Cause you can't always get what you want

This little two year old headed out back because he wanted to play in the dirt.


This little two year old's mommy said, "Not right now."

(because his sisters were riding bikes out front and he had already had a good wipe down before his nap because of dirt. And let's not forget the baby in the Bjorn who I wanted to keep clean...*added for the men in my family who were harrassing me about letting my boy play in dirt. They felt his pain too deeply. They also thought it was taken this week when I don't have my older two...as if I am THAT updated on this blog...LOL)


This little two year old was not happy with his mommy's answer...


and he staged a protest.


Feeling defeated, he thought his protest cries might be heard more if he was in better proximity to his mommy.


So he began to protest while his mommy kept snapping pictures of him.


Because his experienced mommy knew that this two year old was quite fasinated with the camera and soon his interest in the camera would end his protest cries.


Well, until she breaks the news that he can't have the camera either...

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Tiny Talk Tuesday helps parents focus on one of the many joys of parenting - the funny things that our little ones (and sometimes big ones) have to say.

Join in the fun and record the Tiny Talk overheard in your house! Publish a post on your blog and link us to the laughs. Then be sure to link to the blog carnival on this post so more bloggers can join in the fun.

The guidelines can be found here if you need them.
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Mommy: We are Siamese if you please...
D (age 2): We Siamese don't please.
(from his favorite movie, Lady and the Tramp)
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D: (whispering) They come. They eat. They leave.
(from the preview of A Bug's Life which plays before his favorite movie)
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D: I love him. (putting his hand on his baby brother)
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Your Turn:

Year Ten - Tin, Aluminum

So that brings us to this year...the tenth anniversary year! And so begins the double digits...

This year was a busy one with lots of changes. K began kindergarten which mean that I began teaching again through homeschooling. I also began a job as a tutor for Classical Conversations so I was officially "back to work", at least one morning a week.

And of course, baby #4 joined our family this year. Since he was due on 6/26, we got away for an anniversary weekend in May. My husband planned this one without discussing any details with me. I arrange the babysitters (yep, mom and dad to the rescue again) and he arranged the details.

We spent two nights in Oxford, Maryland at a quaint bed and breakfast. It was located right on the water, a truly perfect setting! We spent the first night on our porch just listening to the water.

The second day we spent shopping in St. Michael's, enjoying conversation and nice relaxing lunch! That evening we caught a play in town by the local playgroup. That was a nice surprise from my husband. He got tickets for the local community center's production of Born Yesterday. Eric and I love to see shows together and it was nice to see the local theater group.

I have to mention that this bed and breakfast had an amazing tree on the grounds. In this picture, I would be that white dot in front of the tree.

That tree was truly something to behold! WOW!

On July 3, our actual tenth anniversary, we dropped our older three children off at Grandma and Poppy's house while we grabbed lunch. Our one week old joined us for a nice lunch at The Tomato Palace on the lakefront. The weather was perfect and we ate outside while enjoying a very leisurely lunch!

We haven't exchanged our gifts yet. But a package did arrive last week that I learned was for me. Apparently there is another part to it so we have to wait for that to arrive. I have never had a problem ruining surprises. I love them!!! So the box is somewhere in this house. I don't bother looking and didn't open it when it came. I am fine with the anticipation!

I know what I am buying and will get it soon!

Happy 10 year anniversary, Eric! You are my best friend and I love you. Looking foward to about 70 more!

Grow old along with me!
The best is yet to be,
The last of life
for which the first was made.
-Robert Browning

Year Nine - Pottery, Willow

Our ninth year was a busy one. We had three little ones now, ages 5, 3, and 1. We went through the adventure of moving from our townhome to a single family home in the spring.

In an effort to have a little time away, we planned an overnight in our own home again. My parents kept our three children for us for the night. We are so fortunate to have them around and that they are adventurous enough to keep three little ones.

We went to a nice restaurant in town and then spent the day in walking the Historic Section of our city. It was a lot of fun. I found sunglasses, a watch, and the most adorable top! WOO HOO!

Eric...well, he mainly tolerated some shopping.


It was the pottery year again, so Eric took his class. This time I asked him to create a set of three bowls. He made this lovely set for me and I adore it. There is something awesome about pottery, so I am thrilled to have these to mark our anniversary. Of course, the best part is that my hubby created them!

Year Eight - Bronze, Pottery...but Wool, Copper for us

Oh, there had to be a year that everything fell apart.

Year Eight was it for us. It was the TRUE pottery year, but we exchanged pottery gifts the year before. Therefore, it became the wool and copper year for us.

So what did we get each other?

Nothing. Yep. We finally dropped the ball on this one.

Maybe it was the three kids under five. Who knows? But we must admit that we don't have a gift for this year. It wasn't for lack of thinking about it and trying. While on our weekend away, we did look for things that would fit the bill. Then we discussed some ideas but never committed or got excited about any of them.

I debate going "back" and getting something to represent the year. Should we? Should we let it go? Who knows? (right now we have to focus on tin and aluminum in our current year 10)

Anyway, we did celebrate with a weekend away. Once again, we stayed home and sent our children away.

My parents weren't ready to handle all three kids, so a friend kept D (7 months at the time) for the first night and most of the day while my parents kept the girls. Then my parents kept all three kids the second night.

Eric and I visited the National Cathedral, which was amazing. Then we headed to DC for the day. There we visited the National Botanical Garden Museum and the Air and Space Museum. Our final stop was Georgetown for dessert that night. YUM! I was blogging at the time, so this trip is recorded in the blog.

The next morning we had an early lunch at The Cheesecake Factory and headed to gather our children.

Year Seven - Wool, Copper...confusion

So year seven brought with it my first weekend away with the girls! We went scrapbooking in February, which ended up being the only weekend was got a HUGE snow storm. The kids had a blast playing in it and I had a good time scrapbooking, though it was a shame to be away from the kids for the only snow storm that year.

In May we learned that we were going to have another little one!!!

Now, year seven is technically the wool and copper year but we experienced some confusion. I had it in my head that it was the pottery year. I was so darn sure that I didn't even bother to check! Maybe it was my pregnant brain. Maybe it was having two little ones. Whatever it was, we celebrated the wool and copper year with pottery gifts due to my confusion.

It just so happens that my husband makes beautiful pottery when he has time. So for his gift, I sent him to take a pottery class at the local art center. For my gift he made me this beautiful blue "ripple bowl". My mom had one that she purchased from him and I loved it. I asked him to replicate it for my for our anniversary.

The man is truly talented!!!

To celebrate our anniversary, we stayed home. BUT we sent the kids to my parents house for a three day weekend! We decided that there are so many fun things to do where we live that we'd like to stay in the area and take advantage of the great places to visit.

We spent one day in Fells Point and then Annapolis. The next day we hit Georgetown for the entire day. (great shopping...) Finally we hit the main street shops in our own city. We had a great time eating out, shopping, sitting and looking at the water, and just talking.

I truly think this was one of my favorite "trips" for our anniversary.

Maybe that is because it was three days....

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Tiny Talk Tuesday helps parents focus on one of the many joys of parenting - the funny things that our little ones (and sometimes big ones) have to say.

Join in the fun and record the Tiny Talk overheard in your house! Publish a post on your blog and link us to the laughs. Then be sure to link to the blog carnival on this post so more bloggers can join in the fun.

The guidelines can be found here if you need them.
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Little T (age 4) got on a detective kick last week. She spent two days with her magnifying glass in hand pretending to be one.

As she climbed into the car one day, in her Cinderella baseball cap, her subconscious thoughts began spilling out...

"I know what a detective does. They wear hats like I am wearing. And in the summer they wear short sleeves."
(pause)
"And they wear long sleeves sometimes."
(pause)
"And when there is a party they have balloons."

(apparently detectives know how to throw a party)
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Daddy: That is a nice hair cut you got, T.
T (age 4): It is NOT a haircut, daddy. It is a trim!
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Your Turn:

Year Six - Iron

Our little T joined our family as we began our sixth year of marriage. She joined me for a trip to Florida for my cousin's wedding while Daddy stayed home for a long weekend with K (age 2 at the time).

