The Olympic Spirit...

Guys, these little men of mine tried something new this week and it rocked me to my core.

Look at 'em - my little brethren in gymnastics.

Yes, they're at least two years younger than the other kids and yes they thought their performance during warm ups would lead to Gold.  That's one of the things on a LONG list of things that I dig the very most about them.

I think the reason the return to the gym scene resonated so much with me was because for almost all my girlhood years, I spent my days after school in gymnastics classes and all those memories came flying back at me like a Boomerang.  Power tumbling was my thing and I can still remember Mrs. Chivers saying, "Pretend you have an M&M in between your bum cheeks and you gotta squeeze the chocolate right out of that little thing!" This she yelled at me as I flipped and spun down the mat.  I loved her.  Was scared to death of her in some ways, but mostly loved her.

  

I won't lie, I watched "Nadia" about a billion times and dreamt of being an Olympian.  I BAWLED during the Kerri Strug moment - you know the one - the vault landing that broke her ankle and solidified the gold for team U.S.A?   So, you know, gymnastics has a solid spot in my heart.  Once high school started I was off to other more mainstream sports and I missed gymnastics.  But I credit much of my coordination and strength and definitely my competitive spirit to my days tumbling down the mats with my gym rat friends in our little leotards.  The BEST of times.

So, you know, NO leotards in sight, but we've got ourselves some flippers!

And seriously, I wish ALL our boys were just nine months apart and could experience everything together.  Poor Ace almost pulled a muscle (fine make that plural -- mine AND his) straining to get out on the floor with his brothers.  Dang if he doesn't think he's their age - but dang if he's a wee bit too young to be a legit member of the class.  And that's exactly how he felt about it.

SO, for a large portion of class we had to wander the halls of the Rec center biding time and keeping the "Nastis Cu-lass" out of sight and out of mind.  

Our timing to introduce a new sport to the littles is perfect since we'll be tuning in to Sochi to watch the Winter Games and cheer our U.S. Athletes on to victory.  They might make it to the Olympic games -- They might not.  But one thing is for certain... they're gonna have a hella good time in the gym with one another as they train for whatever it is...

 Even if it's just for smiles and a good sweat.

And this Mama's got her Pom-Poms at the ready.

February Faves...

Do you wanna get that "lovey dovey" feeling without even having to read a Hallmark card?

OK, I'm willing to come in with the assist...

Our February Faves just three days in and in no particular order...

Cotton Candy by the Face Full.

We bought a cotton candy maker "for the kids" (cough-- lifetime wish come true-- cough) per my friend Heidi's suggestion and It.Is.Ah-Maze-Balls.  Seriously so fun and magical.  Get one.  I don't know how I've lived this long without it.  $40 well spent dollars is what that is.

If you're the lone hold out & you prefer ice cream that's cool too.  Either way life is sweet.

Frittata's Friends... 

And a funny friend to make them with.

Climbing Bannister Bums.

All Day Long.

Brotherly Tractor Pulls In the Morning Light.

Under the table.  Where else?

Little Boy Painting Parties on Wet Winter Days.

I had no idea they could do such a calm thing this long.  I almost melted.

Ski Days with Dad.  Clearly it's a total drag.  :)

Dax went first and his "selfie" with Papa Bear is a little blurry.

Ace has proclaimed it's "His 'tone' next".

The making of Valentine's... or "Balestimes" if you're a little man that lives here.

And a big thumbs up to all the awesomely talented people out there that post free printables for all of us non-graphic-designer types.  Smooches.

We're off to a good February start.  Indeed the second month of the year will hold more winter per Punxsutawney Phil, but I've no doubt it will hold some sunshine too.  :)

The Heart Break Crew...

It's practically February.

Can you even believe it?  I always go into January with such a crappy attitude, like, "Ugh, January.  Here we go the month of an eternally gray horizon,"  I'm optimistic like that.  But you see, therein lies my pleasant surprise that January has already ended.  Like, whoa, I was expecting a marathon of darkness and freezing and we've already arrived at chocolate covered strawberries?  Count me in.

