The month is moving forward, time keeps ticking on. Though my body is tired from the late nights and little boys who refuse to sleep, I feel renewed with the new year as I strive to cherish my littles and count my blessings. For the last six years we've always had a new baby and a busy toddler. Having so many littles relatively close in age has come with it's fair share of joys and challenges, but lately I've been enjoying finding myself again as I emerge from the piles of diapers and laundry that have consumed me for the last couple of years. I have been able to really savor my time with Oliver as he learns and grows. He is at such a fun stage! In an effort to preserve a little snapshot of our life right now, I've been jotting down little moments that happen throughout each day to remember for later.
The mornings are frigid and cold leaving us wishing that we could snuggle in our beds. Reese jumps on everyone's bed first thing, tail wagging, tongue licking. After she's said 'hello' to everyone, she slides across the hardwood excitedly and leaps into her bed in the kitchen where she watches the hustle and bustle of the morning routine. I turn up the heat and the littles all grab blankets and gather on the vent to warm up. Ollie tugs on the puppy bed and the two of them play at my feet while I make breakfast and pack lunches.
Hyrum gives me his morning hug and I notice he's outgrown his jeans by at least an inch and they have holes in both knees. I make a mental note to pick him up a few new pairs this week.
Ollie giggles from his booster at the table as he tries to spoon his porridge into his mouth. He scrunches his nose and makes funny faces at the kids leaving us all laughing so hard our tummies ache. He meets our grins with a squeal of a giggle that bubbles up from the very bottom of his adorable, round belly. I clear his bowl and kiss his sticky face because those cheeks of his are just to die for right now. It's a good thing he's cute though because he is also kind of a drama king. He has mastered the floor dive and uses it often when life seems unfair or he doesn't get what he wants.
The rest of our morning is filled with play time, school work, snacks and washing sticky toddler hands under a tap of warm water. The two little boys go for a nap shortly after lunch, leaving Joe on his own to play. He is the middle child and I've recently discovered that he is really not used to playing on his own. When I turn off the TV and put away the electronics, he's not sure what to do with himself. We usually fill in that time with a game of checkers, war, uno or some baking.
When Finley wakes us he likes to pretend he's mute. Everything is done with pointing, nodding and guess work. He tugs at my shirt sleeve to get my attention and then acts out what he wants to eat or do. He says "I love you" a thousand times a day and gives the tightest squeezy hugs and the best kisses. He is always full of affection and love.
When the kids get home from school they crowd around the little table in the kitchen, playing a huge game of war with the cards. It's exciting to see them getting along so well, but a part of me aches at the sight because it means they are growing up! They are so lucky to have each other and I love that they get along most of the time.
Some of my favorite moments of the day are when we are all crowded around the kitchen counter making up a batch of cookies. The kitchen feels cozy and warm. The children chatter and ramble on loudly. There is poking, fighting, hugs, goofing off. The memories we make together in the kitchen are simply the best.
If the weather is warm the big kids run up the street to grab some friends and head to the hill for sledding. They are getting so independent, it's fun to see.
We are back in swimming lessons and I managed to get all four kids into lessons around the same time. We end up being at the pool for just over an hour start to finish. Finley is loving his first unparented session. Joe and Hyrum are in the same class just because it works better with the timing of lessons. Camilla is in level three this time around and told me that she has to swim really far!
When we get home my heart swells as I watch Hyrum unzip his baby brothers coat. Next, he plops Ollie between his legs on the floor, bends his body close and reaches his long, growing arms around to tug off Ollie's boots. When he's finished he ruffles Ollie's hair with a, "there ya go, buddy."
I spend most of my afternoons trying to avoid the constant rain of nerf gun bullets. They stick to my windows and bounce off my walls as I make dinner. The boys run around loudly. It's complete mayhem. I end up stepping in sticky remnants of a strawberry multigrain bar as I wipe down the table. I hop on one foot over to the kitchen sink to wash it off and am joined a few seconds later by a little boy who's been crawling all over the floor and also needs the sticky wiped from his foot.
After dinner (and asking them to eat their dinner over and over), they get to work on their jobs. I made up a new chore wheel the other day and so far it seems to be doing the trick. Listening to the clanging of dishes as Hyrum rinses and loads and the hum of little workers makes my heart happy. Camilla hangs out in the nursery with a freshly bathed Oliver while I fold the last load of laundry on the boys bed. She is such a responsible little eight year old and so helpful! The giggles escape under the door and bring a smile to my face.
We all gather for night prayers to finish off the day. Daddy asks someone to say it and Finley protests, "No peaaaaaaaaaar!" (No fair). While we listen to the prayer, Ollie runs around the circle tackling unsuspecting siblings who have their arms folded and heads bowed. The dog joins in on the game and barks and pounces around while the rest of us try to stay reverent.
The days are full and tiring, but the little arms around my neck, the chubby toddler hand wrapped around my finger, and the sloppy kisses make it all worth it!
