Tired?

Not sure how bathtime goes at you house, but at our house it is generally a crazy time. I have been putting the boys in the bath before dinner because Cillian gets rather hungry anywhere between 4-4:15pm and bathtime helps get his mind off his tummy. We generally eat around 5:15 or 5:30 at the latest. So, bathtime has become a playtime for us and they hang out in the tub and flood the bathroom!

Once out of the tub, two adorable naked boys run all over the house (knowing they are cute) giggling and bursting with new found energy. Well, not this night--guess they were tired.

How could they be tired? I am sure sledding in the snow, building snowmen and throwing snowballs all morning not to mention just the pure excitement of snow--couldn't possibly be tiring at all!!

Cash and Cillian can be running up and down the hall or lying on our bed.....absolutely adorable and so kissable!

I know I won't catch them in this type of "action" very often.

Gosh, I just love these clean cuties!!

"Knooo"

"Knooo, knooo!" Cillian exclaims as he looked out the window this morning. He actually kinda says the "s" either way it is super cute.

Cash excitedly announced the snow at 4:30am to me as I squinted out the window. I informed him that it was still night time and very cold outside. I finally calmed him down and convinced him that after breakfast would be a great time to play in the snow.

I have to say he dressed himself rather quickly--putting on layer after layer (his normal thing, anyway). Cash also helped me get Cillian prepared and I was surprised that we were all ready pretty quickly and easily.

As we slipped out onto the 6 inches of snow, we realized that we were walking on ice. Actually, made it quiet nice because our feet weren't covered with snow. I think there were a couple of inches of ice on top of the snow.

Yeah, great for sledding!! I pulled them up the driveway, out into the desserted road, down the driveway and all over the yard--hardly even making tracks!

We have a little hill that starts at the pool fence and goes down to the back yard--perfect. Cash would hop in the sled at the top of the hill, I would give him a little push and that is all he needed to slip down the hill--barely missing trees along the way!

Soon, the neighbors came out and Max brought out a long surf board like thing that was made for the snow. I took my turn on it pushing off on my belly and man! I went---took a left turn at the big tree and slammed into the fence. For some reason, Max didn't seem to go as fast as I did!

Cash decided another time would be better for him to go down.

Cillian occupied himself eating ice. He would pick up huge chunks and stuff it in his mouth. At one point, he even tried to put some in our bag and I guess save it for later!!

We had a great time-we didn't get too cold and it was just perfect. Lots of laughs and lots of smiles!!

Can you believe I set the timer on my camera and got an ok pic of the three of us?

My Little Model

Cash hates being my photography model. I seem to always get interesting pictures because I never know what kind of face he is gonna give me.

We played around at a train depot one day and I played with my camera. As I look back on the pictures, I found this one--too funny!! I added a sephia tone and played around with the look of it a little. It was a very cloudy day and I had my ISO bumped up so it is very grainy--but fitting!!

I am not quite sure what the whole "stickin' out his tongue" thing was. I just think it is cute!!!

Angels!!

We talk a lot about Angels around here!!

Angels are always watching, angels all around......angels watching over me!! I love that Cash thinks instantly about making snow angels.

I am always reassured--no matter where I am--no matter what I do-- I have an angel.


Amy Grant's Angels Watching Over Me!!

Shaving Already!

Well, I told you my Cash was growing up way too fast! He is already shaving can you believe it-doing a great job at it, too I might add!

Santa gave Cash another great bath gift. Cash was super excited when he opened his shaving kit from Santa. He jumped into the bathtub the day after Christmas and wasted no time grooming himself. The kit was complete with razor, shaving foam, mirror, comb, and brush thingy!

Cash seemed like he had been shaving his whole 4 years. He was all smiles and absolutely the cutest young preschooler I have ever seen with a pretend razor in his hand. The great thing is the shaving foam is really soap. What a fun way to get clean!

I thought it was pretty funny when he hiked his skinny little hairless leg on the side of the tub to give "shaving his leg" a try!! He was excited to be like Daddy, but hooray for me--he sure didn't forgot about Mama!!

Brothers in the Bath

Cillian enjoys taking a bath. All we have to say is "Cillian, want to take a bath?" and he beelines to the bathroom saying "Baf,Baf" over and over! I love watching him and Cash splash and play together.

Water on Cillian's face results in giggles and squeals--water on Cash's face exudes whining! Cash thinks it is hiliarous to pour water on Cillian's head. I think it is great that Cillian doesn't want him to stop!

