A day in the Life of...

Life is simple around here, but we try to create some sort of routine mixed with some fun for the munchkins. All I know is I can't wait for spring! These boys love being outside and it will definitely be a good change of pace when this happens.

We usually start the day off with two shows, then Breakfast at 8:00. (I tell them they can't have breakfast till the show is over so it gives me time to prepare/feed Isaac.) John, my big breakfast eater, usually yells, "show over, time for breakfast!"

The morning hours usually consist of some good play time/ some sort or art project/ play dough/ or some "homework." John caught onto this word quickly since we live with aunt Helen right now. So if we do any type of tracing work, working on our words, coloring, etc....it's called "homework." John's favorite thing to do lately is draw balloons! He is so proud of himself so this is definitely his favorite homework.

After lunch and naptimes, we lounge on the couches and take our time waking up, accompanied by a show. Afternoon hours are the hardest but usually consist of some more active play like animals reenactments, dancing to music, wrestling....and more frequent fights.
Lately, the boys love to play with trains, puzzles of any kind, their farm house and animals, and starting some little kid board games like memory game.

Being stuck indoors in the winter months, we try to get them out on little outings like Library "story time" on Wednesday, or "open gym" at the community center on Mondays. We have managed to squeeze in some zoo visits when the sun comes out because this is John and Dominic's favorite thing. Also, play dates with some little friends.

John has started his Montessori program again, once a week on Fridays, and absolutely loves it. I enjoy this time with him too!

Here are a couple videos of playtime and eating:

-After any animal movie, or during, there has to be some major reenactment going on.
Post Tarzan Movie...

-The boys have always loved playing with play dough, but know that they discovered they can cut it with a knife, well it just got ten time better for them....me, not so much. always ends up in a sword fight.
Play Dough and Jingle Bells

-Oh Dominic, can I eat you up? I am so entertained watching them eat.
Grace with Lunch

-Lately, "Lion King" has been the imaginary game to play around here. It kept them busy for a good 45 minutes the other day while I made dinner. So yes, I usually tell them 3 times a day, "Why don't you go play Lion King!
Lion King?

Brothers, brothers, were there ever such devoted brothers?  (They are also sweet to each other when not sleeping. ;) I need to capture these moments more often.)

All they want to do is wrestle ALL DAY LONG. Or at least John does. Dominic sometimes. I guess we encourage it with little wrestling singlets...with Dad wearing his too.

Video:
Little Wrestlers

 

 



Big Birthday Month

How can it be?! Amidst the craziness life bring with three little boys, I often find myself wanting so badly to slow down time. I feel like most days I'm just surviving, keeping my head above water, when I realize after the day is done, they are indeed growing up before my eyes. I can barely see that when day by day life often seems like a blur. How precious time is and how precious these years are to me. I've asked God to really give me the grace to live in the moment despite my tiredness. To truly cherish their every word and cuteness.

What a joy each of my children are to me! They turned 3, 2 and 1 years old this past month. My goodness. I often want them to hurry up and be self sufficient already...or at least one of them...so I don't have to use my other five other hands....this being a most unusual physically demanding time as a Mother. But oh, after these birthdays my only wish was for them to never grow up! Especially Dominic.

John Phillip: Loves to sing lately. This past month it finally clicked for him and all the sudden he can sing on pitch and memorize songs and it's absolutely adorable. Before now, I thought he was tone deaf. His favorite songs include jingle bells and twinkle twinkle little star. He also still loves to draw and he just started drawing balloons really well, even the little plug underneath leading to the string. He's so proud of himself. He loves animals of all kinds and has started a little collection with Dominic of animals they've gotten. He's gotten a lot better with his speech, which has made it really fun listening to all his ideas, conversations, and imagination take shape. John tends to be a bit more sensitive and moody, but is very sweet natured, more mellow, and will always be my little cuddler.