K (age 2) went to Hershey Park with my brother's family, my parents and I in the spring. We had a blast. Then Eric and I took her to Sesame Place early that summer. She loved the amusement parks.

To celebrate our anniversary, we attended the local dinner theater for a performance of Beauty and the Beast. It was absolutely wonderful! It appears that we did this on our actual anniversary weekend and had the night to ourselves at home.

Year six is the iron year. Eric and I bought a large rod iron wall clock that is still in a box in the garage. Eric didn't like it. I did! It has never found the right home on a wall and I hope it does in this house!

He bought me a little iron and glass candle/flower holder and promised to keep it full of flowers. Of course it is now in the garage in a box. Clearly we haven't unpacked much of our decorative items. Maybe this summer we'll get to it.

I bought him a book on the history of bridges. The title of chapter two was, "The Iron Revolution". (hence the connection) It's a nice coffee table book about bridges around the world. It's a history thing, so it's not my kind of book but it did make me think of him. We've both enjoyed looking at it a few times. But in all honesty, it has found a home in the basement on a shelf for now. (We don't have a coffee table...)

Wordless Wednesday - The last 2 weeks

Recognize this gal? Yeah...sweet Andrea was in the area and brought over some dinner. The girl makes a mean chili! Thanks Andrea!!!!




God's blessings are abundant in our home. Thank you Lord for our new little guy!

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Tiny Talk Tuesday helps parents focus on one of the many joys of parenting - the funny things that our little ones (and sometimes big ones) have to say.

Join in the fun and record the Tiny Talk overheard in your house! Publish a post on your blog and link us to the laughs. Then be sure to link to the blog carnival on this post so more bloggers can join in the fun.

The guidelines can be found here if you need them.
___________________________________________

T (age 4) loves someone to rub her back or arm when she is going to bed. We usually rub each of the girls for a few minutes before we leave their room. On this particular occasion, the girls had already had their backs rubbed, but T wanted someone to do that again...

T: Daddy, will you rub my back again?
Daddy: No T.
T: I'll give you some food.
(Eric and I have cracked up about this all week...food is definitely a weakness of his and to have her bribe him like that...)
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D (age 2): carking garage
Real Word: parking garage

D's word: Lady and the Cramp
Real Word: Lady and the Tramp
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Thanks for the new windshields mom!

That would be shinguards dear.

Isn't she just the cutest little soccer player you've ever seen?
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Your Turn:

Year Five - Wood

*So now begins the anniversary posts that I didn't write ahead of time, so I might not getting them up daily...gee...wonder why...

We had a wonderful fifth year of marriage, still living in our townhome. Our first baby was growing quickly and I used the opportunity to get involved in some activities again. I became a cottage group leader at a local MOPS (mothers of preschoolers) and began teaching 1st-3rd grade bible class on Wednesday night at our church.

In January of that year we learned that we were expecting another child! YIPPEE!

We took K on her first trip to the beach for Mother's Day weekend. We rented a place at Bethany Beach and had a wonderful time, though it was too cool for getting in the water.


The fifth anniversary is the Wood Year. We invested in an entertainment center that I just love. It is antiqued black and has lots of storage. Here it is pictured at our town home where it worked perfectly. It's a bit larger than what I would have picked for our current house, but I still love it.

I bought Eric a wood picture frame and had an engraved silver piece put on the front that said, "Five Years". He keeps it on his desk at work with a picture of us in it. Eric bought a Willow Tree Angel figurine for me. I love these figurines and he purchased the "Sign for Love" one for our anniversary.

We spent our actual anniversary date having dinner at a very nice local restaurant, The Candlelight Inn. That night we watched the movie, The Secret Window. It was a great movie, starring Johnny Depp.

In the summer, we took a three night trip to Raleigh, North Carolina. The trip served a two-fold purpose. We were seriously considering a move down south at the time and wanted to look at neighborhoods and homes.

