Don't Grow Up

How completely selfish is that? I'm afraid one day, 5 or 10 years from now, when I'm getting ready in the morning and I look out from my bathroom, I might not see this...

God, won't you take these innocent childhood days and 
S-T-R-E-T-C-H them out a bit longer?  Or, maybe I need to slow down...step back...and soak in every moment a bit more.  (Then write it down!)  I have already forgotten a lot of "little things" that I said I wanted to always remember.  Life truly is but a vapor.
No, they may not cuddle and love on one another like they do now...but maybe, just maybe they'll look after one another, take up for him/her when one is put down, love one another in spite of his/her weaknesses, celebrate each other's strengths, screen boyfriends/girlfriends and maybe even tag along on a few dates(ok...that might be pushing it).  And when they pretend they don't love each other...because that's just part of growing up with siblings, then I can close my eyes and think back to a time when they would crawl up on our bed and snuggle.  Like this...

Then, I can smile and thank God for such a precious memory.

A Night in our Nest

On most evenings after supper, this is what you'll find going on in our nest...

Savannah reads to Levi while Mommy cleans the table and does dishes (and snaps a few pictures)...

 while Daddy does bath time! 

One down, 2 to go...


Noah is loving books and enjoys having daddy read to him at night after his bath.  So, daddy dresses him, brushes his teeth, takes him to kiss mommy then sits on the floor in his room.  Noah, like clockwork, closes his door and heads to his book basket to pick out a few good reads.  He plops in daddy's lap and listens, sometimes turning the pages himself...sometimes, jumping up in mid sentence to choose another book.  All in all, some great one-on-one time with daddy. (and sometimes mommy).


Once in bed, Dolan calls to Savannah and she has her turn in the tub.  Her night routine is more time consuming... washing/conditioning that long hair, then combing/drying... you get the picture. Her books are usually longer and she likes to talk....about everything!! 


The reason Dolan bathes them separately is so he can spend quality time with each of them since he is often late arriving home. And, this gives Savannah some quiet reading time.  Each of them enjoy this quality time with daddy so much! If I am doing bath time, they get bathed together (excluding Levi, of course).  


Levi is last, and super quick! Unlike his big brother and sister who dread stepping out of the warm bath, Levi is content...maybe because he knows next on the routine is a snack.  


Then, we spend the next hour or so listening to Savannah ask questions like, "How can I go to sleep?" "Can you come help me fall asleep?" "Mommy, I have a question." "What was that noise?" "Daddy, I have a question.""Who opened the door?" "Can you come cover Dordi up?" (Dordi is her beloved baby doll). "Mommy, I have a question."  We put up with this most night's, occasionally closing her door for a little while (she has a night light).  It does make watching American Idol a little difficult... But we love her, questions and all! 


Our night's can get a little crazy at times, but I'm thankful to have such a helpmate to share them with.  We make a great team! 


I hope you enjoyed a little peek into a typical night in our nest.


~k.      

Spring has sprung...Plants, Parks, & Popsicles

We're excited around here....Why? Because spring weather gets us out of the house.  So many memories to be made! The kids would live in the yard if given the chance.  And the Vitamin D sure does a body good for baby Levi...so I'll try to keep this short so we can enjoy some fresh air when the kids wake from their afternoon nap.

While at Grandaddy and Grandma's a few weeks ago, Savannah planted  a few orange seeds.  We have been babying them in our kitchen window sill and were beyond "giddy" when we saw these sproutlets pop their little heads out of the dirt. This picture is a couple of weeks old...so, I'll be sure to take another so you can see how happy our little orange trees are.  I am so grateful for the sense of accomplishment this brings to Savannah as she watches them grow!    

 A few days ago, we enjoyed a park day with our Brogneaux friends.  

While Savannah and Rachel played, Noah felt it was his job to look after Levi and Lily.  

The swings were a must for all 3!

Taking a little break...

She's such a big girl!

 And this one wants to do everything she does...

 Baby Levi, well...he is just one good baby! 

This picture brings me pure joy.  Savannah cares so much for Noah (and feelings are very much mutual).  She is always looking out for him and it's a precious thing to watch.  They certainly have their sibling moments where I'm concerned for their safety, but all in all, the love they already share cannot be put into words.  I pray they'll always be the best of friends.

