Thursday, December 17, 2015

Listing

It's that time of year. No, not Christmas (well, yes, kind of Christmas), but I'm talking about the time of year when my life forces express themselves by list making. Let's see, I have a lists for:

What foods need to be used up and how.
What groceries we can't survive without this week.
What needs to be thrown away or given away before we leave.
Who needs what stocking stuffers.
What birthday presents must be packed (and where).
Who needs to be seen one last time before we go.
What Christmas presents must be sent.
Who needs what cold weather gear for an impromptu trip to Yosemite.

And yet, in spite of this, I feel like I'm forgetting important things that matter. And I also don't have enough energy to keep up with the lists, which means the Man is running himself ragged trying to take care of everything while I diligently "rest" on the couch by frantically making more lists.

With all that said, I feel that I owe all of you a few other lists, such as:

All the books I've been reading while I haven't been blogging the last few months.
Weird things my kids do during times of transition.
The best ways to avoid your children pummeling a stomach incision.
Twenty gazillion things I'm going to miss about Monterey.
And it's cousin list: Why a year and a half is just not long enough.

Instead, I'm just going to give you two ways you know your kids are growing up too fast.

First, your oldest son leads the family in Advent:

Shut the front door.

Second, your only daughter pretend-dries your hair and doesn't bash you over the head with the hair dryer--not even once:

Small blessings...

You don't need three ways to know your kids are growing up too fast because then we'll all be crying hysterically, and I just don't have enough tissue boxes for that right now.

Instead, I will close with this bonus picture that includes Tiny--just because he's cute. And if anyone is wondering what Bruiser was up to, I'm pretty sure he was busy trying to plug a curling iron into the Man's nose. But that might've been a different day. I can't remember because I forgot to write it down on any of my lists.

Picture taking is serious business, Littles.

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Update {Only the Fun Stuff}

And by the fun stuff, what I really mean is pictures of the kids. Some of these are old, some of these are new.

This kid has her own unique sense of style
and no problem keeping up with the boys.

Aunt Jo came for a visit--fun for all of us!

We enjoyed cramming everyone in the car together.

Bookstores are the most fun. Right, Tiny?

Mayflower fun on Thanksgiving with the kids' favorite baby.

Neni and Aki stopped in for a bit too.
But before Aunt Jo.
So this picture is REALLY out of place.
Will I move it? NO.

Thanksgiving family photo

This kid cracks me up
and then he brings me flowers.


Bee has the Man wrapped around her little finger.
This is as it should be.

The twins skipped naps on my birthday to help me with my annual watching of Little Women.
It started out well.

And deteriorated quickly.


The boys even deigned to snuggle with me
and watch Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy.

Bruiser demonstrating the correct way to kiss a bear.

Neni came back again to help out while I had surgery.
We celebrated my recovery (and subsequent resurrection from the couch)
with frozen yogurt.


Early morning snuggles are the best.
The boys are making their lists of what to take in their backpacks for the move.
Tiny dictated his to Littles.
Littles asked for help spelling.

Introducing the fire team to White Christmas.
Best Saturday morning EVER.

I just like snuggling with this crazy kid.
Then he tries to bite my nose off.
Also, when he kisses me, he kind of looks like a dementor.



Bee left her lovey at church on Sunday.
When they were reunited, she remained like this for the next five minutes.
Reunited, and it feels so good.


Sometimes the waves are heavy;
this doesn't take away from the beauty of the ocean.

I know this is not my usual blog, but I am trying (again) to get back on the horse after several challenging months. Bear with me?