on being thankful.

i could use this post to tell you how horrific my week has started.
my son "body slammed" (their term) a classmate at school yesterday,
hanna has a possible hairline skull fracture...
i could go on (i really could--yes, it has been that bad), but i won't.
instead i will be thankful.

i have SO MANY blessings.
a perfectly loving, manly husband that i have to remind to bathe, but makes me coffee every single morning (almost);
three (3!) amazing creatures that i call my children,  they make my life so fullllllll, that it is often bursting at the seams.
wonderful family that will do anything for me and my own brood,
best friends that listen to all my failures and still tell me i am a good mom and person,
a lovely home that we have yet to appreciate,
not to mention the ease we have of filling all of our basic needs...


i am perfectly aware that very few people in the world have as much as we do.  we have no sad stories, only those of joy and wealth.  we are so lucky, and for that i am ever so thankful.

tomorrow we will travel to richmond to spend thanksgiving with reza's family.  i will get to snuggle my new nephew and my children will be so happy to be surrounded with so much love and attention.

happy thanksgiving to all!

a memory- elias' thanksgiving 2010

and yes, both of my children ate cereal for thanksgiving dinner. i wouldn't put it past them this year either!

highlights

i have no pictures to show of the recent chaos my life is holding, only a filthy house and bags under my eyes.  have i mentioned my youngest has sprouted five teeth in less than a month?  yes sir-ree.  but she seems quite happy with her new arrivals and although they are all tiny nubs, she is ever so excited to eat whole apples.

in other news:
- elias has a very handsome, freshly painted bedroom!  yep, i slaved away during every second of my free time this week (even while he was in time out!) to make this kid's bedroom look magical.  it is swampy green and absolutely perfect for him.  i promise to post pictures soon!
- reza asked me just today "how do you spell HANNA?" as in hanna, OUR child.  seriously?
- elias proclaimed "but ramen noodles ARE healthy!" upon being served asparagus, brussels sprouts, and tofu for dinner tonight.
- ada is reading!  yes, reading real books, not just ones that you can tell the story by looking at the pictures!  after a less than stellar "report card" from her teacher, i took matters into my own hands.  she is so proud of herself and wants to read books all the time!
- hanna is standing by herself.  i wish i could say she was almost walking but i think she is confusing herself with a hermit crab and only walks sideways!  it must be due to the number of times she walks around the coffee table during the day.
- elias is becoming such a diva.  he changes his clothes about six times a day.  i find pieces of his wardrobe all over the house.  and since he doesn't wipe, i have to wash all of them.  this makes for serious amounts of laundry.  and i do not like doing laundry.

aside from any sarcasm, i am so wonderfully thankful for all of these moments.

happy thanksgiving to all!

birthdays and bike rides and haircuts, oh my!

whew-- this week flew by!

enjoy all the pictures of our latest adventures in life.

a birthday boy in all his glory,

haircuts gone awry,

and

fall adventures.

 three!

birthday love.

the treasured new boat fits perfectly in our pond.

me and my boy.

a mom-crafted super why cake.

 we attempted a christmas card picture.

kids= 1

mom and dad= 0

who knows, this might be as good as it gets!

where did he learn to kiss like this???

some girl in going to be very lucky in 30 years.

rocket explosions at the unc science fair.

starbucks with hanna asleep in my arms.

this NEVER happens.  i am so happy it is documented.

she woke up happy, and goofy as usual!

bike rides through fallen leaves= lots of crashes.

but loads of fun.

notice ada's new do.

tears were shed by all.

i will not cut my families hair again.

maybe.

a picnic lunch.

 li with his coveted superman comic book.

ada's haircut.

and finally,

our sunday morning activity.

a free pet the penguin stand.

only one customer stopped.

but the was enough to get her day off to a better start.

the end.

3. it's a magic number.

my boy.

 celebrating his birthday with his preschool class.

this kid is turning three tomorrow.  are those tears swelling in my eyes?  he is such a boy (dare i say man) already.  his enthusiasm for life is unmatched by any person i have ever met.  he WILL do great things.  he has so many of his own superpowers, it puts superman to shame.  he is mine, and although he clearly prefers his father day after day, i will claim him with all my might.  he is strong, loving, compassionate, hilarious, and down right naughty.  he is so capable and rarely asks for help with anything.  and he is growing up so quickly.

my elias, i love you with all my heart.  i remember, like yesterday, the day you were born.  you looked like a tiny linebacker and were such a good baby, sleeping six inches away from me for the first six months of life (you had no bedroom).  you are perfect and make my life so full of joy and wonder.

happy birthday sweet boy.

may all of your wishes come true.

 the day elias was born.

elias on his first birthday.

elias on his second birthday.