Reasons that I smile...

I love to hear the constant chatter from my boys.  I love their little voices and BIG imaginations.  I write these things down because I always want to remember them at these ages.

-Best bedtime stall tactic in my 5 years of parenting.  Boys were in bed.  A few minutes I hear little footsteps.
Roman- "Mommy... I have to tell you something... Why did the chicken cross the road?" (insert mischievous and adorable smile)
Since then he continues to tell us jokes way past bedtime.  How can you be upset with a cutie telling you a joke?

-"When I am a man I will be a superhero costume maker." Griffin (5)

-"I am taking Cohen on a field trip.... to paradise." Griffin

-Roman calls litter glitter.  

- "I really like the water at Reginelli's pizza." (random thought throw into a conversation- Griffin)

-Roman - "I want to tell Jesus something to his face."
me- "What would you tell him?"
Roman- Why did the duck cross the road? ...... To get to heaven!"

-Me- "Roman it is bedtime"
Roman- "I am a grown up.... A pretend grown up."

-After an unsuccessful attempt at taking a photograph of my three monkeys Griffin said, "dat didn't work out so well."

-While I was in Mexico Griffin said Saturday is in 3 days.  That is mommy coming home day.

-Griffin- "My best buddy is Tio."

-Griffin- "Mommy you can not do drugs cuz your dreams will not come true."

-Griffin- "After 12th grade you go to college or vocational school."

-Griffin - "Mommy.... Roman threw a cup at my head.  You know where I think at."

-Me- "Griff, you are too old for that."
Griffin- "Mommy you have to be 74 to be old not 5."

- Roman - "Mommy you are pretty."

- Griffin- "Mommy De-leah's hair was fantastic today."

- Me- "Griffin how was your day?"
Griffin- "Oh, I remember... I was awesome."

Reasons that I smile...

So I have not been blogging regularly.  

What I have been doing regularly is capturing our every day moments.  

Very rarely do I haul out my Nikon.

However I usually have my iphone handy and take tons-o-pictures with it.

Life has been busy.  Some days I am in survival mode.

I always try to be present and make the most out of our good and not so good times.

Parenting is not for the faint of heart.

Through the highs and lows I would not trade my life for anything in the world.

I am exactly where I belong...

Big photo dump.  I want to document some of my favorite iphone shots.

Went to the store and found "Co-Co"nuts on sale.
Brought one home and "it" was SPOILED ROTTEN!

Loving on MiMi for her birthday

There is such a special bond between these two.

Griff and Mozzy became fast friends on the first day of school.
BFF forever.

We live in a crazy world.
Moments like this make me hopeful for  the future.
Growing little world changers...

Boys.

Roman the "skeeto" killer.

Roman doesn't feel like naps are for him anymore.
However on some day he just falls.
I can so relate to this feeling Buddy.

Emma sandwich.

Just couldn't go anymore.
TIMBER...

You are probably thinking they are so happy that Mommy is returning home.
Nope.  This is their joy as I drive away.

"Your brother will ALWAYS be your best friend."
I am trying so hard to instill this in these boys.

We had our first sleep over.
We added 2 more boys to our tribe for the night.

Our special guests joined in on Saturday morning pancakes.

Father's day morning bed full of love.

Our day at the zoo.  It was so hot.
Not sure if this is a smile or a pant.

The "Mommy he is touching my toy" look. 

This is the hardest working dude that I know.
Grass cutting shoes, no shirt, shades, hat, and his lawnmower.
Bliss.  (his not mine)

Following his Daddy's every single move.

Griff taking the bus to reading camp.

"I get by with a little help from my friends."

Imaginative play at its finest.

Nothing like opening your eyes to this guy hanging onto your side of the bed.
"Hey Ma.... What'cha doin?"

This guy busted his lip and had an emergency room visit.
He was like a cage fighter.
It took 3 nurses, his Daddy, the doctor, and a straight jacket to stitch him.

Nola baby playing Mardi Gras in July.

I will never tire of these snuggles.

I love to watch them figure things out.
They try to make milk for babies through their belly button.

Some days this cutie goes by "Cool John"
I have no idea?  I just work here.

Life Lately... {2}

The big boys went with Kenton and my brother, Tio John, to the NFL experience.

The boys loved it.

Kenton came home and said that we could totally do Disney world with our kids.

My thoughts were simmer down big guy.

Disney still does not sound like much of a vacation to this Momma.

1st round draft picks!

We have gotten lots of rain.  I am talking LOTS.  After a few weeks in the boys had cabin fever and were itching to get outside and play.  Yes it is January and yes they were outside wet and having a ball.  Worth it for the smiles!

Doesn't get any cuter than this guy!

