In Case They Ever Wonder

"The boy" turned five, and it came as no surprise to anyone who's had a conversation with him in the past year that he wanted a superhero birthday party! He's fairly obsessed with all things superhero, and his absolutely favorite is Spiderman. Will had a great actual birthday (Matt stayed home from work, we went to an indoor play park where he ran into a buddy, and then we celebrated with the family at Aunt Pammie's). But his birthday party was like watching his dreams come true. We had superhero training at an indoor play park, but in reality, it was he and his buddies, playing their hearts out being as rough as they could be and then topping it off with cake, lemonade, and sno-cones! Of course, Mr. glass half-empty nearly had a meltdown because his party was "too short," but at least I knew that he had the time of his life! The highlight of the party was when his friends made a tunnel and he rode a motorized bike through the tunnel of friends chant...

I really want to blog more. I don't know if I can because I am tired. Really more than tired - exhausted to the bone in a way I'm not sure I knew was possible. (For me having a little baby is a walk in the park compared to having a toddler!) But, I want to blog anyway because there is absolutely no way I will remember many of these moments if I don't record them. I know that to do that I will have to set my standards even lower. I already don't edit my posts (even though I am paid for my editing skills...) because I realized long ago that I could either write and post, still rather infrequently, or write, edit, and post twice a year! Anyway, I want to remember these moments because, crazy as they are, they are wonderful, beautiful and sacred to me. So, here are my snowbirds playing in the March 2 "blizzard" of 2013! :) Will's comment was, "I feel so sorry for the Africans because they just don't get to play in snow like this." Indeed, I t...

Oh my Lillie Pie! You are three years old. I can hardly believe it, as in so many ways, you still seem like my little Baby Mine. But as much as you still love being held and you delight in being rocked and sung to, you really growing up. Three finds you testing the limits a bit, seeing if throwing a fit might get you what you’re hoping for, and I’m trying my best to firmly show you that isn’t the way you should go. Some days are better than others. Three seems to be toughest age for the Roden kiddos (at least the toughest from 8 and under), but like with almost everything in life, three seems a little easier with you. I’m sure a little of it is that we’ve navigated these waters with two other children, and we know a bit more about which battles to pick and which to let go, but I really think the main difference is you. Lillie, you are without a doubt the kindest, most loving child I’ve ever known. You greet each day with absolute wonder and excitement, and your ...