These sweet brothers couldn't wait to jump in the tub and play with the Bath Blizzard that Santa left for them. I have to say that it is a fantastic gift--Santa sure is smart. I almost got it out the other night for my bubble bath. The Blizzard makes endless bubbles and endless laughter!!

Cillian didn't know what to think about the continuous bubbles....it was his 1st Bubble Bath!!!

Happy 4th Birthday, Cash!

December 29, 2005

Today, my wonderful blessing is 4! I cannot believe that Cash has been in this world such a short 4 years and yet at the same time a really fast 4 years.

Just the other day I told him, "I don't want you to get any bigger." He lovingly responded, "Just don't think about it, Mama. Think about something else......like Christmas!" Although he is getting bigger every minute right before my eyes I continue to have him reassure me that he will always be my baby!

Cash really is an amazing young lad. Seems everywhere we go someone always asks, "How old is he?" Generally, they ask after they have heard him speak. I have to say he talks like he is 10--kinda makes me sad but at the same time proud. He has nice manners and exceptional language skills where his pronunciation is dead on. I can't believe how quickly he outgrew "baby talk" seems he just skipped that phase altogether.

Today, I have been looking back on his first year pictures, second year pictures and of course pictures from this past year. He and I actually browsed them together and it was fun to show him the first time he rode in Daddy's truck from the hospital.

The picture below is one of my favorites. The boppy was a lifesaver and it seems like just yesterday I was distraught over weaning him. I could rock him forever and would happily rock him in the middle of the night and never rush it. I can honestly say I cherished those late nights/early mornings--I knew that it wouldn't be long and he would be 4!

Brand New things are happening by the minute!

Cash loves dressing himself (4-5 layers at least), loves playing dress-up, adores his cowboy boots, always wants to be the first to open his brother's door in the morning or after nap, Cash is the best big brother, enjoys tumbling and running, likes to go to dinner, doesn't like to eat, loves to use scissors and getting very brave about everything he does!

4--I can't think about it too much! It really is crazy. Thoughts have been running through my head of the "mother/son" dance at his wedding--STOP! I just want to make sure I remember everything about the last 4 years so I can tell it all to him and the next 25 to him during that 10min. dance (gonna make sure it is a long song!).

So, as you can read.....I am a very proud mother. We still do our "catch a kiss" game everynight and I tell him that "I love you more than you could ever imagine" well, I added a new line to that one:

"I love you more than I could ever imagine!" Mama

Lots of Christmas Love!

There was a great deal of Christmas love around our house this year. Love for each other, love for Baby Jesus, and love for all the fun gifts from Santa!

Our tradition of sharing Christmas Eve dinner with LoLo and Papa proved to be full of laughter and good food. My sister and I always got to open 1 present on Christmas Eve and Cash and Cillian were so excited to kick off the gift opening!

Cash loved running around giving Christmas tickets to everyone with his police officer helmet making him official. We all enjoyed watching Cillian open his fire truck. He couldn't even wait to get it out of the package before he began pushing it around. The best part his hearing him say "fire tuk" over and over and over.

Cash and Papa checked the computer and kept us updated on Santa's whereabouts! Santa was getting pretty close so we had to hurry, put on pj's and drive home.

There was so much to do once we got home. Cash had to prepare for Santa's arrival. He sat out snacks for everyone--reindeer food and cookies for Santa. Of course, Cash had to test Santa's cookies and milk. He decided that they were tasty and Santa would be happy.

The boys were so excited for Santa to come. Even though Cillian didn't quite "get it" he could feel the excitement and loved opening present and watching Cash. Cash had a million questions about Santa coming down the chimney and was relieved that he had inspected the fireplace on Monday!

Cash woke up Christmas morning at 4:30am. He was so excited he couldn't contain himself. He and I spent the next couple of hours in his bed talking and we finally feel asleep and the woke for the second time around 7:45am.

When Cash peeked into the family room, Greg and I heard him "gasp". Cash didn't know what to look at first. He and Cillian both got lots of fun things that they can play with together. Cash loved looking at his toys and then was excited to see that Cillian got lots of fire truck gifts!

Once Cillian joined us the attention was on Baby Jesus. I had Greg make a manger and I placed Baby Jesus in it so that we could rejoice over the true meaning of the day. Cillian loved Baby Jesus and couldn't stop looking in the manger and since Greg made the manger rather large.....Cillian got to hang out with Baby Jesus right in the manger!!

It was a wonderful Christmas morning with lots of love and Cash reminded us several times that day and the days that followed.....

"Christmas isn't about all the presents, it isn't about the toys, it isn't about the candy, it is about Baby Jesus. Jesus is God's only Son!" Cash O'Brien 2009

Merry Christmas!

