oh my...

Matix is known for being mischievous, especially when no one is looking. During naps, I could hear him giggling to himself, but he was still in his bed, so I didn't check on him. When he woke up, he was totally confused and crying. There was something on his head, and he couldn't figure out what it was or how to get it off... It was his underwear.

Sometime before actually napping, he took them off and put them on his head and eventually fell asleep.  After a few more minutes, his grogginess went away and he thought it was pretty funny. Oh how I love my silly boy. :)

growing up

Solace has graduated to the front of the shopping cart, instead of in his car seat, or strapped to me in the baby bjorn. He is still pretty wobbly, but loves it. He was very confused about what he was doing there, but then started loving it. This is his thinking face. He bites his bottom lip. So cute.

Happy smiling boy. I could eat him up. Everywhere we go, people tell me that he looks like a baby doll, not even real. Cute cute cute.

mousie

Hawken drew a mouse for me. He is so good at drawing little things, especially animals. I love to see his art. Here is the mouse.

Later on I found the story "Bad Mousie" that I read as a child and showed the kids. I don't have the book, but I found a reading of it on youtube. The kids loved it, but Hawk assured me that the mice he draws are all NICE, not BAD.

happy

I have good kids. Of course, they have lots of naughty days, and they talk back and they misbehave, and are children. But, really, they are so good. They have such sweet spirits. Their eyes dance when they are happy. They giggle and run and make my life so full. When dinner was only sandwiches, because I didn't have time to run to the store to get food to make an actual meal, the kids still thanked me.

They ate up their pathetic little dinner and I took them to our neighborhood playground. They played until the sun started setting. They told me it was the best day.  I love them. They are so good at making simple things into an adventure.

Air Terminal Museum

Hawken's preschool class went on a field trip to the Air Terminal Museum. We went on a little tour inside.  It was pretty boring at first, but then we got to do some looking around on our own and the kids had more fun.  Our sweet tour guide was very soft spoken and not too fun for little ones.  The kids loved looking at all the things they had on display.

Even the bathroom was fancy. :)

Then we got to go to the hanger to go in and see REAL airplanes.  It was seriously cold that day, so all the kids stayed in the car for that part, except Hawken. He and I ran in and saw the real ones.  He was so excited to try out being the pilot.

Hawken with his favorite plane, and his second favorite plane. When he grows up, he's going to be a pilot (and Bumblebee, and a doctor, and Iron Man, and a dad).

vaccines and the children's museum

Solace had his 6 month old check up on Wednesday and everything is looking good. He is in the 50% for weight and the 75% for height. Typical for him. And he took his 4 vaccines like a champ. He cried the worst he has, ever, but stopped after I scooped him up away from the nurse. He stared her down until she left the room. Lullaby got weepy, but Matix and Hawken stayed strong for Sully and kept reassuring him that he would be better now.  After that, we headed to the Children's Museum. We were going to meet up with a friend, but she had something come up.  So the 5 of us partied it up. That place is too much fun.

Face painting station. Lullaby wanted a heart and a butterfly.  Matix wanted a skull and cross bones on each cheek. Hawk wanted a brown smiley face on one side only. All very specific. Thank heavens they liked my work.

Sully played with his feet for a while... Best baby ever. What will I do when they are all 4 running around?

Then he slept for an even longer while...  Sweet thing.

The big kids ran and played and screamed and had, seriously, the best time. The Children's museum is my favorite place to take them.  They can be wild and free and explore and discover... It's fascinating to watch.

We went outside and found a new area we hadn't been to before with water. It was a pretty warm day, so splashing in the water and getting soaking wet, actually felt good. Thank you Houston weather.

After his long nap, Sully felt a little better and sat happily with me, watching the big kids.  This could be my favorite picture of the two of us.

We played and played for hours. From when it opened until way past nap time. When we got home, Lulli and Solace went to sleep, but I let Matix and Hawk SKIP naps. They were in HeaVeN!! So was I when bedtime came early at 6pm and everyone slept in the next morning. Yes please.

preschool

I taught impromptu preschool today. One of the other families in the co-op had pink eye going around, so she canceled having it at her house. I love having preschool here, although, I wish I had been more prepared. Painting with toothbrushes, just for fun.

The kids had a blast and I got a clean house out of it, because I always clean really well before they come.  Now, of course, I have toys to wipe down and re-sort, but I love watching my kids interacting with their friends. So worth it.

birthday party.

Hawken went to his friend Jeff's birthday party and had the time of his life. It was superhero themed and so adorable. Highlights were the superhero capes (each with the child's initial on back - go Aubrey!), spraying Doc Oc with silly string to help Spiderman, and eating as much cake and ice cream as they wanted. It was a great party, and Hawk loves Jeff and was so happy to celebrate with him.