A more accurate family picture

Last week I shared some of the pictures from our family photo shoot. Today I thought I would share some pictures that didn't make the cut for being "perfect", but are definitely a more accurate portrayal of our life with three little boys. Enjoy!

 Scoldings from mom, head bumps with dad, and yes, that is a slow motion punch to the face.

 We can play the I'm not gonna smile game too. 

Oh Sam.

Silly, wiggly, perfectly imperfect boys!

Mama's boy

Oh Charlie, I don't know if I have just forgotten how your big brothers were this age or if you really are that much more a mama's boy. The way you look at me melts my heart. At nights while I am in the kitchen cleaning up from dinner your daddy will walk in circles around the house trying to keep you quiet. Every time you pass me your eyes are stuck on me. You strain your neck as he walks away to keep your gaze on me as long as you can.

Sometimes we'll be sitting on the couch. You on daddy's lap at one end and me at the other. Most likely with your brothers next to me fighting over the iPad. I'll glance up from reprimanding them and see you. Your big blue eyes, and an even bigger grin, just staring at me.

I will come home from my little time away at yoga and find you screaming in daddy's (or Grandma's) arms. All it takes to calm you down is to hold you.

I'd be lying if I said it didn't make things a bit stressful at times. You wanting mommy to hold you all day (and night!) long can get tiring. But I am trying to just embrace it. It sure does help that you are so stinkin' adorable!

My love for mantles

We have been in our house for one year now, and I literally just got the last couple of boxes that have been sitting in our dining room this whole time put away last week. And by put away I mean put in the attic still full of stuff. Most of which was decorative stuff. Picture frames, a couple mirrors and so forth. A whole year and besides a frame collage I managed to put up in our bedroom, and a few pretty plates in our kitchen I've put nothing on our walls. One reason is that I want to be sure it's something I am going to love before putting nails in the wall. Second is not wanting to spend a fortune on things, and having to wait until I find something I like at a thrift store or have the time to DIY. Which is why I am so glad I have a mantle.

It is really important to me to have a cozy feeling home. Especially in the living room, since we spend so much of our time in there. Mantles are non-committal. If I put something up there and end up not liking it, I just take it off. Having it full and pretty really brings the room together for me without having anything else on the other walls.

I have especially loved decorating my mantle for holidays/seasons. Here is what it looks like now, all dressed up for Fall.

And in case you have mistaken me for someone who always has her house neat and tidy, think again....

A family picture

I knew I was a bit crazy for attempting to do these. The boys are none to thrilled these days about standing still AND smiling for a picture, and taking pictures is definitely NOT how Dean would prefer to spend his day off. But besides the one picture we have from Charlie's birth, we had yet to get a nice family picture. So, a few weeks ago on a nice weathered Sunday we brought along one of my sisters to a nearby park to TRY and get some decent pictures of us. We had quite the time. Maybe someday I will share the video Dean got of my awesome (and by awesome I mean mean) mommy moment I had with Will. There was no "perfect" picture with everyone smiling, but I do love these shots regardless.

Happy 5th Birthday, Will!!!

He's been waiting for this day for a long time now. About 365 to be exact. He expects lots of great things to happen now that he is 5. Including getting a pet. Or more specifically, a dog. One that never gets big, he appeals to me. And he will use a broom and dustpan to clean up the poop, he says. And he'll take it for walks, and play with it and do all those things kids promise to do if they get a dog. But then who is stuck doing all those things? Exactly. Which is one of the many reasons he is not receiving a dog for his 5th Birthday.

This kid can make my heart melt and severely test my patience all in the same day. He is super shy, but can be quite goofy around those he's comfortable with. He is doing super great with his homeschooling, and I am very proud of him. As soon as he walks in the door he will at least take off his pants, if not go down to just his underwear. Every. Time. 

Here is a little bit more about Will at 5 years old....

My best friends name is: Kendrick
My favorite thing to play: Phlat Ball (just got this today for his birthday)
My favorite color: Red and blue

My favorite animal: Horses. And doggies too.
My favorite book: Winnie the Pooh clock book

My favorite song: Stay Awake (It's from Mary Poppins. He has never seen it, but it's been his bedtime song for a long time now. I also have to add that he really likes Mandisa's song, "Overcomer")
My Favorite food: Pancakes, pizza, oatmeal, yogurt, apples and banana's

My yuckiest food: Green Beans

When I grow up I want to be: Batman (He answered this one very quickly)
Something I really like: Playing with my remote control car (that he also just got today)
Something I really don't like: I don't know

My favorite thing about myself: That I'm good at playing soccer (It took a lot to get an answer for this one, and I basically gave him this answer, soooo...)

What makes you happy: Sleeping over at Mee mee and Kate's house (He also answered this one very fast)
Something I want to do this year when I'm 5: Practice riding my bike

I love you SO much Will I can't stand it sometimes. I hope this year is even greater than you are hoping it to be. Muah!

Will at 1 years old, 2 years old, 3 years old and 4 years old.

Charlie George :: 4 months

Charlie at 1 month, 2 months and 3 months
Sam at 4 months