Parade of Hats!

Well, if you haven't noticed parades are a big deal around here. Especially parades that involve stuffing your pockets (and little mouths) full of candy.

There is nothing better than the excitement of 4 cutie pies at a good 'ol hometown Christmas parade. Oh, except for their hats.

This past weekend we went to the Franklin Christmas parade with our good friends The Brewers. The boys were full of energy and ready for the candy throwing, anxious about Santa and dressed ever so fashionably!

Wear your best hat was the unplanned theme of the day or in Cash's case bring many of your "best" hats just in case.

Here are some photos of the boys all decked out and ready for the marching bands!

Cash in Hat #1

Zachary looking dapper in a variety of color!

Adam keeping his ears warm!

Cillian snackin' in his Santa hat!

The parade seemed a lot longer this year-check out last year's parade photos. It might have been longer because last year was Cash's 1st and he was super excited. This year he was just as excited but since he had experienced it already he knew what to expect.

All the Boy Scouts would come by and personally hand the boys candy. We all had our pockets full of candy. I made the mistake of giving Cillian a tootsie roll--his teeth were covered for the afternoon. Cillian loved waving to everyone and clapping for the marching bands.

Cash and his best buddy shouted Christmas cheer to everyone as they passed. When they saw Santa they excitedly waved and yelled, "Merry Christmas!"

My cuties in their hats!

Notice Cillian's teeth!!

Cillian is 18 months!

I can hardly believe that Cillian is 18months. Amazing!! The only word that I can think of to describe my sweet, cuddly, giggly, adorable, super cute baby. Well, I guess I thought of other words but still.......amazing!

My heart is so full of tremendous love for my cutie pie, Cillian. He has the best attitude and he is always smiling, laughing and running around. I love his little walk and when he runs----just melts my heart. I fall in love with him a million times a day and his personality is electrifying.

Cillian is talking up a beautiful rain shower! There isn't a word he won't say. He can spot a firetruck and let us know a mile away although sometimes it is just a red truck! Snowman is becoming a popular word right now as well as "wow"!! Oh, if you ask him something and he doesn't want to do it, he shakes his head and says, "nah, nah" --very cute.

I want to be like Cillian!! I wish everyone could meet him. My words don't do him justice. All I can say is: AMAZING!!

"For I am fearfully and wonderfully made...." Psalm 139:14

Thanksgiving 2009

Our family spent the Thanksgiving holiday in New York and New Jersey with family and friends. First on the agenda, exploring the city's hustle and bustle! Our tour guide (Uncle Donald) weaved us in and out of some of the city's "must sees" on Tuesday.

The New York Public Library was exquisite in architecture and history. I almost had to ice skate with Cash at Bryant Park--luckily I put that off until next year! The windows of all the department stores definitely got us all in the Christmas spirit.

Our group on Tuesday:

Me, Greg, Cash, Cillian, Gram, Emily and Grandpa

Second on our agenda, the five of us (Cash, Cillian, Me and Greg, and our guide Uncle Donald) spent Wednesday strolling through the Museum of Natural History and taking a peek at the parade balloons before they were filled. I think Cash's favorite part of the day was undoubtedly Dylan's Candy Bar. When choosing between dinosaurs and candy.......well, let's just say that Cash loves candy and dinosaurs will be awesome when he is 7 or 8!

Greg and I checking out the parade balloons!

Dylan's Candy Bar

We were all up with the pigeons on Thanksgiving morning. I asked Cash at 6:30am if he really wanted to go to the Pollard's (my good friend Anissa, her sweet husband and cute girls) hotel room and watch the parade. Of course he jump up and got dressed like lightening!

While our hotel was on the parade route the Pollard's hotel view was priceless. The kiddos ran from window to window getting the best views of the parade all the while staying warm and avoiding the parade chaos!! The parents got to visit and enjoy watching our babies jump on beds and yell at the top of their lungs to Santa as he passed---"We love you, Santa!"

Cash and Cillian mesmerized by the view!

After the parade, we packed up and left the city for New Jersey. Next on the agenda, turkey at Gram and Grandpa's house. The whole family was there to greet us as this was the first time Cillian has been introduced to the clan. It has been 2 years since the last Thanksgiving trip and Cillian was still cookin'!!

We had a fabulous time visiting with the entire family. Although, I have to say toward the end of the trip it hit---you know the out of our routine, no sleep, no naps, different bed --boy did it hit! I think I am still recovering and so are the boys. Cash is a lot like his mama....."I am glad to be home, Mama!"

Thanks to Gram and Grandpa for a wonderful visit and a memorable Thanksgiving 2009!!

