Splash Pad ...

As much as I often despise that where we live is the epitome of your typical suburban neighborhood, I am grateful for the awesome parks that provide close and *free* entertainment for the kids. I've complained about the lack of culture "out here" for some time now but seem to have been put in my place after our most recent visit to the neighborhood splash pad. Let's just say the kids were entertained by the splashing and I was pleasantly occupied simply by watching all of the people who came out to play that day. Out of respect for my mother-in-law I will resist the urge to poke fun here and say no more. But, if you're ever looking for a little laugh, give me a call and we'll head down to the splash pad ...

Big Brother C (note to self, this picture is from last year because the one I took recently was just too goofy to post):

Thank you buddy for being such a helper lately, you're just getting TOO darn big! There have been a few days in the recent past when I wasn't feeling 100% and this feeling of not feeling so well seemed to consistently "hit me" right in the middle of baby brother's feeding and so I found myself, more then once, enlisting in your help and you obliged each and every time with a smile regardless of what was occupying you at the moment. You love holding him and being a helper so much that you dropped your video game to do so and even came INSIDE from riding your bike which normally takes a good ten or fifteen minutes of whining and crying to get you to do.

There was a point when you would challenge me beyond belief. So much so that I was convinced you were not a normal 4 year old and then you just blossomed into this little man. I can finally reason with you and you understand that all actions have consequences. What a nice realization this has been for me! The best part of your new found maturity is how much you idolize your dad. You are ALL things dad and this is so fun for me to watch. A few days back I was playing catch with you out front ... that was until your dad pulled up and you no longer had any interest in catching my tosses. This saddened me for about two seconds when I realized how wonderful it was that you anticipated his arrival so much and he didn't miss a beat, he picked up right where we had left off with out any hesitation. For that I feel you are very lucky boy.

You and sis have some pretty awesome discussions, you're so competitive with eachother over the funniest stuff which always brings me back to my childhood (for those who do not know, Josh does, in fact, humm better than I ~ so he thinks). Whose birthday is next is always a big topic and you don't limit the birthday's to yourselves. Sissy is very excited that her's comes after Uncle Jon's whose happens to be this Wednesday so she's got you on that one ... for now. Often you discuss what you'll be for Halloween next and critique eachother's choices. Your self worth seems to be determined by who gets their glass of milk first or who doesn't have to shower first and no matter how often I say "it doesn't matter" ... to the two of you, it matters a whole lot.

Dearest Sissy

What have you been up to besides making me want to lock myself into a very small dark room? WOW are you a piece of work! I keep telling myself (and your dad) that you're only three years old. See above, when I mention how convinced I was that your brother was not "normal" and then you turned 3 and quickly confirmed that he was, in fact, very normal.

You've recently discovered an obsession with scissors ... yes, scissors. Each and every doll that you've been able to get your hands on has had their hair cut over the past few weeks. One reading this blog may question my parenting skills and wonder to themselves why my three year old has access to scissors and for that I have no valid answer. I guess each time I scold you and put them back up in the cupboard I am assuming you wouldn't dream of committing the crime again but what do I know? I think the only reason it's been a few days since the most recent attack is you've ran out of dolls. I don't think I'll unlock your barbies and give them back to you any time soon (yes, your barbies are in lock down but that's another story all together). At the rate you're going, it seems you'll soon have nothing left to play with but I don't think that will stop you from thinking up something to shock me with.

I've debated on telling your most recently shocking behavior but decided it's worth remembering, not that you seemed at all effected with the outcome. You stole a pack of Mint Mento's from Smith's last week. I didn't notice the crime until we had already arrived at home and everyone had been unloaded from the car. The short version of the long story is we ended up back at Smith's 10 minutes later so you could come clean and admit to your committed crime. Your brother cried the whole way to the store, "I don't want her to go to jail, why did you take it sis ... (sobb, sniffle sobb) ...?" You later told Dadda that you weren't scared; "...the lady wasn't even mad at me" but I saw your hand trembling as you put the pack of Mint Mentos in the managers hand so hopefully you learned your lesson.

You are delightful though, you're witty and make all things appear to be so lovely. What a gift that is. You tell me every time I actually spend time getting dressed how beautiful I look and I thank you for this because I couldn't feel any less beautiful at the present time. What would I do without you?

Currently you are in a very serious relationship with Red Ranger ~ the 3" tall plastic Power Ranger with an impressive physique. This became a concern for dad and I when I caught you hugging and pecking his cheeks at the top of the stairs a few weeks back so dad hid Red Ranger that night and you were so concerened when you couldn't find him, it was a sad site. After promising to keep it strictly "friends," I've let you have him back and you couldn't be happier.

As we played with the "Aroma Dough" over the weekend we had a nice conversation:

Me: What are you making?

You: Princess Leia from Star Whores

Me: Princess Leia from Star WARS?

You: Yeah, you know, Princess Leia, she's in Star Whores

Thank you for making me laugh .... most of the time .....

Baby

My little bug. You seemed to enjoy the splash pad for about the first five minutes until you woke up. I was so looking forward to some quite time. Maybe I would read a magazine or write a few words but NOOOO, you were not content unless I was holding you, standing as you watched the kids run back and forth.

You are getting so big. I decided about a week ago that you might be more comfortable in your crib. You seemed to be outgrowing your cradle much faster then I had anticipated which made me so sad. So I thought we'd give it a try and you couldn't have been more ready. You've slept through the night ever since (for those mommies out there, he goes down at 9:00 and sleeps until 5:00!!) which is crazy compared to your bro and sis at two months old! I'm convinced this will be short lived but so far so good and only time will tell!

You're smiling all the time and the best is when you giggle in your sleep, it's so dang cute. I hold you most of the day and then complain that I get nothing done but soon enough the last place you'll want to be is held by me when there's an entire first floor of the house to explore. You're so patient with everyone. I cannot imagine how annoying it must be to have a bunch of people constantly in your face talking in really high pitched voices ~ you handle it like a champ!

Love,

Mama