Flashback Friday

1st Birthday Party - May 2008

2nd Birthday Party - May 2009

3rd Birthday Party - May 2010

Pictures coming on Sunday!!

That Feeling

You know that feeling?

Not the feeling of disgust when a runny nose gets swiped along your bare shoulder...

And, no. Not the feeling of sticky jelly and yogurt-covered hands, which somehow always manage to make it into hair...

Not the feeling of desperation you get when your child is sick and you pray for it to be taken away and given it to you because you don't want them to be suffering...

I'm talking about the feeling you get when you go into your child's room and see you one of them sitting up in bed. Sobbing.

When you pick her/him...and bunny, or Buzz, or Minnie up all at once as requested, in an attempt to console and comfort.

When she/he wraps their little tiny, yet ever growing arms around your neck and squeezes so hard you think you may never take another breath.

When your heart suddenly quadrouples in size in an instant.

And a smile spreads wide across your face, along with a solitary tear down your cheek.

And you realize that this child, who's body used to fit in the crook of your elbow, and now extends to your thighs, is still completely reliant on you for comfort, compassion, and love.

When you realize that you would deal with one million illnesses and even more sleepless nights just to spend another moment with this precious gift you call your child...

Moments like right now when I am awake at this crazy hour of the morning and my heart feels as though it could not possibly hold one more ounce of love for those two little beings.

My joy in being a mommy. The joy I have found in my children.

Those are the moments.

That's the feeling.

Wordless Wednesday

Goodnight Moon

After a nice bagel breakfast we headed to Imaginon - the children's library located Uptown to take Ella and Aidan to see their very first play - Goodnight Moon.

We were all so excited to see one of their all-time favorite books brought to life on the stage!

Once we got seated, Ella was a bit skeptical of the whole thing. She was a bit nervous with all of the noise and people around, and she got a little scared and clung to me. After a few minutes, she was just fine and was ready to see the play!

Aidan; on the other hand, loved it from the get-go. He sat right down like a little man and took in all of the sights and sounds like a pro!

From the moment the play began Ella and Aidan were both clapping and laughing and were completely mesmerized for the entire hour long performance!

The play was so well done and even Mike and I had a great time with the adult humor undertones (think Shrek!). It was better than we could have imagined and such a wonderful experience. We hope to take them to another performance or two later this year.

Afte the play we headed to Brixx for a nice pizza lunch where Ella and Aidan were still so excited from the play that they really did not eat anything but raisins and spent most of the time watching the cooks in the kitchen!

The Perfect Spot

Our friends Preston, Ginny & Lizzy joined us this morning for a quick visit to the Nature Museum. Since we joined about a year ago, we spend a lot of time both here and at Discovery Place.

Even though we visit fairly frequently, I love that Ella and Aidan find new things to do and explore each time. Today, it was a nice nature walk and their own personal benches.

First we had a nice group photo (or two)....

....and then we found the best spot of all.

Five children and five benches - like it was simply meant to be!

Flashback Friday

3 Months Old

Almost 3 Years Old

Same swing, but now they think for themselves and decided not to participate in picture taking...thus I was left with an empty swing.

Soup

Chicken noodle soup is a hit in Parker household!

At least with one toddler.

The other refused to take even one bite...or sip/drink as Ella clearly prefers!

Wordless Wednesday

No One Told Me

Before Ella and Aidan were born, just about everyone had some sort of advice or commentary.

"Get sleep now - you'll miss it when they arrive!"

"Sleep when they sleep"

"Forget about having a clean house ever again!"

"The first year is always the hardest"

In reality, the lack of sleep, dirty toilets, and endless meals are tiny in comparison to the joy of raising Ella and Aidan.

Seconds,

minutes,

hours,

days,

weeks,

years...

I can't imagine a better way to spend them.

I love this life...

this life as mom.

No one said it would be easy. But no one told me that I'd forever wonder, "How can it get better than this?".

No one told me that I would want a toddler around for the rest of my life.

No one told me that I'd wipe away tears each and every time I open a photo album - or that I dare not even watch a home video without having to leave the room to regain composure.

No one told me that I'd reminisce with a close friend every chance we get about the early days of motherhood and how we want them back.

No one told me that I would get to relive my own childhood and once again find delight in the little things, such as the magic of the fountain at the local mall.

No one told me that one day I'd be the one writing letters to new moms in the harried days of little ones saying, "Hold onto it with all your might, don't worry about a thing...these are the precious days before you have to let the rest of the world in.".

No one told me that once I became a mother, anything else in life I could ever do would be insignificant in comparison.

No one told me that I'd never want these days to end.

