It's National Running Day. I saw in the news the two seconds that I caught the new yesterday. Does running on empty count?
It's middle of the week also known as Hump day. Gardening class is today in about t an hour. Today I will take pictures. It's the fifth lesson. We've done so much and still I have yet to take a picture with my own camera. But thanks to other photo loving supporters on sight we have pictures documenting the kids garden within the giant community garden.
I'm also running on a lot of love today. The kids were affectionate the moment they woke up. Elise woke up first. We went and rolled around on the rug in the family room. Ethan and Pup Pup joined us. Ethan sat in my lap and read a story to Elise to the best of his memory on how the story really reads. Aidan woke up about 20 minutes later, flopped to the ground, curled up net to me. He said, " mom, will you help me read to Elise before she goes to bed tonight?" All three of them had some body part on Elise's soft sheep skin. Little do they know it was first their and they never liked it as babies. Then we took pictures to send to Kyle to show him what he was missing out on. There were lots of hugs and kisses for mommy. Just what this mommy likes. Love gets me through the day. Hugs, kisses and sticky fingers (Elise) gripping onto me go a long way.
That's right. Only the one of a kind dad's get a custom in house hall of fame where he's the only shining star.
A note from Aidan.
For Fathers day the kids planted an apple seed at the gardening class that I teach. 
Aidan and Ethan have been good about watering their apple seeds on a regular basis.
Kyle and Elise dishing out tickles. 
From Monday to Wednesday I can't stop thinking about my Little Green Thumb friends.
First you make some mud. And you mix it.
Then you add some plants and sticks and stones to it.
Then you pre-tend taste it. Yum, yum, yummy!!
Then all the mommy's pre-tend taste the mud pies.
Everyone earned a ribbon.
A photo was taken of all the first prize winners. Who would have guessed all the kids tied?
I have not gardened much this year. But the kids are growing. So I am thankful for that. What's changed in having three kids vs. two kids is at all hours of the day some of the three kids need me. Often they all need me at once. So while the dust collects in the corners of our home and I continue to rotate the handful of meal options I can create without much effort, we play on. Laughing, learning, and loving the good times shared. 
Finally she's old enough to play on the play ground. Aidan and Ethan asked if they can all go down the slide together. Injuries flashed in my mind of all kinds. I told the boys their dad was coming home soon and we fo not have time between dinner and bath to go to the hospital. Sorry boys. But they asked to hold her at the top of the slide with a promise to not slide down. 
Ethan was especially excited about little sister being on the swing. He asked if she was scared and said " don't worry Elise, big brother is here. I give you baby pushes because that's what you are... a tiny baby". 
Babies are the hottest accessory. A friend of a friend asked if I would lend her my cute baby to photograph. Stacey Faith is starting her own business as a family photographer and wanted to display pictures of an infant on her websites' portfolio AKA baby Elise. 
Behind the scenes.
