Sebastian

Sometimes I can describe him as my ultimate joy. Other times, my absolute despair. Tonight I had just finished reading some stories when he got out of Matthew's bed (where we read) to go say goodnight to Rob. As he was leaving, he grabbed my hand, opened my fingers and kissed my palm. Then he closed my fingers around my palm and told me "I give you a kiss, Momma. Don't evah, evah lose it. You can put it in your pocket if you want."

I love our kids so much. They make me want to cry or pull out my hair almost every day. Then I get a gift like this to help me realize it's worth it. After noticing Sebastian's little baby belly is slowly disappearing and he's "almost 4, then I will be 5, then 6, Momma. Just like Massew's goin be 6," I realize time goes so quickly. So what if I'm bald and crazy? I'll always have a kiss in my pocket!

Mother's Day and More

The boys and I followed Rob to a Pepsi hockey tournament to celebrate Mother's day. The boys enjoyed watching Daddy play even after they got over their initial disappointment that Daddy was not going to be playing for the New York Islanders: "Daddy, will you be on TV??" The highlight of the game (let's be honest: period) we watched, was climbing endlessly on the bleachers in the arena. A giant jungle gym, they boys had a fantastic time.

Matthew waiting for Daddy to score.

Goal!!

Mother's Day I woke up to all three of my boys (plus me!) in a double hotel bed. I couldn't have been happier. That is, until I got simultaneously brained by Sebastian's head and kicked in the nether region by Matthew. What better way to celebrate Mother's Day than to spend it at an indoor amusement park? We realized that Matthew's fear of heights might actually be real when Rob insisted he go on the roller coaster "because you'll like it." He did NOT like it. Poor little guy. It'll be a long time before we get him on anything that takes him more than 2 feet off the ground. Sebastian, on the other hand, asked to go on the same roller coaster no less than 4 times. "I yuv it, Mama."

Sebastian and Mommy pirate

Engineer Sebastian and Matt (call sign Rubber Duck) the Big Rig driver

When we got home from the park, Rob had to make a mad dash to a store to fulfill one of Matthew's Mother's Day wishes: a big hat with pink flowers. The hat and its adornments are beautiful. Rob later told me that Sebastian had wanted to buy me a pink princess scooter. Apparently all the girliest of girls have them. Clearly, I am the girliest girl there is!

My favourite Mother's Day gifts include: a hand-made "mobile" that hangs in my kitchen and possibly (probably) poses a significant fire hazard. Hand painted by the one and only Seb. Matthew made me a flower vase, where the stems of the flowers had coupons redeemable for: 1) hugs 2) clean up of all toys in bedroom 3) reading a story to Mom. I can't wait to redeem them all!

Thanks for a great time, boys!

Go Big or Go Home

I wish I could do everything the same way our kids do: big. Everything they want to do is done with absolute enthusiasm. If they're going to throw a rock, they're going to throw a big one. If they're going to throw a temper tantrum, they're going to throw a big one. If they're going to be happy, they're going to be elated. We're constantly telling them to settle down or quiet down, or stop being silly. Soon they'll start to listen and I think I'll really miss our silly/loud/enthusiastic little boys. I guess I just need to join in and worry less about settling down and more about living large.

Our loveable huggable kids

Gems:

We recently had a 3 month old baby over at the house. When he was crying, Sebastian told us that he was faking.

When I asked Matthew if he liked going to Beavers, he says (with attitude): "Of course I do. What's not to like?"

Our conversation about faith: "What's faith, Mommy?"

"Believing in something you can't see."

"Like I have faith that Santa is going to come even though I can't see him."

Don't worry, I had a short conversation about the real meaning of Christmas after that.

After picking Sebastian up from daycare this week:

"I didn't get a time out today, Momma." Proud.

"That's great, Sebastian. Do you usually get a time out?"

"No." Pause."I usually have 8 time outs." Maybe it's time to investigate why his teachers look so relieved when I pick him up.

Matthew is so serious and thoughtful. He told me he wants to be a scientist so he can be smart like me. I'm pretty sure he's already smarter than me.

As soon as we reach the end of our rope with Sebastian, he looks at us and says: "I yuv you. You the best Momma (Daddy) in the whole universe. I a good boy now? How 'bout some nuggles?"

Our favourite things right now: Uno, basketball, soccer, catch.

Thanks for making our lives so much fun, boys!

Winter Festival

We took to the island in early February for a winter festival centred on kids. So cold, but an amazing time. There were ice slides.

There were crazy carpets.

There was a superhero training camp. How cool is that??

Breakfast with celebrities.

Fireworks.

Of course, there was also Pepsi.

What a great weekend!

Just hanging out

Stuck inside because it's too cold to go out and no snow to play in. We play with toys. The piles and piles of toys.

Set up a tent inside and put our sleeping bags in it to spend the afternoon together.

Take in the children's museum for a bit of the bubble room

and giant pool balls.

Soon it will be spring. We've had the bikes out, but it's just not as much fun when your ears are still cold. Only a little while longer. Just a little while longer.

Skating

We've entered the age of independent skating. Almost no more back-breaking bending to hold up wobbly kids. I think I can officially apply for passports for the kids because I can now answer the "Can you skate?" question asked when applying to be a card-carrying Canadian.

We're working through the kinks still, but for the most part they love it. So proud to tell anyone that they skated "Just like Daddy!"

Honestly though, is there anything more Canadian than an arena on a Saturday morning?