Enjoying the Little Things

I made a little fort/tent for Andrew and Sam tonight and they wanted to sleep together in it. This is a school night but they are both sleeping soundly so far. Luke and I baked Saturday while Daddy took Andrew and Sam swimming and Isaac slept. These mini egg cookies are already gone. I don't recommend you make them if you are trying to avoid sweets.
My little helper.

Blowing bubbles was a little tricky for this determined boy.

Watching tv together. Don't they all look alike?

Little Luke crashing. I've been cutting his nap out for the last few weeks and he often starts to crash on the couch or in the truck.

I love Saturdays!

Me and my BFF

PJ time which usually means movie time.

Happy happy happy.

Andrew.

Sam looking pretty serious. He was mesmerised by the fire.

This little boy is getting around like no other 9 month old that I've ever seen. He's going to teach Isaac how to walk.

Our yard full of boys. Can you count how many, a few are missing still.

Spring has Sprung!

Isaac is getting ready for hockey too. He loves holding the hockey stick and watching his big brothers play hockey in the yard. This is a usual sight in our front yard. Boys = hockey. Daddy trying out Sam's bike, I'm surprised it didn't break!

Isaac has started doing the famous Leffers nose scrunch. Not sure why but each of our kids went through a phase of doing this.

Mommy and her big baby.

It is lots of fun going for walks now. I don't usually have to wait for anyone. Luke is pretty quick on the trike and loves biking.

Andrew doing what he loves to do lately. Drawing. He's getting to be quite the artist.

Mommy's System

This little boy is allowed to play in the front room as long as he is by himself and has a few cars. He will play with his cars gently on the couches for at least an hour. A key component is: As long as he is by himself. Isaac can get up the stairs but not down so I try to confine him to the kitchen area with a few toys. Andrew and Sam had built a huge train track in this room and were playing ever so nicely, while Luke "left alone" in the good living room played independently with his cars. I did forget at one point to move Isaac to the kitchen area and this is what happened. A destroyed train track with two upset little boys. So Isaac, once moved back to the kitchen area after causing havoc with the train track, peeks over the gate so longingly to play with Luke who prefers to be left alone. Notice Luke in the far right hand corner happily playing.

Such a cutey standing by the gate trying to fit in where he can. Andrew and Sam have moved on to color at the kitchen table.(see background) A high area that is safe from Isaac's hands.

Poor little Isaac just wanting someone to play with him and to not be confined to a baby proofed area. It must be rough being the youngest sometimes. That's okay the baby gets lots of cuddles and snuggles from Mommy and Daddy and a lot less discipline.

Our two little snowmen out front after another dump of snow. Is Spring ever coming? Daddy is gone for 4 days on a boys roadtrip to a hockey tournament and Mommy sure misses him. When all four boys were in one room together there was lots of "not so nice" playing going on and Mommy couldn't get a thing done. At one point I had to send Luke to his room because he was giving spankings to Isaac for messing with "his cars." Dividing them up has become a good system for Mommy at this stage of their lives. 1 more sleep until Daddy comes home. Yippee!

Anyone know of a Baby boot camp that we can take Isaac to? I don't know whose face I love more Luke's or Isaac's?

Luke having a picnic in the kitchen.

My thrift store finds the other day.

It's funny how the days you go somewhere to browse you end up scoring some great finds. Good thing I had a time limit and had to pick Sam up at preschool or I would've spent a fortune. Nothing is more satisfying to me than thrift store shopping and finding good deals. Can't believe I'm saying this but I don't even like shopping in the mall anymore.

Gratitude Wednesday.

I had a great friend Julie who was in my wedding party, that gave me a gratitude journal after I lost my mom. You are supposed to write in it the things you are grateful for. What a surprise, that journal was written in a few times and left to collect dust on a bookshelf somewhere. I keep thinking about it and about my friend Melinda's blog, and her mom's blog, and how they take time to make note of the beautiful things and the simple things around them. I have decided to make Wednesday my Gratitude day. I'm hoping when I'm feeling discouraged I can read my list or write these things down and my spirits can be lifted up again.

• nice crisp fresh air while I shovelled the driveway this morning.


• friendly neighbors. I actually spent more time waving this morning then shovelling.


• a Women's Bible Study group of 30+ women where we can learn about the Bible, share with each other and encourage each other.


• currently quiet time while three little boys play lego on the kitchen table.


• a reassuring phonecall from the school principal regarding Sam and his speech
  
• a loving husband who listens to me vent and then takes charge to make things better
• my bootcamp class with a bunch of great women who are very encouraging
• yummy cheese nachos for a nighttime snack
• lunch with sister in law Ang at my house

New hairdo with the blonde highlights. I'm still adjusting to it.
Playing games with the kids Sunday night

Andrew playing memory.