This weekend we were able to coordinate our schedules and have the opportunity to get together with my brother and his family for some play time.  What gathering would be complete without a light saber battle? I loved getting to watch my nephew and nieces play and to observe my brother playing with my children. There is something quite special, and indescribable about watching your children play with your sibling.

The youngest circus member is thriving! At 2 and a half months he’s weighing around 15lbs. (my biggest baby yet). So far he is really easy going and super snuggly. A perfect combo for my youngest cast member. We’re on some what of a flexible schedule/routine, which is a huge praise, as we’re starting school next week with the older crew members! 

One of my favorite things about parenting, is watching my children interact with each other (when they aren’t fighting that is). It’s fascinating to me to see the differences in their bonds and relationships. One relationship which I have observed recently growing is that between my two girls.  With only 17 mths, and a few inches and pounds between them, they are in so many ways peers. They share much in common, and yet are so very different.

They’ve tried piers, ponds, worms, and lures. For three summers now he’s patiently pursued it. Casting and waiting. Enjoying the view and the time together. Each time, I’d ask if he had a good time. Each time he’d enthusiastically respond, “Yes!” Then I’d ask if he got a keeper and each time he’d respond in the negative. He’s caught a fish a few times, but not the illustrious keeper he sought after.

When things didn’t work out for us to go camping this weekend as planned, we promised the kids a night of “camping-like” fun at home. Scott came home from work a little early and we cooked up hot dogs and baked beans (a fav here at the circus). Then we spent the evening fishing on the river. (more details on the fishing to come later this week) Camping wouldn’t be complete without Smore’s so we roasted some mallows over the gas stove.

Alternate Title: How Your Army Looks When You Have 2 Younger Sisters I couldn’t help but smile when I looked out the window and saw this scene…makes me laugh when looking at it on the computer as well. Quite a motley crew we have defending the fortress… the leader in his camo’s with his walking stick (or staff as he refers to it), his trusty sidekicks following in their fairy wings, and Uncle Jim covering from behind with the ever elusive fluorescent double barrel shot gun.

It’s that time again… the mailers, the prerecorded phone calls, and those signs covering any square inch of grass on the side of the road. That’s right…election time in Maryland. Maybe it’s just me, but it seems people have hit the signs hard and a bit early this year. Typically I pay little to no attention to them. Sure I notice them in passing, but I barely read them and I don’t plan to make my vote in November based on the yellow sign I saw on the side of the road.

6 years ago I watched my lil man proudly hold his head high during tummy time. I was so excited b/c he had recently learned to roll over. He was growing up so fast and I was thrilled with all he was learning and doing. I had no idea that in just 6 short years he’d be at Cup Scout camp with Daddy learning a whole slew of new things.

The kids had scattered to the backyard to play while I cleared off the dinner dishes. As I wiped down the dining room table, I couldn’t help but smirk as I looked out over a see of crumbs and wood that is faded in parts due to many a knocked over glass of milk or water. There is an ever present layer of grime that those of you with kids know exactly what I am talking about… something like syrup meets peanut butter meets oatmeal and it just cakes into those nooks and crannies around the edge of the table, giving it that “lived in” feel.

I have many fond childhood memories of working on crafts with my Mema. She’d come to visit and bring her puffy paints and we’d make tee shirts and sweat shirts. Once she even attempted to teach me to crochet… but after a few hours and only a few loops, I opted to let her continue making me anything I wanted crocheted. Now I am grown, with kids of my own, and I must confess, my craft skills don’t look a whole lot different than when I was a kid.