Cheers to the Ripe Age of Four

I've heard a lot of moms talk about the sadness they feel as there kids grow up. They'll often say, "I wish I could freeze time." I've had a difficult time understanding this phrase. I have loved and celebrated my children's milestones. I also feel a bit relieved as they take more and more steps toward independence.

 But....I sort of get it now. I am simply loving the age of four. It's like a little golden nugget of time. Milly sleeps, get's up to the table on her own and she's potty trained. She can get in and out of the car on her own. She can buckle her seatbelt. She walks in the grocery store much like a humans do, well okay, she skips, but you know what I mean. She goes to preschool for a couple of hours a day, but isn't gone all day.

The best part is she still needs me. And I dare say she actually likes me. She will let me hold her and when she's feeling particularly needy she asks for me to snuggle her on the couch. She really does!
She always requests I color with her. She likes us to read her stories in her room and be sure to tickle her back before she falls asleep.

Milly is sweet and smart and though she does't know it she's funny. My conversations with her are incredible because she's figured out some things but not all things. It's like talking to an unscathed naive adult.

When I'm not looking she's an incredibly thoughtful sister. She was meant to be a big sister. Each time she gets in the car before she buckles herself in she hands Mack his binki and his blanket.

Today the two of them were in the tub together. She noticed Mack had a little cut on his wrist. She washed it off with a washcloth then covered it up and told me, "Don't put soap over his owie okay Mom. We don't want to hurt him."

I mean this kid is sweet. So I get this whole desire to freeze time. I'd be okay to freeze four for just a little longer.

Milly you continually amaze me.

Stay sweet my darling daughter.

Love,
Mama

The Flu of 2014

 I have to record our episode with the flu just so I remember that we actually survived it. A couple of weeks ago Milly came home with the flu. Puke, puke and more puke. Then she passed it onto Mack. Next it was me and lastly Mason. We were SO sick. I cannot remember a time when I have been subject to this kind of sickness. It was intense. Mason and I actually had a little trip planned that we had to delay. We had to call in help for our kids because we literally could not take care of them. We are better now. Thank goodness. The picture above displays just how worn out we were.

Here is Mack making us laugh and trying to keep things light. I love this little funny guy.

Baby Animal Days 2014

 I took the kids to Baby Animal Days. Milly got to go with her preschool class. I was so grateful for this opportunity because when it was open to the public I was too sick to take them. Milly continues to amaze me with her intelligence, exuberance and social skills. She loves people. She loves animals. She loves to be on the go. She really is such a fun kid.

 I took Mack along. I thought it would be seamless and easy since as you can see Mack believes he is the same age as Milly. There he is sitting with Milly's class. The only problem was Mack did not quite understand why he was not allowed to ride the animals. It was a bit of a wrestling match between Mom and Mack. Oh boy.

Skiing with Kids

Ski Day March 2014

I've always wanted to teach my kids to ski. Saturday we went up with both kids. Gulp.
Milly did wonderfully. After lunch she wanted to go back out. That's a victory in my mind.

As I sat there on the lift with daughter, just me and her. I was taking in the view of the snowy mountains while Milly was detailing all the shapes and colors on her skis. It was one of the most peaceful and satisfying moments I have spent with my daughter. I almost teared up right there on the lift thinking; I'm doing what I've always wanted to do. I'm Skiing with my kids. Furthermore my life is what I always wanted it to be. One of the things I love about being in the snow is how you get sun from the sky and the snow. It was a bright day in a myriad of ways. Milly I love being your mom.

A Day at the Park

Sometimes I'm a fun mom. On this particular day I was a fun mom for a whole hour and this is what we did. My kids love this park. I'm lucky to be their mom.

The Olympic Spirit

I love the Olympics. Don’t you? Even as I write this I can’t tare myself away from the games. I love the competition. I love the back stories. It may be the only sports I will actually watch on TV. 

Around here I have to choose my TV time wisely. Whenever I’m watching something, or anything without animation Milly whines, “I don’t want to watch a mom show, let’s watch a kid show.” 

Each time I would tune into the Olympics Milly would begin to drone. Finally I explained to her the significance of the Olympics. I told her it was exciting and prompted her to watch closely because the first person to cross the line wins. This wasn’t winning her over but I was going for the gold. 

I said, “Milly this happens only once every four years. Do you know how long four years is? It’s your lifetime, Milly!” 

She paused, gave it a quick consideration and said, “Okay you take your turn for ten more minutes.” 

“Thanks boss.” I said. 

Then she saw the figure skating. It was the game changer. 

This event has sparkly dress-up costumes. The girls wear lots of makeup and they dance. They dance dramatically to whimsical music. At the end theu wave their hands take a bow as lush bouquets of flowers are thrown at them. This spoke to Milly. She watched figure skating with an attentiveness so acute she was dancing right along with them. She would grab one leg and spin around like she was Gracie Gold herself. At the end of the performance she would mirror their clapping and waving. In fact, her involvement overtook dinner time. As a devoted athlete she would eat only during commercial breaks and then she was back at it.

It was hilarious and adorable. Milly you are Gold. I love you.

Frozen

I can't help but show you a few glimpses into Milly's Frozen party.

She is four!

Dear Milly,

Oh my goodness you are four years old! Somehow that seems so old to me.

