SURPRISE FOR SPARKLER

Last week Sparkler got a neat surprise from a neighbor. They have an eight year old who has outgrown her dolls and decided to give them to Sparkler! Needless to say Sparkler was beside herself with all the new girly toys.... pack-n-play, working swing, diaper bag, stroller with carseat, dolls, doll clothes, moses basket, and baby carrier. She squealed with delight when they brought it all over! It is so cute to see her playing with the toys. They look just like the real thing. She pretends to feed the babies, tucks them in night-night and gives them passy. Of course, Fire Cracker joins in and has loads of fun playing house, too. It is something new and exciting, seeing as how the playroom has been filled with all boy toys until recently!

FINALLY FRIDAY!!

YEP! That is right, another Friday! And if you live in the south chances are you will be soaking up some bright sunshine and Spring-like temperatures. We have had numerous challenges this past week- a broken washing machine (yipee- the new one is up and running as of this morning!), kids with stomach bugs that lasted for days, a hurt dog, Fire Cracker's glasses broke and phone troubles, but one thing is for certain. We really don't have anything to complain about- in true perspective this is all small stuff and these are temporary issues. It is a hard lesson to remember in the midst of the frustration, but so true. The way we handle challenges says a lot about who we are and our character. It is very easy to also take for granted the "luxeries" we have these days. Going without is a refreshing view of how blessed we really are. Trust me, I am far from perfect and had my moments this week, but my eyes were once again opened to these things and I am thankful. Here's to a fun weekend with lots of laughter. And remember not to sweat the small stuff!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HUBBY!

I think the real gift today is for me and the kids. How lucky we are to have you- the love of my life, beautiful, best friend, fantastic father, the one who brightens my every day! You are amazing and I am honored to spend another year with you. You never cease to amaze me with your strength, compassion, love for others, generosity and joy. I wouldn't be who I am without you and for that I am forever grateful. Thanks for being you. The kids and I are so fortunate to share life with you! Happy Birthday!

WAY MORE THAN A COINCIDENCE

Last week we traveled with my parents to visit Chapel Hill for the day. In the days leading up to the trip we had numerous unexpected speedbumps. The kids had the stomach flu, the washing machine broke, the dog got sick in the middle of the night....and some other things that made us think we should just reschedule our plans. But we pushed and went ahead. And thank goodness we did! We had a great time and were so glad we went on the trip.

Things fell into place better than we could have ever imagined. We had an unplanned personal tour of Kenan Stadium including the locker rooms, workout room, strategey rooms, film room, press room, the tunnel, and met the defensive coordinator coach. Then we had a great lunch at Spanky's overlooking Franklin Street, visited the bookstore, walked around the UNC basketball museum and headed over to the Dean Dome. We weren't sure if it was open and the kids needed to go potty, so my husband and the 3 boys went into a building beside the arena. My mom, dad and I stayed outside the door. A few minutes later we see the boys walk out of the building with another man. But not just any man! It was Roy Williams, head coach of the Tarheels basketball team! What?! You go into the building to go potty and come out with Roy?! Impressive! I was tongue-tied and sputtered out to my dad that the boys were talking to Roy Williams! We were in shock, but made our way over to them and shook his hand. Coach Williams was a very down-to-earth and friendly man. He even offered to take a picture with the family! In case you don't know us well, my family has Carolina blue blood running through our viens. We are Tarheel born and Tarheel bred! Both of my parents went to school and met each other there so needless to say the fan base runs deep! Meeting Roy Williams was a huge moment for all of us, especially my dad! It was one of those moments in life where you know it was way more than a coincidence. To think we had considered cancelling plans just blew me away.

Turns out that when my husband and boys went into that building, they walked down a hall trying to find someone to inquire about the restrooms. He peeked into the first office with an open door and saw Roy reading the newspaper. He did a double take then stepped back and asked himself if that really was Roy Williams. Then he peeked back around the office door again and sure enough stood face to face with the 2009 NCAA Championsip coach! He asked him where he could find a bathroom and then he asked him if he would come meet his father-in-law!! So sure enough, Roy agreed and came outside to meet everyone! So that is the story of meeting Roy. A lifetime memory that was totally unexected. Thanks to a great hubby for helping to make it happen- that meant a lot to each of us!

GO HEELS!!!

CUTE SAYINGS

Bottle Rocket: Mom, are you cooking chicken beasts again?!

Smoke Bomb (in the middle of the night when I had to turn on the overhead light to
check Bottle Rocket's temperature): Are we on the sun mom?

