giving in can be good

All week I have been so tired, exhausted, and just done by the time we put the kids to bed. I just want to sit down, stare into space, and then build up the strength to get up and clean the home from the damage that was done throughout the day. (it's amazing how fast the home can go from a perfectly clean, not one thing out of its place, home that is for sale to something that looked like a tornado hit it, with legos and bionicles spread across the floor, bowls of half eaten cereal left on the table, and homework spread across the couch.) I feel like my patience has been great during the day, and then 7:00 hits and I'm done. It's shocking how fast it can happen.

However, last night, there was one boy, who took a nap during the day and really shouldn't anymore because he will not fall asleep at night boy, that really wanted to help me out and just be together. I gave in. I scrubbed the floor and the little boy scrubbed the toilet. He helped me clean out the tub, and then he found a spider and told me he would "get it." He grabbed a tissue wadded it up stood behind me, and then threw it at the spider. Luckily daddy was standing by to really "get it." But the rest of the night he said, "mommy, I got the spider!!"

Justin has his class three nights a week, so since he was still on-line for that I decided I would climb into bed and take this chance to read my book. Then I let this little guy come and cuddle with me while I read. It felt so good. He asked if he could "read" to me, grabbed the book and then tried to find every O on the page, the excitement in his voice was priceless.

After that we had a 5 minute conversation of how to properly sing the star wars theme song. Then he would tell me, I'll sing this, and then you sing this, then I'll sing it like this. Seriously, you're how old?

Then off to bed he went.

I am so happy that I gave in last night, it was good.

out to eat

Corbin chose to go to Carl's Jr. for his birthday-out-to-eat dinner. They were so excited to actually get a kids meal that included pop and a toy. It was a fun night.

seven

Happy birthday seven-year-old-big boy!

I didn't realize before he woke up that morning that the most important thing he wanted to find was his bithday sign. Luckily, I got it up just minutes before he climbed out of bed and now I know that is a tradition that must continue.

For the Morris family party he wanted Star Wars cupcakes (he shared the party with his Grandpa and aunt). And on his birthday, we kept things pretty low key and just had a lego party with our little family, he wanted chocolate pie for that one. However, he was thrilled to have his cousins over for an afternoon snack when he got home from school (thanks for waiting an hour for us Mandi!)

Each brother picked out a gift to give to Corbin. Taylor couldn't wait for Corbin to get home to give it to him, and then the pain of having to wait until after dinner, it was unbearable.

I think this if just funny. Do you think I should continue to have Corbin give his brother "loves"? or is he just too old for that?

Levi gave him a $1 jumprope. I had no idea that would be one of his most favorite gifts. He has practiced everyday so diligently. When he first tried it, he was thrilled to get three jumps in without having the rope get caught. Now he is up to 20 and going strong. (He told me that he got to 100 until I realized he was counting by 10s)

Always our adventorous boy.

One of our goals as parents is to have boys that appreciate the simple things in life. We don't want them to be chasing after something the rest of their lives and to never be content, but to actually have joy in the here and now; to know that you do not need a lot of money to have fun, but to use the creativity we have been blessed with. Corbin does.

Happy birthday buddy.

sampling a new program

For Corbin's birthday, Levi gave him a jumprope. I had no idea he would be so excited about it. He wanted me to take some pictures so I tried out the sport setting on the camera and then I saw this great idea on this blog. I was so excited to try it out!! He also got a great bow and arrow from his cousins that we captured. I'm excited to try some more things with this program (I have some ideas) but for now here is a small start.

school kids

I love when Corbin walks in the door and tells me the things that are going on at school. I love all the little friendships that are made and the games they play.

He loves to play house with the cute little girl in his class, they have to play 17 times before that game is over. Then he plays star wars with two girls, he is Luke Skywalker and they are Princess Leah and Queen Amadalla. Playing house is a two person game and Star Wars is a three person game.

On a different day he plays "friend" with a buddy and he magically becomes fire droid.

Then he plays space ninjas with two guys.

