Slow down, life!

I am starting to feel like I should just go ahead and title every post, "Why does it all go by so fast?"  I distinctly remember a time when the boys were infants and the minutes were so incredibly long.  There were days that were never-ending.  I knew... I KNEW... even that feeling was fleeting.  I, oh, it was.  Soon, I was living in hours, rather than in minutes.  Then, it was big chunks of time... morning nap, lunch, afternoon nap... Now, I feel like I live weeks at a time.  There's a moment during which I look at the calendar and inhale, as I mentally walk through all the week will bring us.  I blink, I exhale... and the week is over.  It. Will. Not. Slow. Down.

So... blog posts will reflect my life... blurry images of what I still maintain is joyful chaos.  Although, some days have more chaos than joy... :)

On this particular day, the boys spent a bit of time making their one-eyed LEGO universe masks.  This was, in essence, Halloween Take One at our house.  We went through several variations of costumes before settling on our final choice.  I adore the fact that they get so into the process and love watching their little imaginations sore.  Shea, naturally, followed suit and wore a different costume daily for the last few weeks of October. 

An afternoon trip to the arboretum... Dex and Shea kept insisting I photograph them and Jax had a blast with the scarecrow contest.  The highlight was definitely chasing after three giggling kiddos as they traveled their way through the little labyrinth.

 One of our Halloween attempts involved a red ninja and a green Link (from Legend of Zelda).  By the end of the afternoon, the boys had decided they each wanted to be Link... red and blue.

 Pumpkin carving... Link for Jax and a clone trooper for Dex.  Shea decided she didn't want anyone cutting into her pumpkin... :)  Very sweet.

 I FINALLY finished the sweater dress I have been slaving over for months! :)  I am very happy that there is plenty of room for Shea to grow and was even happier that she was willing to let me snap a few photos of her in it!  She insisted on the flower...

 Afternoon fun.  Above, the kids spent nearly three hours coloring on this day.  I consented to letting them use permanent markers and they just couldn't get enough.  I got such a kick out of their high level of concentration and determination.  It was especially sweet just to see all three of them working together for so long... and so agreeably!  Below, this was my view from our window as I looked out and saw Dex and Shea giggling together in chairs they brought outside with them.  How a moment like this can capture my gratitude and joy and sadness all at once... so happy for these moments we share with each other... and already dreading not having these little people around me one day.  I know, I know, they'll be replaced by wonderful adults who come visit their dear parents and share other such joys and whatnot... but there is something just SO magical about children.  Love these little people.

The final costumes... complete with three very wiggly and giggly children.

A very sad visit to Madison surrounding the sudden decline in health of my grandpa was followed by a much-too brief, but fun-filled hour with Ollie, Indie and Ilah.  Love those guys!!

I do have a few more stories that I need to get down before I forget they ever happened.

The kids have been spending the past week creating a huge supply of Star Wars costumes.  Dex, primarily, has been transforming any white t-shirt he can find into a clone trooper of some sort, so we have many different colors and ranks.  For two days, they started rehearsing for their "show."  Finally, the moment arrived when they told me they were ready to perform.  They prepared a seat for me and began what they told me was a show of three parts.  I was expecting lightsaber duels and much danger, however, I was treated to a Part One that took place in a dance club on Coruscant with Commander Bacara (I think that was his name) and Anakin dancing for a good ten minutes.  Hilarious.  Part Two involved a costume change, as Commander Gree appeared and decided he wanted to dance with Anakin.  Part Three brought the arrival of an alien (Shea) which proceeded to chase Anakin around the dance club.  Luckily, Commander Gree apparently excels at communicating with aliens, as he was able to subdue the creature and convince her to be friends with Anakin.  And thus ended the fantastic performance. :)

Earlier this week, during a conversation with Shea, she proclaimed, "But you're not a lady, you're my mama!!"  Love it.

Dex has begun a nightly ritual of tip-toeing down the stairs a few minutes after being tucked in and asking me in his sweetest, most heartbreaking voice if I will play with him the following day.  It just kills me.  I wait for it and, despite the fact that I calmly remind him he needs to stay in bed, I love it.  As I walk upstairs with him, he invariably asks me if I'll tuck him in one last time... and I do.  And I love that, too.

The boys just finished reading The Indian in the Cupboard this morning.  It's something they've been reading before bed and today, as there was no school due to conferences, they insisted on finishing the last few chapters.  Within minutes of closing the book, I heard hushed whispers between them and much hustling and bustling around the house.  I found them gathered in front of their toy cupboard, excitedly placing their favorite clone troopers into it, playing at bringing them to life.  This went on for most of the morning and I got to witness them enthusiastically explaining our life to these little "alive" clone troopers.  Oh my word, I love mornings like that.

Speaking of clone troopers, Dex has been spending much of the past few days recustomizing his previously customized clone troopers.  It has been monopolizing our kitchen table and has been keeping us quite entertained.  D.R. informs me that he was equally obsessive about funny little undertakings... which makes me smile just as much as watching Dex complete his little projects.

Jaxon spent his entire 30 minutes of media time on Wednesday giving Shea video game lessons.  It was the sweetest, most adorable thing.  He patiently explained all of his favorite games and instructed her on how to play them... if she ever decides she wants to play video games.  Love it.

Shea has been a grand little helper, informing me that she can do just about anything by herself.  It doesn't always speed the process along to have her shadowing me, but I do get a kick out of it.  Today, she helped pat down a tart crust and proceeded to help me make lunch and dinner.  She'll help me wash the floors, as long as I pretend she's Cinderella and talk to her in a mean evil step-mother voice.  What a goofy girl!

Of course, she also knows how to entertain her brothers.  This morning, I heard her telling Jaxon that he was her mommy.  Jaxon, half-amused and half-annoyed, played right into her little plan and retorted, "I am NOT your mommy!"  Shea, with a mischievous grin, followed him around for the next twenty minutes declaring "you totally are my mommy.  Mommy!!  Mommy!!"  Hilarious.