Sunday Fun

This past week I had lunch with a former co-worker from the architecture firm that I was employed with for several years not long after I moved to Charlotte in 1998. I had not seen her since, according to our best calculations, roughly 2001. Wow! Amazing how time flies and thanks to Facebook, we reconnected! It was so much fun to catch up on old times, and we have vowed to get together more often!

Keeping true to our promise, Amy met up with the kids and I for a morning walk on the greenway. Starting the day with someone as downright funny as Amy was just the right medicine after this past week!

After our walk the kids and I headed over to celebrate Adams and Henry's 3rd Birthday. We joined in with their dear family for an absolutely amazing cookout, presents, and cake & ice cream.

Dan Nicholas Park

We decided to make a second venture up to Salisbury to Dan Nicholas Park for our family day today. We visited this park about a year ago when Ella and Aidan had just turned two.

http://theparkertwins.blogspot.com/2009/05/trip-to-dan-nicholas-park.html

Today we enjoyed wonderful weather for all of our adventures at the park.

Train Rides (which Ella once again refused)

Carousel Rides

Visits with Wildlife (such as bald eagles and black bears)

Paddle Boat Rides

Another successful family outing! (and to top it off - Ella even used the potty while we were there!)

Finally Friday

I just didn't have it together this week and everyday the thought that I just couldn't wait for the week to be over entered my brain. It was simply one of those weeks in which every intention you have just falls flat on its face. From patience to a new recipe, there it goes, from bad to worse in one fell swoop.

This morning I had a choice...to take a walk with Ella and Aidan around the block or to finally catch up on some housework. I chose the walk.

On our walk I just couldn't get my brain to turn off and relax. So many worries that I just cannot seem to get out of my head. From potty training to ailing friendships. From new babies to working on this blog. From Ella & Aidan's upcoming 3rd (gulp!) Birthday to worrying about kindergarten.

And then I just stopped and watched my little miracles play together for a few moments. I watched them marvel at a dandelion, took a deep breath, and simply thought of how very lucky I am to be living this wonderful life.

Good days or bad days, good weeks, or really tough weeks, I'd still choose this life in a minute. I'd chose to be here, staying at home each day with Ella and Aidan. I'd choose to have the failed recipes that no one eats, I'd choose to have arguments with my husband over stupid things, I'd choose to lose a little more hearing ability from the loud shrieks every time I tell the children no. I'd still pick the piled up laundry, the messy floors and the occasional lack of motivation to do anything about it. I'd still pick an emotional heartbreak, some tough life decisions, and a large spoonful of frustration any day of the week.

My worries are just that - my worries. It ends there. In the grand scheme of things, they are not real problems, just speedbumps along the road. Friends will come and go, meals will either be eaten or not eaten, Ella and Aidan will get potty trained, and the endless laundry will continue.

Life is precious, and unpredictable, and should never be taken for granted, tough days and all.

Wordless Wednesday

Success!

After a few months of trying, quitting for a while and then trying again, our stubborn little Ella FINALLY used the potty today - three times!

After the first time, she looked into the potty and exclaimed, "Mommy, I did it and it's yellow! Next time I make blue, okay?".

Despite the big hullabaloo over Ella's success (special cookie, calls to Opa and Grandma Shushi, and lots of cheering and jumping up and down on my part), Aidan remains unimpressed and prefers to water the carpet, the rugs and the hardwood floors.

"Hairpanes" Up in the Air

As we played outside early this morning, Ella exclaimed, "Mommy, it's a beautiful, sunny day!".

She is right - the weather these days is absolutely perfect - no humidity, light breeze, low 70's and gorgeous sunshine.

I decided that we would be outside as much as possible today. I packed up a picnic lunch and we made a quick stop to play at our neighborhood park.

After the park, we headed to our real destination - the lookout at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport.

We sat together on a bench, just the three of us, and watched countless planes land and take off....

...and shared a fun picnic lunch watching even more planes with the beautiful Charlotte skyline in the background!

We were sad not to have Mike with us, but we gave him a call as a few planes took off and Aidan told him all about it - "Daddy, the hairpanes take off way up in the air!".

We had such fun! I am beyond blessed to be able to share in all of these special moments with my little munchkins!

Saturday Morning with Dora, Saturday Evening with Daddy!!

Today began with a bang as we helped celebrate Isaballa's 3rd Birthday!

It was a wonderful party, complete with a special visit from Dora herself! Ella, would have nothing to do with Dora, but Aidan found her fascinating. Isabella was thrilled and held Dora's hand nearly the entire time!

Complete with face painting, the party was a blast and all of the children had tons of fun!

Aidan was quick to yell "Arghhh" and tell anyone who would listen (especially the waitress at lunch after the party) that he was a pirate!

Ella wore her seahorses proudly!

Capitalizing on the beautiful weather, we decided to have dinner outside on the patio.

The perfect end to a wonderful family day!