Timeless Traditions

There is nothing better than creating traditions with your family. My mind is always spinning trying to come up with new traditions, making memories and creating special moments for my boys. This Christmas is no exception.

Some of our traditions for the holidays include: baking cookies, opening one present on Christmas eve, driving around looking at Christmas lights, reading the Christmas story and I am sure I am leaving some out. This year I have been on a search for a new tradition---Found It and Done!!

Today, as I left to take pictures for my friend who had her first baby at 11:34am--I left instructions for the boys. Go to Home Depot. Build a manger. I figured I would give them a task since I was gonna be gone most of the day and what better way than to help me along in making my new tradition a reality, early too!

When I returned from a wonderful day with a newborn, my manger had been built!! Curious?

Our new tradition will help us to remember why we celebrate Christmas. Not all the presents under the tree, not the food, not the candy--but the true reason.

Cash loves that it is Jesus' birthday. He asked me the sweetest question the other night when we were talking about Jesus' birthday and Christmas. "Mama, will we get to go to Jesus' birthday party?"

I could hardly hold back the tears as I let him know that we would definitely have a party for baby Jesus.

Back to the manger and our new tradition.... the manger will reside by our Christmas tree and every night we will place a little hay in it in anticipation of the Baby Jesus. On Christmas morning the boys will find the Baby Jesus lying in the manger just as he did so many years ago on that very special 1st Christmas. Could there be a better gift?

Cash was so excited about the manger that he was screaming Jesus' name outside, climbing in the manger---pure child excitement. I think he wanted Jesus to be in there immediately.

I will find the perfect doll to represent our King. I can already tell that Cash will be more excited about seeing the manger on Christmas morning than anything else.


Share your new Christmas tradition for this year and also share your favorite traditions.

I am always searching for new ideas. You can never have enough traditions!!

Halloween 2009

I going to mark October 31, 2009 as one of the best days our family has ever had. We had a tremendous amount of fun, laughed a lot, and the boys were in their costumes all day long. Actually, Cash and Cillian have been in their costumes a lot in the last few weeks.

October has been full of pumpkin patches, festivals, pumpkins at school, Halloween party at a friend's, cookie decorating--seriously the list goes on and on. Oh, and so does my October picture file on my computer. I really filled it up this month. Whew!!

Ok, so on to the fantastic holiday we had at the O'Brien household. Everyone was in a great mood. Cash and Cillian were all giggly and sweet.

Cillian's first trick or treat experience was incredibly memorable. Greg and I walked over to the neighbor's house with Cash, Cillian, LoLo and Papa. Cillian was so cute walking through the grass--seemed like he knew what he was doing. When everyone had their cameras ready Cash and Cillian walked up to the door. It was so funny and super sweet!

The neighbors had a candy bowl that greeted them spookily--my boys didn't miss a beat. They were all smiles while both of them helped themselves to the goodies. There was a party inside but it wasn't long until everyone was outside looking at the cutest little spooks ever.

Cillian, not a veteran candy eater, somehow knew to hand me his little Hersey bar to open. He was eating chocolate within minutes of grabbing it!


So the night began, Cillian set off on his quest for treats. I am not sure how he knew what to do but by the 2nd house we went to......he was picking exactly what he wanted. At one point, he grabbed an orange tootsie pop of course it went right in his mouth paper and all. I finally gave in and unwrapped it. He loved it but slobber was everywhere. Don't ya know everything is better when there is messy slobbler involved and that was ok with me!!

We took Cillian home early. As soon as I walked him in the house he sat right down and dumped his bucket out and proudly handed LoLo and Papa his treats. My words cannot express how adorable my little scarecrow was.....

Cash was in the zone. He was all about trick or treating and was so very polite doing it. "Trick or Treat" was always the first thing he said followed by "Happy Halloween" and "Have a good night." My, my candy sure does bring out good manners!

I could hardly believe that at one point he looked at me and said, "Mama, I am ready to go home." He was excited to spread out a blanket on the floor and dump all the yummies out. His Halloween bucket was so full, in fact we had transferred some of his candy into Cillian's so that it wouldn't be too heavy.

When we got home and shared our experience with LoLo and Papa, Cash graciously handed out treats to all of us. We all commented how when we were little it always seemed like our stash lasted until Easter and was so much more than it really was.

Halloween 2009 excitement just cannot be beat!! The smiles and laughter of "Buzz" and "Little Scarecrow" was priceless. I loved watching them trick or treat together and seeing the joy when they received their treats.


Did I say that October 31, 2009 was the best day? I am having the most wonderful time being their mama--WONDERFUL!!