Dominic Joseph: For some reason, he happens to be the cutest little boy in the world and I feel I will die when he gets another year older. Please, please, please don't do this to me Dominic! He is such a little character and has turned into such a fun loving boy who is always happy and enthusiastic about life and everything. But when he's mad, he's mad! He's a little fighter. He's always up for an adventure and isn't scared about anything. He runs into the wall, gets a good bloody cut on his eyelid, but keeps running around 2 minutes later after cleaning it up. Dominic is OBSESSED with stickers and thoroughly entertained. I'm getting him a sticker book because of it. He also loves anything Buzz Lightyear and has been this way for a year now....it's a bit ridiculous. He's my little Buzz. He also loves animals just like John. His current favorite: the zebra. They could play with them all day.

Isaac Francis: Oh my sweet "baby eyes." I thought he was going to be more laid back, but he has been feistier than the other two already. He learned how to yell pretty quickly to get some attention. And he fake cries which entail scrunching up his whole face and letting out little whines. I've always said he's the smart one jokingly, but he proves to be one smart cookie. He has been the earliest talker so far saying Mama, Dada, and baba before he turned one. He is always doing things that has me in amazement...very clever. In addition to walking, he climbs almost anything now. He also has the highest metabolism known to mankind. He eats, and eats, then comes back for thirds, then eats some more off the floor. And after this, he whines and begs at our feet for food. He hasn't shown any interest in any toys, just curious about everything and in everyone's business. But boy does he love music, singing, and dancing! Any song he hears, he'll find the beat and dance. He loves to be rowled up and chased and tickled....very ticklish...which is one of my favorite things to do with him. Lately he's been falling back to sleep with me in the early morning and I love this snuggle time with him. He's so yummy with such a cute disposition and the cutest feet.


Videos:

Three Kings Birthday Part 1

Cupcake Eating

Potty Training 101



Oh yes, potty training at its finest. Praise the good Lord Dominic took interest in this endeavor after Christmas break. I've been waiting on John to want to, but he refused. So after Dominic trying it out for a couple days, John soon followed lead (as it often goes here). I guess most things will be done together like this. Dominic got it down in literally 2 days. I was amazed. He even stayed dry in the night right off the bat, and has hardly had any accidents since. John on the other hand picked and chose when he wanted to go on the potty and when he didn't want to. So we just left a diaper on him and knew it would come eventually. Couldn't handle clean ups. So once I discovered he could be bribed with the zoo visit, this started a more consistent pattern for him, and he got better and better. Yay! This has definitely been the best birthday present/best start to the year so far.

 

We sing lots of "proud of you" and "king pooper" songs. We also have a star chart so they don't demand treats every time, but have to work up to them. Or they get two m&m's if they're really needing recognition in the moment.

 

Although this has been so nice not having to change their diapers, I feel like I'm in that bathroom ALL DAY LONG. And it usually isn't pretty. I didn't know it was possible to make some of the messes they have made. Example: Dominic deciding to dump his mess in the toilet himself, but missing and it landing/splashing all over the floor, all over himself, and in his mouth? Yes. They also like to treat it like a fraternity in there sometimes and have bathroom parties, going at the same time on different toilets (had to get two), but making it last a lot longer than necessary. Boys, boys, boys, what is it with the bathroom? And of course Isaac is always in there at the same time getting into things like a favorite bathroom drawer or shower.

 

 

All in all, I'm one happy Mama right now with their success. :)

 

 

Started out a little too early late in the summer with lots of book reading.
It was a good try by aunt Helen, but not quite ready yet.

My favorite

Dominic cheering on John with an already well deserved treat....

Baby "Eyes" Walking

    Isaac is a pro now and is practically running and of course climbing anything and everything. He started taking steps in November/December, but didn't "decide" to walk till right after Christmas. He LOVES music, more than John and Dominic ever did. He's always trying to play the guitars around the house and tip toe to play the piano keys. This being said, as soon as he could walk, he was dancing. He spins himself in a circle and bends his knees up and down to the beat. It's the cutest thing in the world.

Starting to walk:
Isaac's first week walking

It's nice to have big brothers show you how to do things...
Walking "like John"

Because Isaac doesn't get enough camera time...a random one from December:
Baby Santa