Teal Mama

I found Fern like this a few days ago:

It was cold out, we were hanging out at home, and she was bopping around the house. Next thing I know, she's put on her cute suit and gone teal on me. That's the perfect outfit to wear when you give your swaddled baby a bottle, everyone woman knows that. 

This girl loves being a mama. This morning she declared very firmly that she "is not a toddler, I am a mama!" Ok, little mama, whatever you say. You do you! 

As sassy and determined as she is, she comes up with the sweetest compliments. Last night I was putting her to bed and told her how cute she is. She replied, "you're cute too! And happy every time!" Oh, how I hope that she really feels that. She is such a source of joy for me and our family. Mama or toddler, she is a great Fern!

Our Ginger Routine

We're about a month and a half away from Summer break, and I can not wait to have all my babies with me all the time. Among all the kindergarten changes that we've been through this year, a minor change has been having just two babies with me, Fern and Ridge. We have a loose routine everyday. During Ridge's first nap, Fern gets to watch TV. She watches and plays, while I clean then join her (I usually read my Bible or a book in the den). If we're leaving the house, then we have a two hour window where we can go on an adventure. We frequent playgrounds and have lots of picnics before their afternoon nap:

Fern abounds in patience and love for Ridge, bordering on his little mama. She's protective  and careful with him. 

He watches her and tries to keep up with her. What a cutie he is crawling around, testing out what he can and can not do. (And shaking his head "no" when he knows he's not suppose to do something, secretly hoping that I'm not looking.)

I know that I'm a broken record of "I love being a stay at home mom," but I can't quit the feeling. 

It doesn't take much to get them excited, and I feed off of their sweet wander! What a summer we will have! I'm ready to get it started!

Battlefield At Sunset

John's dubbed me the fun one. I'm constantly hurling up ideas for a fun adventure-big or small! Last week, I convinced Burl to run errands with me. "Come on, it will be fun, you know we will get a treat!" Well, our kindergarten schedule has limited my last minute, late night crawls. However, during Spring break, I was constantly coming up with ideas!

 On Saturday night, I took an opportunity after dinner to drive to the Battlefield to "use those new binoculars." (Really I just see the mom world through new experience glasses.) We made it there right before sunset. We climbed the tower, then drove a portion of the loop WITHOUT SEAT BELTS because we're wild and free. 

We came across three herds of deer. This sent us running/skipping/sneaking through fields to get closer. When we add a little adventure with light (and I mean VERY LIGHT) danger, the kids turn into super kids. Kind words. Thoughtful gestures. Serene siblings. It's adorable and we all love each other a little bit better. I'm literally skipping through fields and laughing with the kids. (Actually, I'm always laughing with them but RARELY skip.)

Crossing creeks turned up the excitement. We're like natives with our scheming. 

Ushering the kids into a little adventure is great, and the full reward is when they stop following my lead and try it themselves. Oh the bravery!

We stayed up almost two hours past bedtime, so we left the baby home with John. We were so worn out from our adventures that we had to re-fuel with milkshakes on the way home. (Because food goes with adventure like pb&j.) I love this growing up thing! These are my favorite little times with them!

90% Full Of My Babies

My children are taking over my stream of consciousness during this sweet season of life. They're my go-to topic in my head, my conversations, and my passions. Almost everything is ABOUT THEM. Often I throw my free time at things that are very non-kids in the name of staying interesting, and I gravitate towards my friends who can not only relate to that mom-side, but also talk about something other than our kids! It's exactly where I want to be: relishing this time of being a mom of littles while keeping myself from drowning in the obsession. 

Then I tuck them in bed, find a quiet moment, and scroll through my phone pictures, BECAUSE I CAN'T QUIT THEM!

I remember this night from a while ago-I was working with Burl on some reading and Fern wanted to be included so I gave her a version as well. I emptied my patience bucket on this little session and wondered (for the 4,000 time) how moms actually homeschool! Teaching is not my gift.

We found a fun new playground with these fun double swings. Burl did well, but I dominated. 

Last minute, I decided to give the kids some Easter baskets: candy and a little lego set. Burl put his together before breakfast and literally carried it with him all day long. Anyone who came by got a detailed description of all it's little parts. I've never seen him love a toy more.

Baby sick days are pitiful. I hate it for them, but I love the snuggles. I got about three hours yesterday of sleeping Ridge time and I loved it. The days where he does this are fading quickly.

Part of my Easter dinner meal was a simple bunny cake, to which Burl decided needed some eyes. He told me, "I just poked my finger in there and made some eyes."

For 20 days, I ate salads for lunch everyday. I didn't get a crown or lose 20 pounds, but I felt better. I have kept up the trend and enjoy creating something different everyday. My absolute new favorite is: spring mix, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, blue cheese, and walnuts. The cheese and nuts were key!

Fern got invited to her second baby shower recently. The first thing she did was plan her outfit: which dress to wear. We got a picture with my mom on the way to our cars. Say hello to my thigh (hashtag dark meat).

Wednesdays are girls night out. I take Fern to children's choir (taught by her aunt), then we do something special. Buy gum, take her cousin to ice cream, eat at a restaurant, etc. These nights are a huge deal for Fern and the magically turn her into a better version of herself. It's adorable. On the way to the car one Wednesday, she asked, "what is it called when it's just girls? 'Girls going out?'"

Occasionally, I have the jewel of a day when I get to go by myself and pick up Burl from school. We usually stop of a treat on the way home and he talks and talks and talks. I remember on this day, he quizzed me on math and we played "guess the animal." I love his ramblings-he's got my gift/curse of external processing. 

Trusted her with my camera and watch her become free!

Who needs Disney World? Not Ridge. He loves a good empty dishwasher session!

Ridge loves to flop down and transition to a superman postion. He will hangout like it's totally normal to hold a baby like this. It cracks me up. (Note to self: buy some windex!)

We experienced our first Mega Party Store, where the money and time just drift away!

See? I'm drunk of little times of doing nothing special at all because BABIES. My babies. I love them. I don't want them to consume me, but they kind of do and I don't even care.