My Cup's Half Full

More Wet than Dry, More Playing than Fighting,

More Running than Walking!

So we started swim lessons a couple of weeks back. I was so nervous as Beth doesn't even like to get her hair washed. She did amazing! I marveled at the first lesson - they spent 1/2 an hour simply splashing each other - and learning techniques such as wiping your own eyes - Brilliant! It got me to thinking....I spent most of Spring Break saying, now Beth don't splash me, please don't splash, grown-ups don't like to be splashed. What message was I sending? It has me thinking about other things I do and the messages they may send. Could I ever really teach her to love water - if I refused to let her explore as kids need. Simplicity!

You can see how proud she was of herself! Mommy of course was too - I was amazed she was more wet than dry...I don't think she has ever been this wet - and still smiling!

Go Beth!

I have been noticing lately how much fun the girls have been having together. Yes they still have the occasional sharing match - and the yelling and tugging starts! More often than not, they have been playing so nicely together!

I caught them playing tea party with their animals! I love simple moments of sisterhood such as this.

Their re-arranged room - bunk beds came down, and the crib went out. Cindy is in her big girl bed! We took the bunks down as we were afraid they were still too young for one to be on the top.

Roomies Forever!

And last but not least...Jeff and I ran a 5k in March! Jeff can easily run that far - and does it often. I have been working pretty hard to get in shape. I am not really a runner - but have been dreaming about it ever since I had Cindy. I was in the hospital - after a c-section - thinking to myself, I just want to run! I didn't know where - but the fact that I couldn't made it all the more motivating. Almost three years later I am acting on my plan. I don't have as much opportunity as I would like, but I do walk with Cindy & Beth in the double stroller and Howie in the Snugli...now that's a picture. I will get one at my next walking group.

I finished!

This was a fun "date" for Jeff and I. I went to the race just proud that I had decided to do it, and my expectation was to simply finish. I was happy with myself that there was definitely more running than walking. When I crossed the finish line - what a shot of adrenaline!

sister

Spring Break Con't...

Happy St. Patty's Day!

Green Hot Chocolate to start the day! Yummy!

Thank-you Grandma Sally and Papa.

What a natural Auntie is...we love coming to visit on her birthday!

Bethy found her comfort zone in her ring. Last year she found she could get around a pool quite well with her swimming ring. This winter she has become a bit more apprehensive in the water. We signed her up for swim lessons and they start next week. She is quite concerned. Everyday..., "are swim lessons today?" I was beginning to get afraid she just wouldn't go...but today she told me very matter of factly...,"mom we are just going to have to take my ring to swim lessons. Does that sound like a good idea?"

On our 3rd swim in two days, Beth upgraded to water wings! HUGE step for Beth. Last year she wouldn't even let me put them in the pool bag. She has seen other kids in them and doesn't like the look of them. At the pool at home, she doesn't even like the graduated zero entry ramp. She was so proud of herself - look mom I know how to swim - I know how to swim now...We don't need swim lessons. Hmmm...didn't have the heart to tell her they were going to try and teach her how to put her head under water...baby steps!

Howie enjoyed the sun - loved the pool - and looked so darn cute in his baseball cap and swim trunks! He even managed to nap.

Cindy on the other hand was not a fan of the pool! She hated the bugs...there were flies, ants, and mosquito eaters...She SCREAMED - and couldn't really recover.

From there...

She didn't like being cold - when she got out of the pool...

Or hot and hungry when she recovered...

I hope she has some fun, we will just have to find her thing...

I think we found it! Like mother, Like daughter. She's my little shopper ;-).

To be fair...my little sweetie did have some fun in the pool. The others were just too funny and captured her overall mood.

It's Spring Break...Do You Know Where Sarah Is?

Well, she sure isn't in Flagstaff, as this is the weather she left behind. This is the time of year we search for swimsuits and sunscreen and head down the warm country! Bye Bye - Snow - Cold - Wind - and Jackets!

I love that we can live in a place that my kids can experience all the fun of the 4 seasons, but we are just hours away from higher temps - Grandma Molly - Auntie Keely - Parks - Pools - and Malls! I told Jeff, just the other day that I couldn't have a job where I didn't get Spring Break...even though I am just home with kids, lessons stop - book time at the library stops - Mops stops - It is just such a nice break! Sad that Jeff doesn't always join us, but have come accustomed to our tradition of heading to Tucson for sun and to celebrate Auntie's Birthday...