Where do they come up with this stuff and why aren't they running from the girls who are trying to kiss them? (okay I would rather they not)

This week Corbin got to be MVP.

I took in his poster and a treat to share with the kids (which happened to be the treat that his cute friend, Brooklyn wanted him to bring, chocolate donuts) After he talked about his posters the kids got to ask some questions to one of us. One girl said, "Why is Corbin so funny?" Another girl said "I know why boys tease girls...it's because they like them") It was one of the girls he teases...all...the...time.

With his birthday coming up, all his friends wrote him birthday cards and gave them to him. We sat down and looked through them today. One girl said, "I like how you play with me at my house." Another girl said "You and Me." A sweet boy wrote "I like you. You are funny."

I think Corbin is really liking all this positive attention at school.

He told me the other day, I really hope that Brooklyn is in my 2nd grade class. I told him that there is a chance we won't be here next year. He said, "let's just not sell our house for three more years" It breaks my heart, but I know he will do well wherever we go, when we go.

These are the Valentines he did this year. He chose them after I showed him the idea, he thought they were hilarious.

first february weekend

These two brothers cuddled plenty while watching a show. I couldn't resist taking tons of pictures and capturing the moment. I can't believe Levi didn't mind having his cheeks being squeeshed by Tay.

I spent a day with two of my favorite people which I enjoyed very much. I love the talks we have about life and being a mother these days. I'm always so humbled by them. What's even better are the kids running around having a blast while we chat.

Friday night we got to watch my sweet niece and nephews. We love when they come. (and thanks to Mandi and Jon for watching our kids the night before so that Justin and I could have one of our first dates outside the home in several months! The temple, Chili's, together, love it.)

Corbin helped me out with story time. The kids loved the story of The Little Red Hen, and especially when the hen got super chubby after eating all that bread herself.

We had a blast at frisbee on Saturday and afterwards I was able to go with my mother in law and sister in law to a wedding shower. All my boys got some good bonding time in.

Sunday was so enjoyable being together. Of course we played games, went to church, and got home just in time to not even watch the superbowl. But we did enjoy more games.

Corbin lost his third bottom tooth (he says it's his fourth because he had one pulled almost two years ago at the dentist, but I don't think that one counts) His first adult tooth is almost all grown in, so I have no idea how the other two teeth will fit in there.

My dad was always so good at getting my teeth, but I'm too afraid to do it to my own children. So luckily Corbin is brave enough to do it all alone. He played with this one for a couple hours and then out it came.

It's kind of creepy looking at this one.

Once again, money is always the issue with the tooth fairy. We have a big stash of nickels that we use as their chore money and once again, that's all we had, so that's what he got. That night before Corbin went to bed he kept asking if the tooth fairy was real. Taylor was around so of course I said yes. (Justin laughs because he will just tell them, nope and move on, but it's just too heartless for me).

So the next morning he came in and said, "the toothfairy came, except, I know that it was you because we have tons of these nickels." And of course what does he do, tells Taylor too. I think we are done believing in these things; the tooth fairy, Santa, the easter bunny; soon it will be Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinatti and maybe even Tolido. (my family will get this, click here if you don't)

Still, it was a good weekend for us.

little guy

Any time this little guy falls, he seems to land either right under his left eye or his right. This is probably the 7th black eye he has had in his life so far. I'm so grateful he does not have a Drs. appointment coming up because that's about the time he ususally gets one.

Black eye or not, I still love these eyes.

What's even better is having conversations with him.

The other night, Levi was starving (which is a very common things these days) so I got him a plate of food and set him up to the table to eat while I got the last of everyone else's dinner ready. This was our conversation after he sat up.

"Pears mommy."

"Oh you want some pears with dinner."

"No, pears."

"You want pears."

"No pears."

"Um, pears."

"No, pears,"

(trying hard to think what it could be he was wanting)

"Levi, point to what you want."

(Levi pondered for a moment)

Pear, AMEN.

Oh, you want to say prayers.

(big smile) YES!

I love two year olds!