Small Town Feel in the City (if you can call Saint Paul the city)

Me and Bob have both shared the same feelings about some of the places we have lived. We LOVED the house, but didn't love the neighborhood. We really wanted a safe little neighborhood, like the one we both grew up in, where our kids were friends with the neighbor kids and they all ran around to each others houses. I didn't expect to find it until somehow magically we made enough money to buy a home in one of those neighborhoods.

But this spring has completely taken me by surprise. Because we are actually living in one of those neighborhoods. Several younger couples have moved in and suddenly we find ourselves busy and with company almost every single night. Their kids let themselves into our backyard, and as soon as one of them open their door, Aid grabs his bucket of dinos and heads on over. We share dinners, watch each others kids, and gather on a porch or backyard and watch them all play.

I can't believe we have found this in the most unexpected of places. It makes me so happy when we are hanging out by ourselves and suddenly hear a friend open the back gate...all three of us light up just a little.

I suppose sometimes you get what you ask for if you are willing to be a little open minded.

Ta Da!!!!

He's not exactly the most agile little thing on the planet.

I've Got a Hard Life

This is not to say that I don't work my butt off every single day. I get no lunch break, no bathroom break, no commute. I wake up and am on duty and do not get off duty until they are sleeping soundly. And then every so often I have an overnight shift. I cook, I clean, then I clean again. And we play hard. So on bad days, I am more then justified in complaining.

But 90% of the time I am so incredibly lucky to be home with these two. And my days look like this:




It's a tough job, but someone's gotta do it.

Thank you honey for working so hard so that I get to be what I have always wanted to be. A mom.

Big Wheels

Grant loves to ride...anything. He just absolutely loves to be chauffeured around in whatever vehicle is available. Aid's trike has been his favorite. But as you can see, his feet don't reach the pedals and I am hunched over pushing him on this. So we never go too far and it's always the end of the world when the ride ends so Aid can have a turn.



So Grandma Mac got us this. And we are now officially the happiest 1 year old on the block. I can push him to his hearts content without my back feeling a thing. (And Aid gets his bike back.)


I drove him for 25 minutes (I'm not exaggerating) around the circle of our house and we only stopped for dessert. And even then we didn't get out of the car.

Thank you Grandma!

Sam and Aid

Aid met Sam when he was about 18 months old. Sam is a few months older. And it was friendship at first sight. While they are always experiencing developmental challenges and changes at slightly different times, Sam has always remained patient with Aid. He has got to be the most laid back and calm little boy I have ever met. So Aid has always felt comfortable enough to be who he is with Sam. Sam seems to understand Aid and Aid's a quirky little man so that is fairly significant. Aid also loved Em immediately. In fact, she was the first person in Minnesota I left him with. They lived 5 minutes away on the other side of the lake and me and Aid were in heaven. To have found such good friends that lived so close...

Then they moved. And I think both me and Aid were a little heart broken. I also thought Aid had it easier since he was so little. He would make other friends and forget about Sam. But I was wrong. There is no forgetting Sam. I didn't realize it was possible for kids that young to form friendships that would stand the test of time and distance. But I stand corrected. Sam's name will come up at the most random time...he'll get a book and comment about how he can't wait to show it to Sam. Or we'll be eating mac and cheese and before you know it we are talking about Sam.

So about once a month we alternate driving back and forth from Rochester so the boys can play together. And it is a complete joy to watch them. Grant and Matilda are now in the mix but don't care about much of anything except their snacks.


And I still have my friend too. I knew the moment I met Em that I was going to like her. She is funny, sarcastic, upfront, honest, and loyal. All good qualities in my book. But she moved and we hadn't been friends for terribly long, so I assumed we would grow apart too. Again, wrong. I think it's fair to say that our little boys' love for one another has helped cement our own friendship, and I love her more and more all the time.

I believe that people come into your life when you need them to. This was true for me in meeting Em. And there is not a doubt in my mind this is true for Aid.

Not Until You're Older!

Aid recently asked about my tattoo. It is of a purple flower on what used to be a flattering part of my lower back/upper butt area. After two children...well, it's not so flattering anymore. The flower has held up great, however. I am surprised this hasn't come up before, but am certain it will again.

This was the conversation:

Aid: "Mama! Why did you color on yourself?" (said in a completely shocked tone)

Me: "It's called a tattoo Aid! I got it a long time ago."

Aid: "Mama, can I color a tattoo on me?
"
Me: "Not until you are 18 years old. When you are 18 years old you can do whatever you want and color on yourself if you want to. Just don't ever color a girl's name on you. You will think it will last forever, but life is funny, and it may not.

Aid: "Ok, mama..."

Aid: "Mama?"

Me: "Yes honey?"

Aid: "I am 3 ears old."

Me: "Yep, you have a long time and lots of ears to go until we talk about this again."

Aid: "Ok mama!"


This is the same conversation I plan to have when he turns 18.