Happy birthday Niles, Ni-guy, Niley-noodle, Mr. Magoo, Nye-Nye, Niley-poo (did I forget any?)

While you don't let us call you too many of your nicknames anymore, the reason we have always done it is because of the love we feel for you and how incredibly cute you have ALWAYS been. You are so funny and serious and curious and caring, I can't help but love you. On your birthday (that you've been counting down to since August;) I want you to know how much we do love you and look forward to everyday with you:) It doesn't seem possible that you are 13, but you are. My heart is feeling a little achey right now because I know you're headed for great, exciting things...but that might mean I'll lose little parts of you to others (but you'll always keep a part for me, right?)

You changed my name forever and I'm so grateful that God has let me have the privledge of being your Mom, I'm looking forward to getting to know the big boy you. I love you Niles...love, Mom.

My kids are silly (in the very best way)

So I promised Aunt Ashley I'd post a good picture of the guys tomorrow morning, but then I realized, it's my Niley-noodle's birthday, so I have to have a Niles' devoted post.

I don't know why it is, but Roy and I love to buy the goofiest clothes for our boys...these shorts on Fletch are no exception, the only difference is Ashley was my accomplice in this purchase, he's really filling them out, huh? And there he is with his trusty side kick, inside out book cover man! No really, that's his costume~~an inside out book cover...I love these little weirdos.

mmmm weekends....

What a great weekend, nothing to do, nothing planned...just lots and lots of together time. We had 3 nights of family movie night. So great, snuggling on the couch answering Fletcher's 1,500 questions a minute about any given topic in the movie. The Wizard of Oz REALLY sent him for a loop, but it was fun seeing the film through their eyes.

Now as we start off Monday, the boys are nursing colds (with crazy, crazy coughs), I just hope it will be all clear by the weekend for Niles' big birthday extravaganza...Aunt Ashley is going to party with the little ones, so Niles can enjoy big boy time with his friends.

So, this weekend was so relaxed, I didn't even bust out the camera, so I'll just post a picture from earlier. Sawyer involved in his favorite activity (and it's not the book reading)

ahhhh, love those ears (I could fill an album with these kinds of shots)

Ears to you, Papa Harlow

My kids have 2 grandfathers that they love deeply, and I feel lucky to have them in our lives. Today is Papa Harlow's birthday, so I feel like it the perfect time to reflect on what he means to us.

My consistently sarcastic, never serious husband showed me a moment of sincerity once when I asked him something like "gosh, you really like your dad, don't you?" he said without hesitation "He's my hero". I love that. (and I can tell this story because Roy never reads my blog;)

I couldn't possibly list all of the things he has done for us, but I know he probably wouldn't want me too, he's just that way. But I will say that he is a kind-hearted, generous, funny man who brings a sense of stability and calm to any situation. And while I may never forgive him for teaching my children the word "buckwheat" (because they like to say it so much, so often), I am so glad that they have him to learn all the important stuff from. He is a hero:)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAPA HARLOW

This is Halloween...and not my computer anymore

So, I've said before it's Halloween year 'round here...I wasn't lying. As you can see (or hear rather) I have added some music to my blog, one of those songs is "This is Halloween". Well, it was cute the 1st 50 times, now we have to volley between the Youtube version and just listening to it here. I have heard all about how Fletch is Jack Skellington, I am the girl in the movie, Sawyer is the scary thing with sharp teeth. When daddy took them to see the movie "The Nightmare Before Christmas", I thought it might be too scary for them, apparently it was just right scary and has become an obsession. It's better than Spiderman at least. I have to go now, Fletch wants to watch it on Youtube again. Happy Halloween:) (again)

(by the way, if you don't like listening to the music, you can just press pause on the player)

I am easily distracted

It's a fact I have to face. Ashley (my sister) has teased me for some time about the lack of my multi-tasking ability...it has never become more obvious until recently.

Take Saturday for instance, there I am, scrapping my little heart out, with for one, this girl:



We shared a hotel room and I checked in, so I put it on my card. Greta gave me money, and I noticed she had another $20.00, being the comedian that I am, I told her I would take that too, whoo, funny, and not at all annoying, right? Well, I took a phone call at that point...

cut to the next morning, as I am emptying my pockets from the day before-

Me: Greta, how did I get an extra twenty in my pocket?

Greta: I handed to you.

Me: Wait, what? You handed to me? When?

Greta: When you were on the phone, I handed it to you and you took it.

