Brother/Sister Store

A few weeks ago Wip asked me where babies come from. Before I could even think of a clever response, he answered his own question..."Mommy, babies come from the brother/sister store". Yes, yes, of course!

Fast forward to today and the topic came up again...

Wip: "Mommy, we forgot to go to the brother/sister store and pick up our five brothers."

Me: "No sisters?"

Wip: "Just five brothers."

Me: "What would your five brothers names be?"

Wip: "Tanner, Preston, William, Auntie, and Uncle Scotty"

Me: "Got it"

I think these are the only brothers I need:)

F+

Sometimes I test Wip. During rest time I will leave the iPad on my nightstand. I tip toe up the stairs because I will hear voices and I am ready to "bust" him for taking the iPad without asking (one of the rules is that you always ask before using the iPad). There have been times when it is just Wip playing in his room talking to his animals. There have also been times when I go in, give him a look, and take the iPad back.

Today was rainy. Gross. A total movie afternoon.

For some reason I knew that the iPad was on the nightstand and I did not move it. It was also an afternoon that I struggled with Wip to have his "rest" time. As you can probably guess, I walked in his room only to find him watching PBS Kids on the iPad. I took the iPad and told him that there would be no movies today like we had talked about and that it makes me very sad that he did not do the right thing...he said "Mommy, you are not sad, you are mad". He was right. 

Just me, Wip, and TV that is turned off

Acceptance

When I was a teenager I worked at McAlpin's department store in the fragrance department. It was there I met Keith. He was a good looking man with a heart of gold. When he confided to me that he was gay, I finally got to see him not only being himself, but being happy.

I came across this video today and thought of Keith. I sobbed. Everyone should see this. I can't imagine what it would be like to not be accepted for who I love or to be shut out of my family for what makes me happy. I don't ever want my boys to think for a second that they would not be completely and fully loved and supported for what makes them happy. Patrick sent me this. Long, but worth it. It is bold and honest. I can't imagine raising children to hate or hurt someone because they are not exactly like them. I don't ever want my boys to be ignorant or insensitive. I know some things are out of our control, but teaching my boys acceptance will be at the top of my priority list as a parent.

85th Oscar Bash

Jennifer Lawrence might be rocking it in her Dior couture on the red carpet, but over at the Mulloy house we were rocking a fabulous 85th Oscar bash. Our guest (we only had one) noshed on a 2013 Best Picture Nominated inspired menu and sipped on sparkling wine. Ballots were filled out, fashion was discussed, and we suffered through the opening. God bless the Academy Awards night.

The decorations:

The menu:

Hushpuppy was the main character in the movie Beasts of the Southern Wild

Apples were one of Lincoln's favorite foods

French cheese and crackers

Philly cheesesteak pizza because the movie was based in Philly

This one explains itself:)

Lights, camera, action!

The ballots:

The guest:

Thanks for coming Mimi!

Shabbat Sack

Wip brought home the Shabbat Sack for the weekend! I know that we are not Jewish, but I have been hearing about this Shabbat Sack since he was in the Turtle class, so I was so excited that it finally arrived in our home.

The Shabbat Sack includes different items to come together as a family.  Some of the items included: Shabbat CD, candles, story book, placemat, stuffed bear, Kiddush cup and juice, and my favorite Challah!

Wip taught me some of the blessings, we drank juice, ate Challah, and just had some good ol' quality family time.  Shabbot Shalom everyone!

Wip was pretty excited

 Wip is trying to teach me one of the blessings and he forgets the words...

Pep Talk

When I am in the car with the boys and we are on our way to a playdate, music class, or really any place that they will be interacting with other human beings, we have what I like to call a "pep talk".

Pep talks are basically a review of the rules such as keeping your hands to yourself, staying on the purple circle in music class, and always using our manners.

I also try to throw in things like asking your friend if they had a good day at school, looking someone in the eye when you talk to them, and telling the host "thank you for having me" (Wip always points out that we do not need to do that until we leave).

Last week on the way to music class we were having our usual pep talk. When I did not get a response, this is what I found....

Guess he had enough of my pep:)

Girls (and little men) Trip to Sea Island

I had big plans for this post. It was going to be titled "Noticed". I was going to be all sentimental about the time I was able to spend with my youngest during my recent girls (and little men) trip to Sea Island. I planned on writing about how I "noticed" things I might otherwise have not with the one on one time. Then (cough, cough) I think I caught the black lung, pop...sentimental post be gone...instead here is the weekend in pictures (well the first half:):

This is how it started...seriously adorable.

I did notice that Duncan is a dipper...double it!

Bath time was necessary

Saying good morning to the Koi

Such a pretty day!

Duncan LOVED playing with William

He also loved being the center of attention!

