3rd Birthday Part 2

Since we spread out the birthday celebrations here are a few more photos from our visits with Grandma and Grandpa and ShiShi and Nana and Papa...














They enjoyed the candles quite a bit.








So we re-lit them a couple of times just for fun.
Which equals quite a bit of spit on the cake.
And The Bug almost catching his hair on fire.








But the cake was worth it in the end!

'Letting' Go

I actually have many things to post, but this one has been brewing for a while so I might as well be out with it.
And it kind of goes with yesterday's post and Mrs. M's most recent post...
On 'Letting Yourself Go'.

Now no one likes ugly sweatpants or the same hairdo since high school. BUT.
I have a big problem with the idea that I have 'let' myself go in any way, shape, or form. Like I wouldn't rather look good and rested and actually be rested and rational at any given moment. And be cute in stylish clothes with clean well-behaved children at my side.
We could all go shopping together and buy new outfits instead of trying to sneak a few minutes here and there or try to pick something up at the grocery store without trying it on or try to go to a mall with them only to fight with them every step.
I would much rather be paying to get my hair done on a regular basis rather than paying for diapers.
I would love to have the energy to bounce out of bed at the crack of dawn and exercise/shower/blow dry and curl my hair before I wake my husband with the smell of fresh brewed coffee and french toast for the family.
BUT I DO NOT.

I adore my children. I'm lucky to stay home with them. But it's harder than anything I ever imagined.
Some woman are much better than I am and do much better than I do. And I constantly aspire to do more/do better. I have not given up. But thanks for asking.

And I do think it will get easier as time passes. That's how I cope.

But let me assure you.
I 'let' nothing go. I feel like it was ripped out from under my feet and I fight to get 'myself' back every day.

That is all.

And The Award Goes To...

We watched the Oscars last night. And while it's a lot less exciting when you haven't seen any of the movies it was mildly entertaining. I have to admit that it made me want to do something glamorous. Or look glamorous. Or something.
But then it just made me think that there should be some kind of awards in the 'mom business'.
Many professions have recognition or awards. My husband has won awards for his work.
Why not us???

Not in the context that it's any kind of contest. Just the recognition of work well done.

And yes, there's Mothers Day, but that's really in the hands of children.

We could be nominated and voted on by our peers. The people who really understand what's going on. And then we'd all dress up and go out and have a big party and shower each other with accolades. Just to let each other know we're doing a good job.
And the categories might be something like...

Mother who had to get up with the baby every 2 hours all night but still managed to feed her family relatively healthy meals the next day.

Or Mother who took 3 kids under 3 grocery shopping and managed to actually buy a few groceries.

Or Mother who had 3 kids in diapers with a touch of the flu who changed a bagillion stinky diapers in one day. And didn't gag or dress them in garbage bags.

Or Mother who wanted to just give up and hide in her room reading a book by herself all day, but DIDN'T.

You get the idea.
If you know a mom, show some love today.
If you are one, I would nominate you!
What category should you be nominated for?!

3rd Birthday Part 1

It seems I have an aversion to birthday parties. Not all parties. Just ones that involve a houseful (my house full) of toddlers cracked up on sugar. Because they don't need any extra cracking. Believe me.




But it also seems that even a house full of family is too much. It's all chaos and no real time to visit. So I tend to break up these events into smaller, more manageable pieces. At least that's my thinking.


So we had a great time with our friends over for a special playdate.













We had treats.








And balloons.
(CH and I decided we're getting the kids balloons for Christmas because they were SO entertaining)








And the kids ran around like crazy and had a blast.
Hmmmm...this is sounding suspiciously like a real birthday party...



What more could two 3 years old want?

Heart

Ok, one more valentine...
And then I have some birthday photos to edit and post.

My Bug

I have this constant impulse to make everything completely even with my kids. Especially the boys naturally. If one has something, then the other must have the same or at least equal to it. I feel that way even with photos. If I get a really good shot of one, then I try really hard to get an equally good shot of the other. Well, it just doesn't work that way most of the time.

I have even felt guilty for taking a lot of cute shots of The Babe.

In reality, the boys have two years of 'capturing every moment' ahead of her and she deserves her own attention too. So I'm over it.

The Bug has been notoriously more difficult to photograph than his brother. He doesn't like it much if I try to get a smile, and is just uncooperative to boot.

So when I managed to get these shots of him in his room I felt

they were quite special. I haven't quite managed to get the same thing from The Bee yet, but I will keep trying.

In the meantime I feel lucky to have these...

Valentines

Happy Birthday

to my 3yr old Valentines!

Feelin' It

Sweet like candy...

One More...

The Sweet Pea Princesses

Girls, Girls, Girls!
For once the boys were outnumbered in our household. At least for a couple of days last week. The kids had a fabulous time together. It was like they were long lost friends. Which they kind of are. Only they probably don't remember much.
They boys called out 'come play, come play' as soon as they got in the door.

And it didn't feel like it had been a year and a half since we'd been together. Which is the best kind of friends to have.
If they are lucky they will be lifelong friends, like Mrs. Sweetpeas and me...









It was super fun to take some photos of pretty little girls.













Playing around with textures here...SO.FUN.

Princess Pancakes

The Babe had a terrible night. I lost track of how many times she was up. But then just when I was dragging my bleary eyes out of bed she fell back asleep. For A COUPLE OF HOURS. How nice for her!
In the meantime her daddy made pancakes for breakfast.








And some special ones just for her.





I was ready to head out first thing this morning to get some errands done, but you know, the Princess has to eat breakfast...

Five Kids?

Here is a glimpse into our week at the twomittens homestead...

That's five kids.
Youngest - 8 months
Oldest - 3
That leaves 3 two year olds. Although 2 of them are almost 3.
And the 3 year old is almost 4.

You do the math.

On The Move

The Babe is crawling! She started last week. She finally figured out how to go forward. Look out world. Well, mostly look out brothers. Now she really can get your stuff.

And she's got another tooth through as well. I knew all that drool had a purpose. Another bottom biter. That makes 6.

We are veeery busy here at the mittens household. Will post more pics soon...