The other morning I heard a lot of chatter about cooking 'getti.  A few minutes into it  I asked Kenton to give it a look.  It wasn't so much the cooking part taking place with a 2 and 4 year old that got me.  It was the potential mess that comes with 'getti.  Upon further investigation the boys were hard at work setting the table for a "fa-ma-lee dinner."  How awesome is this?  Totally on their own the boys set everyone a place at the fancy table and fixed us each a plate of 'getti.  They were so proud of their hard work and I was too.  Good job boys! 

This baby and that tooth= awesome!

Coming through, coming through!
Make some room for those gigantic teeth!
Ai-yi-yie!

The other day after Griff was loaded into the car we were pulling away from school when Griff noticed a sign.  Here was our conversation:
Griff: "what dat sign says Mommy?"
Me; "thou shall not kill."
Griff: "I don't know what dat means?"
I pray that my boys hold onto that innocence for as long as possible...

I was loading Co-Co on one side of the magic van while Griff got into the other side.  Griff said, "Look Mommy, somebody dropped their fire stick."  I had no idea what he was talking about until I walked over and saw this.  His innocence makes me smile...

Even this guy has bad days.
He was being attacked by a mouth full of teeth and couldn't find his smile.
Happy to say this quickly passed.

As we were watching the SuperBowl this guy decided to go from a crawling position to a sitting position.  Way to go Cohen!  As you can see he was quite proud of his accomplishments!

The official bowl licker.

I love to watch Roman and Cohen together.  Roman is very mindful and always wants to love on and help out with baby brother.  Good thing Cohen can hold his own.  Here is Roman laying on Cohen and pulling his ears. 

The other day Roman said, "Mommy we don't pee in the oben."  (oven)  Lordy... life with 3 boys!

Life lately...

Time for a photo dump and a list of the latest funnies:

Me- Griff why don't you try to buckle yourself in.

Griff- Mommy I'm only 4 and can't do dat. 

(score for Mommy Griff now buckles himself in.  This is a HUGE win in my world!)

A very rare quiet moment.

 I love when I overhear toddler talk.  I hear this ALL THE TIME and can't get enough of it!
Griff- "Now Roman say yes sir."
Roman- "Yes sir Giffin."

Cut the pickle.
Tickle. Tickle.
(followed by a roar of laughter)

Griffin- "Mommy I have the hiccups."
Followed by...
Roman- "I have da burps."
Life with boys. So it goes...

I went to put little baby in his bed.
I found big baby already in the bed waiting for us.

Roman talk:

 Roman- "Mommy you hairs pretty."

Roman- "Mommy ewe a cutie pic."

Roman- "It's froggy out there." (on a foggy morning)

We were listening to music as I we cleaned the playroom.  Amazing Grace came the music channel and Roman said, "Mommy I wub dat song." (Amazing grace is his favorite song along side Jambalaya crawfish pie)

Think Roman is working hard to move to my #1 spot. ;)

Love how Roman has to tippy toe to potty.

These 2 cuties brought me a flower.
Reason #1 why it is good to be the queen of the castle.

 The other day I had a parent teacher conference at Griff's school.  Griff picked out this little number for me to wear.  He told me that his teacher would really like my fancy clothes.  I had in mind a hoodie and rain boots...

Mommy's fancy clothes

 Griff was with MiMi and told her that he needed to write a thank you note to Mommy for making a shirt for him.  This so warms my heart.  I value the art of a hand written note.  I am so glad that my kids are learning to do the same.

Tanks
Griffin

Just waiting on a huge tooth.

Hey ma.
Look at me.
I can sit.

Bros and besties.
Chillin' with their arms around each other.

Fireside chats with my Shorty.

The other morning Roman busted up our quiet party with, "I wub you dude. I wub you little bruder."

Co-Co  now sits in the tub with the big boys.

I love to watch the bond between these two. So much love and Roman's constant need to give Co a kiss.  "Mommy I need a kiss.  I need to kiss Co Co."

Roman feeding Cohen.

It's good to be Daddy.
Daddy gets the BEST welcome every afternoon.
The boys wait behind the counter to "surprise" him.
Every. Single. Day.

Avocado.
So yummy!

Yesterday afternoon after school I surprised Griff with a special treat.  A stop at the "donut house." He could not wait to tell Roman.  Loose lips sink ships Buddy!

Sugary goodness.

 We have been working on a chore chart with the boys.  Roman has a special spot on the chart for the potty. This is what he told me yesterday.
"Mommy... No check. No point. No dollar. I pooed in my pants." (with a BIG smile) Kid totally gets the concept.  Kid totally does not care.

I looked down to find this morning.  The one armed strong man pulled up.

Slow down Buddy.  You are growing too fast!