Sweet Summertime

Sooo, it has been awhile! Ben was laying here with me scrolling through old blog posts, looking at photos, and I remembered how much I enjoy reading and seeing these pics on here. Yes, it takes a bit of effort, but since I don't really keep a journal or anything, this was as close to it as I came. 

I laugh when I read some of these posts when I am really sentimental...it's always a result of pregnancy! I otherwise just am not a real sentimental person, as Dustin can attest too. Whenever we are going through our stuff and sorting out donation items, I am always saying to "get rid of it!". He probably thinks I'm so cold and heartless. ;) 

So, here I am, pregnant with baby #4, with 7 1/2 weeks left until we get to meet this sweet baby. Since we decided on a surprise baby this go around, I have to admit I am getting a little excited to see what we have cookin' in here! We are terrible about picking out names right now and pretty much have nothing. We really better get on it too, because they won't let us leave the hospital without a name, which I kind of think is lame. What ever happened to getting to know baby and seeing what fits? 

The kids are also getting antsy to meet this little one already. Right now we are in full summer mode and enjoying all the freedom of not having a school schedule. Daily walks/ bike rides, park play dates, gymnastic class for Myla, time playing at Aunt Elisha's (while I have baby appointments, bless her!), and fun pool time with our whole family. Dustin worked with the two big kids on swim lessons today while Ben and I floated around in the baby pool. The weather is so nice right now, cool in the mornings and hot in the afternoons, but not too hot, yet. 

We have a lot to do, buy mostly, in getting ready for our new arrival. I thought a mini crib in our bedroom might be nice and we need another dresser to store this kiddo's clothes. We are definitely trying to get creative in our small space, and while I initially balked at the thought of living in this little yellow house with FOUR kids, it is growing on me. Kind of. ;) We have been looking for a new, bigger place, but with how quickly the good houses sell, it just hasn't been our cup of tea. We are slower movers and Dustin likes to think things through longer than an hour or two, so we just need to wait until the market is not so nutty. Maybe this fall, once we are all settled from having a new baby, yeah right, I know, I do remember hardly having time to do much of anything besides the necessities with a young baby. We shall see what unfolds. When the time is right everything will align. I hope! 

If anyone even reads this...have a wonderful summer!:)

P.S. I will try to get a few recent photos on here soon. I have been super awful about taking pictures this pregnancy. Things have been so busy, I just kind of forget to get out the camera. And maybe a little lazy too. Hah! I know I will regret not having good pics of the kids at these ages so I will make it a mental goal. 

Quiet Afternoons

I am sitting in my little green chair staring outside watching the sun drenched leaves fall off the neighborhood trees. I love fall. The autumn air swirls around you, calling for a jacket, the dappled sunshine everywhere you look...it's just so crisp and renewing. 

I appreciate all of nature this time of year so much. I LOVE the pops of bright color everywhere you look. 

The fact is I haven't had much time to sit and really reflect on very much for too long because I have been so busy for the last few years. As I type this, I am on my second day with my oldest two kiddos in school FULL day. My youngest is asleep taking his afternoon nap. I cannot get over the fact that my house is silent. I mean, really really quiet. I am honestly not sure what to do with my time. I know I should stop eating these chocolate chips for one, but no one is pulling me away to do something else, so I just kind of want to sit here and not mop the house. 

I know after a few days I'll get used to having Myla and Oliver gone all day with this gap of time to do something on my own. Maybe I can conjure up some energy and do some afternoon yoga or clean. I'm definitely a morning person so, the afternoon is usually my time to chill out. My morning has been very busy, but without the constant clock check, because we had to pick up Myla by 11:05, I feel a little without my priorities. 2/3 of them are at school! It is weird. 

It's like my job suddenly got easier, but it didn't really. There was always stuff I wasn't doing because I was talking with or doing some activity with Myla in the afternoon. Now, I'm kind of just stuck. It will come to me, I know. She is loving full day kindergarten, btw. It was a really tough decision, but I felt like she was ready and I am really glad I focused on her and I think it was a good choice. Time will tell. 

When Oliver started first grade a few months ago, I remember feeling this same way. Like a lost dog in the afternoons. I only had two kids at home for the first time in the afternoons in practically forever. So, I remember I got used to it and even liked having him at school. He would come home telling me all about the fun activities they got to do and recess and lunch. Basically Myla is now getting to experience the "enrichment" portion of school, and it sounds pretty fun. 

