My Job

Most of my days consist of laundry, feeding the children, picking up around the house, vacuuming twelve times and playing referee to the arguments between them.

Summer break so far is really no different. Summer break in my opinion is not for mothers to enjoy any time off from anything, in fact it is probably more work.

I have chosen to see the beauty in all of it. The sweet smiles, the glisten in their eyes as we jump on the trampoline together, the little moment that I whisper, you're beautiful, or the surprise hug around their belly.

There are so many days that I wake exhausted and tired and ready to pull the covers over my head, and yet I do not. Some days I feel as though I put in just enough effort to mark that day off my calendar and others, the amount of hours in a day are not enough.
Not enough to enjoy the laughter, the smiles, the glow around their beautiful faces. The way they talk or the length of time they talk. Sometimes so fast you wish you could just finish their sentence for them so they could take a breath.

These are the days I choose to live for this summer. Beans is Five almost six and while she knows how to ride a bike with training wheels, we took the plunge and removed them yesterday. I always had an excuse for another day, when really I just needed to give her my attention and teach her.

So many things change so fast and I was letting all the fun slip right past me. In amongst the piles of laundry, the stacks of dishes and the stuff on the floor. I lost track of what is most important to me. Them.

Summer will not be overlooked. For the third day in a row, I have heard "this is the bestest day ever, mommy."
I had not thought anything special of that day from any other, but if it was to them, than I have done my job.

I want my children to be able to look back and remember all the fun they had with mom. Sometimes I feel as though I am only seen as the discipline, or the means to food. It is not entirely bad, as these things are necessary, but I just don't get near as many good hugs and kisses as dad.
All of that is about to change. :)

Water is the theme for summer

So far in as little as 4 days, my kids have soaked themselves in bodies of water and large fountains while wearing their street clothes and while we have been out doing "other" things.
I guess I'll give in and start keeping that spare set of clothes in the car with us- seems this might be the trend this summer. :)

TODAY




And from Saturday with friends

Just another Monday, or is it?

I deserve a bumper sticker that says My mom is a super star. Or a medal of Honor for tough Mommies, Or a piece of triple fudge chocolate chip brownie or even just a sticker with a smiley face.

Wait, you haven't even heard why, yet...

Yes, I am a terrific person and I work hard and my kids think I am the bestest mother ever, and other people think I am pretty cool too, but you already knew that.

But the whole reason for this post and this little brag session is......

I took my kids to see Curious George at the library today - and I SURVIVED!!!

Yep, That's it.

But it deserves some HUGE kudos.

I despise stuff like this.
There's nothing like a good old gathering of way too many little kids and their even more annoying parents in a small room trying to do crafts and get pictures with a man in a monkey suit. (Totally said with all the sarcasm I can possibly muster through words) and totally not my idea of fun. There are days I would probably rather clean both the toilets with a toothbrush than stand in line so my kids can touch a life sized cartoon character.

I don't mind the cartoon, it is actually preferred over the whiny, bad example of how a child should act Caillou. I just don't like gathering with a bunch of other people who don't know me. I even went late trying to get out of it. I thought maybe I could convince the kids that something else would be more fun- to no avail. Turns out I knew several of the people there and it wasn't so bad. The crafts were decent and we didn't even have one meltdown.

But wait, it gets better. I promised the kids some Ice cream for helping me "clean" the playroom, so I took them to the local Whitey's and the whole time Chan kept telling me that it was the best day ever and how much he loved me. What? who is this kid? Have you met him?
Then Beans kept thanking me for all the fun times and said she loved me, no less than thirty times.

What's the catch? When is the ball gonna drop?
This has to be too good to be true. If summer break is going to be this easy, bring it ON!

And what would be a great post about nothing without a bunch of pictures of some pretty cute kids taken by yours truly??

Summer Break

To my angels from the northwest living in the Midwest, the cutie patooties in the yellow house, the apples of my eye, the giggles for my belly and the reason for the crease in my smile. Even if I gain a few gray hairs every time I take you with me- it's worth it.

School's out for the summer, no big plans have been made. We'll just enjoy it with each other and when you are older, we'll savor these days.

KD walking like it's something she's always known how to do :)

Sunscreen

With the weather changing we are all very well aware that sunscreen is very important, especially for our children.

However, I am sure that they did not mean that the children should apply it themselves and use it has hair gel, face wash, or lotion.
The best part is that Nooshie thought he was applying a glue stick instead of sunscreen. Needless to say, I am now in need of more sunscreen.
I love this kid!

Marseilles Dress SHABBY APPLE GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

A dress that makes you covet your neighbor and green with envy

Marseilles Dress SHABBY APPLE GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Blog Wall

I've decided that I have hit a blog wall when it comes to posting.
I have no flow, no inspiration. I have just simply been blogging pictures. Which is not entirely bad, but not quite as good as reading an excerpt that is comparable to eating a good piece of chocolate cake.

This last weekend we watched a friends 4 kids for her while her hubby attempted to surprise her to a 2 night getaway without children.
She has thanked me no less than a gazillion times and while I only need to hear it once to know I was appreciated, I also want her to know that I was simply paying it forward.
We have had our fair share of others stepping in and helping us with kids or other things and while I cannot always pay back that person, I most certainly can pay it forward. So, although I waived my white flag after the first night and another REALLY Awesome mommy stepped up to the plate, I accept your gazillions of thank yous and remind you that if you never find an opportunity to repay the favor, it's okay. Just pay it forward.

The weather here has been decent. The temp is nice and warm, with a touch of muggy and some rain. Pleasantly Midwest.
I have enjoyed the weather and again, Mr. Howerton and I have decided that we may forever live in Iowa. There is just something so peaceful and down to earth about this place.

I enjoyed a three mile speed walk along the Mississippi River yesterday and I think it is my new favorite place to be. The breeze, the tinge of foul smell, and the spray off the little waves when a barge goes by. I have been able to find every excuse possible to go down there. It reminds me who I am and places me where I need to be, kind of like Yoga without so many difficult and yet enjoyable stretches. :)

Nooshie is home from school for a couple of days. He is not feeling well and I have to admit, it is entirely okay with me. I enjoy his little comments and playful teasing. He is even attempting to help me fold the clothes. I will have to re-fold them, but that is okay with me. KD seems to be happy too. Her playmate has returned and she lets me clean and well, blog. Maybe I just needed my little man.

Here are some pictures I took with the family along the river for our walk and then yesterday of KD in the beautiful weather- enjoy.

KD is starting to look more and more like a toddler instead of a baby, it makes me sad, but it's hard to stay that way, because she is so darn cute.