Oy. Since September?

Where has the time gone?

We're nearly in April and I'm so mad at myself for not regularly blogging because the kids just grow way too fast. And you swear you're never going to forget all the funny and cute things they say/do but it's impossible to remember it all. Ah well, another thing for them to go to therapy over I suppose.

Let's see ... where are we?

I guess I'll start with me. I'm turned 32 a couple of weeks ago and it was a lovely weekend. The first sight of spring as usual and we spent the majority of it outside. The house desperately needs an exterior makeover so we've gotten started on that. Ripped out several ugly shrubs and planted some things that remind me of home. When the beds fill in I will share some pictures. Finally found curtains for our bedroom and we're pretty close to finally being finished in one room. Up soon is building (yes, building!) our nightstands.

I'm more involved at Williams than I ever thought I'd be and really, truly enjoying it. Recently took over the workroom and I bizarrely look forward to my shift every other Tuesday to go and make copies. Perhaps it's just the sense of accomplishment. Or the quiet. Probably more the quiet than anything else.

Started spiritual direction this week and it was great. I felt like she understood me perfectly and it was nice to make a connection with her. Mom's coming in this weekend so I'm anxious to share with her my experience.

Jason's doing great. Work is work but he's doing quite well at it. He's been working his butt off around here lately and I'm much appreciative of all his hard work.

Hayes is growing up before our very eyes. He and I had a "date night" last night and went to see Diary of a Wimpy Kid together. We'd read some of the book together so it was cute to share that experience with him. He says he'll always go on dates with me though when I said, "Even when you're in 11th grade?" he said he wasn't too sure about that. (7th grade was fine though, so WHEW. Got myself a few more years of dates.) He's doing really well in school. All A's thus far on report cards and watching his little mind grow is truly fascinating. We really lucked out with his teacher this year. She's been really good with him. I love being in their classroom to read.

The twins just turned six which I really cannot wrap my head around. If I'm quiet enough I can still hear the blood-curdling scream Mary Beth let out as a newborn that had Mom and I in a tizzy. ("Is it normal for a 2-week-old to be able to do that?!" Little did we know ...)

In all seriousness though, Mary Beth has done some true growing up this year. She isn't whining nearly as much and even though she's still very.much.a.girl, watching her become a big sister has been amazing. She really loves Eleanor and it's precious to watch the two of them together. Tonight, they were in the tub together and as Mary Beth laid down to rinse out her hair, Eleanor grabbed hold of MB's legs and squeezed as tight as she possibly could. Moments like those are why I wanted New Baby to be a girl. There's just nothing like a sister. MB was having some issues in the fall with the free-writing exercise they do at school but I'm so relieved that they seem to have passed. I was worried about her for a while. I'm still surviving being a Girl Scout leader and I enjoy the time that we get to spend doing that together. I could do without the sheer volume of noise at the meetings but that's a whole 'nother can o' worms.

Sam is still our little Sam. He's got two best buddies in his class though one actually moved to North Carolina today. Funny enough his name is Sam and he's got a twin sister too. Small wonder "the Sams" hit it off though they wouldn't be the three musketeers without Jackson. I do think Sam is a little relieved to get to just be "Sam" now instead of "Sam P." because a few weeks ago he got more than a little irritated with Mary Beth for calling him "Sam P." ("Marebeeeeeeth! You don't need to call me Sam P at home. I can just be Sam!") Sam has really grown this year too. He's reading like it's nobody's business and I can't even believe we were worried about his smarts at one point. I'm anxious for them to start doing math because it just clicks for him.

And what can we say about Eleanor? Remember that post where I gushed all over her and how much we adore her? Well nothing's changed. We're raising an absolute monster and the worst part of it is that we're AWARE WE'RE DOING IT BUT CAN'T STOP! She's so stinkin' cute I don't think a single day goes by where I don't say, "I could just eat her up!" Because I could. Wouldn't even need a dipping sauce.

We're not the only ones who adore her though. A couple of weekends ago we were invited over to some friends' house for a get-together and Eleanor made quite the impression. I'm not exaggerating when I tell you she had grown men who didn't have any children reading her books, holding her and generally entertaining her (or maybe it was the other way around). And at one point she had about 25 adults watching her dance. The girl knows how to worm her way into your heart. She's just got it. It's going to be something to watch her grow up. 18-months already too. Say WHAT?

I'm honestly going to try to write more often. I swear.

Really.