Randomness from the past little while...

I recently downloaded over a month's worth of photos from my camera. Even more amazing than the number of pictures I had taken was how much my kids had already changed since I had taken them. It's a good reminder to me of how much I don't want any of this to slip away so here are some random pictures from the past little while, with just enough words to help me remember the moment.

Reed always loved to sit and be read to and would sit with me patiently listening for as long I wanted. That wasn't so much the case with Max or Ruby. When they were tiny they would both either wiggle away, grab the book, flip the pages ahead or just plain fuss when I would try to read to them. Thankfully by the time they hit 18 months they both grew out of their "bossy book behavior" and thoroughly enjoyed story time. I'm glad because it's just about my favorite thing to do with them and love that it's something that we can all enjoy together.






Ruby imitating the elephant in the book. She's always good for some awesome animal sounds


Even now, Reed can't resist a book--no matter how many times he's read it.




Ruby continues to have a very sweet relationship with each of her brothers. That doesn't mean it's always sunshine and roses between then, but there is certainly enough of it to leave no doubt they adore her.

Max giving Ruby a good morning kiss through the crib.


Max enjoys pushing Ruby in the swing maybe a bit too much and now I can't get her near those things.


Here is Reed suffering through one of his summer writing prompts. It was torture for us both sometimes, but I'm very proud of him for sticking with it. He always had lots of good ideas, however, sitting and writing those good ideas down wasn't always his favorite.


Two things my boys will never tire of--Legos and guns.


I love this picture because it reminds me of how much Ruby wants to be one of the gang. If her brothers are going somewhere or doing something, she's right there behind them.



Did someone say we were looking for sticks? What I really needed is a picture of her when she took this stick and used it like a rifle. I was quite surprised when I saw her do it. I guess that's what happens when you have two older brothers. All I can say is watch out Annie Oakley!


It's not always just Ruby following the boys. Sometimes it's the boys following Ruby--often under her request and direction. A while back I got Ruby some polka-dot pajamas and thus was born the "dot-dot" dance. I'm pretty sure it was Reed that made it up, but it was Ruby that kept it going. Whenever she wears the pajamas not only does she have to the dot-dot dance, but she makes everyone else do it too. The dot-dot dance consists of spinning in circles saying "dot-dot-dot".

Some are willing participants---others are not.




But that doesn't stop her from trying.


No matter how the dance starts it always ends like this.


Phew...it's always a relief to get these memories in writing. Like I said it's only been a few months and already life has changed. Ruby now (for some unknown reason) hates these pajamas and refuses to wear them. It's a real shame, Ruby. They (the PJs and the dance) were so cute and I miss them. RIP "dot-dot dance".

Max--the boy who wants to be heard

If you want to make Max really mad, interrupt him. He hates it--and he makes sure you know it. Between an older brother who knows a lot and a little sister who screeches a lot, it's no wonder he's passionate about being heard. In fact, in frustration one day, he decided that the best way to avoid inadvertent interruption was to have a rule that no one was allowed to talk for a whole minute after he stopped speaking. Crazily enough the rest of the family chose not to ratify the rule.

Because I know it's such a sensitive issue for him, I try to let him speak and be heard as often as possible. When I do stop and really listen, he never disappoints. So much of what I love about what Max says is how he says it, so these anecdotes do him no justice. I just hope they will be enough for me to remember my funny little boy.

A couple weeks ago we stopped at Arby's for lunch, and, while simultaneously eating his sandwich and dangling roast beef from his mouth, he said, "How do they make meat?"

I wasn't sure how to answer this question exactly, considering the fact that we drive by cows multiple times a day and even have names for our "regulars". I decided to go with cold, hard truth and told him that they don't "make" meat, but instead roast beef is, in fact, just cow meat. He paused for a moment and said, "They only kill the bad cows, right? Not the good ones that give us milk?"

"Yep."

"Yeah...I know the bad ones. They don't give us milk...they just spill it."

The other day we were driving home from dropping Reed off at school, and I noticed Max was deep in thought as he looked out the window. When I asked what he was thinking about, he said, "I was just thinking about getting a goat." When I asked why he wanted a goat, he said, "Oh...you know...so they could eat all our trash. And when Ruby's clothes get too small we can give them to the goat...because they even eat clothes!! (wide eyes and raised eye brows like only Max can do.) And I really want to see a goat eat clothes. So, can we please get a goat?"

