Magical.

Fun. Worthwhile. Love-filled. Amazing. Giddy. A few hours I will cherish forever.
All ways I will remember tonight.

Many know I am very anal about bedtime. 8pm is time for the boys to go down, then Bailey and I to cuddle while she nurses, then she goes down. Many nights I stress and get upset as Collin flat out refuses to go to bed, even if he is dead tired. Tonight was one of those nights.


Not too often there is something I have to get done after bedtime, but tonight (last night, as it's after midnight now..) was one of those nights. With Collin's party being tomorrow (today?) and me doing most of the baking myself, I had a lot to accomplish tonight. Normally I'd get upset, beg my husband to get Collin to sleep, and I'd be so flustered I'd screw up everything I needed to do.

Tonight was strangely different. Very welcomed, but different. Instead of bothering my tired husband, who was sound asleep on the couch, I let Collin come help. It may have been the best decision I've made in a very long time. We had so much fun just doing simple tasks. He enjoyed egg cracking. I didn't mind digging eggshells out of bowls. He helped pour, mix, measure. I laughed at his spills. He was in a silly mood, and making silly faces. I was silly as well. He and I both laughed so hard our bellies hurt. With the fits of giggles, and the quality time spent, I don't even mind the huge disaster my kitchen currently is. Collin has been more affectionate than usual lately, and tonight even more so. It seemed like every 5 minutes he was reaching for hugs, randomly planting soft little kisses on my arms and face, and telling me, "I love you Mommy."

It's not too often Collin and I get fun alone time. Our usual alone time is during Bailey's nap while Thomas is in school. We don't usually have anywhere near this much fun. We usually do his speech "homework" or other educational activities he enjoys, like working on learning to read and write the alphabet. Don't get me wrong we have a great time doing those things together but..tonight was so different. It was like there wasn't a care in the world. It was just Collin and I. And with three kids between 1 and 5, those feelings are a bit too rare for my taste.

After tonight (last night..) some things I've known really rang true. Like how it's okay to break the routines and rules sometimes. It's okay to let these kids make a mess. It's okay to let them stay up late every so often for some good old fashioned one on one time. It's okay to let each child believe they're your favorite. It's okay to sometimes take off the parent cap, and enjoy being their friend.

I cannot begin to express how much just baking with my boy tonight has affected me. It's as if I got a whole new glimpse on life. And I cannot wait to start spending more time alone with each of my children.

She Rocks!

Trish over at Two Blues and a Pink and Mommy Says All the Bad Words happens to be one of my favorite online friends. We "met" on the "Siggies R Us" board on JustMommies a few years ago. I have always been a fan of the signatures and digital scrap pages she creates. Since I no longer have Photoshop I turn to her periodically to create one of a kind signatures of my children.

With Miss Bailey's 1st birthday quickly approaching, I gave her free reign to go through Bailey's 1st year portraits. (Which I will be sharing here shortly.) And of course, as always I love what she came up with, so much so I had to share with you all.

I know I have already said it, numerous times, but Thank you Trish! Yes, I think you are great for doing this for me, again, but it's not just that. You are a wonderful person who I can relate to more often than not. I am very grateful for knowing you and being able to call you my friend.

Sweet Dreams, My Loves.

As sleep beckons me, I stumble to each bed.
A climb to see my eldest son. To stroke his cheek. To smile.
Ducking and sitting to rest my hand on my younger son's back.
A stroke of the hair, another smile.
As I walk to the doorway, I keep my eyes upon them.
I cherish all that had happened throughout the day.
The good and the bad. All of it.
I file a few more memories away each night.
As I walk out of their room, I turn to whisper, "Sweet Dreams, My Loves."
I will then walk into my own room and hear my daughter's sweet breaths.
A few steps to her bed. Reaching deep into her crib.
Feeling her chest or back, still, to feel it rise and fall.
Touching her hand, her feet, her face.
Pure innocence rushes over me.
I kiss my hand and touch it upon her cheek once more.
My angel.
As I sit in my own bed, still staring at her slumber, I am forever grateful she is mine.
I wonder when she will awaken to join my husband and me and look forward to the moment.
Laying down, I curl up with my husband.
Wrap my body around him and feel his warmth.
Sweet kisses, "good night."
As I fall asleep with one arm around him and the other in his hand,
I think of all the little things he has done that day for our family. For me.
I remember hugs, kisses, I love you's.
I remember children's laughter, smiling faces, the way each plays.
I remember each milestone reached, words said, and tears shed.
I want to remember all of it as it they will not always be this small.
I want to remember each happy moment with my husband, forever.
As I fall asleep, I smile. I truly am the luckiest woman alive.

Splish Splash

Sundays are supposed to be family day.

This Sunday was supposed to be a day at the beach.
But with rains coming and going, it was hard to plan.
We decided on an hour at the splash pad (at the beach).

