Pizza for dinner

Last night was pizza night. We made it ourselves. Well not the crust, that was store bought, but we put the toppings on and it was pretty good.

The boys liked it. Jonas ate three slices.

Smooth-ie

Blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, vanilla yogurt and apple juice all in our little blender (a gift from grandpa).

We woke up craving some very-berry smoothies. Jonas added the ingredients and let Angus put a blueberry and a few blackberries in and we blended our fruit drink. It was delicious. I just had a sip, because these boys drank all of it.

Lucky them!

Paloma, wishing she could have some smoothie, but changing her mind because who wants to get that messy.

Our little garden seems to be doing good. The sunflowers are doing great and the corn is growing. Can't wait to see some flowers. The tomatoes are green, but can't wait for them to be ready. We will have to think of something really good to use them in, something that requires only two tomatoes.

These others sprouted yesterday. Jonas says Miah threw some cantaloupe seeds in, so that is what we are guessing they are. They are all growing very close together.

The chicks are ready for the day. Lulu looks like she's in a good mood.

Found these two in the kitchen playing on my phone.

Jonas tried to build his train, again. It keeps breaking apart. He tells me he skipped a few pages, because he just didn't feel like doing them. That explains the falling apart bit.

Little Angus looked cute all berried up, so I took another photo of his face before it was wiped clean. This boy gets everything he eats all over him.

Here are some glamour shots of my Paloma.

Her eyes are so big and beautiful!

We visited my parents. We hung out for a while, then headed over to Value Village, a thrift store that hasn't changed at all. It looked like they had all the same stuff from about, oh, 15 years ago.

Look at that. It takes three people to walk our children in -my dad carrying Paloma, my mom with Angus and Dona with Jonas.

What a big family we have become!

She's ready to...eat!

The last couple of weeks, Paloma has been eyeing our food. If she sees the spoon get a little close to her, she'll open her mouth and try to get to it.

Today was the big day for my little bug. Jonas was excited. "This is big for my little dulcan." I don't know why he calls her that, but that is her current nickname.

He grabbed the camera and I asked him to take photos while I fed her.

At 4-months, 3 weeks old, she had rice cereal. She liked it. She ate really good, considering it was her first time. She was really happy, too. She also wanted to hold the spoon herself. My beautiful girl is growing so fast.

This moment

{this moment} - A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Inspired by Soulemama.

Our day

Dear Miah,

Here is how our day went. I'm sure your day was very different from ours.

We were out early today. I took the boys and girl to eat donuts. They knew what to order because you have taught them well. We ate and drank milk & apple juice and after our sugar-high we were off to the bank to deposit your check, then stopped by Target and then home.

It was 10 a.m. when we were in the house. We relaxed, Paloma napped, Jonas and Angus ate lunch. Jonas played some games on the computer. It was only for about 1/2 an hour, so don't worry it wasn't long. I tried to put Angy down for his nap but it didn't work out. I think I fell asleep for about 10 minutes.

We were bored and I asked them what they wanted to do. We couldn't visit my mom and dad because my mom is sick. My poor mom keeps getting sick.

We decided to go to the museum. Jonas took 4 dollars out of Hamm to buy something at the gift shop. Stuff there is so expensive. I saw the butterfly growing garden for $26. What a rip! He bought a little caterpillar that you wind up and walks. It isn't anything big, but he was happy he bought it with his own money.

We played for about an hour and then it was time to go. Angus was asleep for most of the time. Paloma was in my arms the whole time. I hope my arms get a little more muscle and a little less fat by carrying her.

On the way home, Jonas kept talking about his butterflies and how he hoped his caterpillars would be delivered. (He hasn't stopped talking about them since you left.) I was telling him it may take a few more days to get here since we ordered them on Tuesday. You know the talk. And guess what? They were here!

He was excited. He wanted to call you, but I told him we would wait to tell you until you called us.

They watched Lilo and Stitch, had dinner and then we played outside.

This is what we were doing outside:

I forgot to mention that Lulu is staying with us. I also separated the laundry. I've got a lot of washing to do! Wish you were here to help. Also, Lulu has destroyed a part of our garden. I was very upset about this! We now have three sunflowers left. Ugh!

After all our backyard fun, it was bath time. I had all THREE babies in the tub. The boys were getting too wild so I took Paloma out. The boys brushed their teeth. We had to bribe Angus to brush his. Jonas let him hold the caterpillar container and then he let me brush. Bribery works. Paloma fell asleep first. Then, after four books, or was it five? I can't remember. They fell asleep and here I am typing this, wishing you were here! Once 5 o'clock rolls around, we usually look forward to seeing you, knowing daddy is coming home. It's been hard knowing you aren't going to walk in and you've only been gone 3 days.

Well, can't wait to hear about your day.

We miss you loads!

Love you,

Mona

This moment

{this moment} - A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Inspired by Soulemama.

My little darlings

What a way to wake up every morning.

Having these three little bodies next to me is nothing but sweetness.

One is usually in bed with me in the morning, then the other two begin to creep in, calling out my name and climb into bed.

Many mornings I wish I could sleep in and dream the morning away, but then I hear those little voices and the cries and I think of the diapers that need to be changed and the hungry tummies that need to be fed and the breakfasts that need to be eaten.

I get up, pull myself together, wondering just how I am going to do this all over again.

Today.

What will we do? What will eat? Where will we go? What will we play? Who will cry first? Who will giggle first? Who will want to be held? Who will need comforting? Who will ask for more strawberries? Who will take a nap?

I will respond to all of these ?'s everyday, all day.

I will be there when Jonas needs help with his socks or shoes, when Angus cries because he can't do what his big brother is doing, when Paloma wakes up and wants to be fed.

For these three little people, who will one day not be so little anymore, I will be there.

Always.