A Cold Day and a Good Book

Happy Birthday: Milly turns 3!

Dear Milly,

I cannot believe you are three! It is a very snowy birthday for you, it seems only appropriate seeing as the day we took you home from the hospital we had just been hit by a big storm and your dad claimed he was tempted to go skiing. Don’t worry Milly, I didn’t find it to be funny either. 

Milly at this stage in your life you are fixated on princesses. I don’t know how this came about but this phase is here and it’s intense. You have been wearing your Cinderella dress every day since Christmas. I make you wear normal clothes when we leave the house due to the freezing weather we have been having, but as soon as soon as we get back home you immediately take off all your clothes and grab that Cinderella dress. When you are not wearing your dress-up you are found in some kind of dress. You detest wearing pants. 

You continually beg to visit Macee’s house and Cadence’s house. I think because they have some of the best dress-ups on the block. You love playing with your friend Gretchen. You are very social, and would rather be anywhere but at home.

You have turned into an amazing older sister. You enjoy feeding Mack a bottle. You cannot go to bed without kissing Mack on the forehead. You try to soothe him when he’s crying and when people ask you about Mack you say, “Mack, he’s so cute.” 

Lately you have been singing, “God Bless America.” And the “ABC” song. Over Christmas you could not get enough of, “Joy to the World.” You also sing along to Alicia Keys current hit, “Girl on Fire.” It’s hilarious. 

You now say your prayers and, oh my goodness, it is the sweetest thing I have ever heard. When you say them before you go to bed it usually makes up for whatever naughtiness you’ve participated in throughout the day. 

You continue to love nursery and you have done so well at pre-school. I love just listening to you talk and sing and be you. 

For your birthday you asked for a purple cake and a Cinderella Crown. Happy Birthday sweetie.  

Milly, I feel continually blessed to be your mom. 

I love you with all of my heart.

Love,

Mom

Her First Ski Day

I have video that I can't wait to show you, but for now I hope this picture will suffice.

Milly, you have no idea how long your Dad and I have waited for this day. Dad got on the patrol because someday he wanted his family to be able to ski. Twelve years later, you made that someday possible.
I just about cried when you requested, "More skiing." For the first few runs your dad and I took turns holding you in between our legs. On the third time down Dad gave you little more freedom and only used the harness. You were scared and nervous but you quickly got the hang of it. I thought we'd just do the magic carpet all day, but you demanded to go on "The big swing." You were great on the lift and absolute pleasure to be around. Milly you are growing up quickly and we are so proud of the little girl you are turning into.

 Love you with all of my heart.

Love, 

Mom and Dad 

It's where you'll find them

Lately Milly seems to have taken a liking to this little brother of hers. She'll lay right by him and exclaim, "Two babies." She reads to him and rubs his forehead when he's crying in an attempt to calm him down. Mack loves when he can get attention from her. It kind of melts my heart. Milly you're a great big sister.

The Perfect Snow Day

We set out to build a snowman.

 It happened to be the shortest snowman I've seen in awhile, perhaps this snowman chose the right family..

My assistant grew tired of forming snowballs and decided to snack on some snow.

 We ended with some hot chocolate.

 Well ended is a generous statement, as all these activities were accomplished by 10:30 am and then I thought, now what...
Ready or not winter is here.

Happy Halloween

Mom thank you for the costume. Chelsi Mack's hat couldn't have been cuter. Jenn I'm cherishing these pictures. Thank you!

Trick or Treat

From Little Red Riding Hood and The Big Bad Wolf

Does the Wolf look more scared than Little Red Riding Hood? Hmm...

So this is how we're doing...

One kid has usually covered herself with marker while the other gets mauled to death.

Let's just say my respect for those of you handling two or more kids grows with every time-out.

Behind every new sibling there is a struggling toddler

Don't let her charming smiles fool you. This little gal has been challenging us ever since Mack arrived on the scene. I do feel bad that her life has suddenly shifted from only child to oldest child. She has us wondering daily if she'll ever forgive us for having another baby.

Tell me mommies who have been there. How did you help your older child adjust to your newer child? Advice? Suggestions?

A New Obsession

I went walking yesterday morning. (Have the mornings been the greatest lately?! Gorgeous and cool!) On said walk I was accompanied by not one but two Potato Heads along with this cute kid.

 

This kid has been obsessed with Mr. Potato Head, they even accompany her to bed each night. I've learned that kid's obsessions are a little annoying but mostly cute. 

She's a funny kid

Dear Milly,
You keep us on our toes. Your personality seems to erupt a little more each day.

 You are always wearing a pair of my shoes. And it scared me a little the way you carried all these bags as if shopping were second nature to you.

 You say the funniest and sweetest things. When your dad and I put you to bed you first request prayers, "Daddy payers, mommy payers" Then you ask for a kiss from both of us, you say, "I love you." and then repeat, "night, night." It melts our hearts.

 You love lipstick, here you are tucking some in your pants for easy access. In fact you love makeup of all kinds. I usually have to pretend to put some on you in the morning.

Milly you're a fun little gal.

We love you with all our hearts,

xoxo, Mommy and Daddy.

A New Hobby

One thing is for sure. This kid loves a good "horsey."

Thanks Aunt Klair.