Lazy Day

This weekend we had some extra time to do some fun things. We went the Aquatic Center to go swimming a night and one day we stayed in our jammies all day and got the tent out. The boys had so much fun! Laughter filled the house.

So Thankful

This morning I got up to go for a run. As I ran I began to think of all the things that I am thankful for.

First and foremost I am thankful for Fisherman. Without him I wouldn't have the next two biggest things in my life that I am thankful for. He is my stronghold and brings laughter to my life. Without him I would be lost.
I am thankful for this little 3 year old. He warms my heart with his kind spirit and his love for people.

I am thankful for this 21 month old boy who brings me so much joy and laughter.

I am thankful for my family, for all the friends that make me laugh, for friends that push me to be a better person, for a house, and that I am able to pay my bills (thanks again to Fisherman).

I am reminded time and time again how much I have been blessed.

Happy Thanksgiving!

P-Dub in the Windy City

Pioneer Woman from http://thepioneerwoman.com/ came out with a new cook book that is so delightful. Those of you that follow her blog know how charming and funny she is. My sister and I decided to take the three hour trip to a suburb of the windy city to her book signing and I must say the trip was well worth it. The book signing was at a Barnes & Noble. We made phone calls there prior to the event and they told us there were going to be 1,000 people (there was not 1,000, but still A LOT of people). We panicked, but still decided to give it a go. We got out of our nice warm beds at the BUTT crack of dawn to get there at 9 a.m. to get a ticket in line. We got number 12 & 13! Whoot Whoot! We spent the greater part of the day at IKEA, doing some shopping, and having some AMAZING red velvet cheesecake from the Cheese Cake Factory.
We were so lucky because Pioneer Woman brought her husband, Marlboro Man, and her two little boys on the tour this time around. She has such an adorable little family. For those of you wondering, Marlboro Man was not wearing chaps.
My sister and I came bearing gifts. Now I thought I was awesome until I got there and pretty much everyone else had something in their hand for Ree. We got her some DUTCH peppermints, just representin' our Dutch heritage and some Starbucks coffee because she has mentioned before that she likes Starbucks. I got my book signed and it says, "SPANX ROCK!" This was by my choosing. I am probably going to look back and wonder what I was thinking. Marlboro Man signed our books and we were even lucky enough to have her two littlest punks sign too. The littlest boy was so cute! My sister says to him as he is holding a pen, "Are you signing books?" And he goes, "Not really" in the cutest little southern voice one has ever heard. My sister and I are so glad that we went and we had such a fun day together.

Fortastic

Monk built a fort and invited his best bud to come in and join him.
They both had their blankies and smiled lots.

I have never regretted having my kids this close in age. Now don't get me wrong they argue and Monk likes to tease, but not too many things in life warm my heart like brother love. As Bebo gets older they are playmates. They run around the house laughing together. It is the most wonderful thing.

The Messer has become the Messie

I have been waiting for the day to come where Bebo could give Monk a run for his money.
Thank goodness it has arrived

Forty-Five Months 11/08/09 - Monk

Monk tonight you did something that sums up your whole being. You came up stairs after Dad had put you to bed, which happens pretty much every night if you had a nap that day, and came to find your Dad and I. We were talking in our bedroom. Your Dad invited you to crawl up onto the bed with us and snuggle for a couple minutes. I was the lucky one to be on the side that you came to because I was showered with kisses, soft touches to my face, and the words, "I love you Mommy." Now I know you didn't want to be in bed and you could have been looking for ways to get out of going back to bed, but this is how you really are Monk. Not a day goes by that I don't get hugs, kisses, and "I Love you's" from you.
You care so much about the people around you. A lot of the time you are the one that makes your brother cry, but when you know that Bebo is upset you are quick to try to fix it. When you go to get a drink out of the fridge you always grab your brothers too. I just LOVE your caring heart! It will get you a long way kid.

School has been so great for you and it has been so fun to hear you say your mealtime prayer in Spanish as well as sing little songs here and there.

You want to do EVERYTHING by yourself and love to help cook most of the meals made in our house. If you know there is going to be cooking going on you are pulling up your chair to stand by the counter before the first spoon is out. The other night I made homemade pizza with you and Bebo. You thought that was the bomb digity.

Monk, I love your cheesy little smile. I love how you will randomly wink at me while we are eating our lunch together. I love it when you dance to the cheerful giver song. I love your bear tight hugs. You are such a joy, I am so lucky to have you. Love, Mama

Twenty-One Months 11/06/09 - Bebo

Twenty-one months my beboroni! You are a hilarious little man and we are enjoying you to the max lately. This has been such a fun age.
You talk all the time and repeat stuff a thousand times over, but it's so sweet it's hard to get annoyed. You will try to say most things that we ask you to.

When I get you undressed to put your jammies on at night you say your body parts as we uncover them. So first your shirt comes off and you say tummers or tommy and grab at your fleshy little dough belly. Then I take off your pants and you grab your chunky thighs and say, "legger chunks" (Monk started calling them this, we don't know why). Then I take off your socks and you smile and say, "PIGGIES." Then I go up to kiss your little no-neck and say, "I get you" and you say it back to me while giggling. Oh how I love this time.

You love to make a mess while you are eating and if we don't catch you soon enough end up throwing your meal off your high chair.

Bebo, you have been so much fun in the last month. You bring so many smiles to my day. You love cowboys, cars, and anything else that your brother does. You are so full of light and love. I look forward to spending another fun filled month. Love you kid! Love, Mama

Fall Oh NINE Leaves Edition

Fisherman racked leaves with the boys a night last week and they had so much fun.

Fisherman got a great series of clips of the Monkster running and jumping into the leaves. I wanted to post it, but you would probably be bored with all the pictures.

Nothing is better than a wheel barrel ride and getting covered with a bunch of leaves.