ilovemy3 shared an Instagram photo with you

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"My middlest is 6 today! She is our pride and joy, rough and tumble, sweet as a bug baby girl. "

Thanks,
The Instagram Team

Pieces of My Heart

Yesterday we went for a long walk. When we got to the bridge I didn't get a chance to watch the river, I could only watch my children, in all different stages, experiencing the moment in all their own ways.  The whole way to the bridge Erin had been trying to throw rocks in the river from the path, which was much too far for her little arm.  Christopher didn't see the river, mostly the path in front of us, and just ran and ran.  Kate, with her forethought, gathered rocks in her sweater pocket to throw off the bridge.  I had a million mini heart attacks, images of them getting stuck in the bars of the fence, or squeezing under and falling in the water OR getting too close to the cars on the bridge. Josh was with us and in this picture he was just an arms reach away.  By the end of the adventure, Kate had shared her rocks with her siblings and all was right with the world. 

*sigh*

Twenty Twelve

Doesn't it just roll off the tongue... Twenty Twelve.  I never liked saying Twenty Eleven and always said Two Thousand Eleven.  But Twenty Twelve.  It's a new year! I like it! 


Resolutions. Really? Alright, if you insist.
1. Purge crap that I don't use.
2.


I can only think of one thing. And actually, today I filled a whole trash bag full of crap that I don't use anymore *cue dusting hands together. Resolution resolved. 


Happy New Year!

As Long as Nobody Died

Lately I've been working really hard to make dinner every night.  I know, I know, some of you (my I-milk-my-own-almonds peeps) just fell off the couch.  Seriously. We don't make dinner that often. This is a huge feat for me. Not only do I not cook well, when I'm rushed it really isn't even good. Thank goodness the kids don't mind or else they don't like it and our rule is, eat what's in front of you or eat nothing.  Maybe that sounds cruel, but clearly, I am not a short order chef.  


Tonight could have been better.  I had a recipe ready to go, ingredients in the fridge, a goal of eating fresh food cooked by ME and it was actually before 6:00 PM that I was starting.  I whip out the cookbook, you know, the red and white checked one that our mothers and grandmothers all used, and I realize that only 4/5 of our family was home and it was dark out!  I had to go on a neighborhood hunt for the oldest kid, while Josh diverted a computer crisis for work.  That took about 10 minutes.  I get home, get back to the cookbook and realize that the main ingredient is supposed to marinate for 30 minutes before cooking. Hmm. OK. I think that's doable, as it is only 5:40 and I should be able to get the chicken marinading and the rice cooking in the meantime. Long story short, we ended up eating dinner at SEVEN which in our house is akin to the witching hour.  


When all is said and done I turn to Josh and, I'll admit it, with tears and a lump in my throat, I tell him I guess dinner is a success if at least one person eats, someone cries and we are all together.  


In all his infinite wisdom, kindness and grace, he says, "Dinner is a success if no one dies."


Here is a blog and recipe that I will be using next time I kill someone feel rushed and need a quick meal:


http://benandbirdy.blogspot.com/2011/09/lame-dinner-1-pizza-toast.html


I hope your dinners are successful, no matter what your vision of success is. 

Always Thinking

Mom. How do you find a marrying person?  What if all the people are married? 
-Erin 11/27/11

First Field Trip

I went on Erin's first field trip Thursday.  We went to the Children's Museum, which isn't exactly a museum but more of an exploration adventure.  There was a craft room and giant glass window to paint on, air tubes for yarn balls and scarves to fly through, golf balls on ramps, a store, dress up and house area.  Very fun for little imaginations.  It was fun to play with her there.  She made this puppet in the craft room, with a huge focus on eyelashes, and named it Sarah. 


Sarah is envious of Erin's lips. As am I.

Jeep...

Rubbing it in... Most points I've ever made!