Fire Cracker (at any random moment): I love you_________- fill in the blank, he tells us all!

Smoke Bomb: Was that the coach of the Tarkheels we just saw?

Fire Cracker: You hold me?

Sparkler (when we found her climbing on the ottoman the other day as she turned off the TV!):
No ma'am

FINALLY FRIDAY!!

Get ready!! This week has a ton of pictures thanks to Dada being on Spring Break! Hope you enjoy and have a fun weekend!

UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

Kids always seem to love unconditionally. They love us on our good days and bad days just because we are who we are. And they don't seem to ask for anything in return. Today Smoke Bomb brought this notion to me in a super sweet moment. We were laying on his bed after quiet time just talking and cuddling. What he said at one point melted my heart- it was Pure. Real. Unconditional love. Thank you Smoke Bomb for being such a wonderful example of unconditional love. The world really needs more of it.

Mama: I think you are beautiful Smoke Bomb
Smoke Bomb: I think you are too, Mama

UHMM BOTTLE ROCKETS' MOM!!!

This past weekend was beautiful. The sun was shining, the kids were running around in shorts and t-shirts and the neighbors were all outside. We had a blast playing baseball, kickball, roller blading and basketball. Our kids love to be outside. The boys have always been that way and the latest kiddo is no different. If I don't let Sparkler walk around outside after we pick up Bottle Rocket from school, Sparkler pitches a (royal) fit! That being said, we make it a point to get out and stretch our legs as much as possible.

Today, I was talking to several neighbors in the cul-de-sac. Nearby, Sparkler, Fire Cracker and a neighbor's 3 year old little girl were sitting on the ground in a circle. All of a sudden a little voice called out to me.... Uhmm Bottle Rockets' Mom! Fire Cracker is showing us his underwear! He is showing us his underwear! I look over to see Fire Cracker working as hard as he can to snap up his jeans. Not the normal snap on a pair of jeans. You see after nap, Fire Cracker apparently found a pair of "baby" jeans in his closet....the kind that snap up the leg and crotch to make diaper changing easier. I plead the fifth in this case as I was out grocery shopping past naptime!

I am sure it won't be the last time one of our boys shows his underwear. At least he had on underwear, right?!

FINALLY FRIDAY!!

We are excited that it is finally friday! In our corner of the world it is warming up like Spring. What a welcome feeling! Baseball season starts tomorrow, Spring Break is here for some and the sun is shining bright! Sparkler discovered dirt this week thanks to Fire Cracker. She won't touch the grass, but bring on the dirt! Fine by me as long as she is wearing some pink! The two sat for an hour playing and giggling together. Bottle Rocket had AIG testing this week and got a brand new glove for baseball. Smoke Bomb had an ear infection and ruptured ear drum, but is getting along better now. Enoy the pictures and remember to make this weekend memorable! As for us, we plan to be outside as much as possible.

THE BLUE MEN

Please let me reference this post by saying that I had imaginary friends and turned out just fine......

The other day Fire Cracker and I were sitting down reading and talking. Sparkler walked up and Fire Cracker said, "Hi Gigi!". Do what???? So I asked him to repeat what he said and sure enough he was calling Sparker by the name Gigi. He proceeded to tell me that the blue men call her Gigi. I asked where the blue men were and he said at the doctors office. I asked a few more questions, but as you can imagine with a 2 year old, there were not many more details. A few days later Fire Cracker came up and asked me if Gigi could have an apple! Then he told me that the blue men sometimes called her Tiny and we could call her either one!

Now if you have never had a converstaion with a child who is saying silly things like this, the issue can be a bit daunting. Thoughts race through your head like: where did this child hear this, what his s/he thinking, is s/he ok, do we need to go see a doctor, how could they come up with things like this,what have I done to this child?! Then you laugh because it really is funny. At least to me. Fire Cracker was as serious as he could be which made it even funnier.

Fortunately for us, this was not the first encounter with imaginary friends. When Bottle Rocket was 3 he told people he had another brother who was a doctor (we only had 2 kids then) . He also told us that his brother's mom was named Foxy......hehe. This first time around we were a bit wierded out and made a few phone calls to verify that this was normal! It went on for about 6 months and then he never mentioned it again.

It is amazing what kids can think of and come up with. But research shows that imaginary friends are in deed normal during childhood. It can even be a sign of creativity. I can relate. I used to sit on the dog house in our yard and teach school to my imaginary friends! At night they slept in the bushes out front! I am sure my parents never worried about me ;-)!