Eight (and a month!)

Ekk!  How is it possible that our oldest turned eight?!?

From the moment you share the news of the expected arrival of a little one, advice flows in and words of wisdom from those with experience are plentiful. Heard most often and ringing true "enjoy every minute because they grow up way too quickly."

As a mom of two newly turned eight-year-olds I'm on board.  Those  seemingly sleepless nights full of countless diaper changes have all too quickly turn into sleepless nights of worry and wonder.  Are we doing it right?  This parenting thing is though.  Are there cliff notes on how to raise wonderful young men?  So much ahead and still so much to learn.

At eight they're taking pride in reading Harry Potter alone, 600+ pages with words that I can't even pronounce. They love sports and all things active. They can get lost endlessly in all things electronic. Their best friends change daily. I'm pretty sure their clothing choices are more particular than most girls their age. They're eating me under the table. They live for sweets and love surprises. They'd stay up all night if allowed. They're sweet and dirty all at the same time. They fart and burp as they share their love  for you in the same sentence. Oh, they're growing.....  I'm proud, excited.  Hoping we're doing this parenting thing okay but only time will tell.  

As we gathered with family to celebrate #8, Star Wars style.  We were thrilled to have everyone local there to celebrate.  Spoiled in love and special surprises their year is off to a great start!

Spring Fever

A January weekend and not a snow pile to be found!  As we wrap up the weekend, we can't help but feel confused as we've enjoyed some pretty incredible weather and may have caught a case of spring fever.  With temps into the 50's its hard to believe we're in New England and if you know me, you know I can't pass up an opportunity to get outside and get some fresh air.... can you blame us?!?

Friday night Mike and I snuck out for my Coldwell Banker holiday party.  The boys were in good hands with Mamie and Grandpa and good reports were shared by all.  Chris has basketball early Saturday and we snuck in a family walk before heading to Boston with the extended Hopkins family for a special Celtics Game to celebrate Auntie Stephies birthday.  Not only did we enjoy some time in the city but we were with our amazing family and we had a fantastic experience with a personal "box" at the game. Despite their loss it was a fun game to watch and heck when you're with family, win or lose it's still a victory! Proof is in the stories and the boys haven't stopped talking about it!

After a late night we had a lazy morning, sneaking out mid day to explore the West Hartford Reservoir with our neighbors.  Again, does it get any better than 50 degree days in the middle of winter?  I simply can not get enough.  Onto chore before wrapping up the weekend with the Pat's.

Christmas 2016

As promised, I want to share and document this years Christmas fun.  Excitement was high and spirits were merry.  In keeping with my yearly goal, I had the majority of my shopping done by Thanksgiving.  I just love holiday preparations and love to make it my goal to keep the month of December for crafts, decorating, visiting and simply enjoying.

With Jake as my right hand man we made dozens and dozens of cookies and put together our traditional holiday goody baskets.  When you love to bake and have a reason to share, you jump at the opportunity.  We also tried our hand at homemade dog biscuits, bird treats and cinnamon ornaments.  I cherish my time in the kitchen with Jake and he just loves baking or perhaps its the samples he's truly fond of.  In either case, it's become our "thing."

We prepped a big breakfast for Christmas morning and were happy to make a few treats early for a visit from Uncle Dan and cousin Whit on Christmas Eve morning.  Uncle Dan arrived Friday night and slept over as an early morning surprise.  The idea was a hit! and we were all thrilled to see him!

As I mentioned, Jake was down for the count on Christmas Eve with a stomach bug.  He broke my heart but pulled himself together to make it to the celebrations on Christmas day.  He enjoyed presents for days afterwards as he began to feel better and rediscovered the gifts he had received.

Aiden and Chris caught Santa in the act with a secret spy cam on Christmas Eve.

Santa delivered, bringing Razor 360's (electronic tricycles that go 10 mph) for Aiden and Chris and a "real, live" fish for Jake.  Sadly the fish was only with us for two days but understandably as the cold temps and long trip from the North Pole can be hard to take.

Mike spent Christmas Eve at his parents with all of the aunts, uncles and cousins.  I was disappointed but stayed home and kept my little man company on the couch.

Christmas morning the boys were up bright and early, attempting a 4:15 wake up.  We encouraged them back to bed until 5:15 and began the day before the sun.  I personally remember those days with no excitement greater than that of Christmas morning.  We enjoyed a leisurely morning together before heading to my parents for the afternoon.  Time with family is always so welcome and always passes by in the blink of an eye.  Christmas weekend was no exception.

Another great Christmas in the books!

It's a wrap, 2016....

It's a new year with lots of fun new happenings this past month.  They say a picture is worth a thousand words so to get myself started back in the blogging world,  I hope you'll accept my pictures and blurbs in place of the thousands and thousands of words it would take....

Our tree... not quite perfect and seemingly leaning left or right but just enough to add the Christmas cheer we all desire.  It would be safe to say that each branch was a bit to heavy, adorning upwards of 2-3 ornaments and to our amazement, only one branch broke.  We loved the tree well this year...

We took the kids out of school a tad bit early one Friday afternoon just prior to Christmas.  A spontaneous idea of heading to Yankee Candle with Auntie Laura, Andrew, Grammie and Dziadzu.  You'll never guess who we bumped into.. Santa and Mrs. Clause.  After about an hour wait, it was our turn.  All four boys approached, seemingly fearless.  For better or worse, Santa informed Jake that he couldn't bring a real fish because water freezes in the North Pole (way to kill a little boys dreams, Santa) and shared some realism with Chris that he wouldn't be able to get a real cell phone unless he had a job to pay for the monthly data.  Who knew Santa could be such a Debbie Downer?!? We did score some pretty cute pictures if I do say so myself though!

