A Few of My Favorite Things

Today I am feeling very blessed.

So. Very. Blessed.

I got to spend some time at the park with my sweet family of four, and my extended family on my dad's side.

Because today is my grandfather's birthday.  And although he is not here to celebrate with us, it is a life we celebrate as often as we can.

My aunt is a school social worker, and she said to me today, "Don't you just LOVE your summer off?"

And she didn't mean because we work at schools, and we don't have to work for the next couple months.  Or that we get to be in the sun all day long with no alarm clock in the morning, and no work to do after the kids go to bed, and time to read books and laugh and love.

That is all good stuff.

But she meant because I get to be with my boys ALL. DAY. LONG.

And its amazing.  I treasure and value these boys so very much each and every day.  But getting to be with them all summer…  Well…

This is the best time of my life.

These are the days I will look back on and say, "where did the time go?" and "remember when the boys just learned to walk and were EVERYWHERE?" and "it seems like only yesterday…"

Ky, loungin' in the laundry

 I just can't believe this is my life.  I am so blessed.

Let me tell you about some of the joy in my life :)

My boys wake up so very happy.  But the best part is the moment I walk through their bedroom door.  I stand outside their room for a minute and listen to them play and babble across the room to each other.  Then I sneak in.  The second they see me they start to squeal and clap and laugh and reach for me.  The smile on their faces is worth a million dollars and melts this mama's heart.  Its such a great way to start my day.

Kingston, laughing his sweet face off

Of course I hate that they cry when they wake up from a nap, but once I go in and scoop them up, they just want to cuddle.  Like forever.  Kyrie will sometimes fall back asleep for a little while.  Kingston will look at me for a kiss and then snuggle back on my shoulder.  They just want to be held and loved on.  And I know this won't last forever, so I absolutely treasure it.

Kingston having snuggle time with Daddy

Kyrie waking up by Mommy

Kyrie, too tired to move

Another favorite? We have a mini pool.  Its very mini, but the boys love it.  I love it too because it heats up fast.  They can get themselves in and out of it, and love to play with the little cups.  This silly little pool brings them so much happiness.  They squeal and laugh and splash and have the time of their lives in that pool, and so do I :)

Splashing :)

Chillin' out

Dave always wished for naughty children.  He's weird like that.  But so far he's gotten his wish in all the adorable little ways.  If the boys find something they KNOW I don't let them play with - like my phone - they pick it up and wait for me to see them.  They hold it in the air, and once I see them, they laugh hysterically and run away.  If they find something tiny that I for sure don't want in their mouth, they DO NOT put it in their mouth until they are sure I am looking. Its a friendly little service they throw in for me.  They literally hold it near their mouth with a smile on their face until I see them.  THEN it goes in.  And of course, any time I say NO in my I mean it, I'm your mom and I am so very serious voice, they just laugh at me.  Like a deep belly laugh.

Hello there!  

There are so many more things.  Kyrie will smash food in his hand that he doesn't want.  He'll throw it and scream.  Its very funny.  He'll even "yell" at me when I put something on his tray he doesn't want to eat.  They recently started really fighting over toys.  Its ridiculous.  Kyrie will cry if he thinks Kingston is going to take his toy.  Kyrie is also in a "mommy" stage.  He wants to be held my me All. The. Time.  And if I try to put him down he does the whole my body is limp and I will pull my legs up to my booty and lean my head way back so there is absolutely no way you can put me down and still be a good mother thing.  He's such a weirdo.  And I love to hold him, so it works out.

Oh hi.  Want to play?

Kingston discovered there is water in the toilet.  If I don't check the bathroom right away (they are in there with me while I get ready for the day) his hands are splashing around in no time.

And they play peek-a-boo with the long hanging curtains.  Made this little trick up all by themselves.  Kyrie wraps himself up, then peeks out at Kingston, and they both laugh hysterically.  Its. Awesome.  I'll see if I can catch them on video for you fine people.

Kyrie kisses me by grabbing both sides of my face, licking everything between my nose and chin.  If you saw it you would think it was the drooliest, wettest kiss ever.  And you would think it was gross.  But I'm his mommy and I think its absolutely sweet.  Kingston comes at me for a kiss with his tongue out.  Its an open mouthed lick.  Honestly, I don't know where they learn that because I always ask for a kiss with a pucker.  (Seriously people - Dave and I do NOT kiss by coming at each other or our children with our tongue out!)

This is getting a little long, and I'll NEVER run out of cute things to share.  So I'll stop here.

Motherhood is incredible.  But even more incredible?

My kids.