Beach Club

I think this was the last time Auntie saw the glasses...D was ready!

Our little FDR

So serious

Of course he never liked being in this when it was age appropriate

Then this happened...

Thank goodness for rays of sunshine like this little guy!

Valentine Dinner Pictures

Guys Trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming

It looks like the boys had a great trip in Jackson Hole,Wyoming over the Winter Break.

Mornings included lots of hot chocolate and bacon

Plenty of snow castles to climb on

Ski school was a success!

I am thinking that the highlight of the trip for Wip was the Wildlife Safari that Granddaddy took him on...

Great American bald eagle

Big Horns

Moose

Nap

Down time included M&M's, Gatorade, and a movie

Ready for dinner at the Four Seasons

Then of course there is the skiing part...

I think minus Wip getting locked out of the room in his underpants it was a truly wonderful and memorable trip:)

Handsome Guys

All You Need Is Love

My mom came in today to watch Duncan so that I could go back to work. #lifesaver.

I was getting the low down from my mom about D when Wip just walked up to me beaming with pride. #proud

He handed me a valentine rose that not only had his picture in the center, but also actually smelled like a rose. #creative

He said "mommy, I love you". #melt

This afternoon his rest time was shortened, I bought Peter Pan for him to watch, and he got juice with his afternoon snack (we usually have water). #luckyboy

I guess you could say that all I needed was love. #sucker

Work of Art

Afternoon flick

Broken Collarbone

Monday afternoon I called my mom. Duncan was playing vet at the bottom of the stairs and Wip had gone upstairs. After Duncan talked to Grams, I took the phone upstairs so that she could say hello to Wip. I did not realize that Duncan had started making his way up the stairs. Wip was finishing up his conversation with Grams and I turned to check on D. I think when I turned, it startled him. I then got to witness one of the worst sights...a child tumbling down the stairs and landing on his head at the bottom of the concrete floor. I did what any parent would do, I called my mom again. She calmed me down and other than acting sore, he seemed fine. 

The next morning, Patrick sent me the video above to let me know that he was fine. I must say...it made my day. Fast forward a few hours, the Temple called to let me know that he seemed to be in a lot of pain and that I should come and pick him up. I had already made an appointment at East Louisville, but now the question was go ahead and take him to the ER or wait for the appointment. I thought for sure that my "motherly instinct" would kick in when I picked him up, but it did not. I did what any parent would do that could not find their "motherly instinct", I took him to my mother in law for her opinion. She was with me, he seemed fine (was eating and moving his arm) and so I waited until the appointment.

When I got home, I knew I had made the right choice. He was happy, playing, and completely being himself.

Waiting for Dr. Belza to come in the room, I was completely convinced that he was going to tell me that he just bruised his shoulder area and he was completely fine. He started the analysis with two tongue depressors. He put one in his left hand (the good side) and then lifted the other one high in an effort for Duncan to raise his right arm up to grab it. Instead, Duncan put the tongue depressor that was in his left hand in his right hand and reached for the other one with his left arm. Smart kid, bad sign.

Off to Kosair we went. The x-ray proved what Dr. Belza thought which was a broken clavicle (or collarbone). There is nothing you can do for it, kinda like a broken toe. We are just supposed to resume normal life with just a little extra caution (and Tylenol).

Thanks to cookies from Auntie and a doctor for a brother, I think he is going to be just fine. Now if I could only get over the mom guilt that is consuming me!

Who Knew?

I have had a lot of  "who knew?" moments lately.

Who knew that the short film Paperman would get me in the spirit for Valentine's Day?  If you have not checked it out, you totally should...worth the 6 minutes and 35 seconds.

Who knew that my children would enjoy pot roast?  We went to the Amin's house last week and when Aunt Fee Fee offered to feed the boys, I politely told her that my children would not eat pot roast. When I returned from using the restroom, Duncan was inhaling pot roast and then Wip finished every bite on his plate!

Who knew that we have a little Picasso in our house? We went to the Home Depot Kids Workshop this weekend. The project was a valentine holder. After Wip (I mean Patrick) finished hammering away, we went over to paint the project. Wip got really into it and Duncan ate the paint. 

Who knew that a new pair of running shoes and fantastic Jay Z song would get me through my early morning run? My apologies to the lady next to me that had to listen to my blaring rap music, it was just that motivating.

Who knew that I could still be obsessed with both Blake Lively and Taylor Kitch outside of the Serena van der Woodsen and Tim Riggins roles? Patrick and I watched Savages this weekend and it was pretty darn good. The question still remains if it was pretty darn good because I got to stare at those beautiful people or if it was just a good movie:)

Who knew that this little man could look as precious in his brother's cowboy boots (and daddy's hat)?