Simple

Lately, life feels hard. Like every day is a struggle.

And today was one of the toughest. It was a day where I found myself all caught up and distraught in all the complexities in our lives right now.

And then I gave the boys a bath. In our tub. The special tub. The one with that was big and had a fancy window over it and jets in it.

And watching them play and explore in the water instantly calmed me. It wasn't the "watching" I normally do...the really.I'm.cleaning.the.bathroom.at.the.same.time.watching. I just sat.

Still.

And really watched them.

There is something about this smile..



or these eyes...



or looking as hard as you can to find any of that baby that was your first born in this grown child in front of you...



It was the watching this one try and figure out why bubbles weren't coming out...



and the wondering of what he is thinking...



and knowing that you could never love anything more than that sweet yummy face.

And while there will always be those overwhelming, crazy moments that come along with life...



for today, the simple is enough. It's what I crave. It's what calms me.

It's watching my two sweet boys enjoy a "fancy" bath and soaking up every moment of it.

So moments like these don't pass me on by.



Enough.

Valentines

One of my favorite things about staying home with my boys is that I never have to miss those tiny little special events that will occur at school.

Today's was Liam's Valentine's Day celebration. A small little affair as his class consists of just 12 children (including Mr. Man).



And nothing grandiose.

You insist on wearing your "fancy" sweater for the festive occasion. Then, there is a lot of waiting for the chance to pass out your special valentines that you got to make at home with your mama...



and more waiting (because when you're last in a line of 12....that's a lot when you're five)....



and even more waiting (until you almost fall asleep and even ask your mama for a school with cots because your little brother woke you up too early)...



until FINALLY it's your turn to hand out your special valentines to all your friends.



And then a bit of cookie decorating...



during which you INSIST on no fancy valentine sprinkles or special pink sugar because you do not like those things...



and then you get to check out all your special valentines before heading home for the weekend.



When you look at it, it's just a small pre-k valentine party. But add in a fancy sweater, some homemade valentines, and the chance to partake of this very very special event with your five year old who declares it "the best valentine's day party ever", and it adds up the biggest best thing in the world...the opportunity to share it with him and a day that I'm so grateful to have had with him and will not soon forget.

I love you, Liam. Thanks for being my valentine!

A Long Awaited Reunion

The boys have been asking Taylor to pull the train table out pretty much since it came down in November to make room for the tree.

It took awhile since Taylor kind of feels like this about the mess that can be involved with the train table:



Last night was a long time coming and the boys went straight to work:






It was nice to hear those train noises again:






Well, Hello old friend!!



Looking forward to building and destroying miles and miles of tracks. Good ol' boy fun!

What's better than that?

Reading books with Daddy at the end of a long day



This little boy loves his Daddy and soaks up every precious minute he can with him.



And because there are no rules to being a parent (and definitely no handbook), look who has wound up happy and cozy back in his crib.



G is happy.

We are happy.

And everyone is much better rested.

Nighty-night!

Mr Man

Mr. Man continues his modeling aspirations...

you're a tiger baby...yeah!



And look who's becoming fast friends.



Good times!