So up until that moment, in Greta's eyes, not only am I a loud, obnoxious blabber-mouth, I am also a money-grubbing, loud, obnoxious blabber-mouth. I did give her the twenty back, but I have NO recollection of taking it from her, none, like, not even an twinkle in my mind (and no, I wasn't drinking)

And yesterday, I was trying to have a conversation on the telephone, when I saw Sawyer hit Fletcher in the head with a rolling pin! That seems to warrant some kind of disciplinary action, however, I didn't want to interrupt whomever was talking....So if I don't answer the phone, it's not because I don't want to talk to you, it's because I don't want another trip to the E.R.

Oops, 5 days!

Sorry I haven't been here in 5 days, I went away for the weekend, and I've been trying to get caught up. I had a really good time in Novi with some friends, doing the crazy scrapbooking thing.

While I was gone, Daddy took the little fellas to see "Bee Movie" (Niles stayed at Nana and Papa's house with ALL of his cousins). Apparently not a big hit with my boys...Roy said there was a freak out situation on Saw-dog's part near the end of the movie.

However, it did open a very important dialogue between Roy and Sawyer...Sawyer told this to his dad "Daddy, bees always fly up my nose and steal my boogers and make honey, why do they do that?" I guess we'll have to check into that.

They had to sit up close to the front in the theater which prompted Fletch to ask " Where are the buttons to turn off the big movie screen?"

I hope everyone has a great day...stay warm if you're in this blustery Michigan weather

Boo to you:)

Halloween was a fabulous success, Fletch woke Aunt Kay up by standing up over her (in his costume) and yelled "Boo, It's Halloween!!!" And while that sounds like something I would put him to, he did it all on his own. Fletch and I were talking about how it was finally Halloween and what we would do all day and he told me, "I hoped it was Halloween"

We went to their school party where Kimberly and I handed out candy to the unbelievably cute children, here, of course are the 2 cutest:

Next we were on to trick or treating, but first we made the kids pose for a billion and 3 photos:
Niles decided he wasn't too old at almost 13 to trick or treat...it's funny, because he hated doing it as a little one, and now he's all about it. He was an enormous help with Batman and Robin (as usual).

Here is the first house of the night:


and the boys getting some candy at another house. Sawyer would not let people give him candy in his bucket, he was quite adamant about grabbing it and placing it in there himself...after almost every house, he would run away yelling "this is gonna be fun!" (by the way, don't be afraid of the dog with scary glowing eyes, his apparent possession didn't effect us in any way:



This is gonna be fun!!!!:


While Fletch and Daddy didn't make it the whole way trick or treating, I think it was still lots of fun. Here is a picture of Batman and Superman, bringing up the rear:



We were very glad to have Aunt Kay and Nana here (Aunt Kay was lots of fun all day, and a big help to me, but don't tell her I told you) She should keep better track of her cell phone (okay, so I almost lost it:) but man, Kay must have really loved the Pizza my mom bought:

And incidentally, Sawyer did not get candy corn, did not eat his feet, and in case you're wondering, I am at 8:00am helping Batman get back into his costume, I guess it's Halloween year 'round here.

(Of course, the day was fun, but it's never the same with out the queen of Halloween, Aunt Ashley. I hope you're not too sad as you look at these pictures.)

What fun!

After starting the weekend out with an exciting trip to the E.R., we thought it might be better to take it easy for the remainder of the weekend. We had a great time. Royboy took Saturday off so he could spend some time with his mom and dad, who came to visit for a little while. They little fellas thought they needed to show Grandma and Grandpa their costumes:


Niles thought he'd show his brothers how to break it down and get funky (though I doubt that's how he'd say it):


I don't actually think he was dancing here, but it looks like it to me, so that's what we'll go with.

After church on Sunday we went to about 1,400 open houses...but didn't see anything that we loved, although we looked at some nice houses. Then it was pumpkin carving time!

The boys straight up refused to touch the pulp--no budging--they would not touch that yucky stuff, so Roy and I dug and cut all of the jack o' lanterns this year, but we did have fun

(that is a fake smile on Niles face, he was staring blankly ahead just 3 seconds before this:)

After that, we had some chocolate cupcakes, I think the picture speaks for how much Sawyer enjoyed them:



Mmmmm, cupcakes!

Christmas came early for Sawyer

Holy cow, We had a crazy night last night. At dinner Sawyer started complaining of a sore neck, this concerns me, but we're at a restaurant so I hold him on my lap until we finish eating...driving home, he keeps whimpering about his neck when (if your sensitive to vomit stories, just stop now) PUKE ALL OVER, I mean a lot...Fletcher was pretty interested in it "It looks like apple cider" and poor Niles is sitting right next to him. Of course, I immediately panic...sore neck + vomiting=meningitis. Maybe I'm silly, maybe I'm the only mom who thinks this way, but I think I just want to rule out the worst, so I can relax and move on. We race inside, I call my dad, and who the heck knows what Roy is doing. My dad says something like "yeah, it'd be good to get him checked out" Which FREAKS ME OUT!!!! my dad is always like, "oh, it's not a big deal" with medical stuff.

