What we do when it rains

 and rains.

and rains.

and rains.

and rains.

In case you're wondering, it's still raining.  In case you're wondering, if it doesn't stop, we're starting on the walls tomorrow.
No, this isn't our house.  I'm pretty sure anyone who's ever been stuck in a house with a toddler who is cutting her molars for 40 days and 40 nights of rain will understand.

Some people think miracles don't happen any more...

But I have seen one this week and I have the photos to prove it.  Now for those of you with more than 3 children, I honestly don't know how you manage that Christmas card photo each year.  I have to believe it's photoshopped, or that you bribed your children with something really awesome if they comply.  OR that you've had wax sculptures made in their images and are passing them off as your actual children in photos.

This is what happens whenever my three are in the same place, being cute, at the same time.

And I'm quick on the draw.  Almost always have a camera on hand, and have been honing my skills for years.  But there are 3 of them, and they have youth on their side.  Grrrr, missed again.

Okay, so lt me explain how the marvelous event began.  Grandparents day at my son's school.  Tables of sticky chocolaty refreshments.  Ten minutes later all three of my children still have clean clothes on... and so do I!

Well, by golly, let's try to get a family picture (stop whining Andy it'll just take a minute).  Sit your behinds on this bench and smile.

Holy Moly they actually did it!

Quick, Grandparents #1 & 2 get where we were and let's try for another...

No.  Way.  Okay, Grandparent #3 get in there!

Nobody move!  Grandparents #4 & 5, let's go for broke!

Yes, no crying, no bunny ears or crossed eyes.  No falling off the bench and busting of lips or skinning of knees.  No dead camera battery.  No.  Way.  Three beautiful smiles.

Dave says we have turned a corner.  Bwahahahahahaha.  Poor sweet man.  He doesn't realize that in the time it took me to write this post, they have surely coated the dog in vaseline.

{p,h,f,r} Winter must not be coming

Linking up with the folks at Like Mother, Like Daughter for a Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real post today.

 For those of you who check in on us from other parts of the country, or the other side of the world, you may have noticed that I haven't posted any pictures that give evidence that it is, in fact, the middle of winter.  It seems like Spring comes earlier with each passing year.  The upside, I haven't had to buy winter coats in years.

All this sunshine certainly is {Pretty} , even if Andy would object to being in a photo with that title.

We also like to spend time at our zoo this time of year.  It's never crowded (I can't figure out why) and the animals are a lot more playful when it's not 100 degrees out.  ps- so is Mommy!

{Happy}

Zadie with her friend Ian enjoying the Siamang apes

You may also have noticed (Rosie clearly has) that I've been taking advantage of the sunshine to take lots of pictures of my little cuties.  They are growing so fast, I get a little nuts about taking their pictures.  Like Mother, like daughter.

                    {funny}

Say cheese!

The other wonderful thing about the sunshine is that the kids are spending a lot of time playing in the backyard.  The current fascination is digging in the mud.  Now, don't get me wrong.  Having three kids ages 1, 4, and 8 willing to play together in the warm sunshine and not call for me to mediate squabbles or play the part of the dragon being bludgeoned to death in their latest tale of adventure is better than a day at the spa, but HOLY COW the mess they bring in when they come wash up for dinner.  This is after I called them back twice to wash out the sink that they had filled with grime.  They did try!

{real}

If I could save time in a bottle

If I could save time in a bottle
The first thing that I'd like to do
Is to save every day
Till Eternity passes away
Just to spend them with you

 If I could make days last forever

If words could make wishes come true

I'd save every day like a treasure and then,

Again, I would spend them with you

 If I had a box just for wishes

And dreams that had never come true

The box would be empty

Except for the memory

Of how they were answered by you

Hope you were singing along.  Happy sunny Wednesday to you and all those who make your wishes come true.

Crab tea towel

Something crafty for this chilly Saturday.