We were fortunate enough to have one of our babe’s siblings over for the morning. It was fun and exhausting and a really good experience! Some parts felt sad. It was pretty eye opening in terms of the different methods of care and opportunities. But! I was so pleasantly surprised by many things.

I LOVED hearing both Spoons and LD call our newcomer by name! Sharing toys. Managing feelings when sharing proved to be challenging. Newbie shared snacks at the table. So many inquiries. So many new things to check out and explore.

At one point in the games we played, I was informed that the moon was out and it was time to nap. I was brought to the recliner, and my babes, plus the sibling, all piled on the chair, some on top and some beside. Glasses came off. The singing stuffed animal was activated. We even had some blankets. And we just. Lay. Still. When I got up to help Munchie on the floor, I was quickly informed that the moon was still out. So back to naps we went.

After that, I had a small child velcroed to my side. It was sweet, and I’m very glad we were able to support a sibling visit in the home. I observed a lot of things, and gained some experience, I think. But it was encouraging 💜 This will not be our last visit for these siblings, or many others, I’m sure.

Today, I took a handful of the kids for a walk after school. I loaded up the babies in the beast wagon. I filled some sippy cups. I put on shorts!! And off we went to the town office to get a fresh criminal record check. Nothing too crazy. But an excuse to get out, and to do it without rushing in the van to try to get back as fast as I can. We just moseyed. Took our time. Got our sweat on a little. I loved it.

I know the forecast says more snow. Like. Right away here. Which is a huge dumb bummer. But I REALLY enjoyed going for a walk in the sun in shorts and a tank top, with all three babies in short sleeves, totally comfortable. My anticipation for summer is growing by the day, and today, it felt more real. Like it was actually going to come. Someday. We will be back at camp.

While a big downer of Spring is the weather for me, I do love the addition of rubber boots to all of Wavy’s ensembles.

The girls Spring performance is not far off, and while she will obviously wear her ballet shoes for any actual dance, I LOVED seeing this look. I loved it a little less after her tights hit the mud puddle in front of our house.

But I suppose thats Spring for you!

Right now, LD and Spoons are big on “come ON!” It sounds like an eye roller statement, but its actually an invitation! If Spoons wants LD to come please, there is a loud “Come ooooooon” and an excited face to entire LD to join. Its VERY cute.

Just the other day, I had been out of the room while all three babes were in high chairs. When I re-entered the room, LD was a little concerned and called me over.

“Come on, mommy!” Arm outstretched in my direction. So I came over for what I thought was a hug. Sometimes I’m invited for high chair hugs.

But that day, LD reached for my hand. So I offered it, and we clasped hands. And as though LD isn’t already basically perfect, they simply went back to eating their noodles. Totally normally. Just needed to keep me close, holding hands.

Those are the parts that make my heart truly ache. SUCH warm attachment. SUCH a good bond. For how long, no one knows 💜💔

I’d share the picture but I’m not allowed. You’ll just have to trust me that it was SO lovely. 🥰

Have you seen the reels and memes online that joke about men “training” to join their wife in the shower because the water is so stinking hot? That was the first thing that came to my mind after Wavys bath today.

She loves a good hot bth, to which I can unequivocally relate. The burnier the better! But today, she came out HOT. She told me that she dunked her face into the tub and now, it hurt. She definitely looked like her bath was too hot, hahaha! But she was happy and sweaty and I have no beef with that.

So. Those red patches? They’re still there. Bright red right specifically below the outer corners of her eyes, and on her neck. She asked for lotion, insisted on lotion, but of course, it burned the flesh 😬

My little girl with her patchwork face is totally fine. She says everything feels way better now, but she did indeed burn her face 😅 not sure how the rest of her body didn’t burn to a crisp, but I’m glad it didn’t. Just that delicate face skin couldn’t take the heat, I guess. Its ok. Still cute! 💜

You know how I feel about little guys learning to spell. Its my favorite thing. Actually, not as much their learning to spell but their inability to spell. You get it. It is SO adorable. Mix a little french in there and everybody wins!

Today, not only did Wavys spelling kick butt, but her drawings were pretty much perfect. 👌

I love both of these SO MUCH. She is hilarious, and creative, and totally unashamed of any of the work she does. She is such a little free spirit 💜

I love you, Waverly!! You write and draw beautifully. I’m very proud of you!

Brady and I are barely “evening apart” people, so two nights and three days feels like a long stretch! Add to that his mobility changes since he’s travelled alone, plus the promise of a snow storm, I have REALLY wished he was home. But this evening, the dream comes true because he is on his way!!

They wrapped up some morning training, and rather than going to lunch, Brady went to Ikea to make a pickup for us! While we are fairly desperately purging this house, we are eager to find ways to make the house work well for us. A huge chunk of that is getting rid of clutter and furniture that isn’t working, but another part of it is replacing it with things that do work. So we ordered a few things through their click and collect option, and someone came and loaded it up in Bradys van! Heyooooo!!

Post-Ikea, Brady filled up and grabbed some lunch at Wendys. This picture actually just destroys my heart, but in a fabulous way 💜 It has been a LONG time since this man pumped his own gas 💜 There is a whole story there. Maybe for another day.

Look at how handsome he is!!! 😍

As the snow has started to swirl, please carry my man in your prayers! Thankfully, he left in daylight and should make it home still in daylight! I am SO looking forward to spending the evening with him, and hopefully a coffee in the morning as well. My favorite person right here. 🙌

Lord, please bring Brady home safe!! 💜

Do you know who does? Its Brady. You know how I know? Because today, when I went to the kitchen to pour myself a coffee, there was a VERY old bottom of the pot situation going over there, not even sort of resembling fresh coffee 🤣 You better believe I drank some, though, because it was definitely coffee time.

Every evening, Brady packs his backpack for the next work day, and makes a pot of coffee to brew in the early morning hours so he and I can have coffee in bed together before he leaves for the day. Then I get the kids off to school, and once they’re gone, I pour another cup and drink it usually before the babies get up. Its a pretty nice routine. It doesn’t always play out perfectly like that, but its the goal, anyway.

Today, I did not wake up to have coffee in bed, because I slept like a rock and then Munchie woke up for milk at 6:45. Baby got milk and I got up for the day!

I got the kids up and off to school, and then Cher came over for coffee and a day of work. It only occurred to me on my way from the mug shelf to the coffee maker that coffee had not been made 😅 I laughed at myself when I realized it, and when I picked up the pot to make some quickly, and it was heavy in my hands, I figured “what the heck” and poured some. Cher’s “ewwwww” served as a fitting theme song to that cup, but she lovingly made me some fresh java a little later in the day 💜 And even set some up for tomorrow that I can start whenever my heart desires.

I’m pretty well taken care of 💜 Even when I’m a total bird brain.

One more sleep 💜

Brady’s away on a work thing….. He is never not here for night unless he’s in the hospital. Its a strange feeling, for sure. We should be watching the Good Doctor in bed by now, and eating some snacks. Earbuds in and snacks on our laps, we would finally let down after the day. Together.

However.

He’s at a steakhouse with a bunch of dudes, and then off to a hotel for the night! I’m eating some leftover popcorn from last week, and I just started up a new docuseries on Netflix. I don’t want to be in bed a whole lot on my own, so I’m crocheting in the living room, waiting for my youth kid to come home. Its still nice. But not as nice.

A big part of it is that Brady hasn’t travelled alone since everything changed. Stuff is more challenging now, and while he’s capable of doing pretty much all of it independently, its a lot of work for him to do without help. He can. But goodness how I wish I could be with him. Learning experiences for both of us, I suppose. But ugh. I like him a lot. Hope he doesn’t stay out too late and do something embarrassing like falling asleep sitting up… That would be weird…

Its not like he’s gone long. Two nights, three days. Easy. Just know how loved you are, honey. We already miss you. Hopefully I don’t move the entire house around before you get home 😬 You’ve been warned.

I hope you all have a MUCH more normal week than meeeee!

Oh except Cher. Her week just got nuts, too! 😻😻😻😻😻😻

I want to make a joke about having a case of the Mondays, but I don’t mean it in a Garfeldian way. More so in the way where it was just a bit scattered but not altogether bad. Just. Mondayish.

It began with a plumber. The ministry has their homes get regular furnace inspections, so that happened today. We really love our plumber. We tend to get the same guy coming to our place, and he is so comfortable to have in the house, which goes a long way to me. I like that guy, and we have good rapport by now.

The babies usually all wake up and get up around the same time, but they alternated differently today, which seemed to throw off the routine a bit. One was particularly loud and crusty, and another was big on the provoking. However, as the morning wore on, everyone seemed to even out. It wasn’t smooth, but everyone was indeed ready to rest again after lunch. Which was perfect because Mondays are nuts lately.

After school on Mondays, there are just so many moving parts. My mom was a huge help with the half of the kids that stayed home. I was in the city with the other half. Brady was late coming home after work, and he had a LOT to do this evening after getting home. It was a little scrambly for sure but not bad. Just, busy.

When my group came home, everyone seemed to be doing super well! Supper was done. A couple of kids got into a card game right away. Babies got settled in for bed. Brady was doing some worky things that needed doing. I put a little laundry in, and then headed out for a quick trip to Tim’s with Cher.

Tomorrow marks the day of her brothers passing. We do our best to commemorate his life with his beverage of choice – a medium iced capp with whip. Since tomorrow is a little nutty schedule-wise, we went this evening instead. Kid free. No timeline. It was nice.

Now, the house is quieted down, and I’m punching out this post while Brady wraps up his evening work. I’ve started to be out in the living room a bit more than I used to, where I’d lay in bed as soon as humanly possible once kids were down. I still do sometimes, but this let’s me crochet a little into the evening, or watch a show without an ear bud in, or putter in my kitchen. Things like that. But tonight, its just blogging, and maybe some crocheting if there’s time. I’m definitely set for drinks while I work!

It’s going to be a different kind of week this week. Lord, protect us and keep us! Let our days be productive and restful and full of good memories made.