 Check out our big boy!! 

All smiles when outside!

And to finish the day off...a blue popsicle for the girl, (such a big deal since blue is a "boy" color)

and an orange for the boy! 

So happy that spring has sprung and we can spend more moments outdoors.  (Maybe my house will stay a little cleaner)...Nah!


Blessings to you for a happy Spring!
~K.

Sprucing up for Spring!

Hope you like the new look.  I felt that after almost a year of blogging, a little face lift would be nice.  I do miss my little "nest" picture and may pull it back out again, but for now, I'm enjoying the simplicity and everyday life these images portray.  Truly, I want to remember the little things, for one day, they'll be BIG things!  Happy first day of spring!


~k.

A rope, a wagon, and a pampers box!

Sounds like the makings of some serious play, right?

Savannah loves anything with which she can pull objects, tie up objects (including Noah), and simply use as a toy...ropes, ribbon, scarves, string...you get the idea! This day was no exception...and the long piece of twine proved to be a true asset to her and Noah's playtime.  

Noah does whatever Savannah tells him to do.  If she wants him to dress up with her and wear a dress, hat, and silver shoes...then he does so! And with pride! If she wants him to give her one of his 2 cookies, she need only ask tell him and hold out her hand.  Oh, if she only knew the level of her influence... Well, in this case, she wanted to pull him around the house in his wagon.  So, he takes Daddy's tape measure with him (not sure where he found it since it's usually up high in the laundry room...)and hops on! She needed a little help with her knot, but after that, they both had a blast whirling around the furniture and slamming into walls. *insert long sigh here*

This became old after about 30 minutes and she wanted to use her rope for something else.  They had been playing with a wipes box and I suggested that we "modify" it so she could pull all the monkeys around.  We had read a book about Raggedy Ann and Andy riding a rollercoaster, so she was excited to recreate this experience for her little "friends."  And here they are...

*Yes, that is a heart sticker on the wall beside the piano.  That's another thing Savannah loves.  And oh, how I love to find them all over the house! 

Truly, it's the simplest of things that make children happy.  

Thankful today for a rope, a wagon, and a pampers box...and the children who enjoy playing with them.

~k  

Sometimes, Love is little...

In Raleigh, NC at Crabtree Mall, near the food court, across from the APPLE store, sits a little shop.  It's a sweet shop.  It's a chocolate shop.  It's the GODIVA shop.  I first indulged when I was working as a college student at Belk at the other end of the mall.  I had to pass by this little sweet spot every day on my way to the employee parking deck.  I rarely entered unless they were giving free samples, because truly...it's an indulgence...in more ways than one.  Did I mention the APPLE store is located directly across?  Fast forward 10 years or so. Occasionally, the dear husband of mine is forced to go to APPLE for, I don't know, technical "stuff." And he has been known to meander across the way to this little shop and bring me some of the little treasures.  What a treat it is to see the little gold box!!! Well...I'm telling you all of this because he did it again.  Just last week. It was a wonderful surprise, totally unexpected...and the perfect day for chocolate!!! (ok...ALL days are perfect for chocolate)  And for my little gold box tied with a little chocolate brown ribbon...

He chose the one's he thought I'd like the best.  They are all so decadently (is that a word?) delicious! But, if I must choose a favorite, here it is...

This little beauty is a "key lime dark chocolate truffle." Is there anything left to say?  A napkin just wouldn't do...had to go for the fine china! 


You need not tell me I'm blessed.  I am married to a man who is selfless, full of life, and full of love.  And sometimes...love is little.  


I love you DDW!

Wordless Wednesday...Oh the Places They'll Go!

Brotherly Love

It doesn't get much better than this...

Noah LOVES to hold his baby brother.  When I'm holding Levi, whether feeding, playing, or carrying him around, it's quite common for Noah to run up with arms outstretched begging in his little voice..."hold? hold?" he always asks in question.  I try to always stop whatever I'm doing, if possible to allow him this time. It is truly helping him to bond with Levi...just so special to watch.  Take a look at this brotherly love happening on the living room floor. 

*mama's personal favorite*


I love my boys...and I'm so glad that they love each other.  I think I'll hold on to this photo tightly.  It just might come in handy during those adolescent years.