If the twins weren’t cute, I swear I’d kill them most days.  We’re tested.  We’re challenged.  We’re drained and I swear I just need a repeat button to save myself some much needed energy.  The kids came down with a cold this past weekend which has made for challenging nights with a baby that can’t nurse.  {Equals too many visits with Mommy each night}  I’m admittedly testy and over tired, existing on chocolate as that seems to be my only cure all. {Thank goodness for Little Debbie and her killer brownies and the kiddos halloween candy that was confiscated as a punishment and handily used as a self reward!} I remind myself that these are the moments I will look back on longingly someday but feeling better after those reminders last a mere 5 seconds.  Someday…..

Aiden and Chris are up at 5 am compliments of daylight savings and Jake can’t miss out on the fun and joins them as he hears their early morning shrills.  While the days can be draining and the nights are over all too quickly, we are still blessed and I am reminded of that time and time again.  I complain although I shouldn’t.  I love nothing better than a good old pity party although I have too much to adequately celebrate.  Like most, I need to refocus.  I have heard of many who use the month of November to focus on gratitude.  The big, the little and the unnoticed.  So today, I will be grateful for the fact that I have a bed to sleep in at night. Grateful for amazing family, a warm home and an incredible husband who so willingly provides for our family.  Grateful for the fact that I have 3 wonderfully spunky, healthy kids.  Grateful that my kids must love to hear my voice so much that they need me to repeat myself a dozen times.  I am grateful, I really truly am.  And for those of you that I chat with regularly, I apologize for my venting.  Don’t hesitate to give me gentle {or not so gentle} reminders of my goal this month.  Sometimes I need the push…..

In the meantime, here are some of photo fun since I’ve posted last.  We’ve enjoyed what we can of the sunshine.  We’ve visited with family and friends.  We’ve hiked, enjoyed play dates and the hubby and I even snuck out for a date night on Saturday.  We went for a walk together where we didn’t have to “wait our turn to talk” and we indulged. {We’re talking ubber big Friendlies sundaes… all to ourselves… no kids and only one spoon in each. It’s safe to assume that both Mike and I almost licked the bowls clean}

I’d love to share more but we may just end up using these for Christmas card photos…. Check your mailboxes in the coming weeks… yes, week… can you believe it?!?

And if you’re wondering what’s need.  New attitudes for the big boys.  Lots of time outs and always boundless energy. Despite the challenges at home, they are doing great at school.  They are learning movable alphabet which is cursive letters and spelling.  They are learning letters, addition and counting in multiples.  They both claim recess is their favorite time of the day but they come home with good reports.  We’ve got our first parent teacher conferences scheduled for the end of the next week so I’ll be anxious to hear the nitty gritty.  They love a good challenge and love to challenge.  If we’re being honest, I love love love my boys but I love nothing more than the peace and quiet that comes with bedtimes.

Jake is sitting confidently on his own.  He’s loving real food and already bored with baby mush.  He loves attempting to use his sippy cup. He’s seeming to be less interested in nursing and perhaps getting lazy as he refuses to nurse, forces me to pump then grabs for the bottle of pumped milk. He’s pulling up on all fours and rocking…. He’s going to be a mover and I’m not sure I’m ready for this.  He continues to keep me company all night long and is still so in love with his big brothers.  He’s a busy boy who puts sleep at the bottom of his to-do’s!