So last night Mary and I had date night and went to hear Dr. John Gottman speak on “Raising Emotionally Intelligent Children” and Dee was gracious enough to hang out with all 4 kids. We went over early for happy hour at the Brooklyn, feasted on fresh oysters and calamari and drank a couple Blood Orange Kamikazis. YUM. What a treat. Got to the lecture and he was very entertaining as well as giving me some good insights into children’s emotional health. I think we’re pretty good about not squelching our children’s emotions (although there seem to be a LOT of emotions around this house) but this was a good reminder to use those emotional times as times to talk about feelings.

Today was MNMs (yeah for me…here’s a picture of Bev leading the discussion, but a bad one since it was from my phone!) and then we did some more building on the playstructure. It’s looking good, it’s really almost done. Carlos is loving being a helper and handing screws to us while we work.

Funny picture of Abbie…she jumped into Carolyn’s car this afternoon and was looking like she was going to drive away. She LOVES the car, but doesn’t get to go many places since the boys came into our lives. Three kids plus a dog in a car is just too much.

Countdown to Vegas…2 more “goodnights” as Levi puts it. We are so excited to go, but I have to say that I am really torn. I know we need a break, I know the boys are going to have the best of care but my heart just sinks thinking that I won’t see them for 3 whole days. I will miss them terribly while we are gone, I know. Being a mom does strange things to your brain. Four years ago if you would have said “Vegas, baby!” I would have sold a kidney to get money for the next flight out of town. Now, I’m having stress and worry about going? Weirdness.

Today’s my day to do man work…I’m putting together the playstructure. I’m doing a damn good job, too, if I do say so myself. There are still lots of planks of wood cluttering our yard, but hopefully by mid afternoon they will look more like a fort. The monkey bars part is done and so is the swing part and the climbing wall. Just the main fort to go! I’ll post more pictures soon.

The boys got haircuts last night….they look sharp! This is a funny brotherly love couple of pictures.

Off to build the playstructure and enjoy the sunshine while it lasts.

Almost birthday in Vegas weekend!!!!!!!

This is a picture of baby Ollie…I don’t know him and I don’t remember if I have posted this before but I just LOVE this baby. I check out all the newborns at the local hospital here, they are usually cute in their alien way and I think the names people give their kids are very interesting at times. Anyhow, Baby Ollie’s picture just touched my heart and always makes me smile. I have never seen a newborn picture like this one. Hope it brings you a smile to start off your week!