Laundry Induced Meltdown

Upon reading the title of this post, you may assume that the melt down I'm referring to was from one of the kids. Nope! It was me! While emptying the fourth basket of clean laundry that I needed to somehow fold and put away while my boys seemed to be swimming in it on the floor, I snapped. Darin was in the kitchen trying to clean the swamp we call a fish tank, and I was standing amongst the piles literally crying my eyes out. Much credit due to my awesome husband, he proceeded in comforting me and telling me of all the amazing things I do on a daily basis in raising our wonderful three children. And that being a stay at home mom is the "hardest job on the planet". But is it really? Why is it so hard? What is so hard about laundry, dishes and keeping the house clean? To the untrained eye, being a mom and having the "privilege" of staying home instead of going to a job everyday is the easy part.
While at the bus stop this afternoon, I confided in my friend who also has chosen the same career path as me, about my laundry induced meltdown. Of course she was completely sympathetic and commiserated with me on the struggles of day to day life at home. "Why is it a housekeeper can keep the house clean? and a chef can get the meals prepared with no fuss?" Upon listening to her, I felt much comfort knowing that I am not crazy, nor am I incompetent. A housekeepers main job is to keep the house clean. A chef is meant to cook. They are in no way taking care of our children while doing it. No noses to wipe, no diapers to change, no laundry to fold and refold when attacked by a toddler. No timeouts to give for one sibling throwing toys at the other sibling's head. These are things that stop us from getting our jobs done. Or are the jobs getting in the way of us raising our children?
I feel much better now that my tears motivated my husband to stop everything and move furniture that I can never get to, and clean our swamp of a tank before all the fish die, and help me to finish my mountains of laundry.
And for the record, while I was "taking a minute for myself" to write this post, I had to stop several times due to a 3 year old who couldn't possibly take his nap without his dinosaur bin, and his pirate, and his blankets, and his....Also I had to stop for a husband who got half way to work and forgot his clothes, he "was wondering if I could fish them out of the laundry and run them out to him as he does a drive by".
Yes this job is hard, not for the obvious reasons or for the mundane tasks that fill my day each and every day. But because of the responsibility to my family and the dependence they all have on me. I wouldn't change it for the world, I could just use a little help with the laundry every now and then.

Growing up

For some reason, Bella looks so much older to me today. She got all dressed up for school this morning and loved her outfit so much she had me take a picture. When I looked at the camera I couldn't believe my eyes. My baby girl has gotten so beautiful. I didn't think it was possible to get more beautiful in my eyes. I am so proud of her, every day, more and more.

OCD in Toddlers

Apparently Cameron thought my organizational skills were lacking and took it upon himself to create a new filing system. Thanks Cam.

Milk

After getting the OK from our doctor, Logan tried milk today for the first time. I think it was a success!

Random Pool Pictures

I just found these and thought they were really great.

Cupcakes

Oh yes, and I almost forgot. For our fabulous Spiderman birthday, yours truly made yummy Spiderman cupcakes. My very first attempt and they turned out wonderfully I might add. Anyone who knows me, knows I'm not a cook, chef, baker..all of the above. Thank God I married Darin or my kids would starve! Anyway, after working so hard on these beauties, I had run to the local Fred Meyer for something. Passing the bakery I happened to look into the cake case and what to my wondering eyes did appear? You guessed it! Perfectly done, Spiderman cupcakes with the exact toppers I had ordered online because I couldn't find them in stores anywhere! AHHHH!

Oh well, mine were better I'm sure :-)

Cam's 3rd Birthday Party

We decided to have Cameron's birthday party at out favorite park this year, he always does better outdoors. The weather was a bit cold to start out and we were definitely nervous. But after a few prayers and some parting of clouds, it was a beautiful sunny day.
A lot of our friends made the trek for yet another Leonardson birthday (bless you all). Cameron had a blast digging in the sand and enjoying the water spray park.
The men discussing business over a fabulous catered luncheon.
Present time was fun. A free for all of course, Cam had more help then he probably wanted.
Thank you all for a fabulous time, Cam thanks you as well.

Happy 3rd Birthday Cameron Scott!

Member Appreciation Day at the Zoo

Today was "member appreciation day" at our local zoo so we decided to meet some friends for the festivities. The kids had a great time at all the learning booths and of course getting all the free stuff like these stylish flamingo hats. Bet you wish you had one!
Bella spent the most time at this booth learning about different animal skulls. I think this lady was very impressed with Bella's knowledge of animals and kept asking her questions.

Of course we had to ride the carousel, Cameron actually loved it! I was very surprised, he usually is a little apprehensive about these sorts of things.

It was a very fun morning, nice to be appreciated :)

Laundry Basket Pirate Ships

Big Yellow School Bus

We did it! Bella successfully rode the school bus today and loved it. Cameron waited patiently for his sister to arrive at her stop.

Here it comes up the hill.....
Closer and closer...
Look at the big girl! Bella absolutely adored the bus ride (all two minutes of it).
The conversation on the way home went like this: "How did you like it?" "It was so cool! Everyone was screaming and the bus driver didn't even care!" "There were no seat belts, no handles, just a seat! I thought I was going to fall off and break my head! It was awesome!"

1st Day or Kindergarten

So the day has finally come, Bella has officially started Kindergarten. We spent the morning, obsessing over clothing, breakfast, "don't forget my backpack mommy". Our little girl is growing up.
This looks like she is thinking "what did I get myself into?" But actually it was just really sunny and we forgot Bella's trademark shades.
When we got to the school, they corralled us parents and children to the playground and had the kiddos stand in lines behind their teachers. I had to actually elbow other moms to get pictures of my own kid! Bella wasn't scared, nervous or apprehensive. She spent most of her time in line surveying the various backpacks.
Once her school day was over, the kids lined up outside waiting for their parents to claim them. This is only half her class, the other kids were waiting for their bus. Tomorrow Bella will ride the bus for the first time. More pictures to come, stay tuned.....

The Cake

It is a Leonardson family tradition, just like in most families I'm sure, that on the first birthday the child gets their own little cake to enjoy. We take cute pictures of the messy child and all laugh and enjoy the moment. Well, in true Leonardson fashion, we of course have to take it a step further...
Starting with Isabella, Darin would put frosting in their hair and spike it up for the pictures...
Why would Logan be any different...notice the blue color? Ya, that was fun...
Of course, this time it might have gone a little too far...something tells me this is the same picture we will be getting on his 16th birthday only it won't be blue frosting!
The clean up was the best part, I think Logan got the biggest kick out of it. He laughed through the whole thing.

Logan's Pirate Birthday

So I have to confess, I really wanted Cameron to have a Pirate Party but he refused. So the next best thing you ask? Force the theme on the unsuspecting 1 year old...it came out fabulous!
Logan really seemed to enjoy all the decorations, and the table cloth actually stayed on the table.
All our wonderful friends and family came to help celebrate with us. It was suggested by my very smart friends to do presents first since cake would surely send all the kiddos over the edge. It became a free for all and Logan had more help then he could have asked for.
Darin had to hold him up so that people could get a look at the birthday boy amongst all the presents and helpers.
to be continued......