(I just realized how long and crazy this is getting, I'll give the reader's digest version). We go to the E.R., get right in, Sawyer gets a C.T. scan, neck x-ray and suddenly perks up and wants to play with my ears. They figured out right away that it wasn't meningitis and what was probably more likely was his twin putting a whopper socker to him. NO MORE ROUGHNESS IN MY HOUSE!!!! That is an official decree...I'll let you know how that works out. So we paid the E.R. 50 bucks and got Sawyer a "McFlurrio" and all is right with the world again. So Sawyer, I hope you remember the 5o bones and McFlurrio at Christmas, because that was it baby:) I just have to say in all sincerity how much I love these boys and am grateful beyond belief for their health.

Why do I buy my kids toys?

Three different times I asked myself this question yesterday. First was our standard blanket adventure:
Here is Superman and his side kick, Robin (hey, it's their game, I don't make up the rules)
Next, we get a package in the mail (a Merry Christmas present for our Gracie girl)...and we have a snake and secret hide out:
It looks like he's quite a charmer:
Later, we used an ACORN SQUASH, an ACORN SQUASH to be a baby we needed to save from evil forces in the universe (mainly a snarly, clawed Fletcher, but when you point a remote control at him, he turns into a baby, once again, I don't make the rules up) So, in a nutshell, Christmas shopping is going to be pretty easy this year.

And, for no reason at all:

my Royboy brought home some flowers (the reason could be that he heard me at the very edge of my sanity and thought flowers would bring me back) He was half right, and Sawyer was almost as excited as I was. I know he has seen flowers before, but I guess it was a little exotic to have them carried into our house like that.

And here is my almost teenager, giving me an almost teenager "don't take my picture" face:

and his little brother, just chillin'

Have a happy day:)

You can't blame him for trying

So I'm having breakfast with Fletch-man (if you have more than one kid, it's nice to get to spend a little one on one time, even if it's just over a bowl of cereal). As I'm digging into my Life, I glance up at Fletcher, who has his hand in his cereal bowl, this, in itself isn't that odd, my kids can be pretty gross. But no, he's grabbing handfuls of cereal and trying to put them on his spoon. Apparently, that whole scooping thing is just a bit too cumbersome. I raise my eyebrows and say, "uh, Fletch?" Him, being the consummate professional, flashes me his winning grin and says, "it's good"


I just have my fingers crossed that we can break this before he's 20.

Speaking of Random...

Conversation between Sawyer and Mommy today:


Sawyer: Mommy, will I get candy corn for Halloween?

Mommy: Yes, you probably will get some candy corn from people.

Sawyer: And will I get fresh mints?

Mommy: Ummmm, Sawyer, I'm not sure if people hand out fresh mints for Halloween.

Sawyer: Oh, I don't eat my foot at Halloween.


I could not make this stuff up if I tried.

I've been tagged

by Yvonne bayberry

1. Link to the person (or in my case person(s) that tagged you and post the rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself (on your blog, we all want to know them).
3. Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.
4. Let each person know that they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.


I have a lot of randomness...let's see:

some of you might know some of this

1. I have synesthesia...in my case, I think of a number and a color instantly comes to mind, the same number for the same color always.

2. I NEVER feel like I am wearing the correct shoes for any outfit, I have even had dreams about this.

3. Sometimes I look at my children and can't believe that God trust me with their lives, although I feel very lucky that he does.

4. As an adult, I've never been that interested in having women as friends, I think it gets too complicated...until recently. Those scrapbookers can be a cool bunch of chicks.

5. I can change moods without warning in 3.2 seconds...a lot of people (family) know this.


6. If I could choose any artistic talent to have it would be first to sing well, second to draw well.


7. When my husband is bugging me (more than usual) I remember how we met when we were 11 and didn't realize it 14 years later until he met my brother.

Yeouch!!!!

I ask myself a million times a day, "can't we all just get along?"


See the gash on Sawyer's forehead and the anguished look on Fletcher's face? I'm sure some of you can piece this together, but I'll just fill in the gaps for you.

