346/365

You perfect lil angel child. Well, at least you look like one. You wanted to wear your pretty dress after your bath and you even let me brush your hair. These are the moments I wonder if you're actually real or just escaped from a fairy tale.

More helicopter flight practice. Such concentration.

345/365

Oh lordy. Trips to the library. The idea of them makes me feel like one of those super awesome moms, the ones that have everything together and are fun, and encouraging their children's interests and teaching them things and just skip through life. Those moms. They are the moms that somehow all moms believe exist and yet, we all know that they don't really exist. Or if they do they are each of us only for a moment in time and in that moment other moms see them and think that all their moments must be like that, when in reality they're thinking the same thing about some other mom later that day. Anyway, today when I took you two to the library I was feeling good, we packed up all the books we'd already read through which filled two large bags, we drove to the library, found a parking spot in the parking garage, dug up three quarters to fill the meter while keeping Cora from wandering out of the empty parking space next to us. Then I couldn't find my phone, which I didn't REALLY need except that I usually set a timer for how long our meter has as to avoid getting a ticket. So I finally found it down between the seats. Then we head inside, Cora complaining because she's cold and Logan racing ahead wildly, me hauling the two heavy bags of books. We get inside to the book drop and you two start pushing the books into the little slots. We discover that somehow one of our own books "If you give a cat a cupcake," has stowed away in the book bags, so I try to put it in Cora's little backpack, which she does not like, and now refuses to wear. So I take it out, and stuff it into my purse, although that just feels weird, stuffing a book in my purse at the library. So now we've unloaded our books, we head inside and up the stairs to the children's department, hoping that the Discovery room will be open. It's not. The kids are of course disappointed. And being able to see all the cool undiscoverable stuff in the Discovery room through the dark windows makes it worse. So I try to distract them toward picking out new books which I'm not sure why I still try to get them to choose the books. They never do. They would rather throw all the puppets onto the floor and yell loudly into the play pay phone. So I put my empty bags down with my book bulging purse and now Logan's coat which he doesn't want to wear and try to gather new books while also keeping Logan and Cora from wandering off or getting lost among the crowd of disappointed children and parents trying to juggle books and coats and bags. I fill up one bag, then Logan wants to leave, so I find the Nate the Great books for him to choose a few from, while Cora decides she wants to lay on the floor and doesn't want to carry her empty backpack anymore. Add that to the pile of stuff I'm moving from spot to spot as I heard my two "louder than everyone else" unhappy children. We search on the comptuer for books about Leopard Geckos and write down the call numbers. We haul (well I haul) all our stuff over to the non-fiction section and search the 978 section. These are books about the Oregon trail. Not right at all. Cora is running to the 600's. I'm following calling for Logan to follow. Hey look, reptile books in the 600 section! Cora is hot, wants a drink from the water fountain on the other side of the library. I find the Leopard Gecko books, stuff them in my full, heavy bags full of new books and start heading for the water fountain with Cora. I get to the end of the row and turn back to see Logan still sitting in the 600's reading a book about snakes. "Come on, Logan! Bring the book and lets go!" We get water. We take the elevator downstairs. Both children lay down on the their backs one the floor of the elevator. The doors open, I convince them to get up and come help me check out the books. We get to the self check out, they both want to scan the books. I tell them they can each do one bag. Logan gets started. Cora is whining because there is no stool for her to stand on like there usually is. I scan the area for stools. No stools. So I grab Cora and walk a bit away from Logan who's still scanning. Ah ha! Stool! I grab it and come back to Logan who is finishing up his last few books. He moves over and Cora gets her turn to scan. Well, she can't really scan them, but wants to think she's doing it, so I scan them for her while also loading all the scanned books back into our bags. We're done, 42 new books. I convince Cora to put her backpack back on, I convince Logan to put his coat back on. I grab the bags and my purse and "If you give a cat a cupcake and head out the doors while praying we did scan every book in our back so that the alarms don't sound as we go through the censors. They don't! But my phone alarm goes off saying we've got maybe 2 minutes left on the meter. We trek back outside to the van and load back up. I get in the car and Logan asks if we can get a Frosty. I say no. We're going home. One trip to the library is all I can handle today.

