Lane

Who said it was the terrible 2's. I think there are many moms who would agree with terrible 3's! Not that he's terrible. That's not the right word. Its more challenging 3's. He sure is showing more and more assertiveness in his personality. Telling me how he really feels about things. Rolling his eyes, slamming doors. All those delightful things. We're working on teaching him patience...any ideas?

So now for some fun things to say about my little Lane face. He's starting to understand more big boy things. For instance that when its your birthday you get presents. Of course he doesn't understand weeks and months so he doesn't really know when his birthday is (October) but he talks about it all the time. Earlier this week when we were out shopping, we went by the bicycle aisle. He had to sit on every bike that he could and he announced to me that he would be getting a bike for his birthday. Cause he's a big boy who's going to be four and he needs a bike now. When we were out in the "circle" today riding trikes he says to me. "See mom, I need a bike cause I'm too big. I'm pretending that this is a bike. Its a green one like we saw at the store. I need those little wheels that will help me stay up until I get lots of practice. And I'm pretending to wear my special hat that will protect my head when I fall. Etc. Tonight when we were saying prayers he wanted to say his own. I don't remember all the details but how could I not remember him saying, "Bless that it could be my birthday." If only we could ask for things like that...

I love that he is at the age where he is pretending all the time. Its so fun to see his imagination at work. But 3 is such a hard age. He wants to be so big and grown up but he still screams and yells when one of his toys gets touched or Kyle doesn't do exactly what he wants him to do. Or whatever. On a positive note - he's getting to be such a good helper. He's very curious and wants to know what I am doing in the kitchen. He's happy to sit on the counter and watch and help even when he's not supposed to - that patience thing again.

He has such a hard time when his dad is gone. Poor little guy. So he loves to sing the primary songs. I'm so glad when daddy comes home. And, My daddy is my favorite pal...

Kyle

I'm really trying to work on getting the motivation to catch up on all the blogging I have neglected. There's no excuse, really. Yes, Pat is in Spain and I am a single mom again so my days are pretty crazy but I have the night - when I sit and stare. Another time...

I just had to post for memory a little funny about Kyle. This is coming from a boy who just 12 days ago turned 2 1/2! We're sitting at the table for lunch and I SO wish I could remember the conversation but I can't. All I remember is little Kyle saying, "that's fascinating!" Too funny. He said it at least 4 other times throughout the day.

Such a stinker about eating. But what 2 year old (or 3 year old) isn't? The only way he is motivated to eat is if he can talk about his food missing their mom and dad (or friends) and needing to find them in his tummy. He was yelling, "mommy! mommy!' over and over. I say - "what is it Kyle?" for the last time and he says - "not you mommy, the noodles' mommy. He must find her in my mouth so that he won't be sad. But he's afraid of the dark. My mouth is dark so he must take his flashlight. He's so glad to have his flashlight so he can find his mommy."

Oh Kyle! The stories he comes up with. Such a funny kid. I am amazed every day at what comes out of his mouth! He is such a sweet and loving little boy. He's often asking if he can hug the baby in my tummy. He'll then put his arms around me and squeeze tight. But then in a second, he clobbering Lane or Nora. How can such a sweet little boy be so aggressive, too? I really don't know how to get him to stop hitting. Love and Logic, Time outs and taking away things don't matter him. Its sad to me. Not that its bad to be aggressive. Its just the hitting all the time. Its totally impulse. You can tell he doesn't think about it before. Oh well. We'll work on it somehow.

Cute Kyle...

Buying a House

Its a crazy thing, buying a house. I've never been through it before.  Even more crazy? Doing it all while Pat is in Germany.  Its been going like this:

Realtor emails or faxes Pat the papers he needs to sign and then Pat scans and sends them to me. I print, sign, scan and send back to realtor or lender or inspection people or...

At least I've learned how to scan to PDF's and email. For that I am so grateful. What a chore it would be to drag all my kids around to just go sign my name a few times...multiple times a day!

But its getting done. We should close July 17th. We'll stay here in this cozy Townhouse for at least another month while we do some fix-ups around the new (to us) house. Although I wish it were now. This townhouse is no treat. Sure its has more square footage than our Phoenix house. But its all divided up in small spaces. Absolutely no room at all for any running around - or skipping - or even "big steps!" There's also no front or backyard at all. Luckily, we live near the end of a "circle" as the boys call it. So we can walk a few houses down and the kids can ride their tricycles around and around...in the street! Awesome! I can hear it now, "But you said we could play in the street!" Also it echoes quite a bit. Its so loud. Sad for the older couple that we share a wall with. They do not like us one bit. In fact a couple of days ago, we all went out through the garage to go to "the circle" and spent a little time in the garage gathering things to play with. Well, this older couple were in their garage doing whatever and when they heard/saw us in the garage - they shut their door immediately. I would like to think that I'm just being paranoid. But when the man is walking his dogs - that miraculously we never hear - probably cause our kids are too loud - he never returns a smile or hello. Good thing this is only temporary or I feel their would be a fight to have us evicted! For real!  Pat hasn't had to work from here yet. When he gets back from his traveling...good luck to him on getting anything done since he spends a majority of his time on conference calls. Cheers.

