"Are you talkin' to me?"

It is one of those calm moments when all the kids are doing something and getting along. Love those moments. The kids (Lauren, Brady and Max) spent the day at Grandma's. They played with cousin Nathan and had a ball. Where they the best behaved they could have been? No. Where they great listeners? No. But they had fun. I tried to sit back and just let them have some fun. It was nice. I really hope as they grow they become friends to each other. I keep telling them that friends will come and go, but their siblings will always be there! I hope they take it to heart!
Walker is starting to ask me different compound words and is trying to read. He is really getting the hang of it! Lauren, while sneaky and sometimes whiney, loves to write. She is getting the hang of letters and words. She is always giving Doug and I envelopes addressed to us with special pictures. She leaves them on our bed or where she thinks we'll find it! Too precious. Then there's Brady. He LOVES to color. He is really starting to stay in the lines and color appropriate to reality. Right now he is showing Max all his favorite toys! Max is captivated.
I wanted to add a little about my marriage. Last night Doug and I took turns working out. He went to the gym, then I went. When I got home, I decided to put trash out since that is alway "his" job. It is still pretty icy out and it took me a good while to open the gate (snow packed) and get everything to the curb. I had a great appreciation for what I always took to be "his" job. Proud of my selfless act, I came in and before I could tell him what wonderful favor I had done him, he said he had a bath and candles ready for me. Wow. Here I thought I was the considerate one!

Picture: My big Max in his high chair. I think he looks a LOT like my dad!