Project 52: First Theater Experience

We don't go to the theater very often. About once a year actually. And we decided awhile ago that the kids would be fairly old before they went....
We decided that each child would get to go to the theater with just mom and dad and it was finally Liam's turn. We surprised him this last weekend by taking him to see the new Muppets movie. He had a blast and I think it just confirmed our idea of waiting until the kids are older.....makes it a super special thing that they will remember for a long time.

By the way, the movie is fabulous. My husband, who is a HUGE Jim Henson and Muppets fan loved it!

Project 52: Glimpses Into Motherhood

Project 52: Hugs

Because sometimes you just need one...
And kid hugs are the best.

Project 52: Glimpses Into Motherhood

Project 52: Weird Sleep Positions

I have found all three of my kids in weird positions while they were sleeping. There's the usual: on their bellies with their legs tucked under them, little bums high in the air. I marvel that anyone can sleep like that.
And then, there's the UNusual. Although in this house, they occur rather often. It's always hilarious. And I almost always risk the flash waking them up to snag a picture.

Here's the most recent score: David fell asleep on the couch while watching TV....from the other direction, he looked like he was just propped up watching the screen.

And, I have to share my most favorite...this time it's Liam:

I love it. Every time.

Project 52: Glimpses Into Motherhood

Project 52: Free Labor

There are times when getting my kids to help out around the house is like pulling teeth but normally, they love it. Heidi's just over a year old and already wants to help with just about everything. It is so cute.
So, today, while I was cleaning, I was reminded that the walls needed some TLC....so I called in the kids, armed them with cloth diapers (which are AMAZING for cleaning purposes! I keep half a dozen or so of them in the hall closet!), sprayed down the walls and let them at it. It was great.

Bye-bye, dirt and grime! Yay for free (and not me!) labor!

Oh, and while Heidi looks so serious and a little mad, she was having fun too and got mad at me when I took away her towel! I had to quick grab her another one!!!

Project 52: Glimpses Into Motherhood

Project 52: Book Love

My mom had gone down to Texas to visit my Grandparents and help my Grandpa move into a nursing home. He has a version of Parkinson's that I don't remember the name of, and could use more help than my Grandma alone can give.
While she was down there, my Grandparents made one of those Hallmark books where you record yourself reading the book.
When we were at my parents a couple weeks ago, she gave us the book. The boys LOVE it. I cried the first time I heard it. It is so precious. The boys (especially David), want to read it over and over and over again. I am trying to get them to be okay with one read-through at a time, in hopes of keeping it around for awhile.

Project 52: Glimpses Into Motherhood.

Project 52: Trick or Treat

My husband likes to take the kids trick or treating, so even though I don't much like halloween, I try to make it work for all involved....I stay at the inlaws and watch movies and eat snacks!
We made a decision a while ago that the child had to be three, so this was David's first year to get to go along and he sure had fun!

The boys tried on their costumes early in the day and it turned into quite a bit of play time:

I borrowed some brown eye liner and gave Liam a cowboy's mustache. He was grinning like this and bigger all night (I think he liked the mustache!):

All dressed up and ready to go:

Project 52: Glimpses Into Motherhood.

Project 52: Climber

Soooo......I had thought David would be the crazy climber child of the family. He climbed ALOT. But, not nearly as much as Heidi does. It seems like her day isn't complete unless she's climbed something. Lately, it has been her high chair. We recently brought it home....as in a few weeks ago, but it didn't take long for her to figure it out. She sure is proud of her accomplishment:

I suppose if I put the larger (normal size) tray on, it might deter her, but I tend to think it would just make it more dangerous! I think I have some mountain climbers in training!

Project 52: Glimpses Into Motherhood

Project 52: Circular Art

I saw an idea for an art project in my recent Family Fun Magazine and just had to try it with the boys. We had alot of fun!

The idea was to draw a picture in circles....start with a small circular item in the middle (I did a daisy-like flower, while Liam drew a pumpkin) and then to continue adding to it in ever-expanding circles: 

Project 52: Glimpses Into Motherhood

Project 52: Birthday Girl!

Last Sunday was my daughters 1st birthday! We sure had fun!

We had a little photoshoot:

And her party included the usual.....presents (she got mostly clothes---Yay!):

And, of course: cake!

Can't believe my little girl is ONE! Happy birthday, sweet Heidi!

Project 52: Glimpses Into Motherhood

Project 52: Pumpkin Farm

I brought the kids to a pumpkin farm last week because of a MOPS playdate and I have to admit, I am SO glad I did! It was so much fun!
I didn't realize how much finding a pumpkin was like looking for a Christmas Tree....the thrill of the hunt for just the perfect one! I am hoping to make this a yearly outing for us from now on!

Project 52: Glimpses Into Motherhood

Project 52: Art Museum!

Did you know that there is such a thing as Museum Day? Did you know you can get FREE tickets to a museum on Museum Day?!? I didn't until this last Thursday. Thankfully, Museum Day was the following Saturday, so I had plenty of time to get my tickets!

It was my hope and plan to take the kids to the Seattle Art Museum as a school field trip this year. Thanks to Museum Day, we were able to do that this last weekend! We had fun wandering through the exhibits. David even set of an alarm being so David-like (he climbed INTO the Japanese Tea House). Yikes! I was SO embarrassed, even though I got him out and into the stroller before security came around the corner.

