What's been happening....

It's been a long time since I posted a ramble.  So here goes.

Hugh turned 2 and he is amazing.  He enjoyed brownies and ice cream, brownies and presents-a classic birthday celebration.  I loved that he sang along every time we sang Happy Birthday. Just melted my heart that his eyes were big while he stared at the candle and the yummy dessert.

The weather is warming up.  Almost all the snow is melted off the deck.  I didn't need mittens or the heat on in the car today.  But a few weeks ago we played in the snow and the kids had a blast.  Eli figured out how to jump in the snow and I tried to capture him but he moves a lot so it is hard.

Pulling out the paints is a big deal in our house.  I'm not an artist but I fully believe in letting the littles get creative.  It takes a lot of planning-where they should sit, how many brushes and cups of color to use, a cup of water or paper towel to wipe off the brush? I got all ready and just jumped in.  Andy couldn't handle it, even after deep breaths-he had to leave the room.  But Hugh....he had the right idea.

Or does he?

I guess all the hand print and footprint paintings he has done at Miss Brenda's house has him thinking painting means painting your body.  

Life is throwing curve balls to each and every one of us.  All around the world.  I try to stay calm with the hard stuff in my life.  I try to remember to focus on what I can control and what I need to let go of.  It truly is hard.

I worry about this girl and love her to the ends of the earth....

(Worry about bailee, love both of those girls in  the picture)

Did you know Andy has this fun brother who knows how to photo bomb?

And go out and dance with him on the dance floor when he is totally sober.  Love it.

I'm still in disbelief when I realize Hugh is blonde.  When I see this family shot I can't believe how much his hair sticks out.

1. 

Hughie is starting speech therapy.  I'm good with it.  Really I think the speech therapist is here to rehab me so that I can help him. It's amazing because they come into the house and work with him in his natural atmosphere.  I'm real hopeful that it will decrease tantrums, increase understanding and eliminate getting in and out of car seat troubles. 

I desperately need a new black belt.  I wonder every day how many patients or co-workers think that too.

Eli is taking swim lessons and it is a great source of anxiety for me. Hugh requires 17 snacks for his half hour session.  He doesn't like the stroller anymore. 

A friend read my previous blog and sent me this:

1. 

Another friend who knows me well sent me this:

1. 

We are headed to Grandma Barb's house tomorrow for a day of play, games and an early St. Patrick's day celebration.  Even Bailee is coming along.  

We watched the Oscar's.  What did you think?  I hadn't seen any of the movies.  It's on my to-do-list (yeah right).  I love the song Bette Middler sang, but I wasn't a fan of the actual performance where she waved her arms like wings. I'm not sure how old she is but she definitely looked well younger than her age.  It sets the standards high for us....celebrity gossip and fashion is all interesting, but it can shed an unhealthy pressure on us women.

Eli asks every single day to do his science kit.  Love this kid, but he must ask me 20 times a day to do his science kit.  He is a cute chemist.

This week I have a loooong time friend coming over one night to catch up.  I'm very excited.  

Andy and I are craving (in  big way) a date night.  We are trying to get our babysitter to commit to a Friday night in the coming weeks.  We have 2 big weddings in the next few months as well. It will be awesome to get out.  

I think I forgot to post Eli's annual Christmas letter.  Here it is.

 A new item for my bucket list:

1. Gluten free onion rings: thanks mom! I think we will accomplish this tomorrow

2. James Morrison concert-doesn't look like he's touring right now thought.

I hope to get blogging a little more aggressively.