We must be doing something right

I have many moments of insecurity as a parent. 

Am I doing the right thing?

Do they feel loved and respected?

Do they believe in themselves?

But, once in awhile something happens that gives me the reassurance I need and today was one of those days. 

The kids had spent the better part of the morning playing fort and had stripped their beds down to the sheets. I asked them to make their beds before lunch, and Maren was very proud to have done it all by herself. Upon hearing this, Maeve quietly crept upstairs, returning with a five dollar bill taken from her piggybank. She asked if she could give it to Maren, as she was proud of her for making her bed for the first time. I reminded her that five dollars was an entire week's allowance, but she insisted she wanted to give it to her. 

Oh how I love this kid. 

Is it too much to ask?

All is ask is that my kids pose for a nice picture, every once in awhile.  Is that too much to ask?  A couple of weekends ago I took them to Point Pleasant park, in hopes of getting the "perfect" picture.  Here's how it played out...

Far to excited to collect seashells to even look at me.

Beckett wouldn't even be in this picture!

Wacky face and cross eyes you say?  Got it!

At least this seagull posed for me!

Can you hear the "MOM! Stop taking pictures!"?

This is no fun!

Almost there!  But, Maeve didn't think Beckett's head was over far enough...so she helped.

Almost!

Are we done yet?  Yes, yes we are.  Sigh...

Apple Picking

This year we drove up with Maeve's school to join them on an apple picking trip to Gates U-Pick in Port Williams.  Such a gorgeous day, and so much fun!

Maren and her friend Grace.

Brent....being Brent.

So excited!

A perfect Day

Every once in awhile, we're blessed with a "perfect day".  Great weather, everyone's rested and healthy, and outings go as planned.

This past Thanksgiving weekend, we headed out to the York Redoubt and the Dingle Park for an afternoon of exploring and fun.

The joke's on Mommy.

I'm preserving this one for posterity. I'll also post about revenge when the time comes. 

Tonight, Brent brought out a can of "cat food" and started to eat it. I, of course, completely freaked out. As in screaming, trying to pry the fork out of his hands kind of freaked out  The kids stood there in awe....not sure what was happening. Truth be told, I wasn't sure what was happening!

And then.....the truth was revealed. It was a freaking can of tuna, relabeled to make me believe it was cat food. As you can imagined Brent was pretty excited to have fooled me. 

And then we noticed that Beckett was not laughing, he was about to cry!  He said "Mommy, but now the cats won't have any food". He laughed once we reassured him it was a joke. Our sweet little Beckett. :)

Revenge will be mine Brent!

Here come the school kids!

Maeve is now in grade 1, and the twins have started half-day preschool on Tuesday and Thursday.  So cute to see them excited for their new adventures!

Sweetness thy name is Beckett

Oh my....this little boy is going to melt hearts one day.  Here's how tonight's bedtime conversation went:

Beckett: Mommy, I love the gold Daddy brought me from Texas (a big chunk of fool's gold)
Me: Yeah, it's pretty neat, isn't it?
Beckett:  Would you like a big piece of gold, Mommy?
Me: Yes, I'm sure I would
Beckett:  Mommy, I'll tell Daddy to buy you a piece piece of gold!
Me: YES!  Please say those exact words to Daddy!
Beckett: Don't worry Mommy, you can share mine.  You can take it to bed with you while I sleep.  I don't mind sharing my gold with you.
Me: (Swoon) Thank you sweet Beckett, but you keep it. I'm okay watching you enjoy it.

He's just too sweet.