{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, visit SouleMama and leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Two-Year-Olds

Dear Mr. Smith,

Your son, Isaac, is really something. By "something", I mean a pistol, a firecracker, stinker. A mischief-making, mess-making, headache-inducing child.

So far today, he has:

• pulled half the items in the fridge out in an effort to reach the orange juice that he knew he wasn't supposed to have
• drawn with blue hi-liter all over our bedsheets, bed skirt, and himself
• drawn with yellow hi-liter all over the refrigerator and dining room walls
• pulled the curtains off the french doors numerous times
• squeezed a tube of ointment all over the dining room table
• assaulted Oliver on multiple occasions
• gone through the junk drawer looking for treasures three times
• found, unwrapped, and attempted to eat old Easter candy in the basement
• pulled said candy, as well as plastic eggs and other discarded items, out of the garbage where I put them

That's all I can think of right now, and it's not quite 4 pm yet, so I'll let you know the rest when you get home. Plus, he's way too quiet, better go check...

He's lucky God made him cute...

Clinging To My Sanity,
Mrs. Smith

A Chore

Dear Mr. Smith,

I don't think we should let Blake leave the house anymore. I just had to empty the dishwasher, all by myself.

Your Overworked Wife,
Mrs. Smith

The Babe

Dear Mr. Smith,

Sebastian had his 4 month check-up with the doc today. He's huge chunky hefty perfect, at 17 lbs. Grandma kept the big guys and sugared them up with cinnamon rolls for me.
All is well.

Your,
Mrs. Smith

Field Trip

Dear Mr. Smith,
Today we went to the zoo.
Don't worry, I know there are only four in this picture. The baby was strapped to me, and the, well, other baby, was in the stroller. I didn't lose anybody, promise. Although, you might think I had picked up a few extras when the docent in Amphibiville asked if we were a tour group. I smiled and said no. She reluctantly accepted that they were all mine... and then wanted to know if there was a "holiday from school". Once she seemed satisfied with my answer about being homeschooled and on a field trip, she quietly walked away.....then returned a few minutes later with a docent-friend and proceeded to point at us and whisper. Come to think of it, I probably should have asked them if there was a vacant habitat for us -- we could just hop in and let the rest of the world gawk and gasp... but I digress. Luckily by this time we met up with Mrs. K and the boys and we went on our merry way.

The zoo is decorated for the season. Some of the decorations are less than desirable. As in, so scary and demented that they have no business being where children can see them much less at a zoo. Others were fun though, like this giant pumpkin. Peyton and Oliver wanted me to make sure I got a picture of it "squishing" them.

Then came the polar bears. You know how we hardly ever get to see one swimming around the tunnel? Well this was a rare treat, he was standing right here when we got there, and then spent the next 20 minutes or so swimming back and forth for our entertainment. And then there was this:
I heard a little voice say, "Mommy, he's pooping!" Sure enough....bet we never see that again. (Is that gross that I took a picture of it? I think I'm becoming de-sensitized, being around all these boys all the time.) Sorry you missed it, honey.
Overall, it was a great trip- beautiful weather and good company. Oh, and now I know what to get our godson for his birthday...
(wink, wink, Mrs. K.) Let's just say, he almost took one home with him.

So, Mr. Smith, that's our day in a nutshell. I think I will hit the hay a little early tonight, because it is positively exhausting taking your children to the zoo. Thanks for working so hard so we can play.
With Love and Yawns,
Mrs. Smith

P.S. I have in my possession a red Netflix envelope. You know what it contains. Can't wait til you get home.

Dear Mr. Smith,

There are a million things I should be doing.
Even though we never stopped moving this weekend, and gave nearly constant effort to the cause of organizing our lovely home, it is still a catastrophe. But instead of putting away the folded laundry, finishing the dishes that wouldn't fit in the dishwasher or dish drainer last night, or, hmmmm...seems like there's something else... oh yes, schooling our children, I am messing with my blog.

Do you know that this blog is really for you?

You see, we like you, a lot. But you work, a lot. This weekend I realized just how much you are away when you pointed out to me that Sebastian had rolled over.

Honey, he's been doing that for quite some time.

So in an effort to connect with you even when you aren't here, I am re-dedicating this spot to you.

I hope you enjoy your letters from home.

With Love,
Mrs. Smith

I Could Just Smack Him

I actually liked this guy. I hate it when someone I think is decent turns out not to be, it's very disappointing. I read his wife's book a few years ago and enjoyed it, as I hadn't realized they were a Catholic family. I'd like to give him the benefit of the doubt, but unfortunately these things usually turn out to be true.
Just another reason to avoid looking up to high profile people, I guess.

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, visit SouleMama and leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.