In keeping last years traditions alive we allowed the boys to "shop" for one another.  There's a great store called Five Below where everything is $5 or less.  Decisions are tough but the gifts were well thought out.  Aiden and Chris bought each other small plastic sports arcade games and bought Jake a sour gummy kit and robotic car.  Jake bought both of the boys Star Wars note pads and golf t's (similar but different of course)

We were all excited about heading to Mamie and Grandpa's for our annual Christmas Eve dinner and present exchange.  Unfortunately for this tike, he was down and out with the flu and slept the day away.  Thankful that he got a second wind and was able to enjoy much of Christmas Day!

Uncle Danny visited from Florida!  He gifted the boys with some mighty fun (and loud) electric guitars so they've been rocking and rolling and jamming away.  We had an awesome time catching up and even snuck in a hike with Dan and Dziadzu before he headed back to sunny Florida. Isn't it weird to see barren ground at the end of December?

A bit out of order but I'm still adjusting to this new blogging platform so my apologies.  This little guy had a blast in his preschool Christmas play where he dressed as one of Santa's reindeer.  He may have been slightly distracted waving much of the time but he couldn't have been any cuter!

Christmas morning was spent at home (and will have a separate post of it's own) and Christmas afternoon by traditional was at Grammie and Dziadzu's.  The sun was shinning and we even snuck out for some fresh air!  We had a delicious meal and awesome company despite the fact that this was among the two pictures I took there!

We spent New Years Eve with this fun and crazy crew who live on our street.  We had a blast and enjoyed an earlier New Years celebration and were willingly in bed well before the ball dropped.

With the start of the new year I'm committed to trying to stick to blogging but in the meantime, you'll find me actively sharing some of my favorite moments, activities and bloopers from our day to day happenings on Instagram.

December!

The year end is sneaking up quickly!  Our tree is up, decorations hung, cards mailed and shopping mostly complete.  And so the fun begins....

December... The anticipation of the Polar Express and gingerbread house decorating at the library.  Daily visits from Elliot the Elf.  Wish lists.  Letters to santa. A santa visit. Baking... lots and lots of baking.  Chocolate count downs.  Tempting scents.  Candy canes and peppermint ice-cream.  The tradition of unwrapping a Christmas story for each night of December until Christmas and so much more.  This month is seeped in traditions.  Excitement levels are high.  Santa is surely busy.  Blessings upon blessings and oh so much to be thankful for.

Behind the scenes

I always appreciate the down and dirty truth.  We're all human, we're all silly, live with regrets and make silly decisions.  We've all wished away moments only to long to have them back.  We've eaten our hearts out only to feel sick.  We've yelled out our kids and snuck in after bed to feel full of remorse as you take in their true innocence.  Today was a day I longed for perspective.  I'm down and out a sinus/head cold, not feeling 100%.  Sleep is lacking and my patience has followed suit.  As the big boys bound off to school, Jake started in with a million and one questions.  He's eager to learn and I can't blame him but each response I shared was followed with "what?"  As the occurrences added up to more than I could track I said "hey Jake, could you work on having better listening ears so you don't have to say what so many times."  His response was perfect.  "What?" And so my afternoon continued and now as I have a moment of quiet I miss it.  Silly but I do.  I miss the chatter.  I miss the questions.  I miss the company.

So in sitting down to get some work done, but wanted to share to remember myself some of the less then perfect moments from our Christmas card out takes.

 Boo.  Did I scare you?  - Jake

 Arm farts are always giggle worthy

 Who needs a little brother anyways?

 "Mom, I think the Christmas card people would much rather see my muscles" - Aiden

 Hugs so hard they hurt.  Literally because boys will be boys.

 Action shots because Chris is a boy on the move.

 Yes, he bit him.  Meet Jake the biting brother.

 Abs of steel and poison ivy scars

The crew.  Giggles, wiggles and sillies.

This is life.  This is our life.  Perfectly imperfect.

Wish lists

The holidays have me all sorts of excitement and I admittedly have been listening to Christmas music for a few weeks now.  There's just so much anticipation and so much joy and while I may be a bit premature I like to be sure that I have time to take all of the festivities in.

My holiday shopping is started and Jake's been asking for weeks when we will get our Christmas tree.  Perhaps he takes after me?  The stores are festive and I can't seem to sneak out without taking a peak and finding a holiday temptation here, there and everywhere.  There is so much fun in believing.

And speaking of fun, I had the joy of taking all three boys on individual "dates" to create their Christmas wish lists last weekend.  A tradition started last year, the boys each got a meal of their choice and a chance to peruse without concern for time or when we needed to be home.  A chance for the boys to feel special and a chance to truly enjoy the excitement.  Within 24 hours I had been to Target 3 times and spent nearly 6 hours in the toy aisle.  The multiple thanks received and brief squeezes (because you still have to maintain your cool factor) made it the best investment of time spent all week long.

My Friday night date:  A trip to Target, Pizza Hut, the Dollar Store and Dunkin Donuts

Saturday morning date: Dunkin Donuts, Target, The Dollar Store and Petco

 Saturday night date: Target, The Dollar Store, Petco, McDonalds

AND, That's a wrap.... oxo