shoes to fill.  You are a big brother to Roman and another baby on the way.  Roman watches your every single move and wants to be just like you.  Teach him well.  Just as I whisper in your ear every night before bed, "You are a good boy and will do great things in this world."

All my love,
Mommy   

Reasons that I smile...

Just a few more beautiful everyday moments...

I was hanging out with my little guy last Friday while big bro was in school.

I can't help for it to hurt my heart a bit to know that this little guy 

will no longer be my baby in a few months.

I love to watch him play.

This is what it looks like when I try to get some sewing done with Baby Bear around.

I have an adorable parrot on my shoulder.

He just stands on the chair behind me and watches me work.

 "Hey ma nice work!" :)

 My little apprentice in action.

After church today we went with MiMi, Pop, Tio and Erika to brunch.

Boys love all of the attention and felt the need to put on a little show for their large audience.

 Today's lunch time entertainment: The Griff

Here are my Saturday morning super heroes.

Just fighting crime one cartoon at a time!

 Who doesn't enjoy Saturday morning cartoons in your favorite superhero gear?

 Oh how I adore that smile!