The little boys thought it would be fun to have a toy toss, of course these things always start off with the best intentions and peals of joyous laughter. But they go south, very quickly, and in case you were wondering, a Woody the Cowboy doll can, in fact cause bleeding if applied properly (or improperly, depending on who you're asking) to someone's head.

Let's just move on to happier times, shall we?

Yesterday we went pumpkin hunting. It was fun. The farm we went to had about a million things to do including a carnival with games, apple and pumpkin picking, a wagon ride and mmmmm home made doughnuts. Here are some photos of the wagon ride:

I love this one, they are two peas in a pod:



Why don't I wear make-up more often in public?


Yes, they are cute, and if you're wondering what Niles has in his pocket there, it's pixie sticks, pure sugar in a paper tube...the boys wanted to stick closer than usual to big brother:

Big Wheel Keep On Burnin'

Today was bike day at pre school. I love to see all of the kids so excited to have a chance to whiz around and feel the sun on their faces. There was even one little boy who almost broke free and made it down a hill before his mom caught him and reeled him back in...I just feel blessed that for once it was not one of mine.

And it's clear Sawyer is a twin (or maybe he's just too academic) because here is a shot of him waiting for his brother to just take him for a ride, instead of fooling with the messy business of pedaling:


Happy Thursday to you:)

Fletch really likes apple juice

I know I've talked about how much we pay into the apple industry in our house, and I wasn't kidding. Here is proof:

Mmmmmm, apple juice.

Doctor's appointment today, it was a well child for the twins and I could not have conceived it in my mind any better. We talked about what to expect yesterday and aside from speculating if the doctor would take his brains out so he could see them, I think it helped.
Both boys were absolutely beside themselves that they got to strip down to their skivvies in a public place and they did everything he asked, it was great. Next week, however means immunizations, I can't imagine that going as well.

Niles had football practice tonight and when he got dressed, I couldn't help but think how cute he is, so I had to capture it on film:

Gosh, he's cute and tough, what a dangerous combo.

A Little Bedtime Fashion Show

I was pretty tired tonight. I thought I'd be able to fall right to sleep, I was wrong. I sat on the couch trying to wind down by watching an episode of House Hunters, when out walked this:


Really, I know I should have just sent him right back to bed, but I needed to capture this on film, how can you not laugh? He really has a strange fashion sense, those are pajama pants that he pushed up to highlight the ultra-glam socks, and really what better to top it off then a rugby shirt, the outfit screamed for it.

He really thought he was the bee's knees and even danced a little jig in his fetching apparel:

The very best part of it is that I am STILL trying to get him to go to sleep, at 11:00, motherhood is quite an adventure.


And while I try to get him to go to sleep, if anyone reading this could work on a project for my little ones. They were hoping I could find a remote control that would turn their big brother's Batmobile piggy bank into a REAL car. I couldn't seem to find it, and I thought this might suffice:

They weren't too impressed with a bed sheet and car seats. So if anyone out there has the technology, Batman and Robin would be grateful.

PSA: If you are sarcastic, you will more than likely raise sarcastic children

A sad, but true fact, and I am so sarcastic most of the time, I don't even realize it. Yesterday, Fletcher had kicked off his shoes and peeled off his socks in the car for the 14 billionth time and I was frustrated. Fletch and I have had about as many conversation about why leaving shoes on in the car is such a stellar idea. So when I made the discovery yesterday, I said "Gee Fletch, that was really nice of you to take off your shoes and socks" and immediately thought to myself that perhaps that was a little harsh on a 3 year old. However, not skipping a beat, Fletch got a smirk on his face and replied, "no problem"
Fletch got the opportunity to kick off his shoes when we went to Ypsilanti so I could help Kimberly with a project (that's all I'm saying about that). We hung out and went to the student center and had some lunch. I love how EVERYTHING is an exciting discovery to children. We have flowers at home, but when we see them somewhere else, it can prompt a serious inspection and discussion about how "cool" (their words) it would be if flowers had eyes and a nose and hands and feet.

I hope everyone has a great weekend. Roy is working monster hours today and the little fellas and I are going to Niles' football game with Nana and Papa.

Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad

38 years ago today, my Mom and Dad decided to make their love official and got married...and I'm glad they did. They provided our family with so many things (including life:) They have shown us all about unconditional love, laughter and making family priority.

I remember when I was a little girl, staring at their wedding photos thinking my mom looked like the most beautiful woman alive and my dad looked, well, a lot different:) Those photos and seeing the love on their faces has set a standard for what I expect out of a relationship (which might sometimes annoy my husband), but I'm so glad that they fell in love and showed us what putting in work is all about.

