Hanging around

Well, the weekend is here. Sometimes our weekends are filled with exciting events, parties and other obligations. Then there are times when the weekends belong to us and we can make our own plans. Sometimes those plans involve just hanging around. It's these days where Ryley, Joey, Owen and TJ may just chase each other around the house or pack up their backpacks, head upstairs and play "house", "Disneyworld" or some other game that they make up and have the best time playing. This weekend involved those games. We did head outside too to check out Joe's amazing igloo. It took me about 30 minutes to get the kids dressed for about 10 minutes of playtime outside. It didn't take long for cold noses and frozen hands to lure them back inside for warmth.

One of our accomplishments this weekend included haircuts. Joe is the barber for the boys. Joey and Owen sat patiently. TJ should have been next, but I am just not ready to cut his cute baby hair and make him look like more of a toddler. So TJ scooted around and just observed. Stay tuned for that haircut. There may be some tears invloved, and I am not talking about TJ. I am just way too emotional.

I took Ryley to the salon. She loves getting her haircut. She watches herself in the mirror and smiles. So cute. She is so sweet. Her biggest concern was that she brought back lollipops for the boys. She loves to bring them home surprises! Ryley is one of the most thoughtful little girls.

I guess, from an outsider, not too much happened this weekend. According to the Dargan clan, haircuts, some games, breakfast at the diner and a trip to Grandmas makes for a great weekend. Now it's Sunday night. Here's hoping for a healthy, fun week ahead!

Snow days

A snowstorm at the end of February is not quite as exciting as it is in December. It is a winter wonderland outside. It looks beautiful, but the idea of snow covered sidewalks for the next few weeks does not entice me. So here we are with another snow day and this one is the biggest one so far. Owen refuses to go outside. I think he is afraid he may get lost in it. I don't blame him since there is probably a foot and a half of snow. What to do? I am one of the best at making forts out of blankets and couch cushions. It has to be big enough to fit 4 since I know there will be some fighting over space. A good fort always brings out excitement in our house. Unfortunately, the excitement wares off soon and 4 kids look at me with those eyes which say "what next mommy?"

Ryley came up with a great idea to make flowers with hopes that spring will be here soon. It started as an organized arts and crafts project which ended up with a bottle of glue being dumped over. We still had fun. Being stuck inside though always brings on some battles. Somehow a fun dance party turns into someone getting bumped to the ground which then turns into a "he did it, she did it" which then brings on some tears in the end. I try my hardest to be patient. It's not easy all the time, but then I see the four of them snuggled on the couch reading a book and realize once again how much they love each other, and how much I love them. I have to tell myself that I am doing a good job. Siblings will fight. It's normal. Each squabble eventually ends with loving hugs.

Another part of my snow day entailed Owen following me around the house saying "mommy, mommy, mommy". I don't need a snow day for that though. That is my day every day. Some day that will end, and I will miss it. You just have to take a deep breath sometimes and smile and take it all in. Enjoy it.

Well, it's Friday, and Joe is coming home. Yeah! Family time!

5 AM wakeup

This morning I was forced to wake up at 5 am. It wasn't by choice. It was from the calls of a 1 year old. I tried to be strong and let him cry a bit, but my soft side gave in. With eyes half closed, I very slowly made it into his room hoping with each step that he would just drift back into sleep and give mommy just one more hour. 5 is not reasonable! No luck though. As I opened the door, all I saw was this huge, excited smile and arms stretched out in the air for me. That melted by heart. I was greeted with a wonderful hug that gave me such an incredible feeling. Soon after, another awake. My little guy runs into the living room every morning yelling mommy with such excitement.

There were days in the past when I worked in the city and I would have coffee with friends. Now, with 2 kids still sleeping, I find myself having coffee and cheerios with my 2 year old and 1 year old. As I listen to their laughs and watch them share cheerios and see their smiles,I treasure the time and enjoy my coffee more than I ever have. I now await the wake up of my other 2. A snowstorm on the way will bring a day ahead of making forts, reading books and cuddling.

I love Wednesdays

Wednesdays belong to us. Ryley & Joey do not have preschool. There is no need to be rushed out of the house by 8:30. I am not running around frantically last minute looking for a missing sock or shoe. Everyone gets to stay in their jammies a little bit longer, lounge a little more and cuddle a little extra. We do not like to have to be anywhere so Wednesdays is our anything goes day. I love Wednesdays!

Today, we visited the Liberty Science Center. Joey, with eyes wide open, saw the famous T-Rex. He said it was definitely the one from "Land Before Time" Owen wouldn't get too close. He kept saying "no bite . . mean." Ryley just loved everything. She is always excited and just loves to learn. Owen loved "I Explore" He was allowed to touch everything so he was happy! TJ was smiles as usual. He had the opportunity to crawl around and chase Owen. He even tried on a construction hat. (it was very exciting for him). It was a day of science shows, learning, building, running and playing.

Our trip home proved to me that they had a great time. I listened to conversations about their day. I love their conversations! A few minutes later, all was quiet. All asleep. I then enjoyed 45 minutes of quiet mommy time.

A winter nature hike

We fought the cold weather once again. We will not let it keep us inside every day. We bundled up, packed our lunch and headed to the environmental center of NJ. The kids loved walking through all the nature trails. They loved, as they called it, the secret bridge that led to a special clubhouse. I love how everything is so exciting to them. They saw an, eagle, hawk, foxes and their favorite, the peacocks. They couldn't wait to tell daddy about everything! We had to get out. Rain and snow is on its way once again.

Wishes in Hoboken

A Saturday in February that's in the 40's feels like a spring day. A great day to get out of the house. We ventured off to Hoboken for lunch at one of Joe's favorite spots. Ryley kept asking Joe if everything in Hoboken is about Pop Pop! After lunch, a great playground in Hoboken. The air felt so fresh. The bitter cold left for a weekend and allowed people to actually enjoy being outside. It was nice to see the kids just run around and be happy and having a great time together. Each one told me their wishes.

Ryley wishes it could be summer every day and that we could be at the beach. (Like mother, like daughter!)

Joey in his words wishes it could be summer every day, be at the beach every day, and be in Disney every day.

Owen wishes for andy (candy).

TJ just smiles again!

I think they just want to live a life of leisure where the weather is warm all the time!

A dream

There is nothing better. It's the weekend and I am just excited to be with my family. As Joe would say, "yeah! no work for daddy" The Dargan clan is getting excited!