Brothers at Play

Who can resist a little two-year old, holding a brand-new soccer ball, his jacket on, saying "Will you take me to the park?" Fun Aunt Terri couldn't say no, so we took the boys over to the park, along with my new camera. While I am still learning about the camera, I loved that I captured some of the expressions on their faces, especially Ian's laughing smile.
"The first time his laughter unfurled into its wings into the wind, we knew that the world would never be the same. " author unknown

Playing with Our New Toys!

The Diego Rescue Center was a huge hit with both boys. In a rare moment, Ian allows Connor to look at the rescue center.

Uncle Michael could not resist the temptation to give nephew Ian his first camera lesson.


My gift to Thomas was also a gift to myself. This workbench will come in quite handy in finishing the trim over the next two weeks (and projects still TBD)



Ian went right to work with his new tool set and showed Daddy how things are done.


My new toy will come in handy as you will see in future blogs! Stay tuned! Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas!

Christmas Morning at the Murphys

Ian was really excited to have Santa Claus visit his house. He left a note explaining what a good little boy he has been all year and all the gifts he deserves. Leaving nothing to chance, he also left milk and cookies for Santa. He was amazed the next morning when the cookies were all gone! He was ready to open gifts, but first Mom insisted on a hearty Christmas breakfast. Then the boys finally got down to business and opened gifts. LOTS of gifts!


Ian offered to help everyone open their gifts, while Connor enjoyed the wrapping paper.


As you can see, after all the gifts were opened....chaos! The boys weren't sure what to play with first.



Daddy helped Connor decide to play with the lion.


To be continued.....

Santa's LIttle Helper

As assistant director of the Christmas decoration committee, Ian enjoys a warm cup of cocoa before getting to work. The sugar rush really gives him that much needed burst of energy to get the job done.







The assistant director has several important tasks. Of course, taking the Christmas tree out of the box is the first step.
Putting the ornaments ever so carefully of the very end of the branches takes a delicate touch. (I don't know why this sentence is a link)
Needing a bit of assistance getting the star on top of the tree. Ian feels his colleagues should be able to work in various conditions. Daddy had to blindly assist, which was quite challenging.
And when all is said and done, be merry and sing lots of songs!

The Precarious Little C

He crawls, he stands, he lets go and holds on with one hand!

Will try standing up in any situation. This has results in several lumps and bumps.

He needs to be hanging on for dear life for most of his day now. He holds on to the kitchen chair and lets go with one hand, then screams in pure delight and pride. Big Brother will occasionally encourage him to take both hands off, resulting in some world class tumbling. Then the screams are those where the sound is delayed because it is that traumatic. He shakes it off quickly and resumes his standing position. What a trooper.
Little C is moving on up.

Get Over Myself, sheesh!

I've been in a bit of a slump with writing, maybe a bit with things in general. Trying to keep a grasp of all the things that need doing at this time of year and I feel a bit short-tempered lately. I grow weary of the whining toddlerhood stage and also the dinner table antics. Connor's new found talent of standing, holding and falling down puts me on hyperalert during the entire day. Ian awake two hours after he was put to bed. The morning comes too quickly after lying awake through Connor's 2:30am separation anxiety cries, soothing bad dreams at 4am and then struggling to move for Connor's 5:30am wakeup call. It's motherhood, the good, the bad and the ugly.

Okay, so I've given you the bad and the ugly mixed together. I talk about toddler whining, but here I whine too. So where's the good in all this?

Ian is spelling words. STOP. WALK. DOG. Thomas had him spelling words in the funnies on Sunday. He soaks up books, memorizes them, reads along, reads to himself. He loves it. Storytime has become my favorite time with Ian.

Connor is a bathaholic. He stands at the edge of the tub while I fill it with water and he screams in delight. He splashes, he plays, he tries to stand up in the water. He loves getting splashed by Ian. It's pure joy to watch him laugh. I even put away the baby tub, because he was climbing out of it to get into the actual tub.

Ian is singing holiday songs. Currently, the repertoire includes "Jingle Bells", "Up on the Housetop", "Santa Claus is Coming to Town", and a Hanukkah song that we played in the car tonight 6 times in a row. The music teacher/music geek in me has taken note that he sings relatively close to pitch many times. Feel free to smack me after that sentence.

Connor is a Irish meat and potatoes guy. I made beef stew with carrots, potatoes and all in the slow cooker. The only one eating this glop is Connor and he loves it. He gets irate if I am not shoveling it in quickly. People wonder how this child is the size of a one year old. Well, I think we have our answer.

So, my goal for tomorrow is to try and put the frustration on the back burner and enjoy the boys, tired or not. Let them help and participate more in the things I need to do. Go out, enjoy the fresh air and take pictures. Try not to forget that they are just little boys and that they are my little boys. Take a deep breath and enjoy my Calgon bath once they are in bed tomorrow night. And maybe tomorrow will be a good, good day.