Grandma Ann and Miss A after the long day.

Looking for snails to take home to the fish tank... we brought a few home and the poor little things were all gone  within a couple hours.  Eatin' up by our notorious "Crayman".  Crayman, sadly died just a couple days ago.  He was about a year old and becoming very crotchety.  He left behind his sweeter cousin "Crabitha".

Buds...

Celebrations and Staples...(we know how to have fun)

This Mother's Day all I wanted was a day (or a couple hours) of peace! I wanted to be able to have a full on conversation with MY Mom. Lately, I felt like we had been ebbing a little instead of flowing in our usual way. I knew a quiet brunch would bring us back and it did. We had beautiful meal at one of our favorite local spots. I love my mom. She is so full of wisdom and I love learning from her. I'm truly blessed to have such an amazing woman to call my Mom!!

Here are three reasons I am a mama :) Three completely opposite people. Each a treasure. I'm so happy they picked me.

I just had to show how tall this one is getting... or how short I really am ;) I think he may catch up to me soon.

What goes on in this little boy's mind? There are many a day I wish I knew. All I know is, you couldn't ask for a sweeter soul or a bigger PlayDoh fan.

My dear dolly... one spirited little being.

One little monkey jumpin' on the bed... he fell off and split his head! (sorry so graffic)

Well, to end our special day we decided to make another family trip to one of our favs., the ER. They must really love us there. Or think we are completely horrible and neglectful parents by now. So, D got his wound stapled. No numbing, nothing. Just a straight up staple to the head. I couldn't believe how brave he was. OUCH!

i heart ny

 

I have a serious life long fascination with this city.  When it comes up on the news, I get chills.  Give me New York over sunny LA ANY DAY.  There's something about this city.  There's nothing superficial about it.  To me, this is one place on this earth where everybody, anybody can gather and be exactly who they are, no matter what that may be and always blend right in.  I love that!  I LOVE me a melting pot... one thing you don't get in a small mountain town.

It all started as a little girl with one show that completely captivated me... and it wasn't the super cute puppet faces.  It was this city!   Now please, nobody burst my bubble and tell that Sesame Street does not take place in NYC- yes, it does.
I've probably grown up in some of the most non-diverse places in the country, so when I see these dark- haired girls, speaking in beautiful accents, looking very hip and urban... I'm very mesmerized.


Guess what else takes place in NY?  Yep, my all-time fav. movie growing up.  I've probably watched this show over 200 times and no, I'm not exaggerating.  My lil bro and I spent many a summer alternating between Annie and The Goonies.  There were some days, we'd plop on the bed, armed with soda filled sippy cups (this of course was Grandma's house) and watch our shows over and over and over ALL DAY LONG.  This is probably considered child abuse nowadays or at least neglect, but thank heavens for the 80's and busy parents.

Yep, this one too.  I was head over heels in college.  Now if I would've only had the guts to go away to school in the city of my dreams like my girl Felicity.  I've considered renaming Avi "Felicity".  It means happiness!  And who wouldn't be happy in a great place like NY?

I heart NY.  I hope I go back one day.  But, I'm sure I would miss my prairie life if I actually fulfilled my dream and lived there.  I'm sure the excitement would get old.  Plus, ever since 911 and now with these other scares, I'm just a little terrified of the big city...which makes me feel like a traitor and a fair- weather friend, but what to do?  Sometimes I wish I was a  born and raised New Yorker, then it wouldn't seem like this big out of reach fantasy.  It would just be home.  And I'd have to live there because my family would all be there and I'd have to close to family, right?

A Broken Wing

 

I guess it was bound to happen eventually, right?  Isn't breaking a bone sort of like a "Rite of Passage"?

Well, it all happened after our neighbors down the road moved away and left their giant trampoline behind.  I think I was just as excited to try it out as the kiddies.  It was only the second time they had headed off to bounce when my little toughie here, came down and landed funny on his arm.  Daddy and Grandpa heard the SNAP right away and then saw the dreaded deformity near his elbow.  Amazingly, this guy did not scream and cry.  He whimpered a little and said "ow, ow, ow" and that was that.  We spent the rest of the day in the ER mending the broken wing... a fractured ulna, which pushed the radius out of socket and stretched nerves.  No surgery required as of yet.  We go back in a couple weeks for more x-rays and the cast (right now just a splint keeping those little "green sticks" all together). 

