Mandatory Fun

So, last time we visited Uncle B in Brooklyn it was an amazing trip.  Everything fell into place.

This time, well, by the end of it I was one step away from checking myself into a mental institution.

Note to self:  Six people and a dog in a one bedroom apartment is not a good idea.

The kids had fun.  I think.  More accurately, I demanded that they have fun while they were out of their minds fussy and tired.  You. Will. Have. Fun. Gosh. Darn. It!

At one point I caught Cooper launching himself into the wall and throwing himself on the floor at one of the restaurants in the Plaza.  At that moment I seriously contemplated boarding school.

Thank you Uncle Brent for letting us turn your peaceful life upside-down and completely trash your apartment.

I took considerably more pictures on our last trip.  This time I was too busy trying desperately to keep three kids alive.

The last time I remember being this tired was after pulling consecutive all-nighters at the law firm in Shanghai.

One of my favorite parts of the trip was my brother's complete shock at learning that kids go to bed by 7:30 pm.  He still finds it hard to believe that most parents -- not just me -- put their children down at this "insanely early" hour.  He had plans to take them out to a comedy show that started at 9:00 pm.

Brooklyn, I do still love you.  Maybe just not with three kids.

BFFs

 Just Ella and Zoe, doing their homework and hanging out after school.  Love these two.  BFFs since birth.

Where does the time go...?

So, apparently someone hit the fast forward button on life!  I honestly don't know where the days go.  Have I really not updated since Cooper's birthday?  It's almost terrifying how quickly my kids are growing up and I am getting OLDER.  Like much older.

Many, many pictures to post -- but going to at least put up some pics from our trip to Great Wolf Lodge with Mimi and Poppa.  So nice of them to take us -- and the kids loved it!  A wonderful escape from the cold.  Apparently I only took pictures of Parker?

And he is FOUR

That's right ladies and gentlemen -- this kid is four.  I still think of him as the baby, but he's so far from that and has been for so long.

Cooper -- I honestly cannot wait to see what you do and where you go in this world.  Your energy, enthusiasm and endless curiosity may exhaust me, but I know it will serve you well.  You possess a confidence I could only dream of having.  You are already smarter than I am, and I think it's best if I just go ahead and accept that.

I have no doubt you will do great things in this world.  I just hope the world is ready. 

Coolest. Mimi. on the PLANET.