344/365

We made an impromptu trip to Eugene today to see a friend. You were a tiny bit feverish but I was pretty tired of being cooped up in the house with sick kids so I figured, a lil fresh air would do you good. And your daddy got off early so we braved the 2 hours of driving.

The little remote control helicopter you got for Christmas has provided lots of great entertainment for all involved. You and your Daddy are both getting really good with it!

343/365

These days it is a constant cycle of finding something to entertain you for a while, then try to get something done such as the dishes or laundry, then find something else to entertain you. You're so curious and so active and so ready for more of the world. Play dough kept you busy for a maybe 12 minutes today before you were ready for the next thing.

All winter break you've been a lil under the weather. First it was a fever a few days before Christmas, then it turned into a knarly cough that just won't go away. Uhhggg.. it's really put a damper on your vacation plans. Not nearly as many play dates. Instead you're stuck at home with me. But at least the couch is here, and you put yourself down for a nap today which is a first. Poor lil precious sleeping boy.

342/365

You were pretty sickly today. But I still took you over to your Great Grandpa's house for the giant after Christmas gathering. You were so clingy, it was borderline obnoxious.

Oh these little tiny moments of sibling adorableness that happen and I have to sneak and try to capture without disturbing. You and your sister playing patty cake in your bed. My heart melts.

341/365

We got a new lil family member today. We went up to The House of Reptiles and let Logan pick out his much anticipated pet Leopard Gecko which he named "Little". He's super cute, only 4 months old and only about 4 inches long. Cora wanted one of her own too, so maybe we'll get him a lil buddy in a few years. It was so exciting!

340/365

Merry Christmas, my two amazingly precious gifts! Oh my children. What a privilege it is to be your mother. To get to be woken to an excited little face saying "It's 8 o'clock, Mommy!" To get to rub your back while you lay peacefully sleeping in your crib to try to wake you gently, since your brother can't possibly wait another minute to open presents. To get to watch you give gifts that you picked out to your Dad and sister and Mom. To see your excitement as you see each new gift. To play with them with you on the floor in our jammies. To be delighted and enraptured by the joy you find around us, to be amazed at the way your little minds put things together and figure out the world. To share such a simply gorgeous life with you. I am so blessed. After the presents had been opened and I sat at the table watching Cora use her new markers to draw a hundred letter A's, listening to Logan and Daddy assemble a giant Ninjago Battle Bike, I just prayed over and over "Thank you, God. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. For these blessings, for Your Son, for Your plan, for Your heart, for your gift. And gifts on top of gifts. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!"

339/365

I had a long To Do list for today, it being Christmas Eve and all. We cleaned both your rooms and most of the rest of the house, finished a few Christmas presents, made a big batch of chili and even delivered some lil gifts to our neighbors. I knew I'd be busy and would get many pictures. So I told you that I had one wish, a picture of you two in front of the tree. And you obliged your mother and with a quick exaggerated sneeze, you were both smiling for me. Check that off the list!

338/365

 My baking buddy! Equipped with your apron and whisk, you are a formidable cook! Sugar cookies, watch out!

On days when Daddy has to work late, you have to squeeze in some lego time with him in the morning before he leaves.

337/365

 Oh, that blankey. Your trusty friend. And not to be forgotten, your faithful purple pacifier. Two of the bedtime necessities that we should probably start thinking about weening you off of, but for now, you do can be be attached at least for a lil while longer. You've almost completely mastered potty training and know almost all your letters. You're growing up just fast enough. No need to rush.

Crafting party at Aunties! Hooray for Christmas break!

336/365

 We watched a friends adorable lil baby boy today after church. You were ticked by this tiny person. As long as I kept you from completely laying on top of him to hug him, you did great. You kept telling me "I'm making him happy!". And you were, he smiled at you a billion times more than he smiled at me.

