Pictures

Memorial Day weekend marks the official beginning of summer...which means, LOTS of time outside!  Thus, leading to LOTS of pictures!  (Maybe I shouldn't mention the 4 pairs of shorts each little boy went through today!)  It was a fun-filled weekend!  Enjoy!

Attempt at a Birthday pic with the boys!

Happy Birthday to Mommy!

ChooChoo!

Its cold!

Thanks for filling my gun.  Let me see if it works!

Practicing fishing!  Ready for the lake

Lunch outside!

Get hi while he's down!

Mommy better change me into my swim gear before I dump this cup all over me!

Crazy, Stupid, Love

My oh my, its been awhile since I've shared in writing our lives!  I've been thinking about it, I just haven't hunkered down to do so.  (And, needless to say, pictures will have to wait - that's what's time consuming!)  

Spring in the Bruns' Household has been a tad on the CRAZY side!  Crazy busy, Crazy kids, and just a little full blown CRAZY!  I quit my job, started a new job, left the new job, enjoyed the unemployed life, and went back to my old job.  All prior to Mark interviewing for three jobs, which would take us closer to family.  I was an anxiety-filled nutcase (thank goodness for Fitworks) and we took each day as it came.  Needless to say, we're staying put in Cincinnati - leading to some obvious disappointment and a few sighs of relief.  Now, there's more crazy coming as we're planning our summer!  (I say this every year (and to think, it almost got 100% worse) football really cramps our life!)  

The stupid: "Don't say stupid"!  Did I mention the whole job thing?  Totally stupid.  And, since we don't say "stupid" - lets just call it SILLY.  These little boys are SILLY!  (And crazy!)  The little boys are a riot!  Roman is really turning into his own person!  He doesn't really have any words yet, but, he's a really good pointer and grunter!  His words do sound like "this" and "bowl".  (Although bowl can be a reference to any eating utensil.)  He can certainly communicate when he's not getting what he wants!  And, you definitely know when you've figured out what he wants!  He has an excited giggle when you get him a bottle or cup and he stomps his feet, grins from ear to ear, and flaps his arms when he's getting a snack.  He LOVES to go outside.  As soon as his shoes are on, he's at the door.  And if anyone opens the door, he'll plow through the world to get out first.  And as soon as the garage door is up - he's out!  He loves the sandbox, prefers Jack's tricycle, likes helping Daddy blow the driveway, and wants to do everything his big brother does outside (like jump from the retaining wall).  He has also learned to quickly climb the stairs, and after a few days with Nana, has learned to safely decent.  Not to say my stomach doesn't jump to my throat when he starts, but, atleast I've witnessed a gate malfunction, to find him a few steps down, smiling up at me.  (CRAZY...and stupid!)  He is really good at making noise and bath time is not quiet time in this house.  He hates being confined - stroller walks have been unsuccessful and long grocery/Target shopping is out of the question!  But, when in doubt...pop in his paci and hand him his monkey!  

As for Mr. Jack - he's nearly 4.  We've had a trying few months with him...listening, focusing, sharing, and whining have all been a focus.  Yet, he has his moments when you catch him giving his little brother a "strawberry" (ie a raspberry/zerbert), handing his brother a toy, helping clean up all his toys without arguing, eating all his food, saying please and thank you (without prompt), and just being a super wonderful sweet little boy.  He definitely keeps himself balanced - with every trying day, we get a wonderful day.  His imaginative play is continuing to grow - and the games he makes up makes me giggle.  I have a hunch they're inspired by a Disney show, but that's ok.  He's started singing all the time, riding his "motorcycle" (ie tricycle),  blowing bubbles, tossing the "beach ball", and learning to whistle (I didn't teach him)!  He likes to watch "his shows" in our bed at nighttime, help make muffins or brownies on the weekend, and just last week he wanted his own cart at the grocery store!

Did I mention how much I love these crazy silly boys?  Among the toy stealing they do, they are finally starting to play together.  Roman loves being anywhere near Jack and of course whatever Jack is doing, Roman wants to be doing the same thing!  Both boys still love stealing hugs, kisses, and tickles from us!  

Home

What is it about going home that makes my heart smile?  I can't decide if its the fact that I get a chance to pawn the boys off on Grammie and Pop, or the fact that the bar is free, or that instead of constantly taking care of people, I get taken care of as well.  I really think its that last part that I love so much!

I love turning left onto 161, knowing that in a few minutes I'll be home!  Driving over the railroad tracks and knowing that thankfully, I have 1 more minute to hold my bladder!  Turning right onto Maplebrook Ln and knowing that the 4th house on the left, is the one that will have the front door open, a bottle of Chard chilling, the bathroom waiting, and four arms open!

