Mad Man & Lately

Our son is a mad man. I am here typing this post with wet hair post the most eventful shower I have ever had the pleasure of taking. Jude has been way into carrying, stacking, putting away anything he can get his hands on. It's his passion at the moment. His mission. And he won't stop.

Today, while I was attempting to be a normal member of society and take a shower post workout, he was on a mission all his own. Elsa was taking her afternoon nap so I had a little window of time while I waited for Jude finally give up and sleep (yes, she sleeps more than him. Mad I tell ya). So this is typically my shower time. 

I closed the bathroom door, the closet door, the toilet door and dared to step in, giving him free reign of the bathroom. 

I learned the toilet room door has to be closed the hard way, when I went in to use it one night and turned the light on to a teddy bear staring back at me from inside the toilet. Yep, he stuffed the toilet full of stuffed animals. 

I called George and he disposed of Jude's victims but not before we both took a moment to just stare at the toilet and shake our heads. And all I could think of is how hard Jude must have worked and how many trips he had to make to accomplish fitting three medium sized stuffed animals in the toilet. This didn't happen under my watch, of course. The toilet lid was left open so all evidence points towards Dad. Hi, George!

So I usually have no problem taking a shower with Jude in the room. I know he is safe, I have my eyes on him at all times and it gives him a change to continue his mission and carry objects from our drawers to the tub, over and over. It  brings him much joy. 

Well, today, mid-shower I did a spot check on him and caught him lugging an entire box of curlers to the tub. I probably had soap in my eyes or something and by the time I rinsed and jumped out soaking wet, he had dumped the curlers in the tub, with a thud, turned the water on and gave them a nice drench, all with the proudest little smile on his face. 

I don't know what to do. Basically what I am trying to tell you is that my life is over. He now climbs onto the beds and jumps dangerously close to the edge, of course. He climbs onto the living room furniture and jumps. The chairs in our living room are currently with legs in the air to prevent him from climbing up and taking a major crash. But he sees the upside down chairs as a new climbing challenge to master. If I gave him the chance I know he could climb out of his crib. I'm exhausted but secretly loving watching this curious, wild, determined boy at work. 

I realize someday that this will all make sense. Like when he picks his profession in life or his hobby or whatever, we will all be like, "Oh, yeah! We knew you would do this because you used to love to put strange objects in toilets when you were a baby." 

I know I probably won't have the change to write again in a timely fashion (since my life is over) so here is a little bit of lately.

George took Ny went to the El-lesh-you game on Saturday. It was the highlight of her life. They tailgated before the game in an RV or as Nyah called it, a house that moves. They had great fun, she got to eat cotton candy but was tired by half time and was asleep before they arrived home.

And the next day, it was like she and George had some secret pact or something. Like their bond was stronger. They had experience stuff together that I just wasn't a part of. She needed an extra kiss before bed last next night, and she headed straight for George to get it.

Happy October to all.

First Pair of Shoes

It was time. These feet needed some shoes, because he is on the move and isn't looking back. 

Where will they take him? 

What will he do? 

Where will he go? Who will he become? 

The possibilities are endless.

The world is his.

Summer Love

Time is moving so fast, its hard to keep up. And hard to keep up with these kids. We are having so much fun with them, everyday. They are growing and changing at warp speed. Here is a little catch up of recent happenings. 

We made Nyah's universe and took her to Disney Princess on Ice, or in her eyes, The Greatest Show on Earth Ever. She was wide eyed every minute of the show and man does this girl know her princesses. Elsa enjoyed most of the show but lost interest towards the end and resorted to cheering and dancing. 

I now have three kids at home during the day because Nyah graduated from preschool! Though she will return a bit this summer to help her sister adjust to starting school (and don't get me started, I am already having anxiety about Elsa "leaving home") it is onto bigger things for this one. 

Jude is all over the house and is into anything and everything he can get his hands on which is ok with me. I love a curious kid but while I want to give him freedom to roam and explore I can't take my eyes off him for a second. Because if I do he is always moments away from disaster.

It is so hot here in Louisiana so we can really only get out to play in the mornings and evenings. When we bought this house we never dreamed this faucet would be such a hit. Hours of entertainment for the girls and me on repeat ever minute saying, "Girls, turn the water off. You're wasting water. Thats enough." I just can't help myself. But they love having their own water source.

