Today

Last night, as I was kissing William goodnight, he whispered, "Mom, thanks for the restaurant today." About a week ago he had said, after visiting my parents that evening, "Mom, thanks for the drive. To see Grandma and Grandpa." He is showing signs of a grateful heart and I'm so thankful for that.

The other morning, he told me, "Mom, I like Barrett, but he's weird. Can I say weird?"

Last night the two of them played together seamlessly for over an hour. They were running around in a little world of their own, grabbing things here and there to build their play. I looked at them and felt such a deep gratitude. For every day that having kids close together is difficult, there is a moment like this that makes it all worthwhile. I am so thankful that they are each other's best buddy. I wouldn't trade that for anything in the world. Not a cleaner house, slimmer body, or a more organized life. I need to remind myself of that when the frustration builds.

Yesterday Brian planned to be gone all day for a work conference. He didn't plan on returning until nine or ten at night, so, having no dinner to cook and no one coming home at 5, I took the kids out for the day to hang out with Grandma Jo Anne. We went to Once Upon a Child where I (meaning, Grandma) bought a couple of things and I sold some old things. Then we went to a McDonalds with a play place. We never do that and it was so much fun to see the boys playing together. We met a couple there with a little boy, and they were all enjoying the last day as a family of three before her c-section today. William played with the little boy for quite some time as grandma and I talked to the other couple. Then we went back to Grandma and Grandpa's house and hung out a little bit more. The kids came home exhausted. Which of course meant that they were all the more energized to play! It was such a fun day. I feel like I'm finally, maybe, starting to hit my stride with 3.

Neva sleeping on "Gogo."

Best feeling ever!

Showing "Hower" videos I've taken of them in my phone.

Smiley girl.

  

This is how Barrett was sleeping.

My boys!

"She's smiling so much!"

(Potty training is not without its problems. We are very good at pee, but Barrett keeps pooping in his pants unless he is commando. Changing poopy underwear at Once Upon a Child wasn't fun, but at least I was very prepared. It was exactly the opposite with William, he couldn't get the pee thing down but he was good with poop. Maybe by the end of this I will be a professional potty trainer, having dealt with every possible scenario! Hahaha. Just kidding. Who would possibly want to do this as a professional job???)