As of late...

my Sam is growing too fast.  Way. Too. Fast.  I got all emotional thinking about it last night.  I blamed it on the pregnancy hormones, but we all know that's not true at all.  I'm such a cry baby; especially when it comes to my kids.  

I'm in a real dilemma with Sam right now.  I love, love, love his ever-expanding independence in so many ways.  He makes his bed, clears his plate after dinner, gets himself dressed, helps his little brother, has his own opinions, and loves to be my helper with everything (and is actually helpful!).  

But at the same time, I'm so not ready for a lot of this growing up stuff.  I'm not ready for him to go out with the neighborhood boys and ride bikes by himself like he begs to do.  I'm not ready for him to ride the bus to school.  I'm not ready for him to get sweaty armpits and whiskers for that matter.  It'll happen all too soon, you know.

Can't I just keep him safe behind the fence in my backyard forever and ever?  

I love age four.  Love it. Love it.

Today, he went and grew up a little more on me.  He mastered the rings at the playground.  I've never seen him so proud.

 

 Besides my emotional outbursts, we've been loving spring.  We've dug in the dirt at the park, worked in the yard and soaked up the sun.  Spring is happiness in my book.

Super

Superheroes are making a come back at my house this week.

Here they are waiting for their dad (who's work schedule these days requires superhero strength).

 

 

I think coming home to an excited Superman and Batman makes these long work days worth it.

Lately.

 

It's March!  It's March!  We now have some of these poking up around our yard...

and I just love it!  I can't wait to see what else pops up this spring!  Bring on the sunshine.

Max had a terrible ear infection and was sad most of last week.

But no need to worry...he's definitely on the mend and is back to his busy and energetic self.  He talks and talks so much right now and loves to whisper secrets in my ear.  Those secrets are usually about candy, gum and licorice that he wants for Christmas.  He's planning ahead. 

Sam loves the sunshine almost more than me.  It will be 25 degrees out with just a glimmer of sun and Sam begs and begs to play outside and ride his bike.  So, we've been thankful to spend a couple of afternoons here, at this amazing and free indoor playground.  Places like this are lifesavers.

Both boys seem excited about having a baby join our family this summer.  Sam has been very worried about what I eat.  I was chowing down on something last week (probably fruit snacks because those are a favorite of mine right now) and Sam suddenly became very concerned.

"Mom!  Stop!  You are only supposed to drink milk.  Didn't you know that newborn babies can only eat milk?"  

Sam is also certain that we're having a baby girl.

 "I already have a brother, Mom.  We have no girls at our house and sisters are funner than brothers."

I, on the other hand, am pretty certain we're having another boy.  I've been trying to explain to Sam that we don't get to choose the gender of the baby.  It's not up to us.  

His response, "I know God chooses, but I just want him to choose a baby sister."

 

We shall see.  We shall see.