Insta-January 2013

 This is why we are in Virginia right now #cousinbondingtime

 Michael comes to the table whenever I feed Sam.  He grabs his bib and is ready to be fed!  No wonder is is twice Sam's size (but 3 months younger).

 Family dodge ball.  Ben has a helpful sidekick.  

 Dodge ball spectators and babysitters!

 Washington D.C.  Ready for our tour of the Library of Congress, across the street from the Capital.

 "They are never alone that are accompanied with noble thoughts."  #libraryofcongress

 While Ellis had his indulgent moment with the presidents, I had mine with the poets.  Portrait Gallery is a pretty cool place!  #eatingpoetry #markstrand 

 I want to be a possessed McDonald's worker when I grow up.  #pleasetouchmuseum #philly #wedreambig

 A chorus of three entitled children screaming because they can't agree on which DVD to watch in the car.  #heavenhelpus #endofvacationblues #firstworldproblems

 Three reading logs to turn in tomorrow.  Henry missed 4 extra days of school for our extended Christmas vacation.  Then yesterday, he had only been in school a few hours when the school nurse called to tell me he was sick.  2 more days off! #schoolcrampsourstyle

 "And I don't even have to use the Number Line Hotel!  I can just use my fingers!"

 Look at me!  On stage!  I got to sing in Amy Kyle's student voice recital tonight.  I am learning SO much from Amy and am loving the opportunity to improve.  Plus, singing on a stage is one of my secret fantasies.  #marypoppins #practicallyperfect #beingmrsbanks 

Ellis and the girls.  It is goal-setting week at Joy School, and this picture was their group goal.  Ellis' personal goal is to learn to do his own snap and zipper after potty time.

Meet Frosty.  Normally, playing in the snow is Ben's "job."  Probably, having Ben gone is good for me in some ways.  #steppingitup #firstsnowmanofmotherhood

Sometimes it's worth it to let them throw three baskets of clean clothes down the stairs.  #thirtyminutesfreechildcare  

Turns out Kool-Aid is a really good food coloring for homemade play-dough.  Makes it smell so yummy!  A little too tempting for Sam though.  Good thing it's all edible ingredients!  (Is glitter edible?)

And now, Dad is back in our lives for 36 hours.  Three boys couldn't be happier!   

 Date night.  Aren't we romantic?  #iceskating #kendallsquare

 Dropping him off at South Station for his next round of interviews.  This week: Dartmouth, NYU, and Columbia.  2 down, 10 to go!

 This is the boy who fell off the church gymnasium stage while his dad was asking his mom to please watch him so he wouldn't' fall off the stage.  It was a pretty long fall.  Luckily, he hit his forehead on a cabinet on the way down.  #daredevilboy #responsibleparents

This sight made me smile. #samo 

 Time to bring out the old super glue!  #winterhands #fingercracks #thingsmymothertaughtme

 The time has come for my children to start eating their cereal with milk.  Prior to this challenge, Henry hadn't had a sip of milk (without chocolate in it) since he was 15 months old.  Six years later, I realized that the acceptance of milk isn't going to come without tears.  

 And yes, there have been tears every day.  #icandohardthings

 Ellis has very little interest in drawing or coloring.  We're trying to practice basic shapes.  Can you tell which ice cream cone is his?  #finemotorskills

Welcome home, Dad!  #camehomeatmidnight #homeforoneblessedday #beforeheleavesagain

 This one just came out of his room after 20 minutes in bed to announce, "Dad, I remember the Jedi that survived the Great Jedi Purge!" #thinkingtime #nerdsraisingnerds #bultarswan

And when someone else is paying, Ben gets to take a taxi to the airport or train station, while Sam takes a long nap, right on schedule.  #lifeisgood #thankyouyale

Sauteed vegetables atop a bed of mashed cauliflower.  Something I could never get away with making for dinner if Ben was home!  #veggiecleanse