I have to say the entire day I was cool as a cucumber.  This is completely due to the fact that my little man here was SO brave.  He had to lie in hospital bed for nearly 8 HOURS (with no food or drink) before they could take him back to fix the arm (reason being, they had to put him under general anesthesia and he could have anything in the belly).  I don't recall him complaining at all unless we moved the arm.  Daddy sat by his bedside and held it in place the entire time.  

I think, being the middle child and all, he was probably eating up the undivided attention!  And it got me thinking, this may be the first (and last) time this guy gets his Mama and Daddy all to himself for 8 whole hours.  So, I tried to soak it up.  Really, a blessing in disguise for a sandwiched kid :)

btw, isn't this just the prettiest version of this song you ever heard? 

Happy Birthday Angel Girl!

 

Hooray!  We made it through the first year... you are definitely a "spirited" little soul Avi and while our first year has had it's ups and downs, I couldn't imagine for one second having a life without my precious girl.  This is the girl I dreamed of my ENTIRE life and I finally got her!!  We couldn't be more in love with you Avi... Happy 1st Birthday Princess!!

 

A carrot cake for our little spring chick!   Not homemade, but certainly organic ;)

 

A little lick on the tip of her finger...

 

The whole hand is much more appropriate!

And the #1 reason I love my one year old baby girl...

1.  You are a true GIRL!  And boy did I need a little girliness in the house.  From the time you were born, I have felt like I have a little friend by my side... a little bitty soul sista!  I hope we always have this connection.  I love you with all my heart baby girl.

One year ago, a newborn baby... and now you are walking!  I wish I could stop time from this point on, (ok maybe from 18 months on).  

Easter Bunny Visits the Wild West!

 

Beautiful package from the Bunny

 

Mama and her darling girl!

 

Cousins!  The three muskateers here had a ball...

 

Look at this feast~ Sweet Potatoes, Deviled Eggs, Fruit Salad, Homemade Beans, BBQ Pulled Pork and Quinoa Salad... all organic, homemade and delicious!

 

Eggs hide in all sorts of mysterious places...

 

Little Cousin Jadyn joined the hunt.  It was wonderful seeing extended family and lucky for us they are around the whole month!

 

Nice to see someone still doing well in this recession ;)

 

Oh look!  The Bunny put on quite the hunt this year.  Grandma Ann and Grandpa Ran's entire backyard was an Easter paradise, eggs everywhere, presents hanging in the trees and secret GIANT eggs for all sweet little bunnies.

 

How could I leave out three of my favorite girls in the whole wide world.  I used to pretend my dear Cousin Kristin was my big Sis. growing up.  She really was like a sister to me and took me everywhere.  We were so blessed to have Kristin and her three girls (Lindsay and Sierra here) at Easter this year.  They are all amazing girls!

 

Ok, not at my house, because we live in the Arctic, BUT in some places it is Spring!  Just had to capture these gorgeous desert blooms

 

More backyard paradise...

 

Grandma Ann and Grandpa Ran with their little bunny :)

Secret Life of a Stay Home Mama...

 

When the Daddy comes home from a long day in the business world and asks "what'd you guys do all day?"  well, here ya go.  We made LOTS of messes, had an array of healthy snacks, changed diapers and washed, washed, washed.  The best thing of all about our days is something I could never get a picture of... it's watching these little people interact with each other, all of the snuggles and funny things they say.  Those are the most important things that fill my day and those things make being a stay home mama all worth it.

 

Just another mess in paradise ;)

 

One of the many moments I am about to fish something small and hazardous out of the mouths of babes...

 

I LOVE whoever invented Legos.  They keep these little hands busy for hours on end!

Mama, Look Sunshine!

See how happy my little birdies are in the beautiful warm sun with all of the lovely green foliage surrounding them?  I heart the Valley.  This was our spring break escape and boy did we ever soak up every last drop!

