Tuck-In

Every night since the day my kids were born (with the exception of a few nights I've been away), I have tucked them in after they fall asleep. It's a compulsion. I can't NOT do it! I do it for me, I suppose. I sleep better knowing that I've pulled their covers up so they're not cold, put them back in bed if they've rolled out, remove the book that rests on their face because they fell asleep "reading" it, brush their hair back off their face, give them some medicine because they are coughing in their sleep...the list goes on. 

I have a sinus infection and I took some NyQuil last night and it knocked me out before I remebered to go tuck them in. 

At breakfast this morning, out of the blue  Linkan asked me why I didn't tuck her in last night. This caught me off guard because I wasn't really aware that she knew I did this every night. So, I asked her how she knew I didn't tuck her in - if she was asleep? And she said "because I didn't feel your hand on my face, mom."

It struck me, in that moment, how profound a mother's love is for her children. How it manifests itself in the smallest ways... And how my small, every-day things have a big impact on my babies. I knew that - but then again, I forget. How blessed am I, that I get to be Linkan and Palmer's mom?  Moments like that remind me that I was made to be their mom. No one else besides their earthly and Heavenly Father can rival my love for them. 

Things Kids Say

I have to do better about writing down the funny things these kids say! They crack us up all. the. time!

Tonight at dinnertime prayer, Palmer thanked God for "Valenton-hearts day". 

Shortly after that, Linkan said, "mom! Have you ever seen potato pudding!?" Of course I said no (I made soup with potato chunks) and then she proudly proceeded to open her mouth and show me. Couldn't help myself from laughing! 

The best conversation happened a few weeks ago when we were driving around in the car. It went like this:

Link: Mom, your arms are hairy.

Me: Ya, they kind of are! (Giggling)

Palmer: Mom! Get no-no!!

Link (without skipping a beat): It's surprisingly painless!

I laughed so hard. And also face-palmed because, clearly, this was a sign that my children had been watching too much TV! 

14th Wedding Anniversary

He's still my favorite person. :-)

First Day of Preschool 2014-2015

Palmer's 3rd Birthday: Pool Party

This year, we decided to have a little pool party for Palmer and all her friends. What good is it to have a birthday in August if you can't have a pool party?? :-) Palmer enjoyed bouncing around and playing in the wading pool with all her buds. We had a picnic lunch and cake in the park afterwards. She said that her favorite part was the rainbow cookie cake. :-)

Palmer's 3rd Birthday!

Although Palmer's real birthday isn't until tomorrow, we celebrated today with a family party. Our a/c is on the fritz so we decided to BBQ at the lake. It started out nice and cool thanks to an early-morning storm and just started really heating up when we were leaving. Perfect! 

Although she went back and forth for weeks, Palmer ultimately requested a rainbow cake. It was a labor of love as I ended up baking and frosting her 6-layer cake with the thermostat registering at 90 degrees inside our house yesterday (ac is broken). Hello, hotness! 

Grammy, Granpy, Aunt Mo, Great Grandma Pat, Grandma P and Grandpa P came to help celebrate our special girl. 

Daddy brought some water balloons and naturally...Link, Palmy and Mo thought that I was the best target! :-)

I asked Palmer what her favorite part of the day was. She said that it was blowing out her birthday candle. 

As I reflect on her first three years of life, I marvel as how much her personality has changed. She is a firecracker with a sweet spirit. She knows what she wants and isn't afraid to voice it. But she is also quite agreeable, flexible and laid back. The littlest things excite and make her happy.  She is independent, always wanting to pick out her outfits, put clothes on by herself and tell me how to do her hair (she prefers to have it braided every day!). :-)  She loves playing with her big sister...whether it's dress up, role-playing "mom and baby", or endless hours playing with their "little people". 

We love this little soul with all our hearts. Happy 3rd birthday, sweet Palmer!

Linkan First Solo-swing :-)

Linkan learned how to "pump" this week. She is so excited about this new skill! She is finding great joy in swinging around the clock. Oh, to be 4 years old again. :-) Love her.