Catching up!

I have been enjoying every moment as a whole family since my husband returned from another land. Having him back made me realize how much of my life I take for granted, so I have also been contemplating on the things that really matter to me and in a way turned inwards for a while. For those of you that know me, this may seem strange because well, I never have NOTHING to say, and you're right. It's just that everything I wanted to say, I needed to say to just myself. I don't know if I'm done with that phase yet but today I felt like it was time to write again. Before I write anything new, I feel like I need to play catch up so here are some significant moments that the G1ue family experience whilst I was MIA in the blogoshpere.

My sister and I made pom pom puppies (an activity designed for 10 year old girls)

What they were supposed to look like

What ours looked like

I know, my sister is way cuter than the puppies - Note to my baby sis - I have officially called you cute! Mine is the sad looking one with the droopy snout and my sister's one has the smushed in face. We meant to make one for each kiddie but they are surprising hard and time consuming to make so we made these two and then hid them away hoping that the children have forgotten about them. (They have! Yay for sneaking parenting)

My parent's celebrated another wedding anniversary.

After so many years they are still so good together!

They could write a book about marriage.

I think it would have the following rules in it:
1. Silence is golden
2. Never smoosh cake into the other person's face during birthdays and anniversaries (no practical jokes)
3. Play lots of Scrabble together

We visited my friend's baby

Raya got to play with a live doll.

 I still go through phases where I WANT another baby - I feel that way RIGHT NOW, but no, I just don't have the energy to go through those baby days again!

My kids hang out with their cousins

They play dress up

They go on an Easter egg hunt

They like each other so much they are starting to resemble each other

They plot going fishing together on a warm spring day

We majorly celebrated mother's day

With cake!

Going to a Bangladeshi fair

Where I met a mini Zara - it's not that common a name so I had to take a picture

And taking a selfie

What everyone else is doing it!!!

My kids have started outdoor soccer.

Neither my husband and I are particularly athletic so this is our attempt to save our kids from being lifelong couch potatoes.

Not sure if it's really working yet - they are the slowest kids on the field and often very very far away from the action on the field, but I understand that this is how it starts for everyone =). One the best parts about soccer is hanging out with my friend who's son plays on the same team as my son.

Her daughter keeps my daughter engaged during his games and practices - bonus!

My daughter is blossoming into something

I haven't figured out what yet, but check out the glint in her eye.

Would you call that mischief? No right? She couldn't be mischievous, since she is the offspring of sedate and well behaved people!

We went to the beach for the first time this year

We only looked at the water since it was still frigid. (Thanks a lot polar vortex)

We did have a lovely picnic of chips, samosas and water

The kids loved running up and down the dunes.

I took a picture which I think is the perfect family portrait. Since there was no one to take a picture of the four of us and I hadn't brought my tripod to the beach, I am represented by the tree in this picture.

This picture makes my heart swell with love - see how much my family loves the tree! It's been a long time! Thanks for catching up with me!!!

The joys of an impending spring

These days there are many things to celebrate at the glue household. The warmer weather, going for family walks, meeting little friends on said walks, and of course the return of a beloved father. I don't think my children and I could be any happier.

Complete again

Guess who's back?

It was a long six weeks without him!

Our first mommy son date

My son was home today with a fever. He was craving sushi so I took him out for lunch. He was so much fun to go out with. Witty, funny, and nimble with chopsticks! It was a great lunch. If only the poor boy wasn't feeling so sick!

Party Animals!

Have you ever been to a seven year old boy's birthday party? I've been to a few this year with my son and they are hectic at best, chaotic at worst. Today's party however with so much fun!!!! My kids got to experience so many things they never tried before. They got to play hockey, dodge ball, jump on a huge cushion and their favorite - wade around in a ball pit!!!

 I wanted to play too!

A blur

It's been a few weeks that my husband has been away and this is the first chance I've had to sit down and blog. Here are some things I wanted to blog about but didn't get the chance.

 I am in awe of single mothers!
How do you do everything you do all the time? After only a few weeks of taking care of my kids, everything inside the house and everything outside the house, I am exhausted!!!! I am treading water, but just barely! I've not been able to go to sleep before midnight because I am up trying to get everything done.

Multitude of playdates
My kids miss my husband like crazy and so to keep them distracted we've been to so many birthday parties and had a ton of play dates. Usually I love blogging about play dates but these days I barely have time to whip out my phone to take a picture, because I'm so busy constantly updating my to do list on my phone instead =)

The sisterhood of no ugly criers 
Shout out to the kindest mommy friends in the world. (Not an exaggeration.) Thank you for having my kids and I over and feeding us. Also thank you for being there for me. I am grateful for the support and the advice.

My first London friend
We met so many years ago in mommy class and you've always been there for me since. Thanks for checking up on me in the middle of the week and talking to me instead of watching the next episode of Downton Abbey. I truly understand what a sacrifice that is (not being sarcastic, am thoroughly addicted to Downton Abbey myself.)

My sister
I am lucky to have someone in my life that I can say anything to without any fear of judgement. This luxury has been invaluable as I adjust to life without my man. Thanks for listening and helping me get through the hard parts.

My Kids
For showing me so much compassion and actually listening to me so that we get through the hard parts of our life quickly and on to the fun parts. For being patient with me as I learn to do all the things my husband used to do for them but that I have to now take on (Example -cutting nails -  my husband used to do this for them since they were babies, I was always too scared that I would cut their fingers) For saying the sweetest things to me at the end of a very hard day (you are the best mom ever, you are the kindest person I know, I love you the most in the world)

My husband
I miss him and want him back!!! It's going to be a long year without my love!

Since it must be so

I have some news - my husband has gotten a job for a year in another city. This means my little family will be bereft of a great daddy and supportive husband for a whole year. We told the children, following a friend's advice we made it sound like an exciting mission so they have taken the news well. As for me, I am so happy for him, this move is great for his career, but on the other hand, I hate long distance relationships. You can't hug someone through skype. Nonetheless they say distance makes the heart grow fonder, and who doesn't want their husbands to be more fond of them? This is my silver lining and I am going to hold on to it to get through this year, but for just a few moments, indulge me as I ruminate on all the things that I will miss.

Ten things I love about my husband:
1. He knows how to operate the dishwasher
2. He gets into it when we play board games with the kids
3. He gives the best hugs, not joking, if you've ever received a hug from him you'll know what I mean. They are warm and all encompassing, they drive all your worries away and bring a smile to your face
4. He drives me everywhere everyday.
5. He always shovels the driveway
6. He always takes out the trash
7. He cooks a killer breakfast
8. He folds kiddie clothes neater than I can (he actually critics the way I fold them)
9. He sings like an angel (to the frozen soundtrack which he listens to even when the kids are not in the car)
10. Everything about him (except for the snoring)

Adieu my love, until next time =)