After Naps

Nap time is a great time. I don't think there is a mom out there who doesn't look forward to the peace and serenity that comes during nap time each day. For me, it's 2 hours of alone time where I can do as I please... nap, chores, blog, work, be a couch potato... you get the picture. And my hope is that once my kids wake up from their naps, they will be refreshed and in happy moods. Most days its goes this way, some days its the opposite and then there's the occasional mix of moods. Today was a mix of cranky and happy. Usually daddy comes home from work soon after naps (but today he was off) and the boys look forward to their daddy time all.day.long. When dad comes home, that means they get to go biking, skateboarding and do all sorts of way cooler stuff than they get to do with mom all day! Today was a skate kinda day. 

But before the skating could commence... we had a few meltdowns over toy phones and appropriate skate clothes. But frowns soon got turned upside down and play time started. Max, my 3yr old, is getting SO GOOD on his skateboard! He and his Dad practice all the time. Rex, my almost 2yr old, wants to do everything is brother does and he tries so hard to ride too. I'm sure he'll be quite the boarder once he gets older bc he's already showing some real promise. But of course booboo's happen when learning a new sport... Max scrapped up his chin riding on his belly like his little brother. Rules of skateboarding: if you are going slow, standing still or belly boarding... chances are you're gonna get hurt. He never gets hurt if he is riding regular. But he took it like a champ and got back out for a couple more runs before it was time to start dinner. I love how much these boys look up to their dad and how willing daddy is to teach and play along!

Typical Morning Breakfast

   

Here's what a typical breakfast looks like around here. I had to take a photo of the dirty dishes in the sink because there is almost always dirty dishes that need to be cleaned in the morning because who likes doing dishes at night?! NOT ME! And the only exception to the "typical" part of this post is the Corn Flake disaster. I guess thats what happens when you leave dad in charge while mom goes and relaxes for a bit... made for some funny photos so totally worth it right?! 

As I previewed these photos I was amazed at just how big my Max is getting. He can pretty much get his own breakfast now with minimal help from me. How do they grow up so fast?! And Rex... oh Rex... with the bowl dumping and mess making. He is such tornado. And every breakfast without fail, if he is out of his high chair before I am done eating, he his standing behind me giving me neck hugs while i finish. I know i'll miss that when he's older. And I love that my kids always tell me they are done and that their bellies are so full but usually want a second breakfast soon after their first. 

As I was taking these photos this morning, my husband was cracking me up this morning because he would say things like "you want me to move that? or I can clean that up first. or Do you really want that in the photo??" and I kept telling him "YES! I want the mess. I am trying to capture our real lives here honey!" He knows how I am. I am so guilty of always trying to have things just 'so so' and I am working on being ok with 'keeping it real'. Its not always easy but I am working on it! Everything doesn't always have to be perfect all the time, right?! 

I love my family and I love the time I spend with them. We have some of the funniest conversations around the kitchen table. I am so glad that family dinners were such a staple in my home growing up and I know that it will be for my family too!

As Jason Mraz put it so perfectly "I love making breakfast, for someone, instead of me..." I am so glad I have lots of someones to make breakfast for and how cool is it that that list of someones will expand by one more this summer... this mama could not be more excited about that.