True story.

I had been talking (okay, whining) to some mom friends from school about my wild children.  Yes, yes, I like to blame Dwayne’s genetic contribution, but I am the primary caretaker, so I’m not without blood on my hands.  Usually Wesley’s blood. 

Anyway, I was describing how all three of the kids are just tree-climbing adventurers.  “That’s great!  They are so athletic!” the other moms chimed in.  No, no, I disagreed. I mean that they tree-climb on the bookshelves, the TV, the refrigerator….

[Susanne came up with the perfect word to describe my children in beast-mode: Feral.  I love it.]

I brought Piper and Wesley home after this play date, and they beat me inside while I gathered up all my stuff.  As I came upstairs, I swear to you, Piper was shimmying up this pole:

She saw me, jumped off, rubbed her hands together and calmly asked if she could fix herself a snack. I think I actually sputtered.  But she did fix her own snack, so it’s not all bad.

 

And here is Piper using sticker-tape to make herself into a vampire.  Don’t suck Wesley’s blood—he probably doesn’t have enough to spare.  Try Kyla—just clean her off first.  She was playing outside down by the stream and she’s wet and filthy.

Sigh of happiness.  I took Wesley and Piper to the Children’s Museum this afternoon.  It was empty.  (And I adore the new camping exhibit they have!  I would have played if I hadn’t brought 3 articles to read for my homework.)

 

Piper’s hair is an easy way for me to find her, no matter the disguise.

 

The ride home at 5—the roads have never been so untraveled.  Thanks, Seahawks, for a wonderful, quiet afternoon!

Super Bowl inconveniently interrupted Groundhog day this year, but Seattle persevered, first by exchanging the hog with a more local frog, and celebrating on Saturday. 

Brian and Sandi were in town for a wedding, so the kids got to some “uncle-ing” in while Sandi was doing bridesmaid duties.

 

You can tell by the Victorian house in the background that downtown Snohomish was our Groundfrog Destination.

 

I’m having a little fun with the settings on my new camera.  Mostly, I’m just ecstatic to have one again!

 

We’ll have to meet you in Snohomish in exactly a year.  It was just a tiny street fair with the “Macarena” playing on the loud speakers near the gazebo, but loads of energy, smiles, and green.  It may have been the happiest place on earth at the moment. (Though not for Wes.)  The local booster club had hula hoops out and were offering free frog face painting.  Buckets of sidewalk chalk were being used by kids of all ages (yes, even age 39!)

 

The Frog Princess (also the name of one of Kyla’s favorite books) wandered around meeting all her subjects.

 

Giant Frog probably has a name, but I never learned it.

 

Putting the princess and the frog together.  I believe the frog is quite bejeweled for the occasion!

 

Wesley was a stick-in-the-mud about a frogs.  And fun.  But at least he got a balloon.

 

He warmed up a little towards the end.

 

Bubbles helped.

 

Brian tried to get a few family shots for us. I figure if we start in February, we might have a good photo by next Christmas.  Sigh.

 

And I think that winter is going to last 6 more weeks, followed by a spring that often looks suspiciously like winter.

Piper and I love her hair.  She comes up with extravagant hairstyles and either does them herself, or explains to me what to do. 

She calls this one “cutie” (did herself).  I call it cutie, too!

 

This one is “curly cutie” and I’ve done this one for her three days in a row!

 

I like how she accessorizes!

I was working alone with Kyla when my other cubs found me vulnerable to attack.  Or snuggling.  Either way, I get a back ache!

A day off?  Grab some extra kids and go to the zoo all day!

Piper brought a friend,

 

…as did Kyla.

 

Wesley is simultaneously friend and baby to all the girls.

 

As usual, we spent more time playing than seeing animals.  They were all a bit tired after 5 hours!

 

 

Classic “I’m not getting my way and I’m not pleased with any of you” Piper.

 

Classic “This is how I do it” Wesley.

No bears, but I caught this wildlife on the camera!

I’m a bit proud of “doing” all of Wesley’s birthday all in one day, and actually on his birthday.  We had the family over for hamburgers and cake after a relaxing afternoon playing with his “his” Parker after the snowball party.

Wesley, we drive each other crazy and I love you desperately.  You are a force of nature and you really are super-duper.

 

We all love this guy, even though he really can’t be found in his own bed at 2am.

Wesley is officially 4 years old and so far, it’s going pretty well.  It’s still a struggle to convince him to at least wear underwear, and to sleep all night in his own bed, but tantrums are way down.

To celebrate, he had four friends over for this 4th.  We had an indoor snowball fight the grown-ups pretended to have fun pelting each other.  It was really just for the kids. Yep.

 

Everyone knows that dragons and superheroes are extra good at snowball fights.

 

And never turn your back on a fairy princess! 

 

Uh, oh.  How did those two conquer the fortress?

 

Piper is driving the get-away car…with a special passenger!

 

Looks like we had a change of plans..and drivers!

 

Who are those masked mauraders? They look really cool. 

 

Remember, this is strictly for the kids.

 

For lunch, we spiked the hotdogs. 

 

My kids can’t eat an apple without smearing their faces, so cupcakes present extra delight.

 

 

 

And, clearly, Cecily didn’t read my blogpost about choosing the table over my children.  Luckily, she’s cute enough to do this with impunity.  Once.

 

Well, Happy Birthday, Son!  It’s been a perfect party.

Less than 48 hours until Sherlock!  I welcomed back Downton a few weeks ago, but I would choose Sherlock any day.

For fellow fans—did you see the mini-episode setting up Season 3?  It’s only 7 minutes long, and worth watching twice.

 

Many happy returns!