(sigh)

I've tried to stay positive when writing about this blog but it wouldn't be a true reflection of their personalities if I didn't include some of the frustrating things they are doing lately.  I had my first solo trip with the kids to the pool yesterday and was worn out by the end.  It wasn't that they threw tantrums or jumped into the deep end or anything but it is both mentally and physically exhausting to be responsible for them in a place filled with so many potential dangers.  I told Jamie that my throat hurt because I had to say "No" or "Don't do (insert dangerous activity here)" so many times to Harrison.  And, I'm hoping that other parents of three years old are also experiencing this, he constantly tests me and my patience.  For example, after he repeatedly splashed Anne and I in the pool I told him that if he did it again that we were going home.  So, what did he do?  He looked at me, smiled, and joyfully flicked his finger toward us in the water.  So, is this technically a splash even though the water didn't reach us?  Do I take him home then or just ignore it?  (For the record, I ignored it because I didn't want to leave after 10 mins when it had taken me 3 hours to get everything ready.)  It is moments like these where I wonder what I am doing wrong as a parent (probably not taking him home). 

Also, Anne is beginning to express her dislikes.  This is done by arching her back when I try to put her in the carseat or crying hysterically every single time I put her down.  She has also begun the ever-puzzling behavior of head butting and throwing her head and body back.  I STILL cannot figure out why babies do this???  Anyone??  Her highness also prefers to be fed to even though she is perfectly capable of feeding herself small bits of food.  Finally, she has managed to poop in the tub during 5 out of her last 6 baths.  And, since she takes a bath with Harrison it is like a nightly running of that pool scene in Caddyshack with Harrison and the toys trying to jump out of the way of the floating mess.  The good news is that the bath toys have been cleaned and sterilized every day this week (for the first time since they were purchased three years ago).  Again, (sigh).

Anyway, this post was inspired by the following blog, which is hilarious by the way:

http://thestayathomer.com/?p=1295

Thanks for letting me vent!

how big is Annie?

SO BIG!!!

all together now (taken on Mother's Day morning):

so big, in fact, that she is now feeding herself!

And, driving herself around town.

And no, "SO BIG" does not refer to her thighs :)

Mom's idioms

In honor of Mothers Day this past week (where I was truly spoiled and treated like a queen), I thought I would list some of the things that my mom used to say that drove me crazy.  I thought she was jerking my chain but now I realize she was right and find myself saying or thinking the same things!

1.  There are starving children in Africa who would be so appreciative for that food.

2.  The food all looks the same when it is in your belly.

3.  When I would obnoxiously ask her (on Mothers Day) when Childrens Day was she would reply that EVERY day is childrens day (SO true!)

4.  When we would ask if we could go to McDonalds she would cheerfully reply, "no, but we can go to McNancy's!"

5.  I love all my children the same.

6.  I swear if you do that one more time then I'm going to give you away!

Just kidding about that last one :)

I love you mom.

'tis the season

It's that time of year.  Time to break out the sunscreen (which is seemingly made of acid), bug spray (which also elicits the same reaction unless he watches his cousins apply it first in which case it causes him no pain at all), and band aids (which appear to hurt him more than his actual injury).  Harrison's knees suffer even more than usual during the warmer months because he doesn't have that extra layer of pant fabric to protect him.  Poor guy - I'm surprised that he has any skin left on his knees.    

and a close up:

Looks like it's also the season for knee pads!

I'm a Baublitz!!

I sometimes call Harrison and Anne my little pickles.  If they are being bad then I say they are sour pickles and when they are good I call them my sweet pickles.  This morning Harrison was being very cranky so I asked, "why are you being such a pickle?"  He replied, crying and whining, "I'm NOT a pickle, I'm a Baublitz!"  Spoken like a true Baublitz!

the new Diego!

As we suspected, Diego was removed from left the three year old team for undisclosed reasons.  I was a little nervous when I first learned this since he had been on Harrison's team but, as luck would have it, this turned out to be a great thing!  I don't mean to brag but I really don't know how else to say it other than HARRISON IS AWESOME!!  I am not exaggerating when I say that he scored about 8 or 10 goals.  I'm pretty sure that he scored the only goals of the game.

He dribbled the ball:

He scored, repeatedly:

And left the other kids saying,"shew, this kid is awesome":

In fact, they were calling him "the new Diego."  Of course, the most important thing is that he is awesome has fun.