Max telling me about one of his "super animals".




Uh oh...looks like someone might be thinking about interrupting him...


It was a close one, but he successfully finishes his presentation and looks pretty satisfied.


Wow...that is a lot of expression for one little drawing. I love this boy.

At family home evening this week we all went around and said one thing we loved about every member of our family. When it got to Max, he said about me, "When I wake up in the morning, and I see your face, I just automatically like it...I don't know even why...I just do." Thanks, Max. It's nice to know I have at least one fan. I automatically like you, too.

Dressing Drama

I used to love getting Ruby dressed in the morning. It used to be the highlight of my day. She used to let me put her in whatever my little heart desired no matter how silly or impractical. Even at the time I knew those days were numbered--I just didn't know how small that number was. These days dressing Ruby is a task both Sam and I dread. She is soooo particular about what she will and will not wear, and 9 times out of 10 what she insists on wearing is a ridiculous combination of mismatch items that usually include a variety of pajama pieces, sweats, and one of only a few old shirts. She is definitely going through her grunge period. It pains me to see cute little ruffly rompers go unworn in her drawer while my only daughter walks out the door looking like she just rolled out of Punky Brewster's bed. I know I'm the mom and I have tried forcing my clothing choices on her, but, in the end, I find that it is usually not worth the tears that are inevitable when trying to reason with a stubborn girl who is not yet 2 and who still uses non-verbal communication as her primary dialect.

So, a couple weeks ago, when she insisted on her bathing suit, her cake shirt (her most favorite right now), bloomers that go with her purple skirt, and her striped socks (she is a big sock lover ever since her traumatic foot injury--why haven't I blogged about that? Oh wait, I know--that is something I don't want to remember.) I was happy. For a few hours of one day, Ruby and I were on the same fashion page.


Can you see the adoration she has for Max?


Sam thinks this picture is a classic.


Yes, I think Ruby looks cute, but these next two pictures are all about Reed.


I said we were on the same fashion page...we obviously weren't on the same page for everything.


Until our fashion paths meet again Ruby...thanks for one cute pick.

2nd grade

A month ago Reed started 2nd grade. I may be a bit behind with these first day of school pictures, but now with a few weeks under our belts I can also report that Reed absolutely loves 2nd grade. It has been such a good year for him so far and I couldn't be happier. I worried all summer long about getting him into the right class and our prayers were answered. He's in a great class with a great teacher. After the first week of school he announced that he wanted to stay in 2nd grade forever. For the first time since he started his school career he comes home everyday excited to share something new he has learned.

While it has been wonderful, I don't know if Reed would call it perfect. I was looking through his daily agenda after the first month and I noticed at the bottom where it has a section entitled, "Notes". Reed had crossed out the "s" in "notes" and written: "Note to self: I am like Ramona". When I first asked him what that was all about he protested and said it's a note to self---that means it's just for me. When I persisted he told me that he was like Ramona because when Ramona started 3rd grade she thought it was going to be the best year ever and it wasn't. He said that was how he felt. He could identify with her because he thought 2nd grade was going to be the best until his teacher told him to throw a rubber band he was playing with in the trash. "Doesn't she know that I am collecting them and that they are not trash to me?!"

Thankfully, after about a day he was over the rubber band episode and back to loving 2nd grade.

Max is getting really tired of being a bridesmaid at these first day of school celebrations. Poor boy...next year.

Ruby thinks that if the camera is clicking she should be there. While I was snapping photos of Reed, Ruby decided to work her way into the shot. Did somebody say it was time for pictures?


His face doesn't show it, but he misses this girl and the feelings are mutual. Ruby squeals with delight when Reed comes into view in the car pool line and she is usually the first one to get Reed's attention after we pick him up.

Max always misses Reed like crazy when he starts school again so it's usually a countdown until he comes home on the first day. I love how I can tell that Max is genuinely happy in this picture of the two of them enjoying an after school snack after a long day without him.

After the snack it was back to business as usual.