Thats the townhouse. More to come on the real house...

Only 3 1/2!

This post is purely for my memory's sake...but you can read if you like.

How old is this sass of mine? He's three and a half. At this tender young age, my Lane Donovan is turning into quite a character.

Mom to Lane, "Lane love, could you please____ (fill in the blank.)"
Lane to Mom, "But Kyle does such a good job!"

Mom to Lane, "I'm sorry you chose to hit Kyle with that puzzle. You'll need to bring it to me and come sit with me for a little while."
Lane to Mom, "You just need to leave me alone. I'm very busy right now."

One more. Mom to Lane, "I need you to come and eat your dinner now."

Lane to Mom, "Calm down!"

Nice...

What?! Already?!

And what's worse? My sweet little Kyle Garrett is often referred to around here as Kyle Parrot. It won't be long before I start hearing these *sweet* things come out of his mouth, too.
SIGH!

I NEED the camera more than you do

These are the words I said to my husband as we were getting ready to part ways at our Phoenix home. "I'll have the kids with their cousins for 10 days and I'm sure there will be lots of photo opportunities. You can use the video camera for any final farewells to the house, right?"

I took the camera. Are you ready for ALL of those precious, photographic moments?
...So am I...

I didn't take ANY pictures! Not ONE! Dumb, I know. What a dork. You might ask, "Were there not any worthwhile moments spent between 8 kids under the age of 8 to be captured for time and prosperity?" "No shenanigans to always remember and use for blackmail later in life when these toddlers are teenagers?" Oh, of course there were. For some reason my brain turned off to the fact that I do indeed own a camera that while somewhat of a fossil, is still capable of capturing these life moments. Luckily for me, my sister was able to remember AND use her camera. I'll have to hope that she will be willing to share some of these pictures with me - and then I to you. So sad!

Then you might ask, "Have you taken any pictures since you arrived in Vancouver?" "Is it not one of the most beautiful places to live with gorgeous views of rivers and mountains and trees? With an amazing view of Mount Hood and the Columbia River every time you drive home?" "Do you not want to remember the tiny townhouse that seconds as an echo chamber you endured to live in while you waited to move yet again?" I better go and find, dust off and charge my little camera!

We do have a family reunion to go to in Spokane in a couple of weeks - I better leave the photo taking to Pat. He's better at it anyway.

For now, here a few last memories of our life in Phoenix:

A quite unflattering for everyone but best that we could get in the glaring sun with anxious kids who are ready to get in the car and go picture. Lane had already been in his car seat for about 30 min prior to this picture. We had to coax him out...notice the grip I have on him!

The boys bedroom that Pat was so sad to prime and paint. We'll miss you our jungle friends!


Nora enjoying and expressing her joy of new found freedom to unlocked kitchen cabinets...even if they are empty.



The boys on their last Friday of helping Dad with the recycling. He's even thoughtful enough to give them a little step so they can reach! Many a fun Friday morning remembered for them.

Rah Rah Rah for Rocket...

From the mouths of Lane and Kyle, "Mom, let's go super fast like rocket! Go faster, go faster!" - In case you have the pleasure of not knowing what I'm talking about - rocket is from the (in my opinion) obnoxious Disney show Little Einsteins.

Seriously kids, I already go fast enough. My life (at least the last 5 years) has been a whirlwind. Let's recap:

Dated (officially, whatever that means) my husband - 3 months
Engaged - 2 1/2 weeks
4 1/2 years into wedded bliss - almost 4 babies and two major moves
Sold our house - in 3 weeks.
Moved to WA and bought a house in less than one week!

Good Grief! I have a feeling that things won't be slowing down any time soon. Now if only I could keep up with blogging...as well as 3 toddlers!

Here's to my attempt at catching up!

Soon...

Yes, I am aware that I haven't posted in a long time. I'm working on it. We are here in Vancouver...trying to find room for all of our stuff in this tiny rental. But - we have put in an offer on a house - more on that to come. I only have half of a day left with Pat until he leaves for Germany ( tomorrow morning) for 2 weeks! Yikes!

Better go and find the bottom of more boxes while I can. There's so much to report and I'll do it as soon as I can!

Cheers!