Just Cause

He is loving his new hat, he turns 4 years-old in 4 days and he can be heard constantly singing the song, Last Christmas.

Jack is 6!

Jack turned 6 years-old. Whaaaattt?? Yep, it's true and it's simply crazy that my first born is already a 6 year-old. It seems just like yesterday that Pat and I were nervously taking him home from the hospital without a clue as to what to do or what our future would hold with this little cutie. Well, Jack taught us what to do and how to be parents. He changed our lives in the best way possible. Jack taught me how to love unconditionally with every part of my being. He taught me patience (and continues to teach me), something I had never been good at. Jack taught me how to not take everything so serious and in turn, laugh more. We laugh a lot in this house. He taught me how to be more present in the moment and enjoy the little things, like reading stories or playing board games. The messy kitchen can wait. I love this little boy with a love I never knew I had. 

Jack,

 you are sweet,

you are a thinker, 

you are kind, 

you are smart,  

you are sensitive, 

you are goofy,

you are energetic,

you are a lover of life

you are one awesome big brother

and you are mine.

You are the only Jack (insert full name) in the whole world and I am so lucky that you chose me to be your mom! 

I love you!

Jack turns 3 years-old.

Jack turns 4 and birth story.

Jack turns 5.

What are the chances?

That's what I first thought when I saw Jack's cute little face on the cover of our school district's Kindergarten First Steps booklet. Then we got the community education booklet in the mail and there his picture was again. It was Jack along with a handful of his classmates. It was such surprise that he never told me a thing about the experience. Kidding. Actually, it was no surprise at all as he tells me very little about his time at school unless heavily prompted. 

Anyway, we think it's pretty neat-o and so does he!!

A Closet Purge

A lazy girl's iPhone pics.

1. Owen had a closet and dresser bursting with clothes (the culprit: older brother's hand-me-downs) And I desperately needed to do something about it.

2. Day 1 of The Great Purge 2013 had Owen's closet and dresser at the top of the list. This before picture was actually taken after about 15 minutes of work, so it was worse..much worse. 

3. All of the clothes and jammies that need to go. I might give consignment a try. Have you ever done this? Any tips?

4. Mission Complete. His closet is actually an L shape, so around the corner is another rack plus we hung a few cute hooks (at Owen's height) for Owen's bathrobe and all of his costumes. On the top shelf, I put a couple of baskets and filled them with his shorts and summer jammies. It still looks like we have a t-shirt hoarding problem (hmm? maybe).

Ahhhh, feels good!

Happy 2013!

Cheers to you and yours on this first day of the New Year...2013!!

(minus Addy, she was already asleep for the night)

We cooked up a feast last night to celebrate New Year's Eve. We had steak filets with Gorgonzola butter and Garlic Butter Baked King Crab Legs (btw..this recipe was amazing!). We toasted our Sparkling Apple Cider and talked about what we thought we did good at in 2012 and what we want to get better at in 2013. Jack..basketball, Owen...riding his new green bike, Pat..prioritization, Nicole..organization. We let the boys stay up as long as they as they wanted and they could decide when it was bedtime. Owen made it until about 10:00 pm when he then actually asked to go to bed and Jack stayed up to watch the ball drop in NYC at 11:00 pm when we then all went to bed. We snuggled on the couch, played games and watched a few NYE specials (and what I hope is the last of Psy..ugh!). It was perfect!

During the day, Pat and I went on a day date to Chipotle and to the movie, Les Miserables. I was a complete newbie to this story as I had never seen the musical production. Wow, it was such a great movie...I loved it!

Family Time.

We are enjoying some (majorly needed) family time.

Be back soon!

My Middle.

Owen, my middle child.

He is 3 years and 11 months old.

He is in preschool 2 days per week.

His most favorite movie to date is The Lion King.

His most favorite book to date is The Man on the Moon.

He has four dimples, two on each cheek. 

He loves eating grilled cheese, clementines and strawberry breakfast bars.

He must have a glass of orange juice first thing upon waking up in the morning.

He loves dipping food into hummus, guacamole or Hidden Valley Ranch (he been known to hug the bottle).

But, he thinks ketchup and honey mustard are gross.

He is our klutzy child and he is constantly getting hurt.

He loves to draw pictures currently of the characters from Rise of the Guardians.

Riding his bike is his most favorite activity to do outside.

He is Mr. Social and will strike up a conversation with anyone. 

He is also Mr. Iwanttobethefunnyguyallthetime.

When I pick him up from school, he tells me all about his day...in detail.

He can play with Play-doh for literally hours.

He loves to comb my hair and prefers that I wear it down all the time.

He loves his brother so much, probably more than Pat and I.

He is very affectionate with Addy, always giving her hugs and kisses and holding her hand.

He is one special little guy!