Friday, December 28, 2012

This Christmas, we had some moments of laughter which will be fondly remembered by us all. These boys keep us in constant laughter, it's true, but even the adults in this small party were entertaining this year!
A few funnies I can recall at present:

  • Quote-a-thong... that's right. In all innocence it was an attempt to say "quote-a-thon" AND/OR "quote-along". But still. Thank you Ankie Tae.
  • "Oh look, sexy underwear" I exclaimed as I opened my stocking stuffers, only to hear the echo from my 2 year old. He then proceeded to wear them on his head.
  • Krista, Lisa and I were discussing the list of our favorite Christmas songs, including "Mary did you know", and particularly the works from Kathy Mattea. I remarked at how deeply moved I always am by her version of "Mary had a little lamb".
  • Krista was busy being industrious and making some scrumptious candy cookies. Her hands were immersed in cookie dough when the timer on the over went off, so she asked, "Can you please get the diaper out of the oven?" Poor thing... I think she's been traumatized by this household of little people.

Cool like my Auntie

Tiger and Ankie Tae

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Photos from Christmas Day, 2012

Woodeech!

Sunshine Bear!

Daddy loves Baby Lochlan!

Devany, Mommy and Stink

Devany giving kisses

Daddy and Bundle having fun on the new trike!

Christmas presents are serious business.

Man loves to read!

My Lion!

Paugie face!

Lion gettin' some lovin'.

Lochlan telling Daddy about his day.

I love you beautiful boy.

Thursday, December 06, 2012

Scrawny grows up...

Declan, 2 weeks old
 






Declan, 15 months






Baby steps

Declan just climbed onto the couch where Lochlan is perched up on a pillow. He sidled up to his baby brother, nose to nose and patted his little head. Then, he rubbed his lips against Lochlan's cheeks (Declan's version of a kiss) and said, "Bebe". He loves his lil' brother and it melts my heart! Paugie is always up for a good snuggle.

As I followed the sound of silence this afternoon (never a good sound in this household) I discovered Madigan "taking a dump" on the back porch. I was rather aghast and said, "Madigan, what are you doing?" He said, in a rather matter-of-fact manner, "pooping on the porch." "Why?", I said. "The girls [Scotties] poop on the porch." "Yes, but they get spanked for pooping on the porch, because they are naughty little girls. You need to go in the toilet ONLY. Do you understand?" Befuddled, he finally agreed that such activity would be restricted to the restroom in the future. Oy! Such reasoning this boy this has!

I finally had the good sense to move the snack food containers down to "man level" so that they can help themselves whenever they are so inclined. It has made for a lot less trips back and forth to the pantry for Mommy. They help themselves to walnuts, almonds and raisins anytime they please. They are praying that the chocolate chips end up on the same shelf!

Tuesday, December 04, 2012

Kitchen Staff







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The McPeople, 2012

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Be still my beating heart

Lochlan, my lion, don't ever stop smiling!



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Waiting for Hun-Hun to finish his bath...

 
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Wednesday, November 28, 2012

We make the zoo look clean

Though the title "Poop Happens" might be more appropriate for this blog entry, for the sake of decency, I chose a different one (you are welcome, Aunt O). After spending a lovely morning at the zoo this morning with my three incredible little men and two dear friends (Sophia and Melanie), we came home to prepare lunch and get our naps on. Then, I suddenly and not so enthusiastically realized that there was a full blown conspiracy in the works and I was the unlucky target (or so it seemed). All critters and small humans alike contributed to the effort and I spent a full 21 minutes picking up "crap" in places it was supposed to be and not supposed to be. The 3 small humans and the 3 canines in my charge created enough mass chaos (and nastiness) to make me frantic. As I began to feel I was finally making progress, Lochlan finished the group project with a thorough blow out. Wow. I really did start laughing at that point... it all seemed so surreal and absurd that there really wasn't much else I could do.

Now... I love them all again. :-)

In other news... we are filling our days with Christmas projects... they are slow going with these little helping hands so eager to learn and to participate in every step of the process, but they are coming along! We are making all of our gifts this year and Bundle and Pauge are putting so much heart into everything they are doing. It's inspiring to see! Pauge studies every move I make, watches how everything comes together and mimics every action/word carefully. Any offered assistance from Mommy is strictly forbidden! Bundle runs from project to project. He is such an action man and he will be the man to get it done, though sometimes he "fudges over" details to reach the goal more efficiently. He is happy to receive assistance, as long as it means the end goal will be reached sooner!

As I have observed them this week, something has stood out to me about each of them:
  • Bundle helped Grandpa build a gate for the steps leading from our deck to the carport. Grandpa placed the latch to the gate on the outside so that the boys would have more difficulty getting out. Madigan studied that latch yesterday as we were going up the stairs onto the deck and later that afternoon, successfully opened the gate from the inside. Unbelievable! I guess we'll have to padlock it! 
  • Pauge watches. He watches to see how something is done/said, then he tries it over and over with dogged determination until he feels he's mastered it. If he gets thwarted in his efforts or someone tries to redirect him to something else, he gets very resentful and frustrated and doesn't hesitate to express those feelings.
  • Lochlan the Lion is a lover! He is most content when he is surrounded by his people. When he's upset, he can be immediately calmed by a whisper into his ear from Mommy and being able to feel Mommy's face up against his own. He follows us around the room with his eyes, and if we leave the room, even for a moment he gets restless. He is quick to smile and he loves it when we say, "Beautiful boy, I love you!". 
Precious people! 

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

My largest baby...


My beautiful Devany at 1.5 years old. She's a stinky teenager, but so wonderfully full of life and potential. I love being around her. Her mind is sharp and active and she is a treat to train!


Jealous of my wheels?


House elves hard at work

We recently bought our FIRST HOUSE... a little 1950's special with some aesthetic needs. During this phase of our lives, we are thankful for all the useful hands around here.



Painter in action






Man Cave



The wall we turned into a magnetized chalkboard

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