Dirty

After school today, Jack asked me if we "could play outside after lunch?". My immediate response was, "no, it's wet and nasty out there". We are coming off of a massive snow that has melted into mush, not to mention the couple rain showers we have gotten in between.

And in mid-sentence, I thought about it. Hmmm...we've been couped up indoors for days now, Jack has been bouncing off the walls, and who really cares if they get a little dirty...a little dirt never hurt. I can just strip them down before nap time, right? They really need this and honestly, I do to.

So we did it. And yes, Jack and Maggie both got REALLY dirty. And better than that, we REALLY had a great time.

Sometimes you just have to let it all go to have fun.

I told Jack to go get dressed for the great outdoors while I put Maggie's coat on and this is what he showed up with. Love it!

I get no greater joy than watching my two little ones interact. I think they truly adore one another.

All it takes to have fun at one is a bucket and a variety of toys to take in and out and in and out and in and out and...

Oh, the famous rock pile. We "assembled" this little area for Jack when he was a wee 20 months and at 3 1/2 years old it hasn't lost its' novelty. Something about rocks and boys.

I love this about Maggie...she is a dress up Queen. Give her a few hats, a couple pair of shoes, and some jewelry and she can happily entertain herself . But, an animated "that's beautiful", or something relatively close, is required from anyone nearby. She spent nearly 10 minutes vying for Jack's attention to show him her hat. And once he finally acknowledged it, all was well.

Jack mentioned he wanted to play outside so he could go "adventuring". I think "adventuring" looks something like this.

Maggie found Jack's sunglasses in the toy basket and that was all she wrote. Saying she was insistent on wearing them is being generous.

Again, how I love to watch my kiddos play together. Could they be any happier?

Questions

Three and a half has proven to be the year of questions around here. Jack is full of them from the minute he wakes up to the last minute when he is tucked in at night.

I have learned to cherish his inquisitive little mind although, it can be painstakingly tough to answer everything he questions. Some of his inquiries are so deep that I have to stop and think, "okay, how do I put this in 3 year old terminology?". Other times I get the age old "because, why Mommy?" one hundred billion times in a row, until I finally realize, I don't have to play this game, and I turn it around on him..."why do you think, Jack?". Unfortunately this usually leads to a whole new discussion with a lot more, you guessed it...questions.

Regardless of the monotony of these conversations, I've come to realize Jack really is listening (so I better get this right), he really is learning (if I did get it right), and he really is eager for knowledge--he's an ever absorbing sponge right now.

I refuse to take this time for granted. I am not naive enough to believe that he will always be warranting my answers. Yes, there will come a day when 'Mommy does not know everything'. So for now, I'm taking it in and enjoying every minute of his 3 year old little brain. It is truly fascinating and honestly, a lot of fun.

I couldn't let this stage pass without noting a few of his "questions". This is just a snip it of what I am going through on a daily basis...

*Where does the sun go at night? (I got this while driving the car. Try using your fist as Earth and your other hand as the sun when they are suppose to be on the wheel.)

*Will Jesus be at church on Christmas since it is his Birthday? (this answer was followed by a very disappointed 3 year old frown)

*What is after space? (hmm....more space?)

*Is mice another name for mouse? (insert smile here)

*How does God make rain? (I was good at this one. I use to teach the water cycle in 1st grade.)

*Why are all those stones in that field? (asked while pointing to a cemetery--I got myself in deep with this one--no pun intended)

*Why are all of the dinosaurs gone? (because they are extinct) Why are they extinct? (and so on and so on...)

*How did the doctor get me out of your belly when I was a baby if your belly is closed? (thank goodness I had a C-section--it sure made explaining this one easier)

*When Maggie gets big, can we get another baby? (we'll see Jack)

And the list goes on...

Saturday Night Fever

Clay and I traded in our snow driven cabin fever for a little 70's style Saturday Night Fever. And boy, did it feel good to finally get out of the house.

We celebrated a surprise 40th birthday for one of Clay's dear friends from back in P'cola who now lives in town. It was great night of casino style gambling, 70's disco, and lots of eats and drinks. A night out was a long time coming.

Jack could not resist getting in on the photo op, even half dressed...gotta love being 3--no modesty! But, what was even better than Jack's get up, was how wide eyed he got when he saw Daddy's costume. It started with an animated, "I liiiike your purple shirt Daddy". And then, "I liiiike your purple pants Daddy!". And it ended with an "And I liiiike your shiny shirt Daddy". His expression and tone were absolutely priceless but,... should we be worried?

We met the Heilmans for a little pre-party dinner. A dinner out and costumes just don't mix--we got some very intrigued looks. The boys went incognito with fake mustaches and I could not resist a picture with my phone (hence the grainy look). How scary is it that Clay almost looks normal with a stach? Ha! He totally could have pulled off the disco era.

"Snow" Crazy

"snow" pre-school,

"snow" sports class,

"snow" baby gym,

"snow" music,

"snow" appointments,

"snow" leaving the house,

"snow" point in even looking at the calendar,

a Mommy can only take "snow" much,

5 days of this and I am going "SNOW" CRAZY!