First laugh (no really - first!)

Ms Kay

(Wednesday morning - right before we leave for the first day of school)
Mom: Trey, do you remember what your new teacher's name is?
Trey:.............I don't know.
Mom: don't you remember, we've been talking about it for a few days now?
Trey: (no eye contact - fidgeting), .....Ms. Kay
Mom: That's right, are you excited for school?
Trey: No. No go to school.

(Wednesday afternoon post-first day of preschool + 1 hour bus ride home)
Mom: How was school? What did you learn?
Trey: (after falling asleep on the bus) PIRATES!!
Mom: You learned about pirates at school?
Trey: (pulls paper pirate hat out of backpack) Yeah!! PIRATES!!
Mom: What was your teacher's name again?
Trey: MS KAY!!

I love Ms Kay.

Swift passage of time

My sister Michelle and her adorable kids came to visit last week. I realized how the swift passage of time makes me miss my sister, nephews and niece more than words. I so wish she lived closer and I could share more in her life.

Things I wish I knew before kids (that I probably wouldn't have believed anyway)

1. There is no such thing as "normal"





2. Just because you think they can't outwit you, doesn't make it so












3. They remember that you promised them chocolate 10 hours ago








4. It doesn't get any easier, just better









5. You learn to live without sleep and still love your children at 4am









6. It IS possible to lose count of the dirty diapers you've changed in a day










7. Permanent markers are still visible on white walls even through 4 coats of paint







8. It's impossible to repress a smile while listening to your 3-year old's belly laugh








9. They are born knowing what candy is







10. You'll never figure out how they got out of their carseat by themselves








11. You'll never figure out how(or why) they got inside the grill








12. They each have a special "quick, mom's not looking" toy







13. They always wake up earlier than normal on days when you can sleep in







14. They learn at a very early age which parent to ask for permission









15. You love them from the instant they're yours








16. Boys can love princesses too








17. All boys love light sabers and once exposed, any straight object over 2 inches long becomes a light saber







18. They won't believe you when you tell them that shaving cream tastes nothing like whipped cream







19. They won't believe you about the sand, either











20. They'll think they can do everything that you do, just in a different color









21. "I love you mommy"will always make your day

Ode to summer

There is no better time in a little boy's life than summertime. How I love to see life through my boys' eyes. They're so eager to share their excitement, I try so hard to relish those moments while they last. I may have to hose off the patio (and Caleb) every other day, but aren't pictures like these worth it?







Trey had so much fun at Adventure Playground. He was scaling a obstacle course intended for children 6 and older with no trouble at all. Just look at the concern on my face, I was having a harder time than Trey was. The mud pit was the epitome of boyness. Trey wanted desperately to experience more of the mud, but there were a lot of older kids who were playing quite rowdy and it was a little intimidating for him. We're so excited to try it again next year.


























Have you ever wondered what a 2-year old would do if given free-reign with a 50 ounce cup of soda? Drink ALL of it. I wonder no more. Dad was given charge over Caleb and decided that cooperation was the top priority as we sat in 90 degrees of full sun waiting for the well-worth it Shamu show. Treyden's favorite part of Sea World was the penguins. He still talks about those cute penguins in the dark scary room.