High Five

Our newest project - a storage bench for our hall. We still have 3 wooden totes to make to put underneath but overall I am thrilled with our new bench.

The Ryan and Hopkins kiddos playing on the train early this morning while the adults and Ashley and visited.

Chris and Livia soaking up the sun. No good group shots unfortunately.

Dziadzu and his boys at the fish hatchery.

Chris, Dziadzu & Aiden picking blueberries. Yum!

We rearranged our back deck and blew up our kiddie pool to enjoy some refreshingly cold water on the hottest days! Aiden is a water boy.

Oh how I long for the sound of silence...... We are on day 5 of NO naps but I am hopeful that today might be different. Why am I hopeful? We all need hope every once in a while and today is one of those days for me. After all, how long can a one function on so little sleep? And I am referring to all 4 of us at this point!

This is their "new" routine (hopefully short lived!)

5-5:30 Wake up, let themselves out of their beds and bedrooms and abounding into Moms/Dads room to make sure everyone else is awake as well. (Our doors and windows are now secure at ALL times... no more escapees!)

2-3:30 Boycott naps and all things having to go with naps. This includes but is not limited to, confetting their room with anything within their reach, removing their mattresses and bed rails; emptying their bookshelves, sliding all books under their bedroom door and into the dining room; climbing on their bureau (no jumping, just reaching for things... SO far.); toy trashing party in their closet, all are welcome; emptying out their clothes drawers; leaving surprises outside of their diapers; and plenty more!

4:00 Give up on the idea of napping - after all, sleeping now would mean bedtime at midnight and we're certainly not that crazy.

7:00-7:30 Bed time attempted. (Keyword - attempted)

8:30/9 Play time take two according to A & C (repeat of list above)
Where do their get their energy? I'll take a large serving please!

We loved the end of our week and weekend. On Thursday we had a great day with Ashley. It warmed up quickly so we enjoyed some early time outside before heading in to stay cool. Mike and I celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary. It is hard to believe it has been 4 years but at the same time, our lives have changed so very much in 4 short years. We have plenty more love to go 'round these days! Happy Anniversary Mike, I love you and the life that we have built together.

Friday we were up and rolling early. We were on the road and headed for Umass by 7:15 am. A reminder and preview of what life would be like if I were working. I enjoy our relaxing unhurried mornings but it was kind of nice having somewhere to be. We visited with friends and old co-workers of mine and had a great time. Aiden and Chris left their voices at home and turned on their "shy guy" attitudes. As our visit neared its end, they started to warm up and talked about Umass the entire ride home. We also stopped by to see my friend Leeanne at work while in campus before heading to Home Depot. We had a quick successful shopping trip and made one pit stop before heading to our final destination, Dziadzu's! Dziadzu had a vacation day and shared his time with us. We played for a bit, picked some blueberries, visited with GG Mimi then headed to the fish hatchery to feed and watch the fish at Quabbin. It was a neat "first" for A & C and a busy day. You would think they would be tired but as you may have guessed, naps didn't happen! Grammie came home from work and played a while then we packed up and headed home.

Yesterday we thoroughly enjoyed a sunny day on the boat/beach with the Locke family. Aiden LOVED the water and playing with Livia who is 9 months older. Fatigue got the best of Chris and he stayed quite and close to Mike and I. It was a perfectly gorgeous day with super fun company. A++ in our book. We came home, cleaned a bit, played a bit and waited for Grammie and Dziadzu's visit. Thankfully they don't get sick of A & C and came to babysit so that Mike and I could enjoy a QUIET, relaxing night out to celebrate our anniversary. Couldn't have been better - thank you Mom and Dad!

This morning we were up and rolling early yet again compliments of our early morning roosters... cock-a-doodle Aiden and cock-a-doodle Chris. But this morning was different because we were up early for a "good cause" - donuts and great company! Mrs. Murphy's.... YUM! We were thrilled to meet our friends Phil, Steph and Baby Ashley; and Jeff, Karen, Elliot, & Emme before church. Breakfast was scrumptious and it was a cool, beautiful morning and so nice to catch up. Mike and I had nursery duty but it was a quiet, enjoyable time. And now.... well you guessed it, attempted naps (as I hear "no you do it" and hear their bureau drawers open and shut). I wonder what we'll be lucky to find? Hummm... Maybe I should peak. Toodles for now.