On the first night, we stayed with some close friends who gave us a tour of the area the next day. Then we headed to a bed and breakfast a bit further out of town for the next two nights. We explored the area and homes outside of town the next day, then caught a movie, "The Bourne Supremacy" at the movie theater.

*I have to insert here that on our trip to the "nice South", we met the rudest people we have ever encountered on a regular basis. At the movie theater, the line for this particular movie was down the hall and around the corner and we were stuck waiting. I was about 8 months pregnant and sat down on a bench that was against the wall.

The line moved forward about 2 feet and the woman behind me began giving me looks. Finally, she walked around us and got in front of us. (a GROWN woman here folks...in her 40's or 50's) I stood up and explained that the line was behind us. She commented that I hadn't moved forward and so she was going around me, you know...to fill in that 2 foot gap. I pointed out that I was resting because I was pregnant and she needed to go back in line.

OH MY GOODNESS. Let's just say that she was not happy with me and it was quite ridiculous. But, if you know my personality then you can be quite confident that I did in fact win and she did in fact move back.

And that is only ONE of the rude people we encountered, so I have to say it is a myth that southern folks are nicer...

While there we met up with a friend of my hubby's from college and had dinner with her and her fiance. Sadly, we were going to miss their wedding so we were able to catch up at Olive Garden that night!

On our final day, we enjoyed lunch with friends at Sweet Tomatoes. We don't have this restaurant in the north and it was a nice treat. I love salads, so it was right up my alley. It really doesn't stand out in my husband's mind as a favorite. But the time to catch up with friends was great.

The long weekend was such a treat! We had such a great time relaxing and just doing whatever we felt like doing. We had only been parents for just under two years, so the memory of spur of the moment plans was still fresh in our minds. It was nice to relive it for awhile.

Year Four - Fruit and Flowers

During our fourth year of marriage, Eric began his current job at Ann.e Arund.el Cou.nty Govern.men.t. He began his job with the county and two days after he started there, we had our first child. K entered our lives with screaming, yelling, and a big BANG and she didn’t stop the screaming and yelling for a few weeks. It was a rough period of time for us, but we made it.

On July 3rd, 2003 we celebrated four years of marriage by taking our little 8 month old daughter to Outback Steak house with us for dinner. Then we watched another James Bond movie after she went to bed.

Interestingly enough, my parents were out of town, so my cousin who had been living with them decided to live with us for 2 weeks. She was there with two friends on the night of our anniversary, but they were out quite late so we didn’t even see them. (Remember that Trisha?)

When my parents returned, they kept our little one for the night while we went downtown. We had dinner and caught a comedy act at The Improv. The comedian was hilarious! We laughed all night! Afterwards, we stayed at our own house. It felt great to be there without a child in the house to wake us in the morning.

The traditional gifts for year four are fruit and flowers. Eric bought me this beautiful set of Japanese floral dishes and a honeysuckle body wash. I still love these dishes!!!


I bought him a Hawaiian print shirt (because he had never owned one!!!) and made homemade Sangria to drink while we watched our movie that night. (Sangria has lots of fruit in it…hence the connection to fruit and flowers)

Wordless Wednesday - Happy Fourth!

A happy Fourth of July...




better late than never, right?

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Tiny Talk Tuesday helps parents focus on one of the many joys of parenting - the funny things that our little ones (and sometimes big ones) have to say.

Join in the fun and record the Tiny Talk overheard in your house! Publish a post on your blog and link us to the laughs. Then be sure to link to the blog carnival on this post so more bloggers can join in the fun.

The guidelines can be found here if you need them.
___________________________________________

K (age 6): Every time daddy wears his biking glasses it cracks me up. And then I fall down and go to sleep.
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T (age 4): Soda makes my lips burn but I drink it anyway. And my tongue burns too.
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K (age 6) knows I write things down for my blog on Tuesdays. She was watching C (1 week) and brought me this list...

K: Mom, I wrote down everything C was saying for you! (Then she proceeded to say all of the sounds for me)


(He sure is a noisy little one)
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Your Turn: