Define Your Chaos

Last week I was at the doctor for a routine visit and he asked how I was adjusting to life with three kids. I get this question a lot and I am never sure how to answer it. It is more than two, for sure and it is harder than two. What do people expect as an answer? After we talked a little more he asked if I felt like I was handling things okay and then asked if I would rate my everyday life as completely in control, moderately wild or completely chaotic. My response was "As compared to what? Life with two kids or other people's lives?" I told him that I thought it was pretty well under control. He laughed and said he had three boys, so I guess it is all relative.
Later that week we were home from school and I was loading the dishwasher. I looked up and Brandt was playing his DS on the sofa, upside down. His head was hanging off and his feet were on the pillow where his head should have been. Campbell was riding her bike, yes in house, in a dress and rainboots, but with a helmet, in circles around the table and singing. Blake was not throwing the silverware out of the dishwasher or trying to climb in, which is why I looked up in the first place. He was sitting under the table eating a snack that I had not given him. It was leftover, probably from diner the night before - who knows what it was. He has a very good immune system. No one was watching TV, but thanks to Blake it was on the Spanish channel and no one had even noticed. Yeah, I have it all under control - no chaos in this house.

Seven Teeth

On Saturday Blake opened his mouth really wide and I realized that another top tooth was through the gum and after really looking, so was the bottom one! He is up to seven teeth now. The two newest ones are on his left side. Two new teeth explains some of the fussiness last week!

Ring Day!!

Last Friday was Ring Day at A&M for Rachel. We decided to let Brandt miss school so that we could be there in time to see her get her ring. Things have changed a little since I got my ring and it is far more organized now.
In our true family style (and a little like the Beverly Hillbillies) we all trooped in together and documented everything in pictures.

Wildflowers

Over the weekend I attempted to take pictures of the kids in the wildflowers. I love, love this time of year. The flowers always remind me of my grandmothers. One loved to paint bluebonnets and the other loved Indian Paintbrushes and refused the mow where there were any wildflowers.
The kids were less than excited about my idea. Brandt said it was "the worst thing he had ever done." Campbell was crying in most of the pictures because she refused to wear her shoes and stepped on a sticker and then saw a bug. Blake was crying in all the pictures because that is what Blake does. In a few years I won't care and will think the pictures are cute. The flowers are about gone, so I don't think that we will have another chance this year.

I Smell Green Stuff

It is finally spring and with all the construction going on here in Frisco, the small animals are out and about. It makes for a lot of dead animals on the roads in the mornings. On the way to ballet a couple of weeks ago, we smelled a skunk (or a stunk, as Campbell calls them). She asked what the smell was and we talked about the skunk. Later in the day, I smelled another one and I said "I smell a skunk." She very quickly replies "I smell the green stuff." The rest of the conversation went something like this:
"You smell the grass?"
"No, the green stuff."
"The flowers?"
"NO, the green stuff!"
"What green stuff?"
"Mom, you know, the stinky green stuff."
"What stinky green stuff?"
"The stunk."
"The stunk smell is green?"
"Yeah Mom, Dora smells green stuff."

Then I understood. When things stink on TV, it is always portrayed as a green cloud, so she assumed a stunk would make a green smell. Yeah, it's spring and we smell lots of green stuff. We probably watch too much TV too.

Blake is One

Last week Blake turned one. I can't believe it has already been a year since he was born. Time really flies by! We had a birthday party over the weekend and he had a great time.
On Tuesday he had his one year checkup. He got four shots, which was not so fun, got his vision checked, which was perfect and got an overall good report from the doctor. He is eating all big boy food now and will have nothing to do with baby food. He drinks whole milk and only gets a bottle when he goes to sleep. He got boy sippy cups for his birthday, so now he drinks his juice from cups with cars on them instead of teapots! He pulls up on everything and is strating to cruise along the furniture. He prefers to step sideways and will take quite a few steps as long as he is holding on. He has almost stopped biting, but loves to spit and blow bubbles. He is doing better and better playing by himself with his toys and loves his new big ball. He also is doing better sleeping and has slept in his bed all night several nights this week - we'll see if it lasts!
Here are his stats from the doctor:
Weight: 22 pounds, 9 ounces - 50th percentile
Height: 29 3/4" - 50th percentile
Head: 18 1/2" - 60th percentile

Comparatively, here are Brandt and Campbell's:
Brandt:
Weight: 23 pounds, 4 ounces - 60th percentile
Height: 30 1/4" - 65th percentile
Head: 20" - >95th percentile

Campbell
Weight: 23 pounds, 2 ounces - 80th percentile
Height: 31" - >95th percentile
Head: 18 3/4" - >95th percentile

And yes, I know I am WAY behind! We had Spring Break, Easter, another snow storm and a ton of cute stories that I need to share. I will get caught up! I have tons more party pictures too!

Brandt's Field Trip

Last month Brandt's class took a field trip to the Dallas World Aquarium and I joined them as a chaperon. The chaperons divided up the class, so Brandt and I were paired with his buddy Calvin for the trip. We toured the whole aquarium and saw several things two or three times. After the aquarium, we went to the park for a picnic lunch and a little play time before heading back to school.

Brandt and Calvin

Do you think that fish is bigger than us?

I wonder what that fish eats?

Sharks and rays!

These flamingos stink!

The penguins are cool!

These are some of our friends...

A little time to play