Being a domestic goddess is over rated.

There I said it.  All to often I hear how amazing it is that our house is always so tidy.  Or at least I used to hear that a lot.  Now that I have three adorable tornados at my house, life is a little different.  My "the house must be tidy all the time" attitude has been slipping.  Don't get me wrong, I still shove stuff into closets and run around my house like a crazed cleaning machine right before people come over.  Doesn't everyone?  Isn't there a universal rule that you never open someone else's closets.? In my house you are guaranteed an avalanche every time.

This is what my house looks like most of the time:

Because....you know....these little people have to eat. A lot.  Especially the boys who can crush an entire pizza between the two of them.

And then there are the random accidents on the furniture, pictured below.

Good thing my couch covers wash easily.        This is after I asked the kids to pick the toys up.  "What mom, there are no toys on the floor just like you said!"  Guess I need to be more specific.

But you know there is a freedom to be had in letting go.  A messy house is always just 30 minutes of free play away. There will always be dishes or laundry to clean.  But the sweet baby girl and boys that think I am still cool....

Look mom, I'm a water buffalo!

These sweet kids will only be young for the blink of an eye.  I love that Mary is teaching us all to relax a little.  The messy house can wait....it's time to hug these little blessings.

Please excuse the mess.

Candy Corn Bribery

Instead of waging a battle over what to wear this morning I told the boys if they made a choice to wear a collared shirt they could have a candy corn.  Just one is a big enough incentive because I didn't hear a peep until they came downstairs looking like this:

They are so handsome. Love them in a good rugby shirt.

Luke ran into the kitchen and came back with checks full of candy....and announced with a smirk " I took 5".  Looked like more then that!

Meanwhile James totally oblivious to his brother's thievery asks "may I please have 2? I would like one pumpkin and one candy corn."

These boys are so different.  It makes life fun!

Morning Stories

So sweet!  Although notice how far away he moved the book so she won't grab it. Smart guy!

Monday Funday

You know you have a good friend when she lets you and your children come over for an all day play date.  Not only are her children lovely and so sweet, but her Chick-fil-a has a play area. Oh, and for snack you get ice cream.  They are already asking to go back.

Why yes they had ice cream for lunch and snack. Heaven!

Vampire bats in the playground.

Sillies!

More sillies.

Don't you love fall in Virginia!  The walk to the playground was beautiful.  But my walking buddy was the best part.  This girl is pure sunshine and spunk !

Next time I promise to get pictures of our littles!  

GOOOOOAAAAAL

Our last game of the season was action packed today.  The Green Dragons were playing the Golden Dragons.  What is with all these dragons you ask...no idea. Must be a first grade boy thing.  Half the teams we played were <insert color of jersey> Dragons.

The teams were well matched.  Both showed off their finesse by cartwheeling and prancersizing onto the field.  And much cheering was had when "snack time" or "water break" was announced. 

The halftime snack of oranges must have fueled their dragon fire because in the second half our proud Green Dragons scored not only their first goal if the season...but also their second AND third goals.  In one game. And all in the proper goal and not the other teams.  The boys rejoiced, the parents rejoiced, the siblings stopped ignoring their big brothers and cheered along.  

Such a great game.  And the best part...James scored one of those goals!  I almost scared the baby on account of all my cheering.  Like even sauntered over and said "Nice job bro!"  We could not have ended the season on a better note.

Go Green Dragons!

Trick or Treat

James made sure people knew those were not his real muscles.  Luke almost skipped gleefully around collecting candy.  Mary watched with apprehension at all he litte ones running around.

The rain sent us home early, but it is probably for the best. We are sweet enough.

Happy Birthday Luke

5 years and ready to catch up to James. He is almost there!!

Costumes, pumpkins and cupcakes.  Such a big boy!

7 months and a Surprise

She is 7 months.  I may come undone when she turns 1.  Loving having a baby in the house !

And when cleaning out some old frames found baby pictures of the boys. They were bribed into this picture.  Totally worth it!

And it's costume season.  Here we are at a trunk or treat. The boys corrected everyone that it was "super girl".  It was pretty funny at times.

First (good) Joke

Knock Knocks by James

Knock, knock.

Who's there?

Pizza

Pizza Who?

Would you pizza get me food?

A fine first work if you ask me.  So much better then the usual nonsense.

Rock Walls and Planes

Some pictures from our action packed weekend with Aunt Julia and Uncle Morgan. This dynamic duo taught both the boys proper repelling techniques, how to find proper hand holds, and got them all the way to the top of the climbing walls .  Now they can't wait to go back!!

We also took a break from climbing and flew a glider.  This plane was very resilient given our enthusiastic pilots.  

Great weekend was topped off with a trip to our favorite afghan restaurant where even the boys enjoyed the lamb and pumpkin.  A trip to Sweet Frog and we were living large.  

This morning the boys are missing everyone...the house is just too quiet.  Miss you guys!