A Typical Day at the Horn House

The days are long but the years go quickly.  Isn't that what they say?  Well it's certainly true here.  I am utterly exhausted at the end of every day with these three little joys, but I'm also acutely aware of how quickly time is flying and how quickly these boys are growing.  Asa often refuses to sit in his highchair, opting instead to sit on the counter or at the table like the big boys.  Kai has long been able to use the potty and get himself dressed all by himself.  And Caleb can go outside and play without supervision and I never have to worry about him.  How did these boys become capable of all this???  One day at a time, that's how.  One loooooong day at a time :)

Here's what one of those days looks like (specifically, yesterday):

Asa refused to sit in his highchair for breakfast, and also refused to eat anything but goldfish crackers.  I didn't have the strength to fight him, so goldfish crackers it was!

Every morning begins this way: breakfast at the table while watching something, so Mama can attempt to sit by herself for a few minutes in peace.  Awhile ago Caleb invented the word "watchy" to mean he wants to watch something, and he often says in the morning "I'm feeling a little hungry and a little watchy."

Once everyone is dressed and ready for the day, I debate between hunkering down before Asa's morning nap (yes, he still naps twice a day, God bless that boy!) or taking on the task of getting everyone outside.  Yesterday, the beautiful weather won out and we ventured outside.  Asa went straight to the sandbox and instantly was a dirty mess!

Caleb and Kai chose to sit on the stairs with a buddy and read The Gruffalo, a current favorite.  Caleb practically has the book memorized and I was impressed at his rendition of the book despite not being able to actually read it.

Kai absolutely loves to help me in the kitchen, regardless of the task.  Yesterday involved rolling out pizza dough.  He takes the job very seriously and focuses.  He loves to dump flour on the counter and onto the rolling pin, toss the dough around till it's covered in flour, then pat it down and begin to roll it out.  He's actually quite good at it.

After lunch Caleb was eager to get back outside and play.  This loquat tree next to our house is his current favorite climbing tree.  He always asks, "Can you see me, Mom?  Can you see me?"  The answer is supposed to be "No, I can't see you!  You're too camouflaged!"  When he's not wearing a bright red jacket he can actually blend in a little :)

Yes, the days are indeed long, but I am very intentional these days to relish the moments when I can, because I know they are fleeting.  It won't be forever that they'll dig in the sandbox or throw flour everywhere or camouflage themselves in a tree.  These are precious days, even though they're long.