4 (or more!) kids is easier than 3!?

A recent study from TODAYmoms.com claims that three is the most stressful number of children to have. As a new-ish mom to three little girls, I believe it! And of course three is harder than two. You're outnumbered! But say what? They are telling me that adding another to my brood would actually make life easier? I don't know that I'm buying what you're selling todaymom.com. 

So what's the story? Do you just get to be an expert on child rearing when you hit four+ kiddos? Or is it that you just give up on ever getting anything done again? The article seems to suggest a little bit of both. "There's just not enough space in your head for perfectionism when you get to four or more kids," claims Dr. Janet Taylor. And then later in the article Taylor says, "The more children you have, the more confident you become in your parenting abilities." 

Another theory is that the older children start helping with the younger children as you add more. I can see that in a situation like The Duggar family, but when the oldest is only six, I'm not sure that the help they give would be enough. 

My vote is that no matter how many kids you have, be it one or nineteen, we moms need to find some time to relax, to regroup, to recharge. One of my favorite activities every week is getting together with a group of moms and our two-year-olds. We started the weekly playgroup for our little ones who weren't quite ready for pre-school, but who needed some social time. It turns out, the moms needed some social time too! Even during the craziest of weeks, when I've barely had time to shower, let alone exercise, I love knowing I have my Thursday morning playgroup to look forward to! 

So what do you do to keep your sanity? Meditation? