a day in the life

Questionnaire about Mama

Charlie: 7.5, Jackson: 5, Lillian: 10 1: What is something mama always says to you? Charlie: Have a great day Jackson: Goodbye, I love you when I'm going to school Lillian: Clean your room 2: What makes mama happy? Charlie: Having a date with me Jackson: Us Lillian: When the house is clean so she can relax and have fun with us. 3: What makes mama sad? Charlie: When I get a yellow, orange or red Jackson: When she lost her camera Lillian: Us not cooperating with her or us getting hurt. 4: How does mama make you laugh? Charlie: Telling some jokes Jackson: Tickle my armpits Lillian: Says funny things, tells me jokes and she says some things in this way that just makes me feel happy. 5: What was mama like as a child? Charlie: Her Teddy bear. Oh wait, the middle kid - like me. Jackson: I didn't see her when she was a little girl, I don't knoooooow Lillian: Strict parents but a very happy child who usually did well in school and was very creative. 6: How old is mama? Charlie: 32 Jackson: 8 Lillian: 34 7: How tall is mama? Charlie: 10' Jackson: 10' Lillian: 5' 50" um... wait, that wouldn't work, probably 6'. Like 6' 5". 8: What is mama's favorite thing to do? Charlie: Play with me Jackson: Playing with me Lillian: Hang out with us and be with family - play games with us. 9: What does mama do when you are not here? Charlie: Work Jackson: Go to Trader Joes Lillian: Exercise, work and shopping 10: What is mama really good at? Charlie: Photography Jackson: Cleaning Lillian: Photography and music, singing especially 11: What is mama not very good at? Charlie: Drawing the best picture in the world Jackson: Nothing Lillian: Art - I mean she's good at it, but not amazing 12: What does mama do for a job? Charlie: Runs this company called Marie Taylor Photography Jackson: Cleaning the house Lillian: She is a singer 13: What is mama's favorite food? Charlie: Sushi Jackson: Sweet Potatoes Lillian: Sushi 14: What do you enjoy doing with mama? Charlie: Having a date Jackson: Playing Angry Birds with mama, but now it's going to be legos Lillian: Eating sushi and watching Harry Potter

Last minute projects

Last minute projects can turn out ok even though you use a ton of duct tape, a broken broom handle that the previous owners left, Jack's special green spikey ball, and a batman cape. 

 

Happy Mother's Day

I know, two in one day, but I set this photo as my screen saver I love it so. Happy Mother's Day to me. 

And just in case you were wondering, I did have a photo of Charlie smiling very sweetly, but this is him. Happiest kid in the world with a giant silly look. Jackson looking all coy and sweet, and Lillian with the exact same smile that I have. Love these three so much.

Last Day

What a great year Jackson had at preschool.

Mrs. Dunlap and Mrs. Clayton were such wonderful teachers. He has grown not only physically-goodness he is so big now, but he also has grown in his coloring, writing his name, identifying numbers and letters, and finally, telling me he plays with some friends. Brynn (he loves...as a friend,) and Nevin.
Can't believe how grown up he is now.   
I think he is going to be very sad on Monday when he realizes he doesn't get to go to school...or to Kalahari. Which he mentions every single day. And packs for, every single day. I believe we may need a Uhaul by the time we actually go again. :)

Things my four year old says

A quick story today...
I as making Jackson's lunch today and I asked what he wanted.
J: A cheese sandwich Mama.
M: Do you want monster cheese? (That's what they all call muenster cheese now. Mozzarella, is muensterella.)
J: NO! I want Taylor Swift! Taylor Swift!
M: .....absolutely clueless.
J: The white cheese with the holes in it!

I choked laughing. 

Happy Birthday Jack

Just under the wire of the whole it's been a year since I posted last, I decided to jump on a little birthday post for Jack. FOUR year old Jack.

Since I last wrote, he started Preschool and loves it. He asks every day if it is school day and is so sad when it isn't. His favorite days are Wednesdays when Charlie (who has early dismissal) meets him at the door. Giant hugs and laughs every time. He recently said, "Charwee, you are my best friend." And they really are-most of the time. He still loves Angry Birds, is obsessed with the school episode of Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood and will talk your ear off about "too much sugar" and "red 40" if you let him. Yes, again, no free preschool for you my non stop talker.

Here he is explaining something to me me...those eyes...such a sweet boy.