Lunch Ladies

That was me, Fletch and Sawyer today. We went to Niles' school for lunch duty, because if they don't have a volunteer, the teachers have to stay in the classroom with the students. That means ALL DAY in a room with 7th graders--and while that sounds like a really good time, I thought I could help out once in a while. It was fun, Niles seemed genuinely excited to see his brothers at school and by the way they were alternately playing it super cool and running around on the play ground, I think they had fun too. It was so sweet too, he kept his desk back by us, until he kind of smiled and said "I usually sit up there" while pointing to a group of kids. I was touched by the gesture of him sitting by us and told him to get up there with his friends. The best part is he only had to tell the class once that his mom is weird (I wish this was a joke).

Of course, this picture is not from today, pulling a camera out on a 7th grader in front of his friends at school is risking life and limb, this is from the 4th of July...I just think he's so blasted cute:


Oh, and by the way...he hugged me goodbye, with friends around.

The best moment of the day

I have lots of moments every day when I think to myself that I'm so lucky that this is my life (I do have my fair share of moments when I think "THIS is NOT what I signed up for", too) But yesterday, I realized at one definite second that I was living my favorite moment of the day. I was picking the boys up from pre-school. They have to sit on the steps and wait for the teacher to bring them to their car. Sawyer tried to worm his way out and come to the car, but he was caught in the nick of time. Then Fletch stepped down and looked around. I could see the recognition when he spotted me and a smile started creeping across his face until it was a full blown smile. The smile was pure joy, not a babyish grin at all, just very happy to realize I was there and he really liked me. My heart almost broke from happiness and a little sadness that they are really growing up. He didn't try to run to the car, he just turned around and sat down and waited. It brought back memories of when Niles was little and he would run to me with reckless abandon because I was there finally and YES, this is HIS mommy.

Another bright spot was seeing Sawyer decided to behave enough at school to get his race car stickers and pick a prize. Roy and I laughed pretty hard at what he chose, but I'm not going to deny that they are pure Sawyer...sorry the picture is a little blurry, my camera was dying so I was trying to hurry. (those of you that know Sawyer know he wanted the blanket on his shoulders:)



Enjoy the moments in your day today.

The Thing about Roy is...

He has some rule book, and in it he has written in big letters "DO NOT LOOK NORMAL IN PICTURES!!!" That's what I think anyway. Here are a few examples:




But luckily, him making us look like a Gap ad isn't what is important to me (free clothes would be nice though). He is an amazing daddy. I can't imagine my live without him as my partner. I am so blessed to have a man who loves his family so much and works so hard. He makes me laugh and he makes me proud. It's kind of like he told me at our wedding reception five years ago (Oct. 5th), "Sonja, you're the luckiest girl alive!"

It's a really good book...

Note: This is not tonight, this is last night. Tonight, Fletch decided midnight was a good time to go to sleep, therefore, I can't sleep now. But I will have time to nap tomorrow as the children are going to Chicago to visit Aunt Ashley so Roy and I can hang out for our anniversary, being the wild romantics that we are we got each other the same gift. Car repairs!!! Yes, nothing says the fires of romance are still burning like a fuel pump, but hey, it's better than walking everywhere.

Hey Mama!!

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear mo-ther, happy birthday to you:


For those of you who don't know, this is my mom. For those of you that do, you know this face is exactly my mom. Here she is on the 4th of July in all her sassy glory. Who knows what she was saying, but she has the funniest way of being, well, her.

Tonight was her birthday and we went out for dinner and some of the best roast beef in the world (2nd only to my mother-in-law's). It was a very good time and while I thought I forgot my camera, it was actually in my purse, so I just forced everyone to take pictures just before they left.

The cute birthday girl (don't worry Ash, she has brown and black on ONLY temporarily):

I thought maybe if I posted this, I'd stop trying to look so goofy in pictures (I look pretty deranged, but my mom looks darn cute):

And everyone just say it with me "AWWWW":

So mom, Happy Birthday. I love you for so many reasons, most of all just because you're you...and you make me laugh pretty hard. Thanks for all of the love you've given me and my boys...There's no one like you.

And just a few quick other things, I just have to show everyone this, because I've been meaning to since Monday and I want to before I forget:

It's a Major Award!!!!


I'm very proud of Fletchy-doodle. He got all of his race cars on his track at school (for good behavior) and got to pick a prize, you would swear that plane was made of pure gold:)

and one last thing, I just love this picture from today when the boys were playing so well together and made my heart all quivery:




This also makes my heart all quivery, he really is growing up and he is just so stinkin' cute (umm, yeah, he gets that from his mom):