Back in the Saddle

It has been so long since I have done any form of update...honestly I stopped as I thought no one was reading, but have heard from a couple of people that they love to follow blogs, and were enjoying mine as well....sorry for the hiatus, but I will attempt to update more. Is that one more resolution? This year, more than any I have found myself faced with resolution after resolution...lose that baby weight, manage finances better, save, budget, be more organized, keep a cleaner house...overwhelming to say the least. I was faced with so many challenges I set up for myself, I feel I kind of just shut down...bottom line, is I can shut down, but the world around me just keeps going on. Kids grow - life happens - and I am missing out on beautiful moments because I am worried about what I think I SHOULD be doing. So...let's get back in the saddle!

Here is my symbolic saddle - it was mine when I was a girl and we have it in our house on a stand that Jeff built for it! What a great reminder that life goes on!

Beth is 5 now - my big girl who will only wear clothes that have the number five in the size tag - she is so proud! Cindy is 2 - and still going on 5. She talks so well and has so much to say! She uses all the phrases her big sister does, "He mom, I have an Idea." I think that is my favorite! Howie is now 7 months and has four teeth! When did this happen? He is still so happy, and cuddly, but growing way too fast! Here are just a couple of my favorite pics from the past few weeks.

A question for you...Did you notice the three happy kids playing first - or the mess first! I always see the kids playing happily, but am committed to working on the mess! And in all honestly it was hard to find a picture showing a messy room, and not because I don't take pictures! A little pat on the back!

Now that Howie can sit - he loves getting in on the action!

Our annual Valentines celebration - a heart shaped pizza - crush soda - and chocolate!

And the most important things - hugs - kisses - and snuggling!

Well thanks for reading and looking! I may have gotten a bit personal - but it feels good to confess your true feelings! In our Mops group I have been using a phrase that we as moms need to be authentic with each other. Being a mom is hard - but there are oh so many joys and blessings at the end of each day!

Two Hippies and a Soldier

One of my friends commented on Howie's camo photo that he is ready for Iraq - this simple statement got me thinking all week....no one has ever said that about my girls. It is a possibility that any one of them may decide to join the military (I would actually bet my money on little Cindy -she has an adventurous spirit like her daddy), but for some reason it seems more real with Howie. Strange how society molds us. The kids are growing ever so fast. Howie's first smile was yesterday! Me and the girls were singing, "Under the Sea," from The Little Mermaid. His little smile is so sweet to see.

The girls blowing wish balls - they love this activity. They can spot a wish ball 1000 miles away. Whatever their wishes are, mine for them is that they always feel loved.

Beth the tree climber. After church, she runs for these small trees. Perfect climbing for her height.

Cindy found the wish balls first, while Beth was climbing. She was very content to find her own, sit down next to her box of raisins and make wishes. Hope all your dreams come true Cindy.

My little man in his camo - wow gender stereotypes sure do start early. No worries bud, there will be plenty of wish balls and tree climbing in your future. I know your sisters are so excited to teach you all their tricks! Everyday Beth asks if we get to keep Howie forever - I think she is afraid he is just visiting like her grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Nostalgia

We love that when any of the Craven's come for a visit, they inevitably notice Grandma & Grandpa Cravens rattan couch set. It is one of our favorite pieces of furniture, and reminds us of loved ones and simpler times. We arranged for a photo op of Matt & Jeff with all their children, and just one of all the cousins. Such fun times!

Kids in a candy store!

Cindy put her baby next to Howie.

Grand Canyon Trek

Matt & Jeff - Two brothers quickly grabbing their squirrely kids for a photo-op.

4 of the crazy Craven cousins posing for a photo - Uncle Jeff was acting like a monkey behind me to get the attention. Pretty impressive if I do say so myself - all 4 looking at the camera, and sitting down. (Not attempting to run towards the "giant hole." )

Forced march - constant head counts! Made for very tired parents at the end of the day.

The three girls taking a break - eating raisins. Notice Sean's absence.....he was on time out for not sharing

raisins :-)...Apparently, raisins were the snack de jour.

Posing for a picture - notice Cindy's absence...She was being held by daddy. The giant hole scared her.

Even Howie made it! I told him people wait their whole lives to see this natural wonder, and he saw it when he was 11 days old. What a little trooper!

The end of the day - headed back to the car - Although tired, overall I would say a very successful trip. 9 people headed out to see this wondrous and dangerous landmark, 5 of which were under the age of 5, and at the end of the day 9 returned! Happy times and great memories were made!