Gratitude Friday

Today I am grateful for...

this cool breezy weather
the sun shining
the fact that it's Friday
watching my kids play soccer
making stew for grandma and pop-pop
watching my kids get crazy in the bath
listening to christmas music in April
going to Wendy's for dinner

The things you say...

Just a few phrases I don't want to forget about you...

Maria~

• Come on you stinkin' light, we gotta get to school!! (if I were drinking coffee it would have been all over the dash)
• (while looking at my bra) Mommy, I like your breasts.
• Mommy, you look so beautiful in that shirt.
• Snoofy! (instead of snoopy)
• Mommy, I want to be just like you when I grow up.
• You're my best friend.
• (while putting her to bed) Stay with me, Mommy. I don't want you to leave me.
• I want to go on vacation (me too kiddo)

Mark~

• Mommy, I love your heart. (then proceeds to kiss the center of my chest)
• (while dipping your chin in the bubbles in the bath lifting your head and singing) Santa Claus, Santa Claus (as if it were jingle bells)
• Daddy, you have to wear your work pants, just like me. (actually, just the opposite, Mark wants to dress just like his daddy)
• Mommy, I love you. (always coming from the middle of nowhere which makes it even more special)
• I want Mommy to do it.
• Mommy will you sleep with me?

Where do they learn this stuff?

Warning...this post will make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside...grab the tissue box.

The other night while putting the kids to bed, I kissed lil' Mark and then I noticed a little boogey coming out of his nose. He said, "What?" I replied, "You have a little boogey, let me get a tissue." Before I could get up, he grabs me with all his might, tries to pull me towards him and says, "Give me a kiss!!!" All the while giggling his brains out. I screech and start laughing, "No way!!" After both of us recover from our giggling session, he then gives me this funny look, jumps up from laying down, gets on all fours and then lets one rip!!!! I screeched in disgust and laughter. I tried so hard not too laugh, but I did. I then tried to muffle it by telling him it's not polite to pattoo in Mommy's face and not to do it again.

Kids do the darndest things.

Pop-Pop -- this post is dedicated to you!

First Day of PreK

I cannot believe these kids started PreK today. Where has the time gone?

Cutie Patootie

Devastatingly Handsome

Are you excited about school??!!

Some summer pics

wanted to be a part of the action

carnival day at school -- see the sad face in the background? he had a train going across is forehead but smooshed it before I could take a picture.

proud little engineer -- he made that house all by himself

Crazy Hair Day at school

First time eating lobster

silly pals

We didn't do much this summer. Unfortunately, we have no pics of the kids in their little pool at home. This past weekend the hurricane tore the pool to pieces. So sad...on a happy note, take a look at those sweet faces.

It's been a while

This post is prompted by my Dad. He misses the blog and so do I.

Quick recap of the year...

I changed my role at work, twice

Mark got a job in December 2010

Kids started school and really enjoy it

So the kids have been in school for 7 months now. It was a rough start being sick so much, but (knock on wood) they have been pretty good for a while. We've just had bouts of pink eyes, colds and scarlet fever, yeah apparently it still exists.

Two weeks before the kids' birthday Maria wrote her name for the first time. I placed in on the fridge. Mark followed soon after. He was hesitant to do his school work. Yes, they had homework during the school year once a week. Now, he enjoys doing it and LOVES to learn. He asks tons of questions. I mean, a billion questions a day. Maria loves to play teacher and "reads" her books to her imaginary students. Many times, it's in front of our bedroom mirror.

These kids have grown up so much over the past year it's scary. They LOVE each other immensily b/c I see how much they enjoy each other's company. They play pirates and princesses, cops and robbers, robots, dancers...you name it, they love it. Their imagination is awesome.

It's late.

I should go to bed.

I love you, Mom. I hope you get better soon. You have to teach me how to make your spagetti sauce.

I love you, Dad. Thanks for pushing MOI :o) to post.

Hopefully I can make it a weekly event.

Good-night.

Mark~3 years~3 months

3 years, 3 months...oh how the time has flown.

Things I want to remember about you...

You find every fire hydrant, fire engine, rescue vehicle, police car, ambulance imaginable

When I come home from work you ask me, "Wanna play firefighters, mom?" or cooking or trains whatever suits you mood at the moment.

You love to play cook. The 2 plastic chickens named "the yellow one" and "the brown one" are your favorite

You love to pretend to make Mommy's coffee and after giving it to me, run over with the pepper shaker and make it "spicey" for me mostly b/c you love my reaction to spicey coffee

Despite your bickering at times, you love Ria intensely always keeping an extra eye out for her

You make the most hilarious faces and run past the bathroom door when Ria is on the potty each time acting out a different role, monster, robot or just jogging by. This makes Maria laugh hysterically. You love making everyone laugh.

You LOVE peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and would love to eat them at every meal

When I was leaving for work one morning, you said to me, "Me and Ria and Daddy go with you to work on your puter so we can be together."

You love group hugs, holding hands and giving kisses where you hold both sides of my face, plant one on me and hold it there for at least 5 seconds

You love puzzles and are very good at it

You love to play the guitar and sing songs

I think this list could go on forever.

I love you my handsome boy. mwah