Changing Boy

Finally I am starting to see Jason as a little boy who has "friends". His biggest disadvantage has always been that I did not meet new moms who had kids the same age for him to have his own little playmates. He has always played well with the kids at daycare and he LOVES to play with Max, but recently he has also started playing well with my friend Kate's little guy, Matthew. When Wendy was up & the kids were playing, it was neat to watch Jason & Matthew do their own thing among the madness of the girls.

It made me rethink what to do for his birthday. At three Sydney had a "friend" birthday party and although I don't think Jason is quite ready for that, I do think that he needs to celebrate his birthday by having at least one friend there. Not sure what I would get if I asked him, he did tell me he wants to invite Adam because he is his "best friend". So thankfully Adam's mom doesn't work on Fridays and they can make it, so yeah! The bad thing is that a couple weeks after Jason's birthday, Adam will be moving away.

Jason is so much a boy. He has no problem playing with
girl toys, but usually does so in a boy-way.

Hot, sweet, and yummy work

Today Mom did something really special with the kids, something that I like to think I will do with them- but have not actually done it yet. Good old fashioned strawberry picking. Rookies at this task, Mom needed to encourage them to eat the berries instead of just putting them in the basket. When they finally did decide to eat the berries, they were the ones from their baskets instead of direct from the vine. I try not to think of the pesticides that they have just ingested by popping the berries directly in their mouth.


Props to Mom for taking them in the incredible heat of the day & to deal with the 5 busloads of kids who were also there. Thankfully the kids slept in for Mom that morning, so they were well rested for their big outing. I think Mom is in bed on Wednesday nights at the same time the kids are.

Welcome Southerners!`

Last weekend our transplanted Canadian friends headed back to their home in the south. The home was supposed to be temporary, but I am not so sure it will be as temporary as I hoped. :( However, since Wendy and the girls were in the area for two weekends we were sure to round the kiddies up for play & manage some Mommy Pub too. The first weekend they were here Sydney was heartbroken that Ellie didn't stay for a sleepover. But it was chaotic in our household that weekend & I think we would have stressed our visitors out. But alas, they did stay with us last Friday & Sydney got to have her sleepover.

One of the best things about this friendship is the enjoyment all parties get out of the relationship. Our kids play well together & as a result that gives Wendy & I time to chat & catch up. It's much easier to enjoy time with your friend when you are not breaking up arguments between your children. Now that they have headed back home, I just need to convince Brad that the kids & I need to go to North Carolina next March Break!

See Katie, your cow is OK. I will send 'him' back to you!

Wendy, let me know if you want any of these pictures...I will send with the cow.

These kids love their Papa

I was not part of the photo session on Father's Day & when reviewing the pictures tonight they clearly demonstrate that these kids love! their Papa. They have good reason too, because he really is good to them.


Maddy wasn't wanting away from her Papa, but she was definitely wanting the photo-op to end.

Happy Father's Day

Another Father's Day has come & passed & I realized I did not get a picture of Bradley with his children. However, we did get a group picture yesterday when we celebrated with Brad's family since Robb had to work today. It didn't seem right to have our celebration without him, however today the weather was beautiful whereas yesterday...not so much. So Brad's 'father' picture is cropped out of a group photo.

Awhile ago I asked Brad if he would like tickets to see a comedian he likes for a Father's Day gift. He said it didn't seem right to get a gift for Father's Day that meant he was not spending time with his kids. We could get the tickets for another reason, but he did not think it was the right thing to get for Father's Day. This is one of the things I love about him being the father of my children, he is very focused on his children & what it means to be a dad.

The Taylor Dads