All you want for Christmas is your two front teeth. Well, that's probably not true, You don't seem to mind that you lost another tooth and now have the tiniest bit of whistle when you make the "S' sound.

335/365

I had to bribe you to wear this shirt and pants. You hardly sat still for any of the other kids' pieces. You marched up and played your song so much faster than usual. And I beamed with pride as you did and then took a sweeping bow before zipping back to your seat.

I tiny lil ice cream cone for a tiny lil girl. At your most recent doctor's appointment you actually weighed in at the 25th percentile which is the highest you've ever been. You're just my lil' nugget. My lil' gold nugget.

334/365

We braved the crazy Christmas Shopping chaos at the mall today and you were amazing. You trucked along with us and even helped with the heavy lifting of pushing the stroller.

I headed to the store with you tonight to let you pick out Christmas gifts for the three of us. On the way in from the parking lot you found this tree and just had to climb it. I think those finger less gloves make you feel like spider-man with extra sticky grip.

333/365

If you give Cora a set of books, she's going to read them over and over again in a pile on the floor.

If you give this boy a cardboard box, he's going to ask for scissors tape and paper to create a bug sanctuary.

332/365

Play time like this is so fun. A huge gym full of toys just your speed and other lil boys and girls playing their hearts out. It's so fun seeing how you've changed since the beginning of the year when we first started coming. You didn't want anything to do with the bouncy house and hardly interacted with the other kids. Now you're all over the bouncy house and making friends all the time.

Two weeks before your recital, your teacher started you working on your song. You probably played it a total of 10 times before and only had two lessons with her. And yet, you learn things at the speed of light so you picked it up right away.

331/365

My two lil movers and shakers. And wall jumpers and puddle stompers.

330/365

 This lil stool. Just your size. And for some reason when you sit on it you turn into a lil goof ball.

I asked you to get a game from the game closet to play together while your sister napped and you picked a puzzle. I loved seeing how accomplished you felt when you found the right piece.

329/365

Your brother showing in you the ropes of doll maintenance.

328/365

 Today is your 3rd birthday. Wow, three. You LOVED your "If you give a pig a pancake" party and even asked at the end of the day "I wanna have my birthday again!". You did not like when everyone sang happy birthday to you, however.

Look how gigantic you look. Your legs are so long and your just a huge almost 8 year old boy! But your daddy can still take on you + your cousin in a wrestling match.

327/365

 The other day, you and Daddy were walking together, holding hands and Daddy said "We're practicing for the isle." Yeah, Sweetest thing ever. You and your daddy. Nothing gets me like the two of you snuggling. Most precious thing ever.

Your big brother skills are increasing every single day.

326/365

 Oh my lil doe eyed child, peanut butter faced child. Your look is just so stinkin' adorable. Seriously, stop it.

What do you do when there's a giant double rainbow outside? Go jump underneath it of course!

325/365

You are so flexible, and for some reason this is one of your favorites ways to sit in a chair.

While Daddy played a song on the piano, you two danced together. Ahhh my heart!

324/365

We explored a new playground after school today. You two were all over it, especially loving the spinning toys. I love playing with you guys. You're so fun.

323/365

You call this your lil house. So cozy.

When you saw this picture you said "I look like a sad monkey."

322/365

Again, more entertainment from the balloons. What else are you going to do with them, besides stuff them up your shirt and bounce off the walls?

It was a special family shop night tonight at Costco and you got to help your dad check us out. You got to scan each item with the scanning gun, which was definitely your favorite part.

321/365

Give this girl a balloon and you've just bout yourself a good 30 minutes of entertainment.

Racing with daddy. This was the first race, in which Daddy passed you on the home stretch and which sent you hiding behind a tree to pout. Daddy came and talked to you about what exactly the rules were on this obstical course and where he was and wasn't allowed to go, since your main complaint was that he broke the rules. Once everything was clearly established you raced again and well, it was too close to call. A tie it is.

320/365

Oh man, what fun can be had with your brother on a bicycle built for two!

And what fun can be had on the demo mode of an arcade game with your sister in your lap.