There is something about the smell of the Kensinger home that I love!  (Perhaps its the fresh stain from getting new windows!  Or the fact that I don't get a whiff of a diaper pail that doesn't quite hold in the stench!)  The sight of the off-white paint, the bench which once held our school bags now gets dumped with diaper bags and purses, the kitchen table which we gathered for nightly dinners thus leading to talks, fights, and prayers, the painting of Kuenzli Quarry, and the built-ins that proudly display pictures of my children and niece and nephew!  (Yes, notice how I didn't say pictures of me or Elizabeth ;-)!)

And, I swear, the house sits on the lot, just so, that there is always a lovely breeze coming in from the kitchen window!  The coffee smells better in the mornings!  The wine goes down more smoothly during cocktail hour!  And the food, ALWAYS tastes better!

It must be the love that seeps from the walls!

I hope that my boys feel the same excitement turning onto Maplebrook Ln, and Pauline Dr for that matter as I did turning onto Dolly Ave!  I hope they enjoy the smells coming from the oven as I did flowing from the blue kitchen!  I've heard them squeal with delight as they see the smiling faces that anxiously await for their arrival, much like the "sleeping" white haired and bald grandparents awaiting zerberts on the green davenport when I was little!  (If only we still had that sky blue Chevy pickup truck ;-)!!!)

I hope that the boys find the same comfort in coming home with their family as I do and I hope they feel the same love pouring from our walls, now and always!

Winter Wonderland

Its March!  Winter should be over right?  Well friends, this is Ohio!  And, of course...its snowing!  (Let me just add that we recently got home from Wadsworth, where there were inches on the ground - to, wetness and no accumulation.  Typical!)

January was a month spent coming down from the December high!  It felt like it took weeks to get our lives and house organized and un-decorated!  And the 28 days of February were a whirlwind of same 'ole , same 'ole!

One of his favorite games!

Acting like Dad!

Its been a typical winter in Cincinnati...snow and warmth and everything in between!  Thus leading to some running noses and of course, with a new walker, scraped noses!  I feel like the boys have had some milestone accomplishments the past two months as well - but when I look at my list (yes, I have a list so I don't forget), its not as exciting as I thought!

But, we'll start with Jack!  We preschool shopped for Jack!  Yes, one must shop for a preschool.  (Not to mention fill out an application and pay an enrollment fee!  I'm surprised there's no essay required!)  Its taken me a year to adjust to the idea of sending Jack to school...it seems like something big kids do!  And, developmentally, I didn't this he was ready!  Well, the kid has learned a lot...numbers, songs, letters.  And, on our tour, is the size of the kindergartner's   So yes, I think its time for preschool!  His numbers need a little practice and his letters need even more!  With this decision of preschool in the near future, and trouble getting the night owl to bed earlier than 10:00, we occasionally drop a nap.  Some days are better than others, and some days he makes it through almost an entire movie before dosing off!  He's also learned to dress himself!  It is a great time saver in the mornings!  Of course, we occasionally realize he put his underwear on backwards or his head gets stuck in a shirt, but, this piece of independence is appreciated!

Puzzle King!

Weeeeeee!!!  We're heading for a treeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

All by myself!

See how fast I am =)! 

Trying to clean up the dirt!

As for Roman...his personality is developing by leaps and bounds and he is definitely a stinker!  He got his first pair of shoes, in part to losing one at the grocery and also his increasing steps!  He started clapping and playing peek-a-boo by covering his eyes with his hands.  He's cut more teeth, is repeating actions, and is trying to use silverware.  He is constantly following us around the house, thus leading him to take a tumble down the basement stairs when I was doing laundry (even though Jack and Daddy were playing in the family room).

Not so sure about the snow!  (And, unable to move!)

Time to start chores!

Why not sit in the Lego tub?
 (This also doesn't help the bumps on my head  because I fall out of this too!)

Up and Down!

Epic...

Disaster or success...still TBD.  Me and creativity, don't get along very well.  Not to mention craftiness.  But, one of the girls from work showed me a picture of a wreath she made, inspired from a wreath she saw on Etsy.  I too was inspired!  Sometimes, I really want to be a crafty, creative person.  I like to use the excuse that I have to kids and work full time.  Well, I popped on Etsy for a little Valentine's Day wreath inspiration.  "Sure, I can do this!"  I thought!  (And shouldn't it be cheaper if I make it myself instead of find a wreath at Target?)

Well, on Friday, I made the trip to Michael's in search of my supplies.  Inspired, I walked up and down the isles.  "What in the world am I doing in this store?" Was the question I silently asked myself.  Where is there someone to ask me if I'm finding what I'm looking for.  Although, I don't know what I'm looking for.  What am I supposed to say?  I want to make a Valentine's Day wreath but I have no clue what I'm doing.  Super!

Finally I found the supplies I'd use to make my wreath.  And upon check out, I realized, I probably could've found something at Target for a similar cost.  "This is going to be an experience," I thought to myself as I climbed in my car.

Well, there it is!  I need to take a wreath making class, that is for sure!  Especially, a ribbon tying class!  The "knot" was the best I could come up with.  I would've panned to a larger view of the door, but I really need to repaint it since birds like to make their home in my fall wreath!  The success/failure is will be determined to see if this holds up for the next month.  I must say, I'm pleased with my creation!  I can't wait to make my summer door decor!  Or, maybe I'll just hire the girl from work ;-)!

