The Mooney Clan

Liam bit me! I picked him up and he was all happy and stuff - he just wanted to express himself or something. I was pretty shocked. I pulled him away and put him on the floor before I realized what had happened. I still have marks on my shoulder. Jeepers.

I thought that today I would just write about some of the little things about our beautiful kids. The things that make them unique and incredibly adorable. They are just so so funny. I wish you could really see them. They are SO different too. Not a similarity between them. Dylan has this deep throaty sound to his talking, laughing, crying. And he has such a distinct forceful walk. When I see him coming I can't help but dodge because he is likely going to just throw himself full force right at me. It's a little shocking if you don't see him coming. And he wants what he wants. He's determined and does not give up easily. I've seen him try over and over and over again until he can climb some new obstacle. He just does not give up. Liam wobbles around like an old man looking for his walker. His hands are up in the air and he just toddles along and yet he can go SO fast. He is gentle and quiet but then he will be rough and tumble or just scream for the s...

I am usually tired when I get up and I can't remember the last time I got up when I wanted to. BUT I like mornings. All the kids are in their pjs and we just kind of hang out for that first little while. They are all more cuddly then than at any other time of day and there is nothing like cuddles from my boys. Now that the kids are bigger I don't have to make sure breakfast is made and fed to them immediately. We can wake up a bit first. It's still dark out and we stay fairly mellow for a bit. So - even though I have 4 boys ages 3 and under, it's fairly peaceful for that first little while. It's nice.

A couple of things from the past week or so: The weekend before last Justin's parents came up and Caden got to do some baking with grandma. Hanging out at home. We try to watch something once in a while (not very often) and apparantly this show worked for them. Mostly I just got a kick out of how Dylan was sitting. Very 'male' if you ask me. This weekend was full. Justin and I were able to go out and join some other young ;) couples from our church for a progressive supper (if you don't know what that is - there are about 5 courses and each course is hosted at a different house. You all travel from place to place.) Babysitters were arranged for us and everything. It was nice to get out and to sit at a table until it I was done. Lovely! Caden went to his buddy's birthday party yesterday. These guys spend lots of time together so it was nice to celebrate with Michael. Michael, Caden, Elijah What else? Oh ya - shoveling and shoveling and shoveling. We only h...

So - moms get tired. We get grouchy and we get selfish. It sucks and I feel bad but we all have those days. And it's ok. I don't think my kids will grow up to be bums or criminals because I didn't pick them up when they cried or didn't give them enough snacks or craft time. It wasn't a top of the mountain week in wife and motherhood but we made it and we'll make it another week... My kids still seem to love me. Lots of smiles and hugs and kisses. There are a lot of days that I'm incredibly glad they are so forgiving.

I may have mentioned that I never like January. I started out the month in that same blah state that I usually do but things turned around on my birthday and I've been feeling very un-january-like ever since. I'm sure it helps that the weather has been so much nicer than usual - but still.... Anyway - I'm really working on my attitude about this wintery month. Here are a few things that I enjoy about January: - getting to snuggle up under a cozy blanket on a cold night - warm yummy soup and hot drinks - the sun rises so late than I'm almost always up and often at my kitchen window to enjoy the pinks and purples in the morning. Love it. - I always get that urge to CLEAN and organize. There's nothing like the feeling after you've vacuumed and dusted every single thing in a room. So fresh. I bought more totes last night. Good stuff. - Caden getting to go skating with his dad - the kids in their soft fuzzy pj's - everything looks so CLEAN - it's t...

Caden has been asking to learn to skate since last winter. We held him off until this year and he and his dad went out one night last week. He really liked it. He knew he was going to fall sometimes and was ok with that. He did get upset near the end when some big boys were out playing hockey and Justin wouldn't let Caden go play. We keep having to tell him that he has to learn to skate first! :)

It was time for a change! I had gotten tired of the same old, day after day routine that we had gotten into during the week. And I felt like the kids just weren't being stimulated and life had no spark for them. Evenings were especially monotonous so last wed. night we packed the kids in the van and went to the Cornwall Center. The kids did great in their stroller. Caden had a hard time not running around so it was a good opportunity for him to learn how to behave when we are out like that. The mall was really quiet which helped a lot. I was even able to pick up a few things while we were there. That outing, with Justin along, gave me a little more confidence. Wise decision or not, I took the 4 kids to the Southland on thursday. By myself! It was really warm here and so we weren't freezing during the 10 minutes it takes to get everyone out of the van and into the stroller and all ready to go in. We picked up a few things at walmart, took it all back to the van and ...

I forgot to lock the pantry. I went downstairs to get something and thought I'd take a quick minute and make up the spare bed. I came upstairs to this.... Once he realized what was going on, big brother was right in there too. Thanks for the help Caden! I guess they like tortilla chips. :) Liam only missed out because he was still sleeping.