Precious Moments

We Only Behave for Santa

This was a big day for us. The twins have been looking forward to meeting the big red-coated guy from the North Pole for days, and today he was coming to our town! My kids are usually a little bonkers, but thank goodness they had it in them to smile pretty and behave for Santa when the cameras were on them.

Every year our church puts on a big “Breakfast with Santa” event. 2 staff members dress in elf costumes and emcee the morning’s festivities. There is so going on, the kids don’t have a spare second to get bored. Unfortunately, we didn’t have Logan with us because he was with his dad. Part of the reason I make our YouTube videos is so he can still get to see the family stuff he misses out on while he’s at his dad’s.

We started off at the hot chocolate bar, where John loaded up the kids’ cups with warm cocoa, marshmallows, candy canes, and whipped cream.

Next came breakfast. We headed down the buffet line and filled our plates with pancakes, eggs, Gogurts, and orange juice. Well, the Gogurts were really just for the kids. At this point, the kids had downed hot cocoa, a candy cane, syrupy pancakes, and they were starting to jitter from sugar overload. This seemed like a good time to take them to the craft area so they could do terrible things with glitter.

To John’s relief, the girls never made it to the glitter craft. Madeline and Emily both made a snowman from a paint stir stick. It turned out so cute! Johnny was happy at the coloring table, which was great because he’s still a little young for crafts.

Meeting Santa: The Grand Finale

The elf emcees led us in some caroling. Then, encouraged by the applause form kids and parents, Santa came out to meet the children. We did have to wait n line a while to see him, but I didn’t mind because we had a nice chat with the families before and after us.

The kids were wonderful for Santa, smiling adorably for a picture and telling him what they wanted for Christmas. Apparently Elsa dolls are still cool (to my kids, at least).

At the end, we took our tired, hopped-up-on-sugar kids home. I know they’ll be talking about this day for a long time. I was so thankful to have John with me to help with the little ones because this day would have been much more stressful without him. Hopefully today helped to build memories for our children that they will treasure for years to come. Next up on our family adventures is our annual Christmas Lights Scavenger Hunt!

When Every Milestone is the Last

This week my baby turned three.

It’s hard not to get sentimental when you know that from here on out, every milestone is the last one. This is our last third birthday, the last set of sippy cups and small plastic spoons. I wasn’t ok with not having any more babies. Yes, I know, we have 4 and we’re definitely blessed to have them all. And I know it’s crazy because we’re popping out at the seams as it is in our crowded apartment but I always wanted just one more…

But this isn’t about me, it’s about this little stinker and how did he ever get to be three already?

He loves to ride his trike, the one that was too big for him when we bought it just a few months ago.

He’s the biggest PJ Masks fan EVER. Gekko is his favorite, and he still wears his Gekko costume even though it’s more than a month past Halloween.

He is absolutely, 100%, all-boy. Johnny is so aggressive, always ready to wrestle, and never tires of teasing his sisters. How he gets away with it, when they are so much bigger than him and outnumber him, is beyond me.

But he also is my little snuggler. None of my other kids have carried a blanket with them except this little guy. He loves to be cozy, wrapped up, and hugged tightly. Waking up before his sisters, he crawls into my bed every morning and just cuddles up next to his Mommy and Daddy.

I regret so many things about my life as a working mom, and wish every day that our kids could experience a different kind of childhood. One where their parents had time/energy to read them stories and play imaginary games with them instead of always having to work. While so much of me wants to look back and weep over what can’t be, I know in my heart that I need to look forward at what is to come, and enjoy every moment of what is here right now.

Those little wispy curls that form over his ears.

The way he covers his eyes and pretends he’s hiding every single time I go to take him out of his car seat. The game of “find Johnny” never gets old to him.

But I especially love the way he is growing so independent. Every new challenge is met with a confident, “I got this, Mommy”.

Johnny, I pray you never lose confidence in yourself.

Happy birthday my littlest spitfire, and thank you for the exhausting days of busy chaos that you’ve blessed us with.

I love you to the moon and back.

I Did Something Crazy Last Night

Folks, I have to tell you: I did something crazy last night. I went to a concert. And not just any concert. I went to a rockin’, rollin’, Jana Alayra concert.

For those who aren’t familiar with Jana, she sings fun Sunday School songs geared to preschool and elementary kids. Her original songs and music are pumped up with plenty of hand motions so kids can dance along as they sing. We’ve been watching this YouTube channel to learn the moves over the last few weeks. That way the girls were already familiar with most of the songs before we got to the concert.

