Piano Lessons

This is my view while Big Brother has piano lessons. We're finishing up his first month and there hasn't been a single fight about practicing! I know it will come eventually, though. But, for now, I love to get a little listen while he works with Cristin each week.

 I especially love how his little feet don't even come close to the ground. He's getting so big, yet every once in a while I get a glimpse that makes me cherish the "littleness" that he still has left in him.

Have you ever?

had a day like this?

After a particularly long day with no nap, I couldn't find this little guy anywhere. Finally, I went up to his room and found him sprawled on the floor, next to his bed, fast asleep!

Piano Man

Big Brother has asked to take piano lessons for a few months now. His good buddy's mom just happens to  teach piano lessons. He started Monday. He learned a song with 4 notes. He plays it for everyone that visits our house. It makes my heart glad that he is learning the piano. 

(It also makes me glad that it's being used for more than just dusting practice!)

My week

It's been a while, I know! This has been my week....

Yep, a sick little guy. I will spare you the details, but it hasn't been pretty! Let's just say a dose of Mirilax an hour before a stomach bug shows up is not a good combination. And just when I think he's better, he relapsed today. We haven't left the house much. Every time I turned around this little guy was sleeping. 

Being home has had it's benefits. I have an almost clean house, some almost completed projects, 2 sets of vacation plans almost completed, and best of all had plenty of time to look at these...

These are the boys' photobooks from age 4 and age 1 that came in the mail this week. (Yes, I am aware that I almost 2 years behind for them both!) I do a book for each year for each boy with Shutterfly. I use my photoshop and usually templates I find on the internet. These are both about 90 pages and I love every page and every memory they represent. Here are some of my favorites...

When we took the training wheels off Big Brother's Bike.

A fun Halloween memory

Turning 5!

Going back to Pre-K

A summary of a fun one year old!

Days at the park

A sweet toddler with only 2 teeth!

A sweet little boy who loved his pacifiers!

It was a good treat to get these in the mail this week! 

Title-less

I can't even think of a title to go with this cowboy-darth vader-yoda combo Little Brother created!

A New View

So, no... this isn't about some new outlook on life. This post is about this baby...

I have been saving every penny of my tutoring money to buy it. I finally took the plunge last Friday and have been playing with it ever since. It is a new lens for my Canon. It is the best quality lens I've had and it's awesome! 

So, in addition to showing you what I love about it, I'll show you what we've been up to for spring break as well! (It takes color photos - in case you were wondering. I just happened to love them all in black and white for a change.

Loving the library 

Time outdoors

Wrestling with Daddy

Train ride at the zoo. ( I love little Bro's excitement to see me!)

A terribly windy afternoon of tennis

Dont' you love his shirt? It's his favorite "show"

Yaaahooooo!

It's Spring Break. Enough said!

A Peaceful Day

We have had a lot of sibling fighting in this house lately. I don't know if it's their ages or being stuck in the house from cold temps. But, whatever the cause, it's driving me crazy! But, today the boys had a great day together...

Little Brother blasted his radio- a little Whitney Houston was on!

And yes, they are wearing their pj's in the middle of the day. They change into them as soon as Big Brother gets home from school every day! The joys of being little!

Big Brother wanted to show off his toothless grin! 

The boys even got a trip to Chick-fil-a for an oreo milkshake for a reward for their great day. Here's hoping for another one tomorrow!

My Alarm Clock

Every morning, usually before sunrise, I am met by this little face. Sure, it's cute here, but not as much in the dark when your not sure what is sniffling and snotting in your ear! He usually crawls in our bed, or I go to his with the high hopes of getting more sleep. Those hopes are almost always shattered.

(6:15 am today waiting for his chocolate milk)

 Kevin is up skiing with friends for the weekend and it was just me heading up to bed (way too late) last night. The boys had a birthday party set for 9:30 am! So, I reached for the alarm. Suddenly, it struck me. I probably have a better chance of winning the lottery or getting struck by lightning than getting to sleep in so late we would miss a 9:30am party! 

I used to hate my alarm clock. Now, I don't know why! The ability to accurately predict the time I start my day sounds wonderful now. The ability to hit snooze and get a few more minutes of sleep sounds glorious.

 Someday, I know I'll have to use that alarm clock again (and I won't appreciate it), but for now the drips of snot before sunrise will have to do!

(Disclaimer- his black eye was not my attempt to hit snooze- he fell off a chair last night.)

Camo Boy

Big brother gets dressed and ready for school each day on his own. Today, he came down in this get up! I suspect he might be planning to escape from school during recess.

I wonder if his bride one day will mind having a camouflaged wedding or house decor?

Birthday Boy!

Look who turned 3 today!

(These pictures were taken before the cold hit earlier this month!) 

I am trying to write a little something to remember what he is like right now. Amazing how hard that is! This little boy is full of complexities! In one instant, he's laughing hysterically at Tom & Jerry and in the next, he's stomping up to his room in a crying fit because his plate is the wrong color! In one instant, he's singing silly words to a favorite song and the next he's hitting his brother. Despite the challenging moments, this little guy has added much joy and laughter to our family over the past 3 years. He's full of cuddles, of silly songs, and belly laughs! He's so big, but yet still my baby.    

And, this boy is just as special to us too!

Fall Break Favorites

Warning- Lots of photos!

We've had a busy Fall Break. Here are some of the highlights....

This is my favorite! I wonder where they get this from? :)