And just a little warning-you might see this dress on Nyah for the majority of the summer. She scored the homemade dress on a recent trip we took from a sweet woman and she hasn't taken it off since because as she says, "Look, my back is out." George is less than amused, obviously, so this is another dress for home use only.

Since Nyah has been home she and Elsa have been going non stop pretending and fixing hair, and chasing, and screaming, and arguing. I am just so glad they have each other. Their bond is awesome.

These photos were taken as George and I were relaxing on the porch admiring our family just moments before this duo headed inside, alone. A few moments later we decided to take Jude inside to cool off. But when George tried the handle the door was locked along with every other door and window in the house. These sweet little girls locked us out of our house. 


We banged and rang the door bell but they would just scream and run around the living room then return to jumping on the bed. My idea was to return to the back porch and ignore them, they would miss us eventually, right? Well, turns out they were having a party and forgot they had parents so George knocked again and used his Dad voice and as soon as, "Early to bed!" came out of his mouth the door opened. Then the tears started flowing. They had fun while it lasted.

To celebrate Nyah's first day of vacation we put our swimsoups (as Elsa calls them) on this morning and headed to the water park to beat the heat and burn some energy. 

I am so looking forward to a summer of art, baking, playing, bugs and sun with these three and just getting back to the good life. We've missed you summer.

Road Trip

The kids and I decided make a mad dash to Indiana last week after receiving the sudden news of a death in the family. After just a day of planning and packing the four of us loaded up and embarked on the 800 mile journey to the heartland, on a mission to hug our Grandmother. 


My phone blew up with text messages about how crazy I was, and why, and let us help. But somehow I just knew everything would be okay, and that this would be added to the fun adventures I've had with my kids. And as it happens, everything was just fine.


Our trip to Indiana was easy, no crying, no fits thrown, and only one accident by Elsa who decided to inform me that she had to go when she actually had to go and left me no time to speed to the nearest interstate exit. 

Though we weren't in Indiana for the best of reasons, we actually were. To pay respects, to show our love and support. So behold, all of my grandmother's grandchildren (minus a few spouses), and few of her great grandchildren who all rallied around her in her time of need. What an accomplishment.

So we enjoyed every single bit of cousins, family, and Indiana in the spring. 

And then we had to drive home, something I wouldn't allow myself to think about until that morning arrived. And with my concern that the girls didn't drink enough water on the trip there, I packed cute little plastic water bottles for them, something they never have. And oh did they love them, as in we had to stop for a bathroom break every hour love them. 


But fourteen hours later, we made it. To our home, a place I hadn't realize I was so fond of and really so attached to. It was such a breath of fresh air to walk into our little spot in this world. And to see George, who's relaxing weekend ended the moment we stepped through the door, much to his delight.

Play

A few days ago I reorganized and changed up the kids play area a bit. As you know, their "playroom" is in what is supposed to be our dining room but the space works much better as a playroom, for now. Honestly, they just bring whatever is occupying them for the moment to play with next to us anyway, so we're just going with the flow. 

I also find they look at books so much more when the books are placed out in the hub of our family hangout space. And I am happy anytime my kids have a book in hand. Because who really wants to have to retreat the isolation of a bedroom to take in a few books? (Me, me!)

So after the change up, they woke up and got right to playing with such Christmas morning vigor. Giving such concentration to things that have been around forever. I guess the change in location, different groupings, or the discovery of that missing piece somehow made their things shiny and new again. 

For us, an organized play area is key. Because from watching these little ones day in and day out, it seems to me that play and learning are one and the same. I want to provide them with a clutter free learning environment so they can play, and thus learn, to their fullest potential.

I couldn't help but snap these photos, so early in the morning (one still with no clothes), as they were so intensely playing, because it was really one of the first moments all three of them were fully engaged in play together. They were doing it peacefully without mauling one sibling, which usually happens to poor Jude, or finding the others toy the absolute best thing ever invented, must have it right now or I will loose all control and act completely uncivilized.

They were each doing their own thing, deep in their own thoughts. Though this only lasted a few moments, I hope there will be many more mornings like this to come with these three. Because how awesome would it be to have two other siblings, so close in age, to navigate and discover this world with? 

Must rearrange and reorganize more often (and find a more gender neutral rug).