So, even though Ben is only two, I think I have a bit of a license to figure out a new afternoon routine. Something just for me, during nap time. I almost feel guilty that I have time to sit down. Seriously. I know I need to remember that this is good for me to get a real break. It's been 5 years since I have had just one child to watch at a time. I love my kids so so much...but it is nice to have a very quiet break right now. :) 

M

P.S. I am actually watching my neighbor boy today, who is 2 1/2. So technically, one day a week I have two kids at home and two at school. It makes for a very busy day, but they nap at the same time, so the quiet afternoon still counts. ;) 

Tooth Fairy Adventures

Look who lost a tooth! Technically, it's Oliver's third baby tooth to fall out, but each time it happens we are equally excited around here. :) Myla cheered him on and Ben looked at the tooth in his hand and then at the hole in his mouth and made a disgusted face, like, "why is this a good thing?" Haha.

So the tooth fairy must be on her way, with sparkling fairy dust trailing behind her. Does anyone else have children that desperately want to keep the tooth and still receive some dough? I think we'll just have to have a blanket rule that says the tooth fairy leaves some money and inspects the tooth to make sure it was healthy and cavity free. Maybe she is a sort of dentist tooth fairy and only rewards good brushing habits. Haha. Yes, I'm going to go with that. Their Papa, who is a dentist, will love it.;)

Mr. Handsome

So, in case you didn't know, it is "ride your bike to work week" and Dustin is on day 3. Everyday he sends me a little message telling me he made it and that he's safe. 

He made it in 30 minutes today. It takes me 20 min. to drive there, so I say that is pretty darn fast!

This picture makes me smile, Mr. Handsome in all his scruffy glory. Notice the bike behind him in his office. :)

Easter Sunday

It has been awhile! I hope you all had a wonderful Easter with your loved ones! We celebrated Easter twice with both Dustin's family and then again with mine. A few photos of the Branick weekend to come.:) 

We traveled to Manhattan to visit and celebrate Easter with Nana and Papa this past weekend. The kids always get so excited to go to Nana and Papa's. They love romping around their big house, alternating between loving on one of Nana's many pets, playing with fun toys, and spending time with their grandparents.  

We watched an old 80s movie with a robot, dyed some eggs, played with sidewalk chalk, rode bikes, and enjoyed chatting. We also drove by one of my old childhood houses on Perry Road, that often makes it into my stories that I tell my kids. I think we only lived there for a couple of years, but it is out in the country and backs up to the woods and it apparently made a big impression on me. I remember it's spiral staircase and bright red bath tub. So funny. I still, to this day cannot believe the master bathroom had a red tub. Who would ever want such a thing? It reminds me of Lava soap. Even though the wrapper was just red, but still. It's weird the things I remember. ;)

We missed my sister Sarah, Jason, and their two little girls as they had colds and didn't want to infect us. Next time Sarah!

Here are a few of the good photos. 

Dying eggs with Nana's help

Benjamin and Papa playing with a "wreck-it" truck

Pretty girl

Handsome boy

I love how their aprons matched their outfits. Nana is good.;)

Silly kiddos begging to start the egg hunt

Score!

Myla said "Dad, it's a white swan!" (the Easter bunny found white peeps!)

Munching on some candy in Nana and Papa's "forest"

And Ben found some fruit snacks. 

Yum!

Trying on her cool new shades while checking out her goodies

Cuties

The fam, next to the willow tree that Dustin and I planted the year before we got married. 

windy but sweet pic

serious guys

Stoic

Cheesers

Squeeze!

Enjoying the beautiful day 

Winter Break Musings

We had an awesome little vacation from school and got to enjoy quite a bit of down time. Besides seeing family and friends over the holidays, which is thankfully always wonderful, we goofed off around the house and had some fun. Here are a few photos from the last two days. It is really cold here, so we have been trying to amuse ourselves indoors...

Super strong daddy

Lego fun

String cheese baby

Ben poking our newly crafted snowflakes

"Bring it, buddy."

Watch out! I'm cute, but I'm gonna whack you mama.

Never too early for a little Jedi training :)

Path of destruction

Ben has turned into a bit of a tornado lately. An adorable, impossible to get mad at tornado, but still. He loves emptying out baskets, book shelfs, TRASH CANS....

My house was perfectly clean and acceptable this morning and then I went to wash my face and get dressed and I walked out to this. 

Ahhh. Wish me luck!