Listen and obey! But I dont know how.....

Friday was one of those days that I guess I really stressed LISTEN and OBEY!!  Because when I put the kids to bed Jason had something to say..  "Momma, when I grow up I will listen and obey and do whatever you say.. "  I tried to explain that if he started practicing now it would be so much easier when he grew up.  "But Momma, I don't know how to listen and obey!"  oh my... I tried to explain how simple it was.  You just listen with your ears and do what mommy ask you to do.

He must have really thought this whole listen and obey thing thru because in the morning when I asked him what shoes he was going to wear his response was "whatever shoes you tell me to wear.."

Merry Christmas, already!!

Somehow today I ended up with a bunch of Christmas books at the library... maybe it was a deep down longing to wear a sweater, to see my breath when I walk outside, to need to wear flannel jammies...

Caught! 

So at bedtime we read Christmas stories and the kids loved it!  Emma began to remind me of her fear of all things Santa Claus.. Then I began to remember some of our Christmas adventures!

When she was two we lived in Italy.  This was the first year she was really introduced to Santa.  All the kids were so excited, waiting for Santa to make his entrance and when he did Emma made a run for it while Jason stood mesmerized by this big man in a red suite and white beard with a bag full of presents.

Jason mesmerized, waiting patiently for Santa to c

all his name :)

 
 We began to understand why every time Santa was mentioned she would tell us she was on the naughty list!!  It seemed Emma had some how determined that if she was on the naughty list Santa would not visit her house.

I am on the naughty list Santa!

This past Christmas she made me tell Santa he had to leave ALL presents on the front door step.  Every night at bedtime she would make me check the doors to see if they were locked and then in the morning we would check outside for presents.

Can't wait to see what it is this year, cause this child has imagination!!

Stick a fork in me I am done!!

Today I was standing in front of the mirror in the bathroom after rounding everyone up to brush their teeth.. and I let out a big sigh and I hear "What I am gonna do with those kids"  Jason, standing beside me, watching me.... he always seems to say what I am thinking..

It has been a whirlwind of adventure the last couple of weeks.  Two weeks ago I went to camp with Aaron and did some exploring in the mountains.. it was beyond fun as I did not have any little people following me around for a few days and I got to unwind and breathe.  I loved exploring the trails in the Brevard North Carolina area.  It was beautiful time for me to reflect on life and rediscover a few things... but I gotta admit I did miss the dynamic duo though it was nice to get reacquainted with Aaron who seems to have been lost in the shuffle of raising demanding four year olds.. He is an amazing kid.

I have spent a lot of time at the beach this last week, riding the waves with some of my favorite little people and just enjoying life, FOR REAL, as Jason would say and a lot of time dealing with a four year old going on 15, Emma!  I asked her the other day what in the world was I gonna do with her when she does become a teenager and she just gave me a big ol grin.  I am gonna love her and love her and love her!!

At this point though... I am exhausted from all the running here and there... so I would say stick a fork in me I am done!!  :)  But it is fun watching my kids enjoy their summer time even if it wears me out.