Eli the Fish

This summer I started to take slow motion videos of everything. At the time, it was really neat. Now everything seems too long and slow. But here are a few of Eli enjoying the summer sun and water!

Sunday Summer Fun

One Sunday last month we quickly packed the car with some sand toys and headed down to the beach on the East side of Milwaukee.  We didn't put on swim suits, we figured the boys would just hunker down in the sand and stay busy.  But!  It was hot early (by 9 am) and they wanted to go in.  The water was clear, and the beach was ALL ours.  So down to the underoos they went.  Hugh was happy as a clam.  Eli felt a little embarrassed (boxer briefs, we kept reminding him that nobody was looking and that they looked like shorts---just like a swim suit).  And Crosby-he just rocked that diaper.  I will (hopefully) never forget that day.  Andy and I could actually sit for part of the time and just watch them.  Pure joy.

Pie Face

I have about 25 different slow motion videos of this same thing, different person/player.  This game always brings a lot of laughter.

Trying to get back  into the blogging world.  Will try to post some short videos just to get started and see if that sparks my creative word juices....

Hugh

This is Hughie 3 years ago.

 
Now he is 5.  Woosh the years are going fast and furious.  He still has the spunk you see above.  But he is about to finish 4K and be a real true blue kindergartner.  He is thriving at school.  He is extremely well behaved and can read at least a grade above 4K already.  He's sleeping through the night but still has a hard time falling asleep and likes to come out of his bed multiple times to show me things like "another hanging nail mom".  He continues to get frustrated easily but finds joy in EVERYTHING.  It amazes me and makes me want to stop time that the little things still make him happy.  I hate that kids lose that and I'm not ready for that at all.  Hughie's favorite food is macaroni and cheese, all fruits, pizza and Popsicles.   He doesn't like meat or any form of potatoes.  He is a mama's boy and likes to snuggle with me. He still has a ton of awesome hair and Andy's blue eyes and he is left handed!!!!   He prefers "shows" over his ipad and has stinky boy feet.  I could go on and on for hours but if I commit to super long blog posts I won't keep up with them.  (Hi Lynne! Thanks for being my fan!).

Here he is lately....

Family of 5 (6)

Crosby is finally getting to that age where we can get out and do stuff as a family of 5!    I still have to watch him like a hawk but now we can let him have a little freedom and independence.  This last weekend we ventured on a hike where we let Crosby walk (most of the way).  I know I haven't had time to blog much lately and I feel sad about missing out on recording all of Crosby's little "ways".  I am going to try to just post some pictures to at least get those down in history.  (Just for the record, our family of 5 outing was really a family of 6 as we brought the neighbor girl with us too). 

Mother's Day

Mother's Day is upon us.  That is when Andy asks me what I want to do for the day.  Have you read any of those articles that describe what really happens on Mother's Day?  They are true funny.  Sleeping in---brunch--no changing diapers--alone time--opening a gift??  There is  pressure to spend time with all your kids and still make it different from every, other day that isn't in your honor.   (For example, on Father's Day Andy usually chooses to go golfing-but not with the kids).     It's a sticky spot because I also have a mother-thank goodness.  And part of me wants to spend my time with her-celebrating her!!!!  As I gain experience as a mother, each and every day, I say a silent (huge) thank you to my mom.  Thank you for every single little and big sacrifice she made.  I always try to add in (never enough) I'm sorry's for how I acted when she was in the trenches.   So!  If you are as blessed as me, to be a mom and still have a mom, and a mom-in-law...I hope you enjoy the whole weekend in whatever way you truly desire.

Hugh Lou Reads

I remember when Eli started reading and I was in disbelief.  I LOVE to read.  It's on the top of my list for hobbies so it is very important to me that my kids enjoy it and understand that it isn't just "homework".  Hugh is a totally different boy from Eli and I never expected him to start reading as early as Eli.  I told myself to not put the pressure on him and to not even let myself wonder when it will happen---because when they go to school--each kid finds their way, gets their footing and takes off.  I could hear Hugh Lou in the backseat of the car sounding out words on signs and billboards but I still just let their teachers do their thing.  he has different 4K teachers than Eli has and he is sent home letters to practice writing and to review the different sounds they all make.  But he wasn't sent home any sight words like Eli did.  Evidently Hugh hasn't needed or started sight words yet.  But he is darn good at sounding out words and now is able to identify a whole bunch of words in books. I am so proud of him and feel a little braggy about this but you know what---he's the middle child and deserves a shout out.
GO HUGH GO --you amaze me every day!