Water fun

The utility folks were flushing the water lines on the corner of our street & the kids had a blast watching it & eventually diving in. The temperature of the air was only about 50 degrees and the water was much colder - but they didn't seem to mind. Here are some shots of Mulu, Aaliyah and some of our neighbor friends.

A big couple of days for Mulu!

Big happenings this week in the life of our little 6 year old.

Yesterday, May 19th, Mulu lost his first tooth! Very exciting for him as his tooth has been loose for at least 6 weeks now and most other kids in his class have lost some already (a big deal for a Kindergartner you know). On Mother's Day Grandma was trying to pull it out with a hanky, but it wouldn't budge - and last night Mulu had enough and wanted it out. So I took Grandma's lead, grabbed Daddy's hanky and started yanking (with weak knees and a iffy stomach - just not my thing). We tried for about 20 min & finally it popped out! He was so excited. We told Daddy, called Papa & Nana and then I went out to my car to get my cell to call Grandpa & Grandma & he followed me into the garage and dropped it - eeeeek! So lots of tears came, and we all ended up on our hands & knees with flashlights looking for it (you would be surprised how many small things on a garage floor look like little teeth). We found it, called Grandpa & Grandma, put it under his pillow and had a successful Toothfairy exchange.

Here is one of Grandma's attempts


















Mulu in the bathroom after I got it (you can kind of see him holding it in his hands)


















Cute Jack-o-lantern grin!



















And the other big news. . . .

Mulu can now ride a two wheeler. Yesterday I took off his training wheels and he messed around on it for a bit (with me running after him holding his seat) and today after school he got on it and just figured it out! He is so proud of himself and can't wait to tell everyone! Only one day of trying the two wheels- I'm telling ya - this kid is definitely athletically inclined!

Here is a video of his newest accomplishment (and you can notice him look and smile at Aria in the stroller as he rides by - even when he is showing off in a big moment he is still a great brother!)

Adorable waving!

So here is my first attempt to include a video in a post. Aria's newest trick (and really her only) is to wave & she just figured out how to include the wrist action. Now she does it about a thousand times a day and is so dang proud of herself when she does.

Here is a video of her looking like a proper waving queen. It is really short & sideways - but I think its a darn good start. Next time I will know to not turn the camera sideways & make it a bit longer.

So just tip your head to the side and enjoy!

While the boys are away - the girls will play

So I know Mulu has been getting the short end of the stick with photos lately - he is at school all day, so I just don't have as many shots of him (isn't that usually the complaint of the youngest). So bare with me one more post as I continue the trend.

Every morning Mulu & Brian leave to go about their day (school & work) and the girls and I do our "thing" together. Aaliyah has swimming lessons one day and dance class another - otherwise we just keep ourselves busy and rarely spend a full day in the house (although Aaliyah is a pretty big advocate for pajama days).

Mulu will soon be done with school and home with us for the summer, so before things change up - I thought I would share some of our fun we have home together.


This is part of our morning routine - as the boys drive away together, Aaliyah stands in the garage and waves goodbye shouting "bye - love you - bye" until they are totally out of sight



Here is Aria in her jumper and Aaliyah helping to entertain her in the exersaucer.

Aria, Aaliyah & I playing jump rope. Aria holds one end, I hold the other & Aaliyah jumps. - Here is an action shot.This is actually the first time Aria was in the big bath with her sister. Aaliyah was quick to initiate her into the "dumping the bucket over your head club"- and surprisingly, Aria didn't mind

After playing outside - getting a photo of Aria looking cute in her hat
Ok Mama - enough pictures already!


Aaliyah is entering into the "not needing a nap everyday" phase - but this day I guess she really needed it - falling asleep hanging off the couch while I was folding laundry

Here is proof that Aaliyah is grooming Aria to be a princess also - I couldn't believe she let her momentarily wear her crown.and the girls - just being cute!

Mother's Day

Thanks to an amazing husband and wonderful kiddos I had a fabulous mother's day. Dinner served to me in the bedroom - continuous hugs & kisses & "Happy Muder's Day"s - adorable homemade cards (Aaliyah drew "writings" on hers and Mulu's had some sort of Star Wars scene on it) and homemade gifts - along with store bought ones (Aaliyah picked out a fun pink necklace for me & Mulu picked out some big hoop earrings that looked a bit much - but ended up being really adorable on).

It was also a day with emotional ups and downs for me. I had a lot of reflective moments where I thought about how incredibly lucky I am and how wonderful it is to be a mom. I watched my kids dance, play, laugh and tell stories while fully realizing how wonderful they are and how blessed I am to be their Mama. My family is so amazing and I found myself welling up with emotion as I would step back and realize it throughout the day. But on this day to celebrate Mothers, these feelings were also intermixed with thoughts and emotions about the women that gave birth to my kiddos - what they must have experienced - how extreme their losses have been - what they might be doing now - wishing them peace knowing that their children are loved, honored and cared for.

Below are some quotes from the Johnsons kiddos that are too cute not to share - I love the mixture of pure childhood honesty and complete randomness.

In a card to me Mulu said:
"You are the best driver.
You are the best colorer.
I'm going to bring you flowers.
You are a good baby feeder."
(I think all the bases were covered with that)

This morning Brian asked the kids "Why do you love your Mama?"
Aaliyah: she tells me not to do flips
Mulu: she helps with cleaning
Brian: she sacrifices her career for our kids
Aaliyah: she tells me not to eat a dead mouse
Mulu: she plays with me nice
Brian: she loves to do things and be outgoing
Aaliyah: when I tickle her she laughs
Mulu: she cooks supper, lunch & breakfast and helps with homework
Brian: she shows endless caring and compassion

and Aria, of coarse, sat there looking cute

awww - see what I mean? pretty awesome stuff!

Here are me and my Johnson kiddos on Mother's Day!

fun with adobe

So I have been having fun and playing around with the pictures we had taken - so I thought I would share.