Ordinary. Not so ordinary.

Today was fairly ordinary.

Scott came home from work around 9 this morning. He spent a little time with us before heading to bed.

 

I cared for the kids, cooked, cleaned, and chipped away at Atonement. I flew through it in college several years back and am enjoying the slower pace.

 

Jamin went to preschool. This is his last week of class, which makes him sad. He also looks very grown up all of a sudden.

  

Libby and Travis spent their day playing, as usual. Travis actually played inside once a "scary sound" convinced him that a zombie lives in our backyard.

And then, a not-so-ordinary thing happened.

Scott answered a call from work. He was hired for a new position. At the end of June, he will work Monday-Friday, 7-3.

HURRAY!!!

Nesting

We have a squatter on our front porch.
 

She lives in an old hanging basket that we neglected to take down last fall.

The kids named her Love, since she is a dove.

We first spotted her a few weeks ago. I looked through the kitchen window and saw her poking around in the basket. Scott went onto the porch, and she flew away. We figured she wouldn't want to nest in such a noisy place, anyhow.

Love flew back earlier this week and has been perched there ever since. She tolerates the loud sounds of inquisitive children just fine. We're lucky to have such a great view of nature at work!

And look... we even have blossoms! Spring is here!

To my kids, on Mother's Day

Dear kids,

Perhaps you wonder why I'm writing to you today. As my thoughts turn to Mutti and Nanay, they also turn to you. To put it simply, you made me a mother. It has been the most rich experience of my life. Today, my heart brims with gratitude.

Jamin, I love your tender heart and creative mind. I love your adorable laugh, your goofy jokes, and your tight hugs. I love that you're enthusiastic about every holiday (and that you find a way to turn each day into a holiday). I love that you make get-well cards when I have even the smallest sniffle.

Travis, I love your exuberance, your tenacity, and your curiosity. I love that you want to explore and learn every second of the day. I love that you expect everyone to adore you (and you're usually right!). Your charming and happy attitude melts my heart.

Libby, I love getting to know you as your personality emerges. I love your sweet but strong spirit. I love your dainty voice that becomes surprisingly loud when you want it to. I love your silly dances, your teasing tricks, and your fearlessness. I also love that you love shoes.

Please be patient with me; when you become parents, you will learn how you are pushed to grow in ways you never expected. But that is a beautiful thing. I am grateful for all that you are. Thank you for being my children.

With love,
Mama

Ruff

Earlier this week, Jamin ran in the house with his fist clasped tightly.

Inside was his new pet, Ruff. A roly poly.

We didn't have any clean jars, so he put together a temporary house.

 Jamin even drew windows. How thoughtful!

 Two days later, we filled a jar with everything a roly poly needs.*

 Now Ruff (and two of his buddies, also named "Ruff") live atop the boys' dresser.

*The internet also told us that roly polies can live up to three years. Crazy, right?

Side note: see that outfit Jamin's wearing? Well, he wore it to school... on picture day. I marked the calendar for the following day. And Jamin wore a hat, so I can only guess how his hair looked. Oops.

Along those lines...

Guess who else adores the trampoline?

This guy.

Travis basically lives in the back yard these days.

He only leaves to swipe an occasional pack of ramen noodles from Nanay's kitchen. I'm sure he'd eat those on the trampoline if I let him.

Static

Libby loves the trampoline.

She especially loves when there aren't any big brothers to knock her over. Give her a few toys, and she'll run around in circles, laughing the whole time.

But then, something happens.

Her inner Einstein emerges... well, at least in her hair.

 We're talking serious static.

Even so, we think she's pretty darn cute.

Maeby the Patient

Maeby has grown into very patient cat.

She loves people so much that she tolerates all kinds of shenanigans. Lesser cats would hide in a tree. Not Maeby. On a daily basis, she puts up with:

1. Getting dragged around by her tail.

2. Cuddling.

 3. Bouncing on the trampoline.

4. Being lugged around like a toy.

5. Getting chased by two rambunctious boys.

In fact, she doesn't just tolerate these antics; she welcomes them. When she's outside, she begs to come in.

There is one little thing she won't put up with:

 Libby.

Maeby is absolutely petrified of our most gentle child. Strange.