Holy Fourth, I'm Tired

The holidays with kids & babies just keep getting better & better. It pushes us (even if we are beyond exhausted) to make the memories, because we want them to experience the magic. It helps us see the magic in the simple things. Sparklers, s'mores, friends, Gmas & Gpas,  parades fireflies & first slides were all completely magical this Fourth of July. Oh, and the nap I took after three glasses of wine at my mom's. That was magical too.

It Takes Two First Birthday

We canceled Thanksgiving during a bad bout of mastitis, had kids puking on Christmas day, so it was no surprise the twins had horrible colds the week leading up to their 1st birthday party. By some miracle the non stop screaming & snotty noses cleared and the party was on!!! When I  told Damon  I wanted to do an It Takes Two theme he said, Oh like Noah's Ark?' I was actually thinking more along the lines of Snoop Dog & Dr. Dre. We each picked our favorite duo & my BFF Brandi made us custom t-shirts to wear at the party. I chose John Lennon & Paul McCartney, Damon chose Kirk & Spock, Wesley, Batman & Robin and Mia, Mickey & Minnie. The twins wore the Best Friends shirts from Indie Nook.

When it was time for the smash cakes Wyatt had everyone laughing because he went crazy on his cake, eating it by the handful. He eventually picked it up with two hands. Like mother, like son. Grayson wasn't super interested. I think he was still feeling a bit under the weather.  Uncle Tony brought the traditional Mrs. Goodman's cake& I made the twins little cakes from a box after trying to research peanut free options. Honestly, I was pretty anxious the whole time they were eating it!!! We ate tacos & played with friends. All the kiddos loved snuggling with all their Grandma's. How lucky are they to have 3?

 

A few days ago I was scrolling through ig & came across a story. A mama was walking through a store with her 2 year old. An older woman approached & engaged the little boy. She looked at the mama who also happened to be pregnant & said I have a son who is 20. If I could go back in time for only one moment I would go back to hold & rock my boy when he was just 6 months just one more time. the sentiment gives me such a lump in my throat. I've said it before, time is a gift but also the most cunning of thieves. Happy Birthday Wyatt & Grayson, I want to squeeze you forever!!!!

Around Here

We survived (barely) Mia getting her tonsils and adenoids removed. It was hellacious to say the least. We had six nites of waking, screaming bloody murder EVERY TWO HOURS.  Once she recuperated we had a week of no one being sick and 60 degree January weather. It was heaven . Then the twins got a respiratory virus. Cue worst week every. Grayson got so dehydrated from refusing the bottle I spent a whole day doing nothing but giving him pedialite through a medicine dropper. We avoided an ER visit by a hair. Both babies are feeling better but still have hacking coughs and runny noses. They are also back to waking twice a nite wanting to eat. At ten months I would be very inclined to let them cry it out but their room is attached to ours. It stinks. Not to mention, if one screeches for too long there is a good chance the other baby will wake. It really stinks and Damon and I are completely exhausted.

My kindergartner had her first Father/Daughter dance! She was super nervous daddy wouldn't want to dance with her. Don't you know daddy's always going to be there for you , little girl. Even if he hates dancing, especially in public. They went and had an amazing time!!!

Lara (my college roommate & bestie came up from Florida to snuggle the twins for the first time. The big kids were so excited to see her. Mia said, I'm going to get dressed for Auntie Lala, and came down in a 1920's flapper costume covered in sequins. I was dying!!!

I hate the cold so even though the winter weather hasn't been terrible we've been in hibernation mode! Trying to survive by doing all the indoor winter activities. Kinetic sand, play doh, paints, Crazy Eights, War,  Magna Tiles & of course swim lessons at Goldfish Swim School! We've watched some new movies & had make our own pizza nite! The original Annie, Snow White and Finding Dory are some of our favs. We went thrifting and had Teddy Bear picnic day at Preschool.  Everyone is growing like a weed and WE CAN NOT WAIT FOR SPRING!!!!!

Fountainside w the Bigs

Oh Cbus you were so good to us today. My friend Allie and I took the big kids to Fountainside at Bicentennial Park this morning. Certain Wednesdays (link here) during the Summer they host a slew of kid friendly sponsors starting at 11:30. There was gardening with Lowes, petting snakes, the Crew was there with a soccer activity. Not to mention Bicentennial park has tons of mature trees shading the grassy areas. Perfect for a picnic or to grab a slice of pizza from the Donatos truck!!! The toddlers ran laps on the bridge while the big kids grumped about posing for pics. Wesley bolted away from me at least twice to the point I had to hold my hat on and sprint after him. I seriously need to get on Amazon and order a leash. Thank goodness my mom was watching the twins. 

Then there were free fudgsicles. Wesley never bit his so it just dripped allllll over him as he slowly took his 100th lick. Lowes sponsored a gardening station, which Mia said was her favorite part of the whole day. She brought home watermelon and pea seeds.  Wes planted cucumbers. Hopefully the will sprout and we can transplant them to the garden. Loved having a special day with just my bigs. P.S How adorable are Wes and Rory???