My Stud Muffin with his Stud Muffie

I can’t get enough of watching Landon handle a ball.  From what I hear, he’s better at two than his daddy was, which is apparently a big deal.  It’s just so fun to watch him get hold of a basketball and start dribbling.  He is now starting to run and dribble and he gets a very intense look on his face when he does it.  I love that the child who was named after his dad (his middle name is Lee) is so much like his dad.  And I love watching the kids play with their dad.  Landon shares his daddy’s love and skill in basketball.  Sloan shares his dad’s love and skill in golf.  And Tia shares her dad’s love for competition.  They all got a little bit of him.

As you can see, Daddy gets a bit intense about dribbling a ball.  So much so that sometimes he has to be reminded to share.  Ha!

My husband is hot.  S’okay – you can agree with me.  🙂

I found this picture on my computer this morning and it made me smile.  I love my family…

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Reunited and it feels so good

Everyone is home and they have commenced to fighting and tattling already this morning.  And all is right in the Universe again…

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Sweet girl came home sporting a nasty cough and a fever. 🙁

 

It’s been a busy writing week for me.  I’m feeling a little buried right now.  To read my latest at STL Family Life, click here.  The topic?  Body After Baby.  I also guest posted over at Becke’s blog yesterday.  Actually, I was a week and a day late on my deadline so I was grateful for her patience with me.  You can also read my review of the new VeggieTales movie, Pistachio: The Little Boy Who Woodn’t.  I have a review and a post coming up soon over at 5 Minutes for Mom as well.  Whew.  It’s a lot but it is fun!

Now that I have all my babies back under one roof, we will relax and enjoy the rest of our Spring Break.  They’re tan, blonde and worn out.  And I, once again, cannot seem to get a single task accomplished.  Life goes on…

He’s not having fun at all…

While his older brother and sister are galavanting about Florida with their grandparents, Landon is left here at home to experience something he has never known – what it’s like to be an only child.

I don’t think he likes it.  I mean, he’s got his dad all to himself…

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where he’s allowed to climb,

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stand,

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and jump

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onto daddy’s belly

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and he doesn’t have to fight

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with anyone else for daddy’s attention.

Daddy makes elephant sounds

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And Landon makes them back.

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He’s got daddy’s undivided attention,

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and he’s clearly not enjoying himself.

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Nope – not one little bit.

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A video to get you through the weekend

He is now working on dribbling with both his right and left hands. He’s also working on his smile for the paparazzi.

We have visions of a full ride to college and an early retirement when he goes Pro! No pressure, Landon…

My son the ‘Playa’

Sloan, my adorable, precocious, too-big-for-his-britches six-year-old, is well known for his fabulous, fantastic Quotable Quotes.  And he’s popped up with a few doozies the last couple of days.  So, without further ado, I give you Sloan…

Image taken by Becke at Lulu Photography

Image taken by Becke' at Lulu Photography

Yesterday, as he was playing LEGO Star Wars on the Wii (his new obsession), he sat on the couch defeating level after level, all the while singing (to the tune of Star Wars), “I-I-I am Awesome, am Awesome.  I-I-I am Awesome, am Awesooome.”  And on and on it went.  I’m glad he’s confident, but perhaps we nee dto work harder on not being boastful?

Last night, as we sat on the couch watching American Idol, Sloan leaned up against me.  “Hey Mom and Dad,” he said.  “Are you thinking what I’m thinking RIGHT NOW?” 

Me: “Probably not.  What are you thinking right now?”

Sloan: “I’m thinking I would like to have a party with no boys…just 1,000 girls.”  And a smile spreads across his face.

Me: “Why would you want to have a party with 1,000 girls?”

Sloan (his head nodding up and down all sassy-like): “So I could be by myself with 1,000 girls,” he answered grinning widely.

Lee: “Not me, man.  I’d want to have a party with 1,000 boys so we could play ball and have light saber fights.  That sounds like more fun.”

Sloan, shrugging his shoulders: “Yeah, I would like that too…But I still want to have a party with 1,000 girls.  Oh yeah.”

I feel the need to remind you all once again that he’s six.  Oy…

Then, this morning, as the kids were eating breakfast Sloan leans over to Tia and says, “Tia, you’re hot.”

Tia: “No I’m not.  I’m not hot, I’m cold.”

Sloan: “No Tia – hot means you’re pretty.  It’s like what boys say to pretty girls.  They say, ‘Dude, that girl’s hot!

I…*sigh* There are just no words.  Except, perhaps – Will you pray for me?

