11 Years of Bliss

Andy is probably reading the title and thinking "speak for yourself". We celebrated another anniversary a few days ago, and as always I am amazed that a year could go by so quickly. It was a laid-back anniversary, but great. Andy pulled through with flowers. We celebrated by leaving the kids with my parents (thanks again Mom and Dad) and heading out for a needed date evening. As a side note, Sydney is "helping" me with this post and says that I look pretty with my "frinkles" in the picture. I think that she means freckles, but maybe it is a hybrid word for having freckles and wrinkles. Back to our date... we headed off to the local course for 9 holes of golf. We rented a cart so we were able to talk more. Then it was off for some all you can eat crab legs and Chinese food, which may not rate high for being romantic, but I give it a 10 in deliciousness. We had a great time. The photo is one of the first of us together, at Ricks College many moons ago.

From Baby to Toddler

My baby walks everywhere now. When my oldest first started walking, I was thrilled at his new achievement. When Sydney began walking I was also excited, as I am with Matt. But my excitment is mixed with the feeling of my baby growing up, and that is a little bittersweet. He was quite good at crawling, since he chose it over walking for so many extra months. Matt had a lightening fast crawl that he would use if he wanted to get to me in a hurry. He would put his head down (he thought it made him more aerodynamic) and pump those arms and legs as quick as I have ever seen a little one go, usually laughing all the way. There was also a sound to it that I loved, so that even when I couldn't see him crawling, I could hear him. It was the sound of his chubby little baby-fat hands slapping the hardwood floors, and the swish-swish of his knees as he scooted along. I will miss it. But I am glad that Matt is a walker now. It means less stain treatment for the knees of his pants at laundry time, and eventually less carrying him around (he still likes to be carried so far). Mostly, his excitement is infectious. He likes to walk right towards me and I scoop him up in a big hug. The photo is of him walking up for a hug at the park. I will miss my baby... but then I remind myself that there is so much ahead to look forward to.

Breakfast in Bed

This may be a breach of blogging etiquette, but since I am new to this maybe it can be overlooked. Mothers Day was a few weeks ago, but I wanted to write down how amazing my Mothers Day was this year. Drew had asked me a few days before Mothers Day what I wanted. He suggested a Lego set. I said that my wish was for a good breakfast.

The first thing that I saw on Mothers Day morning was Drew's beaming face hovering near my bed at 6:30. He said "Happy Mothers Day Mom! I made you breakfast." He had placed on my bedside table a bowl of cereal and milk that he had poured several minutes earlier. There was also my morning staple-- a frosty mug of chocolate milk. Only this chocolate milk was accidentally mixed using water instead of milk. I took an enthusiastic swallow and ate some cereal and raved about how delicious it all was. Drew got up and did it all on his own, he is just that kind of a kid.

Andy and the kids did a great job on my breakfast #2 (the one Andy had been planning on) with cinnamon rolls, sausage, eggs and the works. They also gave me my favorite chocolate. Sydney made an adorable card with a drawing of me on it and my name (she spells it omom) and was full of hugs and kisses. Later, the men in the family did a bbq for us at my mom's house and everyone had a great time on a perfect day. I feel so fortunate everyday to be the mother of my 3 amazing little people, but this day was especially wonderful.

Cracking the Whip

A few weeks ago, I watched the old movie "The Ten Commandments" with Drew and Sydney. They were really into it, and I was able to explain the concept of slavery since the movie portrays the life of Moses and his change from being Prince of Egypt to becoming a Hebrew slave.

Today I asked Drew to bring the ketchup and mustard outside for our backyard cookout. He breathed a deep sigh, and sadly said "I'm like a Hebrew" as he headed back in for the condiments. I guess that makes me the Egyptian whip-cracker. I got a good laugh out of it... but I don't think that was the reaction that he was going for.

Parties and Stitches

Drew turned 7 years old a few days ago. I had a birthday party planned for a few of his friends and cousins in the evening after a busy day of the Father/Son campout and tee-ball . It had been a whirlwind of activity for the several days leading up to Drew's birthday. The kids all seemed to have a good time breaking the pinata that I lovingly crafted. Cousin Alex finally delivered the death blow to the big lego. Games were played, cake was eaten, and most everyone was happy. Except Sydney. About 20 minutes before the party, she was running down the hardwood hall in her socks and went flying headfirst into a place where the two walls meet and come to a corner. She had a good sized cut in a perfect line on her hairline. Our efforts to keep it closed up were unsuccessful. So, Andy and my mom took her to get stitched up after watching Drew blow out his candles. I stayed with the party, all the while feeling a bit guilty about not being with Sydney in her time of need. It worked out for the best though. She got 11 stitches, and my mom and Andy bought her
some strawberry ice cream for getting through the ordeal. So between the ice cream, and the cake and pinata treats that I saved for her, she cleaned up in the sugar department that day. Her spirits were high when she got home, and she refused to see her reflection in the mirror. Out of sight, out of mind..... it has worked well.

To Blog, or not to blog.

As advertised in the title... here's some fun. Doesn't he look like he is having fun?

Well..... I am about 2 years behind everyone else in the technology department it seems. I built this with my tech savvy sister last summer and haven't done much with it since. It just hasn't made it to the top of the priority list. But I recently saw that I have 2 followers. I don't know who you are, but I am guessing that it is my mom and Karen. But in case it is some mysterious friend who doesn't know what is going on with me, I feel a small obligation to give you something to follow other than a blank white screen that says "Fun with the Watsons".... Not much fun.. I must admit that my resistance has been somewhat for personal reasons. I am a sort of private person I guess, and there is a small part of me that is just uncomfortable with putting my life out there for anyone to read. So, I won't put all of it obviously. I also wonder if it is a bit of an invasion of my kids' privacy to put stuff about them that could prove to be embarrassing in the future. So I will keep the pictures of potty training kids and such to a minimum. But I have decided that it is worth it to keep a record of my days with my family. These are some of the best days of my life, but I know that the endless activity and fun times with my kids will be easily forgotten a few years down the road if I don't take the time to write it down. What do you think, my 2 mystery followers?