If they are being too quiet....

they are up to something. We ALL know this. It is one of those facts of parenthood that becomes ingrained in your brain the first (or second or third!) time your first born manages to cut his bangs with Fiskar KidSafe scissors. Or coats his legs, stomach and arms with Desitin (note: water-repellent diaper rash cream is VERY difficult to get off, and is NOT a pleasant process for child OR parent.) You would THINK Norman and I would know this by now, being as we have 3 and three-quarters children. Alas, sometimes the desire for blissful sleep apparently overpowers the well-trained mind and causes one to delude oneself into thinking "I'm SURE he's just watching tv and relaxing on the couch."

I returned from my paper route and coffee this morning at 8:25am. When I opened the front door, I found the plastic top to Max's birthday cake container, sitting on the living room floor. Benjamin came running into the living room from the den, said nothing, and high-tailed it into his room. When I went to find him, he was standing on his bed, facing the corner. A SURE sign that he is up to something, as he usually doesn't put himself in time-out! I look into our room where Max and Norman are peacefully sleeping, one facing the correct direction, one with his head at the bottom of the bed - completely normal. I head slowly into the den, as Benjamin runs past me back into the den. I walk in and find.......
Apparently inspired by Max's birthday party yesterday, Benjamin decided to have his OWN party for himself - especially since he REALLY likes Max's toys!! What is NOT in the picture is the cake, the remains of which were eaten by the dog, and the water in the cups and pans which you can't really see.

I, of course, went to gently wake my dear husband to share our middle child's creativity with him. ("Hey, sleepyhead! Come see what a mess your son made while you were sleeping and I was out working!" Said TOTALLY in love, of course!) and got the camera. What can you truly do but laugh?!?! Benjamin is VERY proud of himself and even offered to share his cake-water with Norman and I. We politely declined. Oh, and Norman is washing the after-party dishes.

In other news, Max's second birthday was yesterday. We went to mom and Rich's for a fun party. The boys enjoyed opening presents. Max liked his cake, Benjamin apparently only likes the frosting, and Thomas, well, he had two helpings of cake and ice cream and would have had more, had I let him!! Here are a few pictures of our day!


Looking SO big!The fellas!The Gallaher Family - in party attire!
Benjamin "helping" Max open his gifts!Happy Birthday Max! We love you SO much!!