I Love Him, But...

I love my son, but that hair...

Part of being divorced parents is also fighting over hair styles.  Drake's dad has convinced him that this mohawk look is awesome, and that he should grow it out like some professional baseball player.  I'm still waiting to see that player, but I digress.

While this boy was all mine for spring break, we trimmed up that bird's nest.  Mostly, I just couldn't handle the rat tail that was growing in the back.  Where I come from, rat tails are for rednecks.  Off to Sports Clips we went, and the finished product looked so much more handsome than the little boy I took in there.

And don't worry, I warned his dad about what was going to happen.  I literally thought he was going to cry, which in turn made me smile.

The City Museum

This year was our first year to have the kids for the entire spring break.  While we really just had plans to stay home and enjoy the kids, we also made some pit stops along the way.

The first stop was in St. Louis and this place is by far one of my favorite children's attractions, The City Museum.  It has a reasonable admission, your kids can play, roam, and discover.  If your a brave (or tiny) adult, there is plenty for you to explore as well.  Fortunately for our knees, Brian and I are not small people.  But my rear end fits perfectly on the benches as I watch my kids run everywhere.

Hattie and Drake love the tunnels and I love having the chance to just talk to Brian, people watch, and try to figure out where my kids will show up next.

Sidenote:  My kids are VERY good about not going far from us.  If your kids tend to run away, probably not going to be an enjoyable time.

The first time we went, Brian and I attempted to go into some of the tunnels...only to find out that we could only go so far before we couldn't fit.  It's all fun and games until you are two large adults.

I highly recommend the City Museum, even for adults!

My Secret Garden

I'm most definitely not a gardener.  I prefer to buy my vegetables already grown.

Unfortunately, I also forget about the vegetables I have in the house...and then this happens.

Oops.

Split Second Smile

I literally cannot get this boy to really smile for a picture.  He's at that stage of just sticking out his tongue or making some funny face to ruin my picture.  I remember my mom always getting bent out of shape if I or my friends stuck our tongue out in a picture.

Guess what?!?

I get it mom!  I hate it too!

And that is what leads to me taking advantage of a selfie with Drake even when I'm in the middle of doing my hair.  I took this moment of his loving, good mood and took one for the team.  Any opportunity is short lived with a 7 year old.

Just When You Think You've Made It...

 Are you ever really proud of your kid?  You look at them and think, "Damn, I've done something right after all!"  Then reality hits and you just shake your head?  I know I'm not alone!

Drake is a smart kid and you never have to ask him twice to read a book.  So when he gets in the car right after school and immediately picks up a book to read for a while, I have that thought.  That thought saying, "Yeah, I've got a good one here.  I never have to ask him to read, he just does it and loves it."

Drake then asked me to help him set up an account with the program he uses in his gifted program.  I happily oblige, just so proud that my son wants to keep learning even while at home.

Then I see his login...that he chose.

Making passwords using the word "poop" is normal for a 7 year old boy, right?

I'm just asking as I shake my head and take back the pat on my back that I gave myself.

Reaching Those Goals

Hattie started in gymnastics like the normal baby/toddler.  My dad and I used to chase her and Drake around the mat "participating" in all the little obstacles that the teacher had set up for the class.  As the years have passed, Hattie was in and out of gymnastics but over the winter she got more serious.  

While she only attended class once a week, she diligently paid attention to her goals and progress.  One night, she went through the skills needed to move up to the next class.  We regularly talked about her progress towards completing those skills and how she was working to get better.  

Then one night she called and told me that she successfully completed a pullover.  And in even better news, she knew the gym would post it on social media.  I scoured all forms of social media for several days until they finally posted my baby girls accomplishment.  

She is good at smiling for pictures (believe me, I know how lucky I am at this age), but that smile is from the heart.  She's proud of herself, but she couldn't possible be as proud as I am!

They Made My Day, Too!

As I've said before, Valentine's Day is my jam.  It takes all my control to not buy every heart decoration and every gift to show to my love.  But when I opened up mail, on Valentine's Day, from Hattie and Drake, my heart hit the permanent melted point.  Every mom loves homemade gifts and my babies each made me a personalized Valentine's Day card. 

I cried.  

Like, I cried immediately.

Drake made sure to use black, because it's my favorite color.  One thing I love about his art work, is just imagining his little hands cutting through magazines with me in mind.  

While Drake got it right with the black, Hattie knocked it out of the park with the cheeseburger stickers.  My absolute, most favorite food in this world is cheeseburgers and my kids 100% know that.

I've gotten a lot of Valentine's Day cards in the past, but these are two cards that I will never, ever, as long as I shall live, forget.  These will forever be treasured by me and my Valentine's Day loving self.