Mini Escape

The stars aligned (in the form of generous gifts & cheap groupons) and we headed out on our own little winter break. A 45 minute drive found us at a hotel with an indoor water park. We pulled in 15 minutes before the pool closed for the night and the kids ran into the water as fast as they could. For the next 20 hours or so, our little family of 6 laughed, swam, cuddled, and swam some more.  Ella remembered that she is part fish and begged us to race her down the water slide again and again. Drew sulked for awhile after the life guard kicked him out of the hot tub. Tyler karate chopped every wave in the wave pool and his little shadow, Colby, mimicked his every move. We only saw one other family during our stay - it felt like our pool!!
Ty's smile says it all :)

Tucked In

My heels clicked clacked across the floor tonight when I got home from work. I knew they had long been tucked in and the last good nights had already been said. But I go to them anyway.

I buttoned up Tyler's old man style PJ shirt and pull his favorite spot blanket up to his chin. I move his hockey gloves to the side knowing he will be wearing them to the breakfast table. I straighten Drew out so his long gangly leg is back on the bed. As I pull up the blankets he grinds his teeth making my skin crawl. Then I smile as I take the new bag of socks out of his arms. This kid knows how to protect his stuff!

Up the stairs, I turn off Ella's radio that surely served up bad pop music to lull them to sleep. I push 10 or 20 stuffed animals to the side, smooth her curls away from her face, and tuck her favorite blanket around her little body. And the smallest is last, although these days he looks bigger and bigger in his crib. I remove the books and animals and gently extract a car from under Colby's back. He sighs a sleepy sigh as I touch his cheek and whisper goodnight.

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Back at It

As Mike and I were driving this weekend, we happened upon the subject of this here little blog. We both admitted that we sometimes log on and randomly chose a date from the sidebar. It amazes both of us how much we can forget about our own kids. But by just reading a little snip it here and there, we are brought right back to that moment and we remember.

I have a back log of BIG MOMENTS and events that I want to write down and loads of pictures to share. But really, I need to just settle back into the routine of the writing the little things. The cute little quirks and funny little habits that are left behind so much quicker than we ever imagined.

Without further ado...

* Tyler can spell Colby's name, for the sole purpose of teasing him. "C-O-L-B-Y is a stinky baby!!"

* When Ella asks a question she often has a British accent - strange and so funny!

* Drew had us turning the house upside down looking for his homework. Finally we gave up & emailed the teacher that he completed it, but lost it. She responded that he handed it in a day early :)

* Colby can't stop dancing. Especially to Gangham Style. He performs at soccer games, for family and by himself in his crib at bedtime.