We had Joe, Nicole, Pierce, Joe C and Amanda with us as well, and it was a very fun afternoon!

This is my Project 52:Glimpse Into Motherhood picture. Liam, standing in front of a really cool war-dress that looked like it was made out of dog-tags:

David enjoyed himself until the tea house incident. Soon after being put in the stroller, he fell asleep...

This Japanese painting was too big for one picture....I collaged it together:  

The details in this painting were amazing....just look at the lace work on the older child's hem!

And here are a few of the other things we saw! 

Project 52: First Day of School

We started "preschool" with David this week, so I took "first day of school" pictures with the kids, even though Liam technically started a couple weeks ago.

Unfortunately, they got too antsy to get a good picture of all three of them. Oh well, another time! 

Homeschooling two is going to be an interesting ride. I am doing the same sort of thing with both, only  gearing it to each one's level. Fun times!

Project 52: Glimpses Into Motherhood

Project 52: Time "off"

This last weekend, my mom, Heidi and I took off for a Mother/Daughter weekend away. It was lovely. We had such a good time.
(Project 52 picture is this first one)

Aren't those carvings on the pillars incredible?!? Here's a close up:

Some other fun pictures of our doings:

We sewed, we played on the beach, we relaxed and talked and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

Thanks, Mom. I needed that!

Project 52: Glimpses Into Motherhood

Project 52: Watering

We were at my parents house this past week and the weather was just lovely....just the kind of weather we expect here in the Pacific Northwest in September---sunny and warm! This is truly my favorite month here, followed closely by October (apples, my birthday, Heidi's birthday are all October's goodies!).

Anyway, what do lovely weather, watering and Project 52 have in common? Watching my little David playing with the hose of course! He did all sorts of things, like water the gravel pile (which I quickly told him NOT to do), fill buckets for Sissy to play in (dump out in 5 seconds is more accurate!), water the garden and water the new grass on the site of the old gravel pile.....

Here is a collage of a few of things, followed by the Project 52 shot of David putting his hand in the spray...

Project 52: Glimpses into Motherhood

Project 52: gender roles?

I learned that at a very young age, without instruction, boys naturally know what guns are for and how to use them....it was hilarious watching my young first-born son turn just about anything into a "boom-boom" and when he got a toy laser gun for his 2nd birthday, well, he knew just what to do!

Now that I have a daughter, I am seeing the same thing happen...but with dolls.

Now, let's remember.....she's not even a year old yet. And yet her "mothering" skills are obvious to me. We've had this doll in the house for over 3 years....and it's got played with the most in just the last couple of months. Heidi holds it and carries it around and gives it lovings.....just the other day, I watched her pick "him" (Liam decided he was a boy) up and gently rub her hand on his head. It was a sweet moment and my heart melted. So cute.

Anyway, I'll stop blabbering away about how gender roles are so obvious here at my house (and so natural too, I do nothing to promote it, which makes it all the funnier to see it happen) and show you this weeks picture:

Okay, now for something completely different.....

David did this same thing about a day after we got the table. What is it about active, mobile almost one year olds that makes them HAVE to climb things?!? It is so scary! We have had to put up an elaborate gate system which we borrowed from my in-laws to keep her away from the table, because this is what she does EVERY SINGLE TIME she gets near enough to do it. She thinks being up on the table is the coolest thing in the world.

Project 52: Glimpses Into Motherhood

Project 52: baseball frog

Our library, in conjunction with some businesses in the area, offer free tickets to our local AAA baseball team....we we've been able to take the kids each year thanks to the summer reading program!
This year we also took our nephew....although I think us adults still enjoy the game more than the kids! Thank goodness for a large grassy area behind the outfield!

And of course, who can resist a silly picture? I can't!

Project 52: Glimpses into Motherhood.

Project 52: Piggy Back

Liam figured out this afternoon that he could give his brother piggy back rides and David loved it!

Project 52: Glimpses Into Motherhood

Project 52: Generations

we were at the lake this last week with my side of the family and got a 4 generation girls picture. It is so wonderful to spend time with family and have my children spend time with their great-grandma and great-grandpa. I wish we would do this with ALL our extended family!

(me, my mom, my grandma and Heidi)

Project 52: Glimpses Into Motherhood.

Project 52: Snowmen in July

We had fun making little "snowmen"...

Ah, the thing we come up with to spend a rainy summer afternoon. David had thought the rain was snow and remembered the snow man from last winter and was upset that he couldn't make another, so I quickly came up with a snow man craft!

Project 52: Glimpses into Motherhood

Project 52: Wonder Wheels

this last Saturday, my church did an event for younger kids called Wonder Wheels. The idea: bring your kids bikes, let them decorate them and then ride a chalked out course. The boys had a blast and I have to admit, I had a lot of fun too! A friend of mine was all too willing to hold Heidi and let me run around with the boys!

Here's some extra pictures from the day!

Poor David crashed on his bike right when we got there, which is why he's frowning in some of the pictures (he was more embarrassed than anything, didn't even cry, he's so tough!)

Project 52: Glimpses Into Motherhood