These are the days...

This weekend was absolutely awesome.  It was near or above 80 (that's right 80) in Chicago in March.

Friday we had a play date at McDonalds with one of my oldest and best friends (and one of my favorite people).

Saturday we cleaned in the morning. Then we met my stepdad for lunch at Red Robin (yum) where BOTH kids were very well behaved.  Then we got home and put Daddy to work.

My mom always wanted to buy the kids big outside toys.  And this was the one she got them for Christmas.

The bouncy house in the backyard was a gift a couple years back.  Yes, we have our very own bouncy house.

Daddy also had to put together Maggie's cozy coupe, because it wasn't fair for PJ just to have one.  And of course, PJ had to get his hammer and help Daddy.

Sunday we went to the zoo.  It was awesome.  Again, the kids were super well behaved (not sure what is going on here).  The best part was on the way home, completely unprompted, PJ says

"I had fun at the zoo Mom."

Heart = melted.

Then he proceeded to tell me he wanted to "go have fun in the backyard."

And that we did. 

Maggie's first pigtails. She needs a bit more hair, but still. She's fricking adorable.

PJ, immediately after I said "PJ, do NOT climb in the water table.  You're too big."

And seriously folks.  It does NOT get cuter than this.  It really, really doesn't.

I have a new goal in life.

I have a new goal in life.  I feel like I am a pretty good mama.  I realize I haven't had teenagers yet who hate me, but nonetheless, I think I am pretty kick ass.  I have a goal to continue to be a kick ass mama for all my years.

However, I now have a new goal.

It's a very, very important goal.  A goal I think PJ and Maggie will appreciate very much in the future. Along with their future spouses.

My new goal?  To be a kickass, non intrusive, non judgemental, non bitchy MOTHER-IN-LAW.

I don't feel this will be difficult to achieve.  I feel, that as long as I follow the list of things below, I will be good.

Disclaimer:  some of these have happened to me, some to friends of mine, or to friends of friends.  However, I think they are all under what not to do as a MIL.

1.  I will not tell my future daughter in law that her child spends "too much time with her" and take said child away.

2.  I will not tell my future daughter in law that she needs to "cut the connection" her child has with her because "it's ridiculous."

3.  I will not complain to my future daughter in law about Maggie.

4.  I will not turn down my son or daughter if they ask me to watch my grandchildren because I am not working.  I will also not charge them to do so.

5.  I will be sure to see my grandchildren on a very regular basis; regardless if they live 5 or 30 minutes away from me. 

6.  I will offer to take my grandchildren overnight so PJ and his wife or Maggie and her husband can have a much needed night off.

7.  I will not buy Maggie or my future daughter in law lingerie in hopes that "they will make me a grandkid."

8.  I will not make my children and their spouses fear telling me they are expecting. 

9.  I will understand when my kids need to leave because my grandchildren need to go home and get to bed.

10.  I will not keep my grandchildren up past their bed time so I can spend more time with them, because I will be practicing #5 above.

11.  I will not insist on getting Christmas lists from my kids so they know exactly what I am getting them.

12.  I will not speak badly about anyone in the family who my kids are close to but that I do not like. 

I am sure there are more, but I think if I keep these 12 in check, I am good to go.

What do you promise not to do as a MIL?

The Best.

I work, unfortunately.  I leave PJ and Maggie around 7:20 everyday and pick them up about 5:15.

I hate that I have to leave them.  I hate that I have to wake them up every morning, when they could peacefully sleep till they were ready to wake up.  I hate that I can't let them lounge around in their jammies (although today was pajama day, so SCORE).

But...

the best, absolute BEST part of my day comes when I pick them up.

When I walk in the door, PJ starts yelling MAMAMAMAMAMMA!  and runs to greet me.

When Maggie sees me, she starts clapping and laughing and running over to me, saying MAMAMAMAMAMMA.

Biggest smiles on their faces.  So happy.

To see me.

That.

Is.

The.

BEST.

OH NO!

OH NO!

This is PJ's new favorite thing to say.

Drop a toy?

OH NO!

Drop a piece of food on the ground?

OH NO!

See some garbage lying out in the street?

OH NO!

Mumble in Happy Feet is getting chased by the sea lion??

OH NO!

Mr. Incredible being thrown around by whatever that huge thing is he fights?

OH NO!

You get the idea.

It's the cutest OH NO ever too.  I wish you could hear it.  He also says No all the time now which is lots of fun.

PJ do you want a hot dog?  NO!

PJ it's sleepy time! NO!

Do you want to go pee pee?  NO NO NO!

I know I've expressed a bit of concern about his talking, but I think he's just fine.  I think he really wants to make sentences, and he gets frustrated when he can't, and that's what it is.  He's saying new stuff every day. 

Even though every color is blue when I ask.  But he can hand me the correct colors if I ask for the red one, orange one, etc. 

Maggie says Ma, ma, ma and tries to say "Mine."  She sounds like the birds from Finding Nemo.  MINE MINE MINE.

She also says hi.  Because she's fucking adorable.

I love this age.  I have two toddlers yo!  It rocks.

Melt.

I've got some serious pain going on that I can't really get into, but I wanted to make sure I told all of you lovely ladies about this.

This morning, I was holding Maggie's hand to help her walk.

PJ looked over and noticed.

And ran over and grabbed her other hand. 

And we helped her walk together.

This is what makes being a mom so fucking awesome.

Toddlerhood.

Maggie took a step.  One single step all by herself.  She was surprised she immediately grabbed onto something.

The beauty of it was it was in the middle of the Bears game and not only did John and I see it, three of our good friends did as well.

She's standing on her own more often and for longer periods of time.  My baby girl is on her way to walking!  I hope she is walking by her birthday.

PJ was out "playing" football with the guys on Sunday during half time.  Someone dropped the ball and he ran over and said "I GOT IT!"  Cutest.  Thing.  Ever.

Then on Monday morning, I was changing Maggie's diaper, and she was crying, crying.  PJ dragged his chair over, and started rubbing her belly and going shhh baby.  Shh baby.  Cutest.  Thing. Ever.

I'm dangerously close to having two toddlers.  I love the toddler stage so much and I am so excited to see Maggie running around and playing with PJ.  Newborns are great and all, but I just love seeing my kids expresing themselves, being excited to see me, hugs, kisses, talking, laughing, learning. 

I know they won't always get along.  I know they won't always be happy to play together, and I'm sure there will be points in time where all they do is hate each other.

But I also know they will be closer than ever when they are older.  That they will support each other, help each other, and be there for each other.

I fucking love my kids.