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My sweet boy is currently sleeping soundly at Justin & Cathy's house.  We went over there after nap time today, took dinner and stayed to put him down.  The spending the night out thing always sounds MUCH better in theory than in execution.  I am 100% sure it is getting harder on mommy.  He's so engaged in every single aspect of our life, it's just plain sad around here without him.  And don't even get me started on the empty little bed. 
That said, you know what they say about desperate times.  And we are beyond blessed to have such gracious family so close.  My mom left today for a week long trip to Arizona for her best friend's daughter's wedding.  We are very excited for Gigi to have a much needed week off with her dearest friend in some warm weather. 

It takes a village, and not a day goes by we are not extraordinary thankful for ours.  Cathy is keeping H tomorrow, and between the two of us and 1 1/2 days off each, we have the rest of the week covered. 

This weekend we went to the dinosaur Exhibit and Hardin LOVED it once he got past his slight fear of the dark/loud/full motion dinosaurs.  He shocked mom and I both when he asked to ride the dino.  He watched intently and waited patiently for his turn.  Held his little arms up to the stranger to load him in, and smiled a huge smile the entire time! 

Below are a ton of pictures from instagram lately, I've been browsing them tonight as I miss my boy.  I've become way too dependent on my phone to document our lives.  Looking back at these I'm making a March Resolution to drag the big camera back out more!

Impromtu Playdate

Ali had the fabulous idea to meet and let the kids run around and take advantage of the great weather this afternoon.  The kids were great, but in all honesty still not 100% on playing "together."  More like in the vicinity of each other.  Concerned with what the other one was doing, but not so interested that they wanted to participate.  For the most part.  H a little more "boy" than anything.  Read:

Ali:  Olivia, give Hardin a hug
they both scatter
Hardin:  Oh-lib-e-ah, come back here!
Olivia attempts to hug Hardin
Hardin...  runs away. 

They both did love the big circle wheel thing. 

I also felt like a terrible mother when it took me at least 30 minutes to notice H wouldn't climb anything.  I think he's still gun-shy after the big fall and fat lip.  Sweet buddy, I'm sure he'll be back to his climbing ways soon.

We love having Ali and Livvy so close now, and the kids being so close in age. We are also VERY excited for our dear friends expecting their next baby this September.  Can't wait to throw another baby in the mix!

Snotty Valentines Day

Hardin's had a stuffy nose and cough since last Friday.  No fever and it hasn't slowed him down, just annoyed him. 

For Valentines Day, he gave it to mommy and daddy. 

Fortunately, Hardin woke up feeling great with no drainage or cough, so he was able to return to school and go to his Valentines Day party.  He may not know his days of the week, but he sure knows when we keep him out of school and the pattern is off. 

His cards were a Pinterest idea, and the grandmothers both got the flower picture all crafted up and matted on one of our unused wedding invitations.  Almost 6 years later and I'm still bound and determined to use them all.  I should also give a huge thank you to M&M minis, or em-ems as Hardin calls them.  I am always amazed at what I can get that kid to do with the promise of one of his tiny sweet favorites.  Read: sit on a bench holding a flower with a big smile. 

We started feeling crummy last night so I pulled a frozen container of soup out of the freezer to defrost for dinner tonight.  Jason was defrosting it, and asked me to come see if it looked okay.  I warned him that if I looked at it and it wasn't fully defrosted and looked weird I wouldn't be able to eat it.

I'm 110% sure he called me over there on purpose knowing it would turn my stomach and we'd be forced to get takeout for only the second time this YEAR (as she pats herself on the back for all the gluten/wheat free clean cooking she's done...).  Well, I turned that idea down, and made him take me and Hardin to Mexican instead. 

By 8:10, both of my boys were in bed and I was cuddled up with a yummy glass of Malbec reading blogs, blowing my nose and looking at Valentines pictures.  Aside from the all the tissues, it was a lovely little day.