And now, here is a video of my other “playa.”  Landon is going to be our baller.  The kid is freakishly coordinated with a basketball already.  He can dribble extremely well for a two year old and even after shooting the ball can immediately pick it up and start dribbling without missing a beat.  He is nothing short of obssessed with balls and would play all day long.  I watch him and Lee play ball together and have to laugh at the pure joy that takes over Lee’s face.  Here is evidence.

Wordless Wednesday: The Shadow

Sloan has a shadow these days.  It follows him wherever he goes and does whatever he does.  He doesn’t seem to mind, though.

Not yet anyway…

For more Wordless Wednesday shots, visit 5 Minutes for Mom.

Now I’m gonna melt your hearts

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…

He’s YUMMY.

To my son on his birthday

Today marks two years since Landon entered our lives.  I’m filled with recollections of that day.  The snow, the cold, the quiet hospital room, the super easy labor, the painful delivery, and the weight of my son as he was laid on my chest.

It is never far from my mind how close we were to losing Landon.  I will never be able to escape the memory of watching his little figure kick and dance on the ultrasound as the doctor explained to me the signs of miscarriage and the likelihood of that happening.

I’ll never forget the fear I felt driving home that day knowing that my child was perfectly healthy, but my womb might fail.  It was true terror.

And yet here he is.  I am filled with such gratitude that the Lord sustained my body and brought his life to fullness here on earth.  Because he is one spectacular little boy and he is by far the best Christmas gift I’ve ever received.

And so, on this day, I share a few things that I want my son to know as he continues to grow.

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You are loved.

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You have an older brother and sister that adore you.  Lean on them for protection, wisdom, understanding and companionship.

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You will, however, need to know how to defend yourself.  I’m proud to say that you’ve already begun using the word “No” liberally, particularly with your sister. 

You’ve also learned to hold your own in a wrestling match with your brother.

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If, when you are three, your sister comes to you and asks if she can cut your hair – RUN.  Run away screaming.  Heck, call 911 if you need to.  Just don’t let her near you with scissors.

And if she ever asks you to cut her hair – again, run for your life. Seriously – get the heck out of there.   Just trust me on this one.

Your older brother will be your protector.  He will be your best friend, your mentor and another model in your life.  He’s a great kid.

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Your sister also adores you.  She will be the one that you will torment as the years go on, but she will also be fiercely protective of you.  Just make sure you look after her too.

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You are more than content to have a sippy cup in one hand and a ball in the other, but one of these days you’re going to need to start eating.

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You have a love of sports that is uncanny for your age.  Particularly the sports that involve a ball.  Your daddy is thrilled.

While you love all sports, you show a particular affinity for football, which makes me a little nervous.  If you see me with my eyes squeezed shut at your games one day, don’t be offended.

Your second love, however, is basketball.

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If you want a model of Christ, look to your daddy.

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If you need advice, tap into your daddy’s wisdom.

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You also have two grandfathers who are full of wisdom.  Know them and listen to them.  You will be a wiser man for it.

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But just know, without a shadow of a doubt, that if you ever need a hug, I’m here waiting.  I will snuggle you close for as long as you will let me.  And as you grow, I will continue to love you unconditionally.

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You are my miracle baby, forever and always.

Happy Birthday, Landon Lee.

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Wherein I leave you with more photographs

Today, as the temperatures are hovering in the teens, I am longing to be back in this lovely place.  Yes, loooooonging…

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This adorable little boy will be two in five days.  Excuse me while I go sob in the corner for a bit.

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Turns out Tia has a knack for gymnastics.  After only a few weeks of lessons, she was bumped up to a more advanced class where she is the only three year old in a group of four and five year olds. 

She’s perfected her cartwheel and now does it off our ottoman whilst pretending that it is a balance beam.  She is freakishly strong and has no fear.  But really, does this surprise anyone?  Remember this picture, which I took when she was not yet two years old?

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Then, of course, there was this post which described the catalyst for us actually signing her up for a gymnastics class. 

Mmm-hmm…We’re not shocked that she’s got some talent in the gymnastics arena.  Unfortunately, she’s going to be way too tall for the sport, but we’ll let her keep it up for as long as she enjoys it.

And speaking of Tia – wasn’t it just yesterday that she looked like this standing next to her not yet four year old brother?  She is now less than two months away from being four herself.

If anyone has discovered a way to make time stand still, please pass on the secret.  Pa-leeeeaaase.

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And this one just because.  Oh he’s yummy…

Happy weekend everyone!

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There are few things cuter…

There are few things cuter than a little girl in a leotard,

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wearing leg warmers,

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staring at you with big blue eyes,

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waving around a baton,

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laughing with her friends,

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twirling around,

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giggling,

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and all around having the time of her life.

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Yes, there are few things cuter than that…

Except, perhaps, a little boy

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standing like a little man with his hands in his pockets.