All that he is...

for some reason this image simply catches all that it is to be 3. He feels all tough in his cowboy hat. He's been telling me much of the evening how cowboys do things and it's always in his serious, macho, way-too-old-for-his-years voice.

But then I find him having a sweet and adorable moment of innocence at the end of the day snuggled up on the floor with his favorite loveys when he thinks no one is watching. They've been his companions his entire life and still offer him such comfort throughout the day.

He's in such a hurry to grow up most of the time and I'm sure it will happen before either of us it ready. For now, I'm just going to relish the image of my tough guy baby boy.

Cold season...

Our kids have really taken a hit this cold season. We're not skating by either but they seem much more pathetic than we do (or at least I hope that's the case?). Colin started it off and Erin is finishing up the rounds as she's just starting to really feel the effects.

Although she had food issues she's been a really healthy kid so this whole sick business is new for her. I assure you, she is not a fan.

Much of this day was spent doing nothing because that's all the motivation we could muster.

Our little Sweet Potato

Erin doesn't like anyone to have a nick name. She even takes offense if someone has the audacity to call me Carol Amie and will quickly let them know in her not-so-quiet voice that I am in fact "just mommy". Tara on the other hand has been able to hold tight to hers. Erin will tell you that she's "Baby Tara", "my sister", and "sweet puh-TAY-tuh" interchangeably. No matter what you want to call her, we think she's pretty cool.

Make note of the strange pacifier position...this is just one of those little things that we probably won't remember some day but the girl likes her paci...and she's particularly fond of it being tilted to the side so that it touches her nose. I spent a couple of months trying to adjust it for her and now I'm just accepting this as one of her earliest demonstrations of independence.

Good Morning, Sunshine!

Erin was thrilled to see Wall*E.

Colin was critical that the sun's rays didn't all fit on the doodle pad.

Both kids were pleased to see daddy's artwork on the fridge next to their own when we came down for breakfast today.

Daddy, can you draw...?

Erin is really into the doodle pad on our fridge. Even more so now that she's realized she can remove it from the fridge and ask others to create for her. She likes to accost visitors with these requests and hits us up pretty regularly, too. I'm fine with "mommy, draw a circle?" and other such simplicity. Mark has been on the receiving end of such crazy requests as, "Can you draw Wall*E, puhleeeeeeze!" And so tonight he sat down to work on it.

Princesses don't do morning...

Teething T-R-O-U-B-L-E

We already have our first illness of the year. It turns out it's just your common cold, but at about 4 a.m. Colin was pretty sure it would be the death of him. The drama of it all included much of our household being awake before the sun and a few of us seeking alternate sleeping arrangements by daybreak.

Having your week start out like that makes it a long one. Noone got a decent night's sleep so by the time we'd made it all the way to bedtime this evening poor Tara just didn't have it in her to try to put on a Happy Face anymore. Here's a rare glimpse of how she Really feels during this whole teething dilemma. Poor baby.

Why you shouldn't grocery shop with kids...

Many of my mommy friends have heard me lament after a particularly difficult trip through the grocery store with 3 under 4. Today I was luck enough to be able to go with only Tara in tow...and I have never been so grateful. These are the lines of unhappy shoppers that greeted us as we entered the store. Giant should probably use this image as an advertisement for their Peapod service...

Tummy Time

"He's Here!"

At bedtime Colin loves to "hide". The moment you turn your back he dives under the covers over Big Bad Bart (yes, even his bed has a name) and giggles. Tonight I left between his story and his prayers to retrieve Tara from the next room. I returned to a pile of blankets saying "don't lay on my bed" and "look in the closet"...followed by much giggling. Of course, that was a good reminder that this too shall pass so we grabbed the camera before continuing in the game.

When I took the first shot it was simply of a mountain of covers...but the flash was too intriguing for a curious little person and his temporary lapse in concentration allowed me to get a glimpse of one silly little boy peeking to see what was going on around him.

He quickly retreated, tucking the edges down under him and narrating the appropriate places to continue my search as if I was none the wiser. Only after I feign failure (and admit my defeat by announcing that I give up) and lay down on the "empty" bed will he give up his location~in a muffled "he's here!" giggle of glee because he's once again gotten away with such a feat. So begins the dance that is Colin's Bedtime.

One day he'll be too grown up to engage in our routine of silly games and tomfoolery. Until then, I'll continue to listen to the voice from within "Big Bad Bart." If only they could just stay little...

365 Project

One of the moms I know here did the "365 Project" last year. She challenged us to give it a try this year. As I watched the ball drop last night/this a.m. I decided it was probably the best way out there to ensure that I keep up with the kids' blog so with camera in hand I crept into their rooms and snapped a picture of each of them sleeping as 2009 arrived. While I'm happy to have those pictures I'm also happy to have the others that I shot throughout the day. We had a fun, laid back sort of day and shared the afternoon with friends. It was a good day. I even took some decent shots. The one I chose to use to begin this project is not the greatest of these but it is the moment in this day that I most want to remember.

In a perfect world, Tara should be sleeping when it's time for Erin to go to bed. Then we say our prayers and Erin and I enjoy a bit of quiet time while daddy begins Colin's bath and we read stories, sing songs, etc. In a teething world Tara is much more involved in all aspects of bedtime. Tonight was a Teething night. Those are not often my favorites but for a brief period Tara's cheery disposition returned, Erin felt tremendous love for her sister and this sweet moment was shared.

Here's to a full year of such wonder and love!

Santa Pictures

Our beloved Santa returned this year and of course we went to see him. As many of you saw on Facebook, we consider his return the Christmas Miracle for this year and are thus not surprised we couldn't get smiles from three kids under 4...but here they are in all of their cuteness anyway!

Thankful for...

Dress Up Days

Serious fun is being had around our house with a few spring hats from the discount stores and random stuff that the kids stole from mommy's closet. Auntie Cinda in particular will recognize Erin's new favorite scarf ;)

Hours are spent coming up with a variety of ensembles in various combinations but laughter and fun are always a part of the package.

The eyes of an angel

but what to do with that hair? I'm almost to the point where I'm ready to take Erin in for a haircut. I keep thinking if it just grows a little bit more they will have more options for an actual style but so many times now those gorgeous, big eyes are lost behind a shaggy tuft of hair.

here are some pics from Disney on Ice....