But, for now, it was epic!  Epic, in the look I received from Mark when I asked for wire cutters!  Not to mention the comment he made about making sure everything was put back exactly where I found it at his tool bench!  (Funny...I feel the same way about the rest of the house!)  Epic in the amount of time it took me to figure out how I was going to attach the flower.  Even more epic in the amount of time it took me to finagle   the burlap ribbon!  And definitely, an epic experience!  

Say What?

Jackarino has been the cause of much laughter this year!  He is definitely a character and says some of the funniest things!

Where's it come from?  Has become a new and frequent question!  His own version of "why" and frankly, I'm glad, "why" isn't yet a part of his vocabulary!  Where's it come from comes in many forms...a few of my favorites from the past few days:  "Where does pee come from?"; post sneeze and bless you, "Where's bless you's come from?"; "Where do eggs come from?".  You can only imagine a few of the responses I've had!  

His response when asked questions:  "Would you like milk?".  "Of course"!

Tonight at dinner he declared, "I don't love this".  "I'm sorry bud, this is whats for dinner.  If you eat some more then you may have something you do love."  "Umm...I think I love donuts."  "No kidding!"

Last night, after being sent back to bed a few times, came into our room as I was folding laundry.  He climbed into bed, pulled his blanket over him, and starting having a conversation.  Eventually we got to counting and singing the alphabet.  Thus leading him to sing a song about cars.  "Cars. Cars. Cars."  Mark asked if that was his song, and he said, "Yep, that's it"!

He says in the mornings, when I turn on the light, that the sun is too bright!

He says, "Don't hurt my sister", when Mark is tickling me.  And tonight, he said I was a Princess!  And he's a Racecar!

Oh Jackarino...where do you get these things from?!?!

New

The "halls" are now completely un-decked (thanks to a 60 degree January weekend), the toys have found their homes, and we're back to our normal routine!  Happy New Year!

December was once again, a whirlwind of a month!  Christmas parties, social events, every day life, and Christmas and New Years filled our calendar!

The boys were completely and utterly spoiled at Christmas!  The living room as a complete disaster - filled with wrapping paper and new toys and clothes!  We even took a few breaks to clean up, play with toys, and eat breakfast!  (Also in part so I could fight with the Drs office, trying to get Romy in for an emergency checkup for the worst sounding croup.  It failed.)  The major hit of a gift for Jack was a dragon.  Which him promptly named "Tookress" (i.e. "Toothless" from How to Train Your Dragon).  As for Romy's favorite gift...its hard to say, considering he plays with all of Jack's toys and his attention span is so short!

"Tookress"

Yummy wrapping paper!

A telescope!  Just like "Jake!'

Sure, I'll smile for you!

Christmas weekend took us to Nana and Papa's for lots of fun playing with different toys, cousins, and of course, more new things!

Merry Christmas!  (This cookie is so yummy!)

Madison & Romy playing

Dinner and a movie!

Sweet Charley!

New Years weekend took us to Chicago for a visit with college friends!  A long drive (in which Jack didn't sleep at all), a lot of patience (with fussy kids on the back seat, slow traffic, 4 kids), and lots of sharing, brought us a great weekend with great friends!

Sammie and Romy playing Princesses!

Post bath, pre bed, Mickey Mouse Club House!

And, with the beginning of a new year brings some new tricks for the little one!
Like walking!  He's started to stand on his own and take a few steps!  He still likes to throw himself forward in a "trust fall" if he's close enough, but he's getting stronger and sturdier!  And, new obsessions, like the pantry and the stairs.  We've discovered new ways of keeping him away from the stairs since our way of gating Jack off wasn't nearly good enough for the Romy-Monster!  (He's too smart for his own good!)  He has also started to despise diaper changes!  He'll continue to do a death roll until the diaper is off.  Even trying to distract him with a toy, only works sometimes!  And, we think he's starting to put on some weight!  Thanks PediaSure!

I want to get to those stairs!

Whoopsy!  The Cheerio container spilled!  Let me help clean up!

As for Jack, he's a 3 1/2 year old boy!  He loves rough housing with his Daddy, sometimes has a hard time sharing with his little brother, and is occasionally an awesome helper!  He has started going to the gym with me to play on Saturday mornings and helps put groceries in the cart after his donut has been demolished!  He drinks out of big boy cups (without lids) at the table.  

"Decorating" the Gingerbread House

Cookie decorating!

And of course, with a new year, brings new goals for myself!  This year, I'm not calling them resolutions, because lets face it, resolutions only resolve in quitting!  So, to hold myself accountable, perhaps I'll put them in writing!  In no particular order: 1.  Workout more; 2.  Spend more time enjoying my boys (prioritize the crumbs, stickiness, dust, and dishes vs racing, wrestling, and snuggling)!

My Boys!