Just read

Reading independently.

Reading to each other.

 But never too big to be read to by Mom!

JUST READ!

There's this boy

 So there's this boy...

 ...he kinda stole my heart...

 ...he calls me Mom.

Weekend Fun

We are having some wonderfully beautiful January weather here and took advantage of the opportunity to soak up the sun outdoors this weekend.

 

Saturday evening, we hosted a small dinner with the Bottini and Coddington families. The boys are showing excellent future babysitting potential!

Sunday started off on the right foot with Daddy's weekend trip to Dunkin Donuts, where he found Keegan's favorite seasonal donut back for another year (heart-shaped Bavarian cream filled)! Jay took a long bike ride in lieu of his weekend run due to a torn meniscus. I opted for my weekend long run, as usual, and Logan joined me on his bike for some quality mother-son time. There was also plenty of playing outside with the neighbors (bike riding, basketball, hide-and-seek) and, of course, weekend Xbox time. We tried out a different church which is located about a mile from our house. It's very kid-friendly and we have several friends that go there, so I think we might have actually found our match!

I just love this!

 

What I'm loving now: my pinterest-inspired hallway

Friday Fun

Field trip the the Challenger Learning Center with Nana

 Movie time and sleepover at Nana's (Mom and Dad had a date night!)

We three swing.

sometimes they actually ASK to have their picture taken

 

Wednesday Highlights

Lunch with Nana (he loves to get out of school early because he doesn't have to take a nap!).

 Enjoying England Potatoes and making Uncle Lee proud.

 "Yes, I washed my hands, Mom"

(he lies like a rug!!!!!)

The Heartbeat Check

For about a year now, I have been reading a blog by an amazing mother and writer (www.handsfreemama.com) who made a conscious decision to go "hands-free". She put down her phone, stepped away from the computer, stopped over-committing herself to others, and opened her eyes to really see her children. What followed was an inspiring blog about getting to know her children and appreciating them for who they are. Her house might always be messy, her email inbox might be full, but she is making memories and savoring every moment of it. As a side note, I contacted her on Facebook while we were getting ready to move and things were hectic. It took a day or two, but she took the time to respond, at length, with supportive words of how "quality time" means so much more than "quantity time".

In one post, she discussed her nightly "Heartbeat Check" ritual (you can read it here). She put her head down on her daughter's chest and just listened to her heartbeat for a few moments. Something very special about the physical contact and the quiet of the moment led to her daughter to open up about so many things that were on her little mind. And it was there that they connected, Mother with Daughter, and a new nighttime ritual was born. 

In my house, we've recently started this and I've been amazed at how often all three of them come back for more...nighttime, daytime, anytime. 

Usually it goes like this:

SON #1: Listen to my heartbeat, Mommy. What's it saying?

ME: It's saying that you __________ (are very proud of your math test grade, had a fun day playing with your friends, etc.)

SON #2: Now do me!

SON #3: No! It's my turn! Do me!

But last night, after tucking Keegan in bed and doing his heartbeat check HE wanted to tell ME what his heart was saying....

"My heart is beating happy because I love you, Mama"

Minutes later, as I finished tucking Gavin in bed, he wanted to do the same thing (a strange coincidence since that's not usually how the little ritual goes and they are all sticklers for their nighttime routines).

"My heart is beating proud because I know you're proud of me for reading the biggest book I've ever read and I'm proud of me too"

Moving on to Logical almost 9-year-old Logan's room, I decided to give him the same opportunity to reverse the rules and tell ME what his heart is saying.

"I don't know, Mom. YOU always tell ME that. That's how that goes. Now can I have a hug? Because that's what's next."

Melting my heart in different ways, those three never cease to amaze me and never stop teaching me how to love this little life of ours.

Gram & Gramps invade Florida

We just wrapped up an enjoyable visit with Gram and Gramps. This morning, the kids were discussing how they hope they'll come more often now that they're retired. It was a very pleasant and relaxing visit. Jay and Gramps did some work around the house and made millions of trips to Home Depot. Gram and I went to see Les Mis and made a Goodwill trip, of course. Nana and Papa came over for dinner one night and we really enjoyed having all the grandparents and grandkids all together.

Oh! And this came in the mail! It's a canvas of the kids at Duck last year and it makes me sooooooo happy to look at it up on my mantel. I'm thinking of taking the ALLISON frame pictured below and putting a photo from that same spot every year. We would already have enough pictures to almost fill it! Hard to believe, but true.

On their final night here, we tried out a new pizza place (Rummy's). The kids got to make their own pizza (which is free on Monday's) and they had a nice happy hour. It's just a couple of miles from our house, so I know we'll be going there again!

All in all, a fabulous visit full of good times and great memories.

cupcakes and Papa time

What a special day!

Today Keegan got to have lunch with Papa.

Later, Papa hung out in "Keegan's house".

And we ate more cupcakes!

Swimming in January

My running motivator helping me through a particularly long 5K. I am so proud of how well he can ride his bike now!

Ok, so don't be jealous but yeah, we went swimming in our pool. In January. It was 68 degrees and awesome...for 20 minutes...then it was freezing!

 Lucy wanted to come swimming with us too!

 So the boys warmed up in the hot tub!

I think he enjoyed his cupcake

Also, we finally got haircuts today.

Sunday Funday

Today we partied like superheros at our neighbor's third birthday party. I found out that I'm not too old to bounce in a bounce house and it's quite a workout!

Keegan has traded his police uniform for this superhero cape and still won't take it off.

 Nope. Not ever.

 Cole (the birthday boy) and Keegan. Cole is usually dressed as a Power Ranger. I hardly recognized him in his normal kid clothes!

 Logan tried out his new Camelback today on his run with Dad. Welcome to the big leagues, Logan! He's a real runner now!

Friends Rule

Saturday was full of friends and fun. After a Christmas hiatus, I finally found some time to meet up with my running partner for a quick run. The kids played with the neighbors all day long, as usual. Keegan was invited to his best friend's house for a playdate and spent most of the day indulging in chocolate covered popcorn at Chase's house from what I can gather. 

We went to an early mass at a parish located close to our new home (instead of going to Faith Presbyterian) and found ourselves stars of the show when we were chosen as the family who brings the offering to the priests. Jay was no help as he didn't know what to do any more than the rest of us! The kids were instructed to "follow the boys in the white robes" and they took their job a little far by walking right past the priests and right up on the stage! We got a good laugh. 

In the evening, we walked down to the neighbor's house for a bonfire/football-watching get together. It was a great, well-rounded day for all.

Superhero Keegan and Little Miss Fancy Pants at the bonfire

 Coal Miner Ella and Superhero Keegs

 Cool friends -- Chase, Sister Lauren, and Keegan

 Too cool for Saturday!