Motherhood Joys

Mothers' day started out with all of the excitement motherhood has to offer. Luke came in complaining of a headache that was so bad he vomited and then promptly fell asleep on our floor. Derek came in a few hours later panicked and crying because he couldn't find Luke and ended up in our bed, and Wesley started crying a minute later because he knew he had been left all alone in the room. As I was trying to put him back to bed the sun came up and I knew it was hopeless, and when I went back into our room and found Derek asleep and wound around Ken, I knew a nice mothers' day sleep-in was also out. 

There was a (non-diaper) poopy pants, several full tantrums, and a very clingy baby. 

But then, at the end of it all, the boys each had their moments. Wes had a few special snuggles just for me, Derek said a prayer hoping I had a wonderful mothers' day, and Luke wrote me a sweet note thanking me for taking care of him. 

And they all picked me a "bouquet of many flowers," as Derek calls it. 

Happy mothers' day! I hope your day was full of wonderful silver linings. 

#homeschoollife

A brief interruption from the school mascot...

13 Month Wessers

Wessers is slowly morphing from baby to something-not-quite-baby and it breaks my heart! He is a little climber, up on top of tables and chairs and couches and the stairs, if he can get to them, and dives off headfirst when he wants to get down. The dishwasher, pantry, toilet, and top bunk are his favorite things to play in if left accessible and if he hears a door open to the outside he immediately starts squawking and heading that way to make sure he's included.



Wesley still loves food, but is now a lot more aware of who is eating what and gets very upset if he sees something on someone else's plate that isn't being offered on his. He is also still asking to nurse quite a bit (and since everyone is just hanging out at home, there's plenty of easy-access) so he is chunking up nicely.

His crib has also been moved into the boys' room, so he's one of the guys now! Bedtime is a bit like Lord of the Flies, but everyone is getting used to it and Wesley isn't as upset when he gets put to bed. I'm sure they are learning all sorts of important life skills through the process (like how to sleep through bloodcurdling screams). 

I wonder how many more boys we can pack in that room...

Baby D Turns Four!

We have had four years with the soft, squishy bowling ball that keeps everyone kind and happy in our little family. Derek is loving and lovable and and generous and empathetic and very concerned about everyone's feelings and well-being, unless he is trying to get a rise out of his brother (which he has perfected to a science). His laugh is hilarious and contagious and gets him out of all sorts of trouble, along with his ability to apologize so sincerely and make such a big, pouty lip. 

Derek is very often something else--a cheetah, a rancor, a giant rancor, a baby rancor, a puppy, a T-Rex--and he also has a pet puppy, Rover, that likes to knock him to the ground. He is also wildly creative and loves to tinker with things, so if I ever find things taken apart or put together oddly (like a long string of stacked lego heads) I know a baby rancor has been by. 

Derek loves eating, has a sweet tooth to rival his father's, and can put away a whole donut in about four large mouthfuls. He loves legos, animals, trains, games, shows, reading, scootering, and tools. He loves to be snuggled and to fill his bed full of animals and blankets and will often fall asleep clutching a car. He falls asleep fast and hates to be woken up for any reason, especially at night with a full bladder (or the consequences of a recently empty one). 

To many more years full of many more rancors, donuts, and legos.

Belated Easter Loves

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16

Derek's No-Good Very Bad Day

Poor kid. His mom heartlessly took out her phone to snap a picture of his misery and then wouldn't even comfort him until he was home and clean. 

Homeschool H-E-double-hockey-sticks

Me at the end of the first day of social isolation online homeschooling:

(To Kenny) "Today was really fun and it's so nice to have the boys home! You know, I might just decide at the end of this that I like homeschooling enough to keep doing it!" 

Me at the end of the third day: