Maeve's First Rothko

This baby and a Rothko? HEAVEN.


Peek-a-boo!


Bliss.



This past weekend we took the kids to the Corcoran Gallery because we are cheap and Saturdays are free during the summer! There were a few exhibits I wanted to see and well, it had been a long time since we had gone to any museums as a family. Thousand degree weather didn't even slow us down!

I was 22 when I saw my first Rothko--it was at the SFMOMA and I'll never forget the impact that seeing Rothko's color on such a magnificent scale had on my personal aesthetic. I teared up. I don't know which artist will end up with the title of 'favorite' for Asher, Soren, or Maeve but I am thrilled that they will grow up seeing original pieces of phenomenal art. DC and NOVA may have terrible traffic and wretched real estate prices but taking my eight month old baby and three year old twins to see Rothko's on a Saturday make living here totally worth it.

Cousin-staches

We saw Gage, Wyatt, and Sara last night and we amused ourselves with ironic mustaches. Good times.

Adding to the Collection

Asher passed out after a bowl of post-swimming cereal. Little man could not be aroused even after moving him to his bed and afterwards to the couch. Transitioning the boys out of naps has been pretty rough but highly amusing.

Soren's First Talk

Soren's far away gaze...


Silly Soren.

Back when he was two...he's gotten so tall!


Sweet Soren.




My funny little man.



I'm trying to figure out how my four pound preemies are suddenly in primary and that Soren just gave his FIRST talk! Jamie helped him talk about preparing to attend the temple and Soren spoke clearly and confidently. He did not hesitate and I know that he was bolstered by the presence of his entire family. Maeve showed her approval by standing at a folding chair and banging her palms on it-she rocked out to Soren's sweet talk.

Soren is truly an amazing child. He daily stuns me with his knowledge and with the wise questions that he asks. I love to ask him questions and get his theory behind the reason things happen. Soren is extremely trustworthy and he desires to do what is right. If he has done something wrong or inappropriate he apologizes immediately and I can tell he means it. If I ask him to help me with something his usual reply is a happy, "sure!" Soren is eager to please and in a productive, non-obsequious way. I admire him and love that he continues to enjoy my frumpy company so much.

Tenderness towards my children has been effortless but I feel that love for them lengthen and deepen as I watch them grow. Soren makes my heart swell with happiness and I am so grateful for his sweet company.

Pre-Bedtime Cleverness

Ice-cream cone anyone???




I have complained a lot about bedtime on this blog--mostly because when I am solely responsible for this tender yet mostly harried time of day, it's often chaotic. Sometimes there are shiny moments that make my soul burn with joy for my children. When I pause to see their antics as the clever results of happy imagination--I want to scoop up their twin cuteness and never let them go.

For example, the other night after Maeve was in bed the boys and I found ourselves downstairs where immediately Asher and Soren kick-started some serious cuteness. Asher started handing out 'ice cream cones' and then the two of them were busy either consuming them or making them in their 'ice-cream factory.' Isn't it hilarious how kids observe and then recreate the world around them?

Last night Soren piled up the blankets on his bed like they were mountains and suddenly his truck was driving over the mountain pass 'in search of Canada.' What the? Sometimes I ask questions but usually I just sit back and enjoy the pre-bedtime cleverness show.

Thoughts 'n Stuff

Jordan posted about Lucy's shark bite--check it out. I haven't been able to stop thinking about them and I am so grateful Lucy is recovering so amazingly. Asher insists that HE was the pilot in the rescue emergency helicopter that flew Lucy to the hospital. I wish he had been there to comfort her!

This past week and this weekend I have been clinging to my children a little more and with greater fervor. I am so grateful for those healthy, beautiful little bodies.

Swingers

This is the very swing that Asher and Soren sat in for the first time back when they were Maeve's age. I'm happy that Asher and Maeve could swing together--those two are too cute. Maeve absolutely adores Asher and thinks he is hilarious. Every little face or noise he makes for her entertainment is rewarded with merry laughter and joy. Watching Maeve interact with her older brothers has been such a delight--they are truly good to her and so sweet.

Sweet Lucy

Sweet Lucy as a baby babe.

My friend Jordan, sister of my BFF Ashley, is the mother to one enormously sweet and beautiful little girl Lucy. On Tuesday evening Lucy was bit by a shark while in only 1.5 feet of water. I nearly passed out when I found out. I know I am not alone in sharing my fear of being attacked by a shark but my CHILD? I would die and then want to hunt that animal down and punch it in the face.

Lucy is in the hospital and no longer in critical condition from the damage to her leg and foot. Please pray for her and for her family. Children are resilient and she is healing but as a mother--I can imagine Jordan will feel especially tender about this whole experience probably for the rest of her life.

Crazy Sleepers

Soren demonstrating the half stand/half recline sleep pose.


Asher demonstrates the 'tucked between the bed and wall' sleep position.



Finding Asher asleep on the steps the other day was very amusing and endearing. Just in the past month I have found Asher and Soren sleeping in crazy positions! Not pictured are the many times I have found A&S sleeping perpendicular to the wall (a Deuce favorite) and the time I found Soren sleeping on the floor because he had fallen OFF the bed. Kids. So cute.

Park Players Again

Burke Lake Park has a little train you can ride around the 'lake.' The boys were pretty excited about it and well, I was too! Maeve also enjoyed it and even entertained us by rocking out in her seat. She's really good at rocking out--it's one of her cutest talents.

Looking over my blog I see that it is a bit outdated--Burke Lake Park was nearly TWO weeks ago for the love. Also--Soren has not gotten much play and that kid is really remarkable. I'll try to make my blog a little more current over the next few days and also dedicate some quality real estate to my baby b: Soren!

Park Play

Maeve was so excited to be sitting on the slide and even more excited to climb up it.




There she goes!




Possibly one of my favorite photos of ALL time.


Classic.


My baby dudes. I love them.





We took the kids to Burke Lake Park last weekend for a little Saturday fun. We also wanted to check out the campground and find out the cost and details for a little campy camping with the kids. We were disappointed that we had to pay $10 to enter the park! Doesn't that seem expensive for a park? I guess it seemed expensive because I don't love playgrounds so it seemed silly to pay to use one. The boys had fun because the playground was suddenly a firestation and they were very busy putting out fires. Maeve had fun on the slide and had no problem climbing it. How come she is so turbo all the time? Baby girl!

We learned that it costs $28 to camp. You guys! Isn't that pricey? I'd pay that for a national park but probably not for that park.

In news unrelated to the cuteness of my kids or my strange aversion to paying for parks and camping, my mom has shingles. The doctor told her to take the week off and relax. I wish I could take care of her. My contribution to a week of relaxation is to make sure my blog is current with photos of her Virginia grand-baby babes! Love you mom!

Why is it so Quiet Downstairs?

Possibly because Asher fell asleep on the stairs! What the?!