Finding the Beauty

Things and Things and Snowy Things

Yesterday my father signed his retirement papers. As of my birthday (February 1st, in case you forgot) he is a retiree! Despite a little confusion going into the process, both of my parents are super-excited for this. As you can probably imagine, I am too. Just knowing that we'll have someone at the ready for my other kids when this baby decides to come is a huge weight off of my shoulders. I'm also hoping that by giving Lucy unfettered access to her Pappy, maybe pointless tantrums will come to an end. Because having a loose ponytail? IS NOT A TANTRUM-ABLE OFFENSE.

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Speaking of this baby, Sam informed me today that he wanted to be present when his brother arrives, and that even if he is sleeping I should wake him up. I reminded him that I would be going to the hospital and not having the baby at home, and that kids usually weren't allowed to come with mommies during that time. He made a certain face, so I knew he was thinking carefully about what he was about to say.

'The thing is, mom, I really wanna know how that baby pops out of you,' he said.

I'm sure at that moment I also made a face that showed how deliberately I was choosing my next words. I gently told him that the baby will come out of my private parts. It's one of those things that kids might find scary or gross, even though it isn't, that it just takes being a grown-up to really understand it all. I told him he could ask me any questions he liked, I would answer them as best I could.

Naturally, he looked a little freaked out. He thought some more and then declared that he did not want to be there when his brother was born, but maybe he could come visit once I put my pants back on.

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SNOOOOOOOOOOOOW! MORE FREAKING SNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW!!!11!1!!! And for some reason our school isn't closed. Which means my 33+ week pregnant ass has to schlep out with both girls to pick up Sam and his carpool buddy at 3pm. Wish us luck!

It's the Big One!

We finally got more than an inch of snow! And just in time for theme Thursday! How lucky is that? This was first thing in the morning, maybe 7:15-ish. The snow had stopped falling sometime after 3am, so the road had been plowed once, but everything else remained untouched. 

Sam looked out the window and declared the world 'boo-tee-ful!' I couldn't agree more!

For all of theme Thursday's frosty shots, visit The Land of K.A.

Snow Day

Because of the holiday all of the kids are home from school, and it's been snowing all day! If you open the door you are greeted with the sound of giggles and shouts. After Lucy went down for her nap I decided that Sam and I needed to go out and play. In the past he hasn't been too enthusiastic about snow play. But he's another year older, and the interests of an almost three year old can vary greatly from those of an almost-two-year-old. This year the snow was a big, big hit. 

Until he tried to make snow angels. When explaining to him how to make them, I left out one important detail.

Lay down on your back. I believe my instructions simply said 'lay down' and so my son planted his face right into the snow. Poor little fella. I distracted him by taking him into the back yard to make a snowman.

The snow isn't great for snowmen, so we just made this little one to guard our porch. Then we came inside for some hot cocoa with marshmallows. Well, for me. Sam just fished the marshmallows out of his cup and made a big, chocolate-y mess! 

It's been a great day.

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For more great shots visit Mother May I.