Tucking In

Sometimes the oldest's desire to be in charge can be very sweet. I had told the boys it would be time for rest in 15 minutes. The next thing I knew Moose was helping BiggiE into bed for nap.

Viva La Mexico

We recently came back from a great time to Mexico with my family. The boys played on the beach every day and loved being the center of attention for six adults.

I really enjoyed hanging out with my brother and his wife, Kim, away from everyday life. The boys were smitten with their Aunt Kim (though BiggiE kept calling her Uncle Kim). The boys had all kinds of games with Uncle Peter, Grandpa and Grandma.


I love this photo of Moose and his Aunt Kim. He found her on the back porch and came back in and got one of my book so he could read with her. Here they are reading and sharing an iPod.

Tyler, with the help of my dad and brother, dug quite the extensive sand fort. We had so much fun as the tide would come in and we would hold our ground till the last wall fell. Tyler used the moment to explain about the parable of building your life on the sand versus the rock. It seemed like an obvious picture lesson about what would happen to life built on sand when the tide came in. Tyler asked Moose where he wanted to build his life and Moose confidently exclaimed, "The sand!" I guess the meaning of the analogy was lost in the midst of the fun of playing in the sand. Oh well, maybe in a few years...

Ah, the drama of a sword fight!

Boy, Boy and ...

Our newest addition will be joining the ranks of the Thomas household sometime in the first couple weeks of December.

Tyler and I were shocked at first and then quickly excited. We both had prepared ourselves to be content with two kids since Tyler had gone through chemo.

We welcome any ideas for celebrating a child's birthday December. December was always the month we were not aiming for, but what can ya do.

Moose is thrilled with the idea of having another baby. He said we are having two boys and two girls. I'm sure hoping he's counting himself and BiggiE as the two boys, because I don't think I'm up for quadruplets. Moose is already talking to the baby in my belly and today he put his special blanket by my belly "for the baby inside."

BiggiE doesn't seem to quite understand the implications of a new baby. He has always been more possessive of me and it's hard not to worry how he will deal with becoming the middle child. He does seem to like the idea of being a big brother, but that might just be the word "big" making it sound attractive.

As I near the end of the first trimester I think I am out of the woods of nausea. Praise God for that!

Fun at the Coast

We had a great time at the coast last weekend. We had been planning on going on a hike or bike or some sort of family outing in the morning. When Tyler suggested the beach we jumped on the idea and it felt good to be semi-spontaneous and get out the door in 30 minutes. How fun to be an hour away from the ocean.


We had a great time playing in the sand, though the water temp made us glad we are going to Mexico soon so we can actually go swimming in the ocean before August.


After playing we went to a little restaurant and had some delicious fish and chips. It was a really great morning.

Wheelbarrow Parking

The other day as I pulled into a parking space, Moose looked up and saw a disabled parking sign. He said, "Mom, I think you parked in wheelbarrow parking."

Motherhood...it's not for the squeamish!

My good friend, Karen, sent me this card for Mother's Day and it made me smile and tear up.

Sometimes kids are just kids, but sometimes boys are definitely boys. I was reminded what it meant to be the mother of two boys a few days ago when Moose said to BiggiE, "C'mon, let's go to the bathroom so we can talk about poop!"

Fun with Grandpa and Grandma

We had such a lovely visit with my parents this past week. In addition to helping get everything ready for BiggiE's birthday party there were many fun outings for the boys (and for me).

We went on a hike, visited the Jelly Belly factory, went to a lake, my mom and I went shopping sans kids (oh the joy!), built forts, read books, rode bikes and stopped at the creek to throw rocks every day. For Moose, the combination of his Grandma always having gum for him and his Grandpa always stopping at the creek was heaven.

I got to sleep in and go swimming -- two things I love. Somehow we managed to forget to take pictures, so I only included a few.

BiggiE's Birthday Party

We had such a fun birthday party on Sunday for BiggiE. My parents were town and it was so helpful to have four adults get everything ready.
BiggiE seemed unfazed by being the center of attention. Tyler and I often comment that he marches to the beat of his own drummer and it definitely seemed that way during the party. He would play some with the kids (ranging from 8 months to 11-years-old) and then go off and do his own thing for a while.
My dad and I had a fun time doing the cake Saturday night. It was a big hit with the kids. There were many requests for a slice of the front since we used a giant chocolate bar for the grill.

Adding to the excitement of the party, Moose flushed a toy train engine down the toilet. The toilet still flushed, but not well. The next morning my dad had to completely take apart the toilet and take it outside to get poor Fergus the engine. I guess Moose really didn't want to share that toy. (We are hoping this was a one time deal.)