Tessa's First Valentine Box

Tessa has a Valentine party coming up for preschool where she needs to have a Valentine box. I first thought, "Good grief. I don't need homework from preschool." Then I chiggity checked myself before I wrecked myself and remembered how fun that part of Valentine's Day was for me as a kid. We got to work one afternoon while Cole was napping.

I covered the box while Tessa made decorations to put all over the box, along with heart stickers.

I had such a lovely time sitting and crafting with her. I'm so glad I adjusted my attitude so I could have that opportunity.

Cole woke up just in time for pictures with his crazy face sister:

There we go. (Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer is on the left loving his pencil, whereas Mickey and Minnie Mouse are on the right loving each other. Poor Rudolph.)
He needed a picture as well. He's got two pistols, so I didn't question.

Rainy Day "Fun"

The rain came down in torrents for a couple of days in January --hooray! We didn't have any plans on one of those days, and with as pregnant and grumbly as I was, I wasn't going anywhere in that weather. My kids were bored. I put them in swimsuits and dumped them in the tub for a "swim party". Winning mom of the year for creativity, I know. They were happy and didn't fight for at least twenty minutes, so we'll call it a success.

They're cute.

Love this one:
And Cole's really skinny. He eats. I swear.

Front Yard Geyser

Too many people have had to hear my weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth tale about the big pipe leak/break under my front lawn at the end of January that went unnoticed for way too long. So, I'll keep it really short --for me.

Months of ridiculous water bill -no clue why.

City finally came out and said, "Yes. There is water leaking somewhere. Your problem."

We discovered where.

Plumbers came.

Plumbers found leak/break after digging massive hole.

Four days of no water, minus two hours in the evenings to bathe, wash, and collect more water for the next day. Water gushing into the street during those two hours.

New line dug from meter to house.

Still looks like Bugs Bunny went through my yard on his way to Albuquerque.

Very expensive. More so than they said. Total bill not presented until after the work was done.

Unhappy husband. Teeth gritting wife. However...

SO thankful for running water. And tax returns.

Here are the kids excitedly watching our front yard getting torn up:

Little Einsteins

Cole's favorite show right now is Little Einsteins. After Tessa gets dropped off at preschool, this is his favorite spot:

Mom gets a chance to shower, and Cole pat, pat, pats his way to victory with the red rocket ship.

Our Traverse came with three months of XM radio, which we haven't taken much advantage of until this last month. I've found that I listen to one of the XM classical stations most often --very calming. Lately very needed. Cole has shouted out a couple of times, "I know this song!"

Go, Little Einsteins!

A New Paige, and "M starts with Maren"

A New Paige

Paige Clara McBride

Born: February 2, 2012, 11:56 P.M. CST

Weight: 10 Lbs., 1 Oz.

Length: 21 Inches

"M starts with Maren!"

Last night (February 2nd to 3rd) was a long night for me, and an even longer night, I'm sure for my sweet wife. Thanks to loving support from good friends, I was able to spend the night in the hospital with Maren as our beautiful, gentle Paige was born. Although, not as big as her brother was, she still boasted an impressive 10-1 birth weight, and has the double chin and cheeks to prove it. Maren was strong and courageous through every minute and I look up to her and respect her with everything that's in me.

Now, less than 24 hours later, I sit in a quiet home. Maren and Paige have one more night in the hospital, the oldest two kids are asleep (although their battle to avoid the bed was well fought), and I have time to ponder a few things that have been in my head, and to write them down.

A week or so ago, Tessa was admiring the letter "M" in a book and stated authoritatively that "M starts with Maren." I understood what she meant to say, and almost corrected her, but decided not to. In her world, and in mine, M does indeed start with Maren, and not the other way around. My wife, and the mother of my children is everything to this household. She cooks, she cleans, she takes the kids to their activities and classes, she sets an example of faith, virtue, integrity, and good works. She is an outstanding mother, an excellent friend, a fine comedienne, and an exemplary wife. She understands me. She knows my imperfections but accepts me for who I am, and together we strive to grow and improve. The list could go on and on. I love her dearly.

As we welcome a third child to our household, the strength she possesses is evident, and I take comfort in the thought that she will teach our girls how to be such women.

Welcome Paige!

I love you Maren.

Christmas 2011

We had ourselves a fairly quiet and happy Christmas weekend. Friends joined us for dinner and hanging out on the 23rd, and then for Christmas Eve we had a quick dinner and went to see a neighborhood in our city that is known for being decked out with lights and decorations. It did not disappoint. We left as it was getting really crowded and came home to settle in for the night. After reading the Christmas story and Twas the Night Before Christmas, we put the kids to bed so we would have plenty of time for Santa to do his thing.

Tessa was wide eyed and brimming with excitement. We heard her get out of her bed to use the bathroom again after about twenty minutes in her room, where she assured us she just wanted to make sure she wasn't going to wake up for any reason. She didn't want to take the chance that she'd see Santa and interrupt the present giving.

Here she is with her Littlest Pet Shop bike that Santa surprised her with:
Here's our cowboy:
He talked about a black cowboy hat every time we talked about Santa, so I'm glad Santa carried through.

Opening the boots from Mom and Dad:

So stylish.
"Gummy Saver?"
And that's where the photo documentation ends. We had a yummy breakfast after going through Santa presents and parent presents and then got ready for church. A great web cam visit with Grandpa and Grandma M. was up next. We headed to church and had a really nice service; the kids behaved pretty well for me considering Dad was up singing with the choir. Afterward we were able to computer visit with my dad and Sandy and also my mom and open presents with them in turn.

I'm so grateful for technology that allows us to have meaningful face to face interaction with loved ones on Christmas.

All in all, it was a lovely day after that crazy building up to it month.

Then came the days where we enjoyed hanging out with Jake at home! Projects galore.

Happy New Year, everybody. May 2012 be everything you decide it will be.

Tessa Turns Five

My baby girl turned five on December 3. It was fun to have Grandma Lori here to celebrate with us. We had a low key family celebration with presents, cake, and then a movie outing with her friend Anna to see The Muppets. She was a happy girl.

Hooray for fancy dental hygiene!


The clear winner of the night:

Love my five going on fifteen year old.