Movie Time

Dear Kidlets,
Tonight you really wanted to have family movie night so Daddy helped you choose one. You are so into animals right now that you settled on, "Turkles."  "Turkles," is a tale of sea turtles and a group of kids trying to catch turtle poachers. Very informational with top notch over acting, which gave my brain yet another opportunity to reflect on my gratitude for our two little spirited babies, neither of you are so much babies anymore. I'll note here, if I ask you, Hazel, how old you are, you will let me know in both gesture and voice that you are, "Tewwooo!" I have to think of your beautiful birth moms as I look at your sparkling faces and feel so much honor and love for them and you both that I get to have these moments with you, the ones where you can't get cuddled close enough with me and you copy how I am laying and how I move. I am grateful we get to share the dance party make up days and firsts with you. Henry you are so curious you can't stop talking and asking questions even during a movie as riveting as, "Turkles." It is all pretty awesome, this mom thing... even on days when Hazel dumps an entire bag of popcorn on the living room floor or a movie's already lacking good dialog can't be followed because Henry has to ask me the 100th question or we have 10 melt does we have to negotiate out of or nobody eats the dinner I made or I am tired and want to go to the bathroom by myself for once, I never wish for anything different. Love, Mama

Short Road Trip

Dear Henny and Hay-zell,
We woke up Saturday and Mommy felt like going on a short adventure Daddy and the both of you were down with it.  We decided to go visit Mama's aunt Linda and uncle John in Ohio, meet up with friends Mike and Amy at Ikea and come back on Sunday.  It would be an understatement to say you were excited.  Henry, you just couldn't wait to stay at a hotel with a pool and hot tub.  We would periodically hear from the back of the van a sweet little boy's voice declaring, "I am so excited!"  Hazel, you were the perfect little traveler.  

 We enjoyed our time with Amy and Mike at Ikea.  Then we got back to the hotel and made it to the pool in time for a 15 minute dip in the hot tub and you helped the hotel lady put the cover on.  
You were so helpful and a good listener.  Daddy and I were proud of you.  Back at the room you drew pictures on every page of the in room note pad while Hazel snuggled in readying herself for sleep, you drew this too.   

We finally got you settled and my three buddies cuddled up to snooze.

Then next morning we slept in and then made it down to breakfast where the WONDERFUL workers there fawned all over your and Hazel and got us some extra sausage.  We went swimming again and this time Hazel joined you for her introduction to the pool and hot tub.  

Hazel, you wore a little green and white striped bikini that was BEYOND CUTE!  Even your brother squealed, "OH, CUTE, CUTE, CUTE!"  You had no problem floatin' in the water.  The hot tub made you veg out in seconds...and just your little tootsies were in.  

Henry has really started doing a great job taking pictures, I get to be in some now too!

After we cleaned up and got our bags together we went to Uncle Johns and Aunt Linda's.  We had such a nice visit.  Linda is a great cook and much like my Grandma Stella she made sure she had food on hand, a wonderful mushroom and barley soup.  She made you a special pbj and had cute little apples and oranges for you to try.  

She dragged out a ton of crap for you to play with while John gave Hazel snuggles.  

We were having a great time but it was getting dark so we took off for home.  You slept a lot waking to ask when we'd go back to our hotel to swim.  It was great getting away a little with our team of four.  
Love, Mama

Cuddle Bear

Yeah. This is the life.