Via Jana’s Store Page

The concert was held at a church about 35 minutes from where we live. It had started to rain sometime in the early afternoon, but that didn’t stop us from jammin’ to Jana! We threw on our rain jackets and tennis shoes (“shoes” instead of sandals are a clear indicator that there is “weather” in San Diego) and hit the road. The auditorium at the church only holds 300 or so people, so the place wasn’t too crowded and parking was easy to find.

We had a great time singing along to the words on the screen as Jana modeled the hand motions for the songs. Most of kids between kindergarten and third grade knew all the songs and movements to go along with them! My kids don’t sing along to fast-paced music very well, but Madeline and baby John had a great time dancing their hearts out! baby John having a blast at the Jana Alayra concert Emily wasn’t too sure about singing and dancing. She stood in a corner or followed at my heels until she found a nice chair to sit in. She was happy just to watch all the action.

A Jana concert may be geared towards kids, but it’s not too unlike a regular concert. For example,

Random people get on stage with the singer. At a Jana concert, don’t be surprised if she calls up ALL the 4-year-olds in the audience… Or maybe all the daddies!
There are DVDs, CDs, and T-Shirts for sale in the lobby
You can choose to be in the “mosh pit” or sit in the audience. One big difference, though, is that a Jana mosh pit is full of children and safe from broken glass. 😉
Lights and stage decor make the event even more exciting. When you’re at a Jana concert, the lights add bright colors to the ambience and playful cartoon children with balloons make the stage look friendly.

Jana puts on a great show. I am amazed at how she can keep up her energy and patience with an audience full of active kiddos.

At this stage in my life, attending a kiddie concert out of town with 3 kids 3 and under falls under the category of “doing something crazy”. But I am so glad we went because the kids had a blast and the show was entertaining enough so that I did too!

My Last Baby #52project

I love this face. Over Spring Break, I have found joy in waking up every morning to the big, goofy smile of baby John.

I’m not sure why, but I’m finding that every moment with this baby is precious.

I get a kick out of his silly smile. My heart warms when I hold his tiny body in my arms.

Although I loved them with all my heart, I didn’t feel that way with the other three when they were babies. Maybe it’s because I was young when Logan was born and terrified of the responsibility of single motherhood. Most likely I just don’t remember what it was like when he was a newborn, since it was 12 years ago. The first 4 months with the twins was a total blur, so I know I must have cherished their newborn-ness. I have Facebook pics that show me I did cherish them. But I don’t remember what the older 3 were like as babies.

I’ve had some dark times in the past year. Maybe finally pulling out of that darkness has given me a renewed sense of fulfillment in being a mommy. I see each special quality in my little ones. It’s as if the things that make them unique are more noticeable to me than ever before. Emily has a cute little dimple in one cheek and she is always trying to be silly. Madeline is easy-going, quick to learn new things, and she makes this deep frowny face when she’s concerned. Logan is intelligent, independent, and loves music and joking around. He is also an amazing big brother because he is very sensitive towards the needs of his younger siblings.

I have a heart for children, so we may find ourselves fostering or adopting in the future. For now I am relishing in every sweet laugh, every drooly hug, every cuddly morning. And I thank God that he’s helped me to see the beauty in each child. I know I probably sound like a rotten mother saying that. Sometimes life is just so hectic that the days blow by and you don’t even realize it until you look around and your children are grown up.

Just don’t grow up too fast, baby.

Workin’ the System #52project Week 5

This week for my #52project post I’m showcasing all 4 kiddos. I just couldn’t choose any one photo to share, so here are 2 photos and 1 YouTube video. Enjoy!

The oldest first. Ok, technically this isn’t from this week and it’s also not a photo. My Timehop app suggested I share it (thanks, Timehop!), so it’s from this week, one year ago. Logan being his usually silly self, taking down the enemy with his teapot of doom.

Then there are the twins. Workin’ the system, as usual. We’ve been bribing them with snacks like crackers and trail mix in an effort to get them to sit on their potties. This backfired when they started enthusiastically requesting to sit on the potty (a behavior which we were very excited to see), but as soon as they were seated they started demanding a snack. Now that they know how to get freebie treats, we need a new bribe! They’re fully clothed in this pic. Daddy gave them a cracker and they ran in to the bathroom to eat it on the potty seat. Clearly the concept of potty training is lost on these two.

Then there’s my sweet little munchkin. It’s been pretty hot in San Diego, so one afternoon we let him hang out in just a diaper and thin blanket. He just loves being naked. He will be grouchy as all heck one minute, then you start undressing him and he’s all coo’s and smiles. Here he’s keeping Mommy company in the kitchen while she makes dinner.

This week I’ve been pretty much a homebody. Maybe next week we’ll get out and do some stuff that’s worthy of some good photos for my #52project.

I Held Your Hand

When you were small, I held your hand and protected you from harm.

When you were hurt I held your hand and brushed away the tears.

When you were sick I held your hand and kissed your flushed red cheek.

When you were scared I held your hand and told you not to fear.

When you prayed I held your hand as you voiced your thoughts to God.

When you slept I held your hand to keep bad dreams away.

I’ll be close by to hold your hand no matter where you are,

I’ll reach for you to take your hand until my dying day.

Southern Cali Mountain Adventure

Spring Break happened here. We didn’t do much, but we DID take a trip to the local San Gabriel mountains. We rode this cool little gondola-thingy that runs on cables, up the side of the mountain.

It starts at the base of Mt. San Jacinto in Palm Springs, and passes over 5 towers as it’s pulled up the cables to the top of the mountain. So awesome!

Source

Once at the top, we enjoyed the great views from the lodge’s balcony.

From the tramway’s mountain station, we meandered around a few rocks and trails. The girls are perfectly content not exploring, but finding new things to sit on:

Emily’s turn on the rock

Maddie’s turn on the rock

A rock…

A sister…

A log…

The ground.

This small footbridge was a real hit. We took several trips back and forth across it.

We took a very short trail walk around the valley. The girls loved hiking!

Maddie with Daddy

Emily with her big brother. Note the typical twin behavior: Both headed in different directions!

… Emily pooped out pretty quickly though.

Stubborn little stinker sat down and wouldn’t budge!

After a long day of exploring and tram rides, we loaded up into the car for a quiet, restful drive home.

That was our one big Spring Break event: a day trip on a Southern Cali Mountain adventure! If you’re ever in the Palm Springs area (about 1 1/2 hours from San Diego), I highly recommend taking the Palm Springs Aerial Tram to the top of the mountain. Bring good walking shoes, water, and a jacket-it was in the 80’s in Palm Springs and in the 50’s at the top of the mountain!

Thanks for reading 🙂

Wordless Wednesday: Twins Playing a Game, No Toys Required

Sorry for the blurry picture quality. Sometimes you just gotta snap a pic, even if you don’t have a nice camera handy!

Here are my twins playing a game with 2 bowls, taking turns wearing it on their heads. Silly girls…

My Favorite Age

A friend of mine recently posted a video on Facebook of her four-year-old daughter. The mom’s caption on this video was “This is my favorite age!”. It was a cute, short little video of this four-year-old just talking and being adorable (as four-year-olds are!).

Seeing that video made me really reflect on my experience as a mom. I remember back when my big boy was about 1 1/2 years old, at the time I thought that his age was the greatest age. I was so thrilled with the growth he had made and the neat things he was able to do. Then, when he was about three and more independent and potty trained, I thought that was the best age. Not only was he more independent, but he could talk and his little personality was starting to really show. As the years went on, I began to see the joy and adventure that each new year brings to both being a parent and being a growing child. Now he’s 10. He’s funny, he’s smart, and he’s fun to have around. We can actually do things together that I enjoy doing-like going to the movies or going for a jog or playing board games.

It’s been so cool to see the twins grow, learn, and explore life together. They don’t always play together, which I know is normal because they’re just a year old. But when they do play together, it so fun to watch. And another areas, they’re very unique and individual. For example, they both wave hello and goodbye differently: One squeezes her hand open and closed, and the other does big circular waves.

For me, each new day of being a mom is better than the last. These three little lives that I am responsible for are a huge blessing, and I am so thankful for each and everyone of them. With the teenage years looming overhead in our very near future, I am grateful for the beautiful kids that I have and hope that I can always remember how much they mean to me when times get hard!

I’d love to hear your thoughts on being a parent, and if you have a favorite age of your little one’s childhood.

Weekend in Photos

I never do this, but this weekend (for fun) I made a photo diary of what we were up to.

Baby Einstein. Always on. We started the weekend by doing laundry. You’re jealous, I can tell.
AWANA Grand Prix at the church down the road. My kiddo’s car was a carrot. He took 2nd!
Babies on carpet. Mommy cleaning. Errands. Babies fell asleep.

Quick walk in the gorgeous hills by my mom’s house. I look like poo.

Home from errands. Locked out. Oops.

Saturday night: We know how to party! First solids for the girls. Mess-sy!

Big brother’s lacrosse game. They won!

It’s hard to see him, but my little stud is #10.