Boyfriends

Dear Hudson,

I often call you my boyfriend- when we are together, you insist that we don't get more than a few feet apart.  It has been HOT here, so we hit the city for the day to get a break from our house, and the super hot temps.  We were super happy with 80, which is unheard of for SF in the summer.

Buddy, you were so so happy playing with your "bag of tricks" cars, and a bunch of other stuff with names I haven't learned yet:)

We got some snuggle time while your sisters passed an hour in the tub.  Mostly, you diving on top of me while I tried to protect my eyes:)  You gave me a good cuddle to make up for it- day made.

We discovered the red phone isn't connected which provided more entertainment than you can imagine.  Hudson, you were so so cute talking to daddy on the phone.  You let him talk to your car- so so kind.

Don't get me wrong, you look like an angel in these pictures, and you were really darling most of the day.  There were a few moments where I said to myself, "um, is that you satan, or are those my darling children?"  

Obviously a nice, lovely Hudson moment.

Things I didn't take pictures of:

1. You drawing on Hubbie's new couch with a pen.

2. Someone breaking a glass, me loading it into a bag, 

then the bag falling off the counter, glass everywhere.

3. Diarrhea.  Everywhere.

4. 45 minute nap anyone?  That's ok, we usually have a two hour nap and 12 good hours at night.  

Clearly, the crying and fits are because you are sleeping too much.  We will cut back:(

5. Trying to leave the city when pride weekend was wrapping up.  Anna, "mom, that man doesn't have any pants on his tushie. OR HIS FRONT! I CAN SEE HIS PEE PEE" Hysterical laughing ensues.  

On the upside.  NOTHING makes me happier than you, Hudson, saying

 "Shall we wook at my wetters? Wook at my wetters." 

Anytime buddy. I'll be sad when you learn the "l" sound.

I am so happy (80% of the time) that you insist on attaching to my side.  

I am going to remind you of this when you are in high school, 

the sisters are hopefully tucked away in colleges, 

or some other program that demands they don't live at home, 

and I want a dinner/movie date with my boyfriend.  

No, not you daddy.

xoxo

mom

Harder than labor?

Well Hudson,

I am pretty sure that today was harder than the day I actually delivered you. How is that possible?

You have been sick. Not eating. Not sleeping. It's hot as heck. Grumpy. Which means that you were not your usual self today, but you got to celebrate! You went to pizza my heart for lunch where you didn't eat pizza, picked up balloons from diddams and got ready. You sisters tied your balloons to trees, so they popped. I was super super happy. The P's came for dinner, which was great fun! You were in bed before cupcakes, only to wake up after a massive barf around 9 when I got the girls to bed!

It gets better- you stayed up until about 11 playing. At least we got some QT my friend. I suggested we play "pretend to be sleeping" you were not interested.

We will celebrate soon!
xoxo

Happy Birthday Buddy!

Dear Hudson,

How is it possible that just two years ago you came into our lives, and changed us forever and for the better.  You were such a good baby, except for the car.  You brought joy to us in a way we didn't know was possible.  Your sisters have been madly in love with you from the moment they met you.

 We celebrated your first birthday with cousins and friends, and big smiles from you.

 Cake made your day buddy. 

 It is amazing to me that we have gone from this to where you are today, and it has gone so fast.  

You are talking up a storm, now in full sentences.  You have taken control of your activities and now tell the girls what to do- "color with me, triangles, circles, J is for Justin, H for Hudson, A for Anna."  They do whatever you say, almost every time.  Your laugh is infectious and comes easily. Your smile brightens a room, and your snuggles can change my day in an instant.  

 Oh buddy, I can't begin to put words to my love for you.  This has been such a hard year for me, and every day, when i get home, you and your sisters are the bright light.  When we met you, we knew you made our family complete with your big blue eyes and blondish/ginger hair.  

We love you so much, and wish you the happiest of birthdays!

xoxoxo

Th Best!

Girls, 

We are super sad- Nikki gave her notice and we have all cried all the tears we could muster.  You two have saved the day though!  There is nothing I have wanted more than an electric pencil sharpener.  Isn't that funny?  Anyway, I had a work event last night and when I got home, you had the best surprise. 

When I got there, I found you cuties, with a perfectly wrapped box.

You even put my initials on the package in washi tape.

On the top you put tons of cute hearts.  I loved it!

This made my day.

Thanks girls!  You made my day.  I am so lucky to be your mom.

xoxo

On Sleepovers

Dear Taylor and Anna,

I address this to you two because your brother doesn't ask to have sleepovers yet:)  In my mind, I have a no sleepover policy.  I think that while the idea always sounds fun, in reality, it is a lot to spend 12-16 hours (on the short end) with a friend, plus, no one ever gets a good sleep, and then the sleepover hangover kicks in.  Boy oh boy, do I regret my bad decisions when that hangover kicks in.

Anna, you had your cousin sleepover last night, and it was great fun, but it was long and everyone suffered the day after because of it.