Thomas had an absolute blast.

He especially loved standing on the water that sprayed from the ground.

And sitting on it.

Collin was so hesitant to go in.

It's not like it was the hottest day of the summer.

In fact, it was pretty cool out.

At one point Thomas tried to tell his cousin, "Time out!"

as he was trying not to get sprayed in the face.

Thomas was so excited!

It is a rare moment for him to get a turn at the water gun.

The boys were having so much fun,

they didn't even realize they were playing nicely;

together!

(Notice Collin's hair is still dry?)

Thomas could not believe the mist spraying area was actually empty!

He had the whole spot to himself!

Of course, he went right back to sitting on the sprayers.

All while Collin was content playing with the puddles.

Unfortunately, there were older kids, well teens, 

who kept sticking the water gun thing down their bathing suit bottoms

 and aiming the ground sprayers into their bathing suits.

Thomas copied oh so willingly.

As always with this splash pad, out of no where the water just stopped.

Thomas let everyone know.

It was to cool out to let Bailey join in on the fun.

She stayed with daddy.

Finally Collin decided to fully get wet!

Of course he still stayed out of the direct line of fire.

He mostly enjoyed the mister.

When it wasn't on!

You could not believe just how excited

Thomas got when the ground circle was available!

Thomas soon realized the water gun did a complete 360.

Too bad it didn't spray when turned around!

Lucky for me!

Almost as soon as he decided to get wet,

Collin said it was "nah ny time."

Thomas tried standing under the buckets,

but unfortunately missed the pour.

Collin continued to lay on the bench,

wrapped in his new 'bzz & wuh-E" towel.

All the while, Bailey played with Daddy.

Thomas tried so hard to get his cousin,

who was freezing,

to come back and play.

Finally Collin was warm and rested.

He decided to play with Bailey.

Bailey hung at the fence and watched.

Unfortunately, her stroller was not allowed in.

She was starting to get bored,

so Daddy took her for a walk.

Eventually, the rains came in.

I let Thomas know he had two minutes left.

He had 120 seconds left of fun.

He decided to spend 60 seconds of that

tasting the water. Blech.

Thomas got his towel on.

And we were ready to roll.

Not even 30 seconds after buckling everyone into the van,

a storm rolled in.

By the time we got on the highway,

only a 45 second drive,

The rain had stopped.

Though I was miserable before we got there,

and sad that we had to leave.

It was the best hour I have had in quite a while.

And Thomas' pruned thumbs let me know

I wasn't the only one.

As if this wasn't complete photo-overload, you can see more photo's from the splash pad here.

Online Love & Support.

I swear I am so very fortunate to have an amazing support system online. The women on Justmommies have been amazing to me since I first joined January 20th of 2005, when I was newly pregnant with Thomas. Since then, I have gone through many life changes. Many ups, and even more downs. Without the women I have 'met' on this site, I would not have a place to go to vent my frustrations, brag about my boys, etc. I would not have a place to socialize, which any sane woman needs. As I called them before, I would not have the amazing support system I have. These girls are my crutch. They hold me up when I am down. They are always there for me, no matter how stupid I can be sometimes. And they will let me know when I am being ridiculous as well, without being vicious about it, like some of the people I know IRL.

Anyways, the reason behind this post is the 3 beautiful gifts I have received this week.

1st came, these beautiful outfits from Chrisa. All three are gorgeous, I love the little green outfit and cannot wait to put her in it soon! The middle outfit is 12 mos, and I just love the pants! I cannot wait until she can fit into this outfit. And the sleeper says, "I love Mommy" and "I love Daddy." Tom already decided Bailey will be sleeping in it the 1st night she comes home.

Next came a package from Shannon & the girls from the January 08 Playroom on Justmommies. I have been wanting to cloth diaper Bailey, I just love the look of cloth, plus the money we can save is just all the reason in the world behind wanting to use cloth. My problem is finding them in stores. I don't have a bank account or credit card, so buying online is almost impossible. Plus the start up costs are not an option right now with Tom being laid off, yet again.
Anyway, I was sent these adorable diapers. I especially love the black and lilac one.


And lastly, I received another package this morning. Unfortunately, it didn't say who it was from. I have no idea who it can be from at all. So if someone can fill me in so I can thank them properly I would appreciate it. I know it has to be someone from Justmommies, because no one I know IRL would have a package sent to me.
It was a gift basket and extra bottle of lotion from Burt's Bees. The two lotions, the shampoo/bodywash, and apricot oil all smell delicious! I cannot wait to use them on Bailey. There was also diaper cream, which I have always heard such positive comments about. And there was a cute little comb with the 'bee' on it. Plus the little basket is so cute!

Thank you girls for the beautiful gifts and always being there for me, in so many ways. Without you, I would lose my mind. You are all such amazing people and I just wish I could afford to do something kind in return. I hope my thanks and gratitude is enough for now.