And for the record, both of these were taken with my fourth baby...Nikon D750 OH my goodness love her. :)

Top Ten: Music

I have mentally been writing a lot of lists in my head lately...oh who am I kidding, I am always doing that. But specifically at this time of year. Lists on projects that MUST be done around the house. Lists on projects that I WANT to do around the house. Best moments, happiest moments, best books, best food, top tens for each kid, etc. But first, music.

Top Music of 2013 (In no particular order)
1. I Will Wait by Mumford and Sons. This was in my top ten last year too I believe, but seeing Mumford actually perform it was amazing.
2. Ho Hey by Lumineers. I love the Lumineers so much but this one is definitely my favorite.
3. Below My Feet by Mumford and Sons. As I was coming back into Akron, after that horrid 11-12 mile of the 1/2 Marathon, this song came on. The crowd cheering on strangers, my sister Katherine next to me, texts of encouragement in my dying phone, this song came on. I cried. Heck, I'm a little teary thinking about that moment. It was quite possibly the most powerful moment of memories and pain and accomplishment mixed all together at a single second. 
4. Remember the name by Fort Minor. This is my power song. This played right after Below My Feet as I was coming into the stadium. 
This is ten percent luck, twenty percent skill
Fifteen percent concentrated power of will
Five percent pleasure, fifty percent pain
And a hundred percent reason to remember the name!
It was the perfect time for this song to play. Like my phone just knew. Note though I was trying to tell someone about this being one of my favorite songs and I COULDN'T REMEMBER THE NAME. Until I said the words I can't believe I don't remember the name of the song...REMEMBER THE NAME. Yup. That's me.
5. Let it Go Idina Menzel. Oh how I loved this movie, this song, Idina, the entire soundtrack, and watching Lillian sit and sing for hours to it. If you haven't seen it, really-go. NOW. I want to see it again. Really probably the best Disney movie since maybe Little Mermaid. Cannot WAIT for the Oscars for Idina to sing it live. 
6. Home by Phillip Phillips. Still can't quite believe this is an American Idol contestant (neither could any of the 91.3 djs for that matter) but goodness I love this song still. 
7. Awake My Soul by Mumford and Sons Again, just love this song and to see it live...just amazing.
8. Ways to Go by Grouplove. This song just makes me happy. The whole album does.
9. Half Crazy Jukebox the Ghost. Again, whole album is so good, but a song called Half Crazy? Yeah has to be a favorite
10. Thrift Shop by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis. Yes. I admit it. I love this song. 2013 Christmas wRap was based on it. It is ridiculously fun and catchy and I have to say I am so happy that they are not one hit wonders, but actually good and will be around for a while. 

So there you have it. There are thousands more songs that could easily be added on to this list, and as I go through the day songs will pop into my head and I will think OH NO! That totally should have gone on the list! So perhaps I have to create another list...and another and another :)

This post is part of a list-making project called Lists With Friends 2014, an effort to document the year in lists of all types.

On the 8th day {before} Christmas

Tonight was ornament night. I would like to say that this year was different from previous years and nothing broke, but...I believe I didn't get the right glue gun sticks last time. But all is well again. 

As Lillian read all seven Harry Potter books (and is begging me to start them all over again) she got a golden snitch.

Charlie generally gets a robot every year but this year was a rocket ship :) 

And Jackson, because for this moment he still says "superherios," had to have one. 

On the 9th day {before} Christmas

Letters to Santa...

Dear Santa, 

I would like a microchargers. I have been good.

Love, 
Charlie

(Short and sweet but written all by himself...)

Dear Santa,

I have been good this year...I learned how to talk this year...and now I talk all the time! I love superherios, trains and cars. "I not a good boy, I Jack!" was one of my favorite things to say this year. I will tell everyone (and you twice!) that I want a horsie pillow pet.

Love,
Jackson

(Jack was afraid he didn't actually tell Santa what he wanted so he hemmed and hawed next to me while the next child got their turn, then ran up and said "Horsie Pillow Pet!!" So. Cute.)

Dear Santa,

I would like the big lego friends house and a frozen doll for Christmas. I was very good this year! I hope you come on Christmas.

Love,
Lillian

(Seems like just yesterday I was writing both Lillian and Charlie's letters to Santa...now I only write one.)

 

On the 10th day {before} Christmas

It was Santa night! I really had no idea what to expect this year with Jack-my cautious child who is not afraid to say (loudly at times) that he doesn't like something he is afraid of. But goodness he went right up to Santa, lifted his arms and went right up. You could see the awe. We called his name a few times and they all turned and flashed us the most wonderful smiles that everyone behind us actually said "Awwwwww." 

Magic.