So, here is how it went.  We played around the house for a bit, then picked up Taylor's friend for a movie and then dinner.  Both were a blast, and we got home just before nine.  This is when the movie snacks kicked in (bad decision #2 by me).  Excitement about sleepover + movie high = disaster.  Jammies, teeth, story, 5 minutes of cousin chit chat, bed?  So funny.  We were not even close.  Screwing around, me yelling, jammies, yelling, teeth, screwing around, story time, chaos, end story time due to screwing around, then endless chatter in bed until I almost started to cry.  I am not sure what time the chatter ended, but I quit after 10pm.

 Now, I thought, "well, they went to bed so late, I bet they will sleep until at least 7." Dumb a#& mummy.  I had a big talk with you Anna at bed time reviewing the clock and talking about what time you could come down.  Clearly this was one of those high-impact, high-reward talks.  You were both down before 5:15am.  This noise woke up the other two.  That's right, everyone up by 5:20.  Did you know they don't even have kids shows playing at this hour?

We went to our fav- la boulange for breakfast- I was too tired to cook and needed as much caffeine as possible.  We wandered around the corner to find the Burlingame Criterium.

Then home for art time.

 After a snack of white rice at 10am, your cousin was picked up and the sh$t hit the fan.  Three crying kids.  Naps for everyone.  Good news- nap time failed too.  One of you, ah hem, had to go to the ladies, and this woke up the youngest, whose crying woke up the middle one- not to name names.

So, 7 hours sleep, 50 minute nap.  Girls, to remind you, we usually run 12 hours at night, and a 2 hour nap.  Only down by 5 hours give/take.

 Lucky for us, the afternoon was packed too.  We are a senior family at your school and had the new family BBQ this afternoon.  Sorry for the crappy iphone picture, I was too tired to try and focus.

 On our way home three hours later, bickering, crying and annoyance ensued until while stopped at a light I got a nice note from our nanny saying she was giving two weeks notice. FML.  Did I mention that we left the BBQ early because Hudson had crapped through his pants.  This was an actual sh*t storm of an afternoon.  

We stopped at home, changed Hudson, got hack in the card, and drove to In-N-Out for a 4:35pm dinner. Home for baths, and everyone in bed by 6pm.  Anna, you were sacked out by 6:10- hence the bright daylight in the picture below.

So, my sweet darling girls.  Any chance you have of future sleepovers just died.  We are done.  No slumber parties either.  You can work this out with your therapist, but today was a clear reminder that it isn't worth it.

xoxo

your mean mom

Growing up!

Dear Tay and Anna,

It struck me that you really are not little girls anymore. You threw on maxi dresses (that in itself throws me into the reality that you are big girls), and off we went to the movies with a friend/cousin a piece and then out to dinner and it was easy and fun! See other post for thoughts on what happened after:)

I just love the stages you are each in now. I could do without the attitude and the talking over each other but otherwise- no complaints!

Such a fun day!
Xoxo

Baby Hudson

Oh Buddy,

You are such a love!  You have your moments of whining or complaining, but for the most part, you are pure joy.  You giggle easily, and find the fun in almost anything.  We have been doing water painting to pass the days lately and you think it is hysterical to run the bucket of water into the house and paint the ottoman.  Funny.

A part of us can't believe you will be two next week.  Really, it is amazing to me.  On the flip side, you have brought so much joy to our lives in the last two years, I couldn't imagine them without you. 

xoxo

mom

Ready for Summer!

Happiness is an organized kitchen kids.  Seriously.

I saw this fruit/veggie organizer on Sunny Side Up (one of my all time favorite blogs). 

I saw this in the grocery store and couldn't resist.  We are off to a great start this summer and have already refilled many sections a few times in 24 hours. 

Once I sorted this thing, I had to clean the fridge and freezer to make it all look pretty.

Yes, ice cream sandwiches and popsicles are fully stocked for summer.

 All of your snacks/waters are easy to reach.

 Lots of replacement fruits and veggies at the ready too!

Our summer is already off to a great/organized start.  Love it!

xoxo

mom

Father's Day

Well kids, 

We had such a great Father's Day.  

It must be because we are so lucky to have such a great dad around here.

Anna, you made this great picture at school and we framed it for Daddy's office:)

Every father's day needs donuts.  We picked some up on our way to get Daddy at the airport.

Hudson, you are about the cutest father's day present ever.

This is one happy dad with his little buddy wearing his work baseball cap. 

xoxo

Lazy Saturday

Girls,

Every good morning starts with a date at La Boulange, and bacon. 

And then leads to a snak on Hubbie's couch. Yes, that is a quesadilla, apples and blueberries, artfully arranged.

Taylor, you had an apple, mixed nuts/fruits and salami/crackers.

I am not sure I will ever get past the cuteness that goes with matching outfits.  You two are just adorable in matching!

These are Fab product cards turned into a game:)

Then to finish the day, we hit Dragonwell.  Everyone wins at a 5pm dinner table:)

Then a cupcake at Susie's.

Coloring, tic-tac-toe, and word games- check.

With a window seat overlooking Chestnut street and there is something for everyone.

And the end result is three very tired kids on the way home.

Good thing, the traffic was BRUTAL!

Chocolate faces and all.

xoxoox