I think it's time to get some girl dress up clothes since it looks like Ruby has resorted to dressing up as Santa Claus.


I love it when my kids play well together...even when they make the basement look like this.

The reason for the trip... (AKA the longest post I ever hope to do.)

After 4 days on the road we finally arrived in Grand Junction, Colorado--our final destination and the reason for the madness. It was wonderful to finally be there. Matt, Whitney and Olivia met us there as well, making for a full house for Nana and Papa. They seemed a bit overwhelmed by the 12 guests at times, but I think, for the most part, they enjoyed and appreciated the visit and the time they had to spend with us and our kids.

The one activity I knew everyone--including (or especially) my Nana--was looking forward to was going fishing. Nana had promised $5 to the first person who caught a fish, so my boys were even more motivated to make something happen. Sadly, after several hours and two locations the fish count was zero.

My Nana can bait a hook with the best of them.


...so can Issac.


Fish or no fish, Reed and Luke were having a ball together...even when Reed hooked himself with a worm on the back. Yuck.


Yep...this is the reason we went.


Ruby busied herself catching flowers.


Hello, Opie.


It really was so beautiful there. I was hoping my kids realized how amazing it was to be at a lake on top of a real mountain...not those "hills" we are used to on the east coast.


My little Dora the Explorer.


Of course it was both of my boys who fell in the lake. Max was not a happy camper. After this he was D-O-N-E, done.


Matt and Olivia taking in the beauty of it all. Did I mention how beautiful it was? I love the mountains.


The boys at unsuccessful fishing spot #2.


The girls taking a break together. I love that one of the "girls" is mine.



My poor Nana felt terrible that we didn't catch a thing. I however thought the adventure was a big success. The kids had a great time with my grandparents, we got to enjoy the beauty of the Colorado mountains and there weren't any stinky fish to bring home and cook.

Back at the house the boys enjoyed checkers with Papa.


Moments like this made it ALL worth while.


The weather wasn't too bad while we were there, but it was hot---so when it rained we let the kids take full advantage of the opportunity.




Spending time with far-away cousins was pretty wonderful too. Ruby enjoyed Olivia and her Italian ice.


The next day we headed to Lincoln Park where my Nana and Papa used to take their kids. It was really neat to hear my grandparents reminisce about their life in Grand Junction long ago. My papa has always been a man of few words, so I can honestly say that I heard him talk and share more in the 4 days we were there than I have my entire life. It was great.

Ruby took a liking to Papa--I think the feelings were mutual.



Cute kids at the park.








It goes with out saying that the van was a disaster by the time we arrived, so before everyone headed back home Issac gave it a good vacuum--Tracey helped a little too.


Nana and Papa with the whole gang. (minus Olivia who was being driven to sleep.)




That last day we were there, Papa spent much of the day standing at the kitchen sink slowly and thoroughly washing all the dishes as the many shifts of eaters dirtied them. (I'm not sure why they even have a dishwasher!) After a whole day on his feet, sitting felt pretty good--getting up, however, was a different story. He needed a little help. I think Nana and Papa slept really well after we left.


I almost escaped this entire trip without a single picture of myself. I was definitely there, so, although this picture isn't great, I'm going to have to include it as evidence.


OK...maybe one more. Don't I look, happy? I was.


After two weeks away from home I couldn't help but be very excited when we were finally on our way back. Thanks to a bossy Ruby, it was Reed's backpack that got a stroll through the airport. I'm pretty sure the picture of Max and Ruby was taken right after I told Max, "Remember this is an airport, not a park." I think my warning really had an influence on him.


What do I do when we have to sit and be bored? Take pictures, of course!




Reed, on the other hand, used his time to create some new candy creation ideas.


It was great to finally be on board on our last leg.


It was even better when that last leg looked like this...


We arrived in DC around 10 p.m, tired, but excited to be home again. While we waited for Sam, Ruby enjoyed her power as keeper of the Reese's pieces.


Do those look like happy faces or what? I think Max's face says pretty clearly...get me home now please. (not sure about the please part.)


Just like his father.


It was a wonderful and long trip (I think the length of this post proves that). I'm so glad we made it happen and I hope it's one that my kids don't soon forget. (This lengthy post better help!)