It's Carnival Time

On December 26th the boys woke me up asking, "Mommy, what holiday is next?"  Unimpressed by the prospect of New Year's Eve, they quickly added, "Nope.  What's next?"  Well, when they heard the Mardi Gras was around the corner they were stoked.  In fact, they demanded that we immediately take down all Christmas decorations...which they did...without my help...while I was upstairs alone with Luke.

After cleaning up a few broken ornaments and applying a couple of band-aids we completed an inventory of Mardi Gras decorations.  We then decided we needed more. One trip to Hobby Lobby later and I determined there are just not enough good Mardi Gras decorations available.  And since I've got ALL this free time on my hands to whip up my own, I'll guess we'll make due with what we have. 

After the boys' enthusiastic assistance with putting up and taking down the Christmas decorations, I had high hopes for some serious little helpers.  Apparently decorating for Mardi Gras is far less appealing than a rerun of Peppa Pig.  

Without my little helpers I was actually grateful to have only a few decorations to put up.   I have to say, taking down Christmas decorations would be a lot more depressing if I couldn't switch them right out with Mardi Gras decorations.  

New Year's Resolutions

About ten years ago I made a New Year's Resolution to never make a New Year's Resolution again.  Well, I can't seem to keep even that one.  As I sit here I am contemplating several resolutions.  But, que sera.  

First resolution is to update this blog more.  Yes, I know my six followers are jumping for joy.  You're welcome.  But, on a purely selfish note, I love writing on here and documenting my family as it grows.  And honestly, this blog is the closest thing any of my kids are getting to a baby book.  While I haven't set a hard and fast number of posts per day/week/month (I mean, that's just setting myself up for failure), I want to just do better.  

And on that note, my next resolution is to take more pictures.  No, not on the phone.  I want to take more pictures with my *real* camera.  You know, like I used to before I had three kids.  Besides, if I'm actually going to update this blog, I'm going to need more photos.  My random musings and occasional stream of consciousness posts can only take this thing so far.  

And while I'm at it, I'm resolving to be in more photos.  This is tough since I'm usually the one taking the photos and, it seems like every time I ask someone else to take a picture, well, it's not up to snuff.  But, I'll just have to put all that behind me and make an effort to occasionally hand the camera over.  

I'm feeling pretty good about the odds here, especially since last year I only posted three times.  So, here goes nothing.  

Say what?!

Overheard on the monitor this weekend during what was supposed to be nap time...

Beau: "Mommy! Mommy! I can't sleep now; it's light outside. It's not like I'm nocturnal!"

Touche' Beau, touche'.

The Big Top

Beau's school hosted its annual Circus this Friday. It was Beau's first time as a participant and he did a fine job as a lion. He really took his part seriously. I think there's a future for him in performance arts.

My Hero

Sometimes even Charlie has a tender moment...especially when it comes to his daddy.

Say no to pants!

Why do my kids hate pants so?

I briefly "lost" Beau yesterday but quickly found him playing in the backyard in this get up.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from the Brian boys!!

He's here...

Introducing Matthew Luke Brian. He arrived on December 12, 2013 at 7:26am. He's completed our little family.

It's the little things...

More additions to our Thankful Tree. Beau's is on the left, Charlie's on the right. Guess I should be glad he is happy with what God gave him.

Say what?!

Charlie: "Mommy, you have a big belly. "
Me: "Yes, Charlie, I do. And what's in Mommy's big belly?"
Charlie: "Ice cream cones."

Little punk.

Our Thankful Tree

This year to help the boys better understand why we celebrate Thanksgiving we are creating a "Thankful Tree". Throughout the month the boys are sharing things that they are thankful for the I write them down. It's a great visual exercise and so far, so good 

Thus far my favorite entries are Beau's first two... glad to know he appreciates the basics in life!

Say what?!

Beau: "Bye-bye, Mommy!"
Me: "Where are you boys going?"
Beau: " To save the day."

Say what?!

Beau: Mommy, when is Luke coming?
Me: Sometime after Thanksgiving. Mommy will go to the hospital for his arrival and then we'll both come straight home.
Beau: Oh no he won't. Luke is going straight to timeout.
Me: What? Why?
Beau: Becausehe won't stop kicking you and that's not nice.
Charlie: Not nice, Mommy.

They have a point...

And so it begins...

Well Beau has officially started T-ball. And while he is still more interested in the lovebugs, it's pretty cute to watch him out there. Daddy is proud and Charlie can't wait to join him.

Spring is in the air...

...kind of.  We took advantage of yesterday's GORGEOUS weather to bring the boys to the park.  Good thing too, since the weather was so short-lived - last night it dipped down into the 30s!!  Here are some shots from yesterday.  Oh, and we ran into our favorite triplets while we were playing.  

Reindeer food! (...again...)

Back by popular demand, Reindeer Food for the boys' classmates.  I apologize for not having any photos of the boys making the reindeer food, but I had my hands quite full with cheerios, M&Ms, sprinkles, and two very excited little boys.  Throwing a camera in the mix would have been too much! 

"...and that's it."

Beau came home from school this week with a letter to Santa laying out his wish list.

Well, he may be impractical, but at least he's not greedy.