Noah and Molly Sitting in a Tree

Noah loves his little friend, Molly. 

And, if the number of times Molly says Noah's name when they're together is any indication, I think Molly loves Noah too.

Sweet smooches for his little friend.

Hmmm... maybe Noah and I need to have a talk about open mouth kisses.

Good Day Sunshine

Enjoying a sunshiney fall afternoon.  Noah loves outside. 

The Bounce House is Open

One morning last week, Noah and I again had the conversation:

Me: "We have school today!"

Noah: "No, not school. How about bounce house?"

Me: "No, not bounce house."

Noah: "Bounce house is closed."

Funny. I guess I'm not above using the batteries are dead, the toy is broken, the bounce house is closed, little white lies to Noah.  Although, in my defense, the bounce house usually is closed.  So, that day I decided to find a bounce house that was open in the afternoons. And, what do you know. There not always closed. We invited our friends Sara and Ryan, and we had a super fun afternoon.

Following his friend Sara to the top of the big slide.

Sliding down.

Let's do that again.

Does This Match?

I thought it did, but apparently, Noah wasn't so sure.



He was super excited about his new "3" shirt (see previous post), but he was not so sure about the shorts. As I was putting them on, he asked me, "does this match?" Ummm... yes. I promise you can pull it off. Your Momma would not send you to school in anything less than cute!

The Art of Persuasion

I have a little parenting trick that I use.  It's something that I do so often, that I am pretty sure it happens before I even consciously think to do it.  It comes in pretty handy to avoid meltdowns, and on Noah, it works like a charm.  Simple explanation.  I convince him that what I want is what he wants.  And, I use a little super happy Momma cheerleader persona to do it.  I use phrases like,  "the best ever" and "super fun" and "so awesome."  With lots of happy chatting and easy questions with multiple choice answers.  I get him thinking about the activity/clothing item/food that I want/need him too.  And, you know, I'm learning that at three, it's less important for Noah to make his own choice, then it is for him to think that he made his own choice.  Well, whether it's subconsicous or not, I'm afraid that Noah has caught onto my little trick.

One morning last week as I was transitioning him to go brush teeth before school.  I said, "We have school today."  Noah responded, "No... not school today.  Bounce house.  Yeah!  Let's go to the bounce house.  Yay bounce house." 

And, one night this week Noah and I were having dinner with our good friends, the M family.  Noah had a set of five markers in his hand, and Henry wanted to borrow one.  Henry wanted red.  Of course, red was the one color Noah didn't want to part with.  So, Noah pulls the orange out of his hand, tries to give it to Henry.  "Orange.  Look it's orange. Yay orange. Wow orange."  Let's just say it didn't work quite as well on Henry.

Happy Birthday Monique

About a year ago, I had this great idea to start a blog and countdown the days to a milestone birthday by writing about a person a day. Ok… it really wasn’t my idea. I saw it on the internet, but it was a good one, so I borrowed it. And, since I was floundering along in my early thirties with no milestone in sight, I conned my 39-year-old sister to make a list and get to writing. Amazingly enough, she did. And, whereas I am pretty sure I would have given up say somewhere around January, she plowed through with a blog a day for an entire year. And, if that doesn‘t scream first born, I‘m not sure what does.

And, today is day 365.

Happy, happy birthday Monique!

Thanks for being such a great big sister. Well, except for that time age 5, when you wanted me out of your room and threw a hammer at my head. I know, I know... It was an accident. The top flew off. Whatever, I've heard the story. I do remember you teaching me the dance moves to all my talent show dances. I'm pretty sure Erica and I killed to Electric Youth in 7th grade. I also remember riding shotgun in the green lizard hoping you'd let me bang the dashboard to start the 8-track. I do know that, when you moved off to college, I took over your room and inherited the clothes you left behind. The details are a little fuzzy, but I'm pretty sure it involved lots of reconstructed denim, pink heart appliques, and a fuzzy blue beret. I know you and I really became close as adults, and it is so awesome to have a sister as a friend. I appreciate all the advice over the years.  You suffer through my occasional bouts of tears, laugh at me when I say ridiculous things, and always remind me to put on my big girl panties and "toughen up." I do believe that the sisterly support is not one sided.  I will take credit for breaking your habit of wearing Gap classic fit jeans.  Yes, there was a reason they were only sold online and were always on sale.  I also will take full responsiblity for your strong skills on the computer.   I am glad we are finally done with the whole, "ITunes is a just shortcut.  The files are saved under My Music" conversation.  I really appreciate you still giving me a ring with the occasional Excel question. It helps to slow down the brain atrophy of my stay at home mom-ness.  You are such a great mom and juggler of all things. And, I know it's cliche to want to be like your big sis, but it's true. I love you, and I pray your 40s are filled will lots of happiness and love. You deserve it!

Now, for the photos. Is it really possible to embarrass you with old photos since you’ve been putting yourself out there for an entire year? Probably not, so I’ll just put the ones where we look our best. Don’t mention it. That’s what sisters are for.

1980-something.  Looking oh-so-sassy.  I'm pretty sure Dad put us up to these poses.

1980-something.  I'm wondering if this was taken sometime around the hammer incident?  It might explain the super mad face.

1980-something.  Enjoying a freakish snow storm in Mom and Dad's backyard.  Love the tight rolled jeans.

1993 - Your wedding day.  I'm pretty sure you were married at the height of the Garth Brooks craze.  That would explain my awesome shirt.  We are not going to even talk about how neither of us should ever where those particular shades of pink on our faces. 

1996.  What do you get when you mix a terrible backhand and a horrible forehand?  Umm... only the best double team ever.  I wonder if we won this match.

2000.  Waiting at the hospital for Brooke to be born.  Notice the aforemntioned classic fit jeans.  I really have no room to talk since my large feet should never have graced a pair of Doc Martens. 

2007.  Nanny Aunt Mo and Noah meet for the first time.  I think he's crying because Momma didn't burp him.

2009.  Vegas, Baby.  I told you I would post a pretty picture.

Happy Birthday Brooke

Today, my sweet niece Brooke hits the double digits.

Where has the time gone?  I remember this like it was yesterday.

And, how could I forget the year she was all about being Spiderman.

And, what about the summer she pulled on this pink dress and rocked it for family pictures like a superstar.

And, now, she is way too big to swim in aluminum tubs, way too cool to dress as superheroes, and so over tolerating pink.  But, she is still always...

Always… willing to strike a pose.

A girl after my own heart. Happy Birthday Brooke! We hope you have an awesome day!