I have now gotten to do something I’ve waited my whole life to do!  And no, it was not eating a Philadelphia Cheese Steak Sandwich IN Philadelphia.  (That was Rock’s dream come true). Mr. Pres also claimed he could not wait to get his hands on a Philly Cheese “stick” either.  No, my dream come true was to see the room where they signed the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.  We took a trip to Philly this weekend with the boys and I finally got to stand in the room where such amazing history happened.  It was awesome. 
We spent our snow days this week reading all the children’s books the Berkeley Heights library has on the Revolution, Declaration and Constitution.  I didn’t think much was getting in, but during the tour of Independence Hall our boys knew most of the answers to the question the guide asked!  Made me proud, I have to say!  And the cool thing is, they are now excited about the Constitution and their founding fathers.  Here are the picture highlights.   
Independence Hall

Liberty Bell

Random lady, but great view.
 

Assembly Room in Independence Hall
 

Yes, we had to deal with the snow, but we decided it was a good trade in place of humidity and crowds.  We didn’t get to everything this trip, but as the sign said as we were leaving Philly-“Get back soon, there’s always more to do in Philadelphia.”  And since we only live 1.5 hours away, we’ll be back!

Such is the life I lead with my 3rd toddler.  Now that he is no longer in a crib, indeed all peace I had is gone.  During naps he stuffs his blanket and teddy bear in the diaper pail, climbs on the dresser drawers till they break and jumps on the rocking chair for all he’s worth.   Obviously, the diaper pail and drawers were removed after that stunt.  Our options are 1. strapping him down to the bed or 2.  spanking the little twirp.  And yes, contrary to popular belief, we have spanked a few times lately.  🙂  Quick, someone call CPS!  Also this week, Blue Jeans put the boys’ dart guns in the toilet as well as their remote control train controls.  They are now useless.  It was sadly a lesson for the older boys to shut the bathroom door behind them so that little brother can’t get in to play with the toilet, but I will admit that some of that “natural consequences” lesson might have been lost on them in my angry dealings with the incident.   As if outgrowing his crib weren’t enough for one week, he also figured out to how open doors.  We now have those obnoxious door knob baby proof locks on almost every door in the house and while they do keep Blue Jeans out, they give everyone else a headache.  I can’t wait to see what he’ll do next.  “ Oh, and Blue Jeans, PLEASE don’t eat the dandelions.”

You know it’s going to be bad when they cancel school the night before a storm!  So far we’ve got about a foot and a half and it just keeps dumping!  Rock worked from home today rather than brave New York City which is supposedly worse.  He’s has been shoveling our huge driveway and sidewalk off and on all day.  I’m rewarding his hard work with stew for dinner! 

Sledding down the driveway

Our backyard winter wonderland

For those familiar with the “plastic car”

The Snow Fort-Mr. Pres and our neighbor

Wonder if they’ll cancel school tomorrow?  We’ve got a blizzard watch till 6 am!  That would make our winter break 5 days long plus the weekend!  Happy Valentines Day to us!

I have never had a climber. Not one of my children have EVER climbed out of their crib. I know that’s unusual, but it’s true. I have always had the peace of mind to know that when I put them in their crib, they would stay there till I got them out. I realize that I am very lucky AND I realize that it was only a matter of time before that luxury ended. We knew that the toddler bed was not far away for Blue Jeans but I’ve been stalling because I like being able to take naps with this pregnancy. And boys in toddler beds don’t stay put very well just to let mom sleep.

So today I was sitting at the computer minding my own business enjoying the quiet of naptime, when I heard footsteps. My heart skipped a beat and the adrenaline started pumping as thoughts of an intruder raced through my mind. And then who should wander into the family room with his blankie and teddy but Blue Jeans, with a bewildered look of accomplishment on his face. Once over my shock I just started laughing and couldn’t stop. I went upstairs to see if maybe I had left the side down, but no, our little man has just decided the bars will no longer keep him in. Time for the toddler bed.

This morning when Blue Jeans woke up and came down stairs I tried to get him to give me a hug and a kiss.  Being a two year old and exerting his independence he kept saying, “No!”  I gave up after a while.  Just now (about 3 hours later) I was sitting here working on the computer and Blue Jeans came up to me and grunted at me as he often does to get me to do something.  “Mmm mmm uuuu uhh.”  Not understanding what he wanted he finally pointed to his lips.  So I bent down and gave him the kiss he was asking for and then he waddled away proud of himself for getting mommy to squeal with delight.  What a power trip.

Mr. President’s random prayer from last night:

“We thank thee for carrots and airplanes and helicopters and gerbils and apples and foxes.”

Note: we don’t even have a gerbil.  Or a fox.

At 12 weeks we’ve got two arms, two legs, a spine and a strong heartbeat with a 60/40 chance it’s a girl!  The technician said not to buy anything yet, but if she had to bet her paycheck she’d say girl.  Nausea is almost gone and energy level is returning!  Woohoo! 

Nothing like rockin out to Trans-Siberian Orchestra while the boys clean the house because Santa only comes to CLEAN houses. Spotless ones. And Mr. Pres says, “That means nothing stuck in corners!” You got it! Clean it ALL!!!

And here they are rewarded for their hard work with the first present. New PJ’s.

Today Go Go presented me with my very first piece of school-made pottery!  It was lopsided and and bumpy and the most beautiful thing I’ve ever been given!   Every once in a while, I have one of those moments that says, “You are officially a Mother.”  Today was one of those moments.  Thanks Go Go.