Give Me The Meaning!

Challenges make life interesting, however, overcoming them is what makes life meaningful. 
- Mark Twain

I love this one.  I feel like lately life has thrown me a series of valuable lessons in super sonic speed succession.  I guess all I can say is thank you?


Pics. coming soon... camera cord temporarily vanished. 

Calgon Take Me....

AWAY.
Far, far away.
The baby won't stop screaming (she's sick), the house is a wreck, I have a stack of bills I haven't paid in like, a month...
I just told my middlest..."if you stick your fingers in your mouth again I'm going to chop them off"
nice Mama, huh?
He's FOUR years old, why is he still sucking and chewing on everything?  It's not like he was weaned too soon (15 months to be exact) or has been abused.  I'm tired of him always smelling like drool.

We just enjoyed a mini (very mini) Spring Break trip to the Valley of the Sun :)
It wasn't what I would call a vacay, since it was completely exhausting, still it was nice to warm up a little and see the boys play outside.  And the shopping, oh the glorious shopping :)
I will post a few pictures soon...

The real break that I've been dreaming of is a date with my hubs.  I would love to have one night and pretend like it's the old days, ya know?  We'd get dressed up, have a fancy dinner, go out dancing... just have a whole night just for each other... no interruptions.  I can't imagine anything more refreshing at this moment.

Happy Spring Everyone!!!

~Disclaimer~

I just wanted to mention that theres nothing wrong with a little "me" time now and again ;)
While I don't need a fancy spa vacay to be fully rejuvenated, a trip alone to the grocery store can work miracles.  Yesterday I perused the aisles of my local natural food store a.l.o.n.e. and let me tell you it was amazing.  I stopped, I smelled, I tasted, I went back for seconds, I read labels, asked questions, smiled, pondered.  It was really quite lovely.
Some days a full-time nanny sounds heavenly, that's where my new found perspective comes in handy.  But ladies, seriously never feel guilty about taking a breather.  A friend last night told me how her hubs had left with the kiddies for the day and instead of getting things done around the house, she had taken a three hour nap!  Then read a book for an hour!  I know, how dare she take a break from her sleep deprived state when she could've been cleaning something or cooking something or folding something.  She felt bad about the whole afternoon and I told her not to feel bad one single bit!  That may have been the last long nap she gets for the next 18 YEARS!  Mamas, we are only human... which is why I am typing this and not delving into my daily chores.
Have a beautiful Sunday :)

A New Perspective

This week I have felt the effects of being a stay at home mama to three little birds... maybe it is the continuous flow of snow we seem to have, maybe the shortened days of school due to the weather and parent/teacher conferences,  maybe the  financial stresses we are facing right now, feeling in limbo, not knowing where or when the wind will blow us in a new direction.  I had a tiny bit of a meltdown last night.  Spring break is coming, you know, and it's not feeling very spring-like out and unfortunately we aren't able to head anywhere warm due to various frustrating factors.  I began going to a place I dislike most of all...feeling sorry for myself, being truly ungrateful for the many blessings I have been given in this life.  That is when I was lead to my friend Karen's blog... worryfreemom.  Sounds lovely, huh?  NO WORRIES!  Enjoying this amazing time I have with my little birdies.  Karen wrote so beautifully how society makes us believe we deserve and need ME time, maybe more than we do.  It makes us feel jipped if we don't get it.  She went on to say something that made so much sense to me... what if God needed more "me" time, what about our friends and loved ones?  What if they pulled away right when we needed them the most?  When I'm older and my little fledglings have left the nest, will I wish I would have had more "me" time or more quality time with my most precious treasures?
I have gained a new perspective.  No more pouting for me.  I have a life that is wonderful, rich in love and good health.  I have the best hubs on earth!  I mean it!  What kind of guy loves to help out around the house, plays endlessly with his kiddies and incredibly motivated in his career AND is a hottie to boot?  Sorry ladies, he's all mine :)  Sometimes we need a little pity party and then we get the tears out and realize... IT'S A BEAUTIFUL LIFE!  I need to cherish these sweet times with my babies for as long as I can.