Plus, I've been putting seasonal garb on these cute little men of mine with little touches of red (one of my favs) and taking pictures of them in the snow covered world we live in on our way home from Diet Coke runs, for no greater reason than, A. I can, and B. To spread the love to y'all. 

(And C. To create the world's longest run on thought/sentence)

Try not to melt into a puddle... OK?

Kaelster, "The Heartbreak Kid", wishing you a month full of sugary surprises.
And candy.  Epic amounts of candy from our sweet-toothed big love.

Daximus... the little sneak.

Because, you know, "All is fair in love and war" 

This one will punch your lights out.

Ace a'Spades... Showing you his best poker face and his mad style.

"What's shakin' bacon?"

I'll have a side of that with heart-shaped pancakes, please.

And so,

From the original Heart break crew...

Happy almost February.  And congrats on surviving another January.

It was kinda all right in my book.

Counter Productive...

The other day my kids had a healthy dose of Satan in them.  I'm not kidding.  So I made them all lay down for naps and I just about got all of them to succumb to their own tired little selves... I was THIS close.  Alas, there was one hold-out, of course, but he turned on the sugar and all was well.

Until they woke up.

Holy crud.  It was a lose/lose kinda day for me, I guess.  Acey let loose a little upchuck since he's had a cough and doesn't quite know how to be a man and spit a loogie.  Is that TMI?  Sorry.  Then Daximus, who had been snoring in the guest bedroom woke and to say he had wet the bed would be like calling a river a creek.  It was SATURATED - clear down to the mattress pad.  

So, of course, when I stripped the bed and began the task of making it all up again, I got bombarded.  

There are at least a dozen fitting sassy captions I could spew out for each of the following pictures -- but I'll let you fill in the blanks on your own.  It's a fun little game, try it.

By now you may know my life's motto,

"If you can't beat 'em, at least sit back and take pictures of them and eventually you'll smile."

Works every darn time.

I got a lot accomplished that afternoon.

(She said in Sarcastic font)

 :)

L-to the-OVE Paint...

Is it just me or is the dollar store knockin' it outta the park lately?  I often go there to stock up on things for my "bag o' tricks" a.k.a. the church bag.  Stuff that normally the littles don't get to play with so it becomes immeasurably fascinating during an hour of quiet time... you know the type.

Anyway, during our last visit these lame little figurines caught my eye and I just knew they would be a hit with my man crew during a quiet moment.

Not to brag, but I totally have E.S.P. because I pulled these babies out this week and it was as if my childrens' quiet, pleasant, artistic alter egos came out to play for an hour.  AN HOUR!  

No one broke anything.  No one spilled - and even if they had I was PRE-to the-PARED with the table all covered in freezer paper and the tiny misters stripped down to their skivvies.  It was kind of dreamy.

When the morning sun is streaming in through my windows and my kids have a hushed determination I kind of just fall in love with them and this place I call home all over again.  It's basically THE only place I'd like to be in the entire Universe.

And for a mama of three boys who have a knack for getting into trouble and a growing repertoire of "naughty" words accompanied ALWAYS with loud laughter & silly antics... 

That's really sayin' something. 

Who am I kidding?  I'm a trained Ninja Warrior when it comes to crazy little boy syndrome and I embrace rather than fight.  These three?  Whether quiet & intense or loud & wild... how should I say it? L-to the-OVE little men of mine... you ain't half as bad as you sometimes paint yourselves to be.  :)

Winter Snippets...

So, January... listen, no hard feelings, OK?  I sincerely take back all the nasty things I've ever said about you -- Because, friend, you are rocking so hard right now.

Seriously, these blue skies and cool but manageable afternoon temps are enough to make me swoon.  So I do - every single day - Diet Coke in hand, and little flocks of neighborhood ducklings waddling around my yard.  It's the best surprise gift on recent record in my collection of winter tales.

Winter Snippets to Share:

Fishing...

From the bed of a truck,

With Friends.

Silly String,

Irrigation Duties,

& Bike Riding...

Bird Watching,

Puddle Jumping...

And Relaxing...

Just to get up and do it all over again once our hands are "woim" aka warm.

We love winter.  Fine, we love all seasons almost equally... but winter is gaining, just sayin'.