Mommy is ALWAYS Right

This week, we met up with good friend and baby-sponsor (see this post), Susannah and her sweet kids, Max & Clara at a fun little park about 20 minutes from us. The kids ran on the playground, we rode the train and we rode the carousel. Then it was off to McDonald's for lunch. I know, I know, Best Mom Ever!

I told James in the car, that if he stopped kicking the window, there would probably be a train at the park and look:

I was RIGHT!

I told James that if he stopped running with a stick,

we could probably ride the carousel and look:

I was RIGHT!

Here's Max. He's brilliant in that 5 years old and doing long division sort of way....

I asked him what the name of his horse was and he said, "Google."

I asked James the name of his horse and he said, "Icky Wocky Horse."

So.....

Molly, who spits up ALL DAY LONG (requiring multiple wardrobe changes) did the entire carousel ride BACKWARDS and strapped to my body and did not so much as blow a bubble. What. Ever.

As the ride was ending, I told James that if he kept touching the pole with his lips (ugh),

he would get sick and look:

Turns out - Mommy is ALWAYS right.

4 years, 3 states, 2 babies.

On this day, four years ago, Brian and I were married in Cortona, Italy.

Leading up to that day, we survived a health scare, lost luggage, and a wild-goose-paper-chase through the streets of Florence.

Brian was, apparently, just surviving ME:

This pic was taken on our first night in Tuscany.

Five days before the wedding.....

Happy Anniversary babe.

Sunday in the Park

There's a great waterfront park near our house. Lots of grass to run in, lots of bugs to look at and lots of shade to sit in and enjoy a picnic lunch.

Brian and I were reminiscing that five years ago, a "picnic in the park" would involve picking up some sushi, a bottle of wine and two glasses and sitting for a couple of hours. Flash forward five years and two babies later, and this picnic was peanut butter and honey sandwiches, assorted snacks and LOTS of running - not so much sitting.

James: Here Daddy, you have this stick and I'll have this one.....

Two kids strapped in and one baby sleeping - this stroller has now paid for itself.

Pleeeeease?

Oh, this kid!

Yesterday we were running late for school....

Me: Hey buddy, can you turn off the TV?

James (walks over to the TV): What am I waiting for?

Me (very confused): What ARE you waiting for?

James (louder): What am I waaaaaaaiting for?

Me: Uh, please?

James: Good job Mommy! I am very proud of you!

What?! 

This kid!

This kid:

who helps us take out the trash with his underwear on his head is making ME say PLEASE!

Awesome.

Friends and Neighbors

We have been so lucky, twice now, to move into a neighborhood (sight unseen) and have the NICEST neighbors. James and Molly are the only kids here in the mews and our neighbors love them like their own. Thank goodness because we tend to be pretty loud and leave a pretty big footprint wherever we go. We are a lot to love these days.

Neighbor Pilar with Molly. Molly ADORES her and Pilar is teaching her Spanish.

Pilar also brings James little treats every now and then. 

This one was his favorite fruit - watermelon. 

This is Pilar's husband, Peter pulling James around the courtyard in a makeshift cardboard box sled. The "reigns" are bungee cords. I was surprised that James didn't ask to wear his helmet and pads.

Neighbor Karen (reference the magic carpet ride) is also always thinking of James. This was a new castle for him to play in on the day of one of our get-togethers.

This is James (sopping wet) in Neighbor Pat & Cheryl's garage shortly after Cheryl instigated a water balloon fight. It was slightly unfair considering that she had all the balloons.... 

It was all fun and games until Cheryl, not wasting any more time with tiny balloons, started chasing me around the courtyard with a watering can. James did not approve at all and immediately sent us all to "TIME OUT!"

"Luckily" it was all captured on video - thank you Neighbor Karen.

That night, we put James in some dry PJs and put him in bed, but THIS is how James usually likes to end our parties:

'Atta Boy.

Olan Mills

Eat your heart out...

Survival Mode

Brian's been in Germany for a week (returns home tonight) so we have been in survival mode which means, no posting. Sorry. 

Brian had dinner at a vineyard in an ancient German estate, toured some ruins and ate young wild boar with mushroom sauce. I had cereal last night... I'm just saying. I joke. I joke. Here's what we did this week:

Molly concentrated REALLY hard on getting things from her hands into her mouth...

James went to a birthday party for his school friend, Sean. 

I asked him what his favorite part was and he said, "the cake." 

He had two pieces, by the way.

We had a little gathering outside in the courtyard. I instigated it, of course, slyly thinking that it would provide someone to hold the baby and several playmates for James. 

What?! I made salsa..... so that seems like a fair trade.

James, sporting neighbor Pilar's hat.

My friend Dawn and her boys came over for a little playground time and lunch. 

This table, the movie on TV (Cars), and the promise of a treat if they ate a good lunch bought us approximately 20 minutes of quality conversation time. That's about a month in mommy-time.

James rode his motorcycle and demanded to wear ALL of his pads and the helmet. 

Oh yeah, and Molly rolled over - the hard way (back to belly). 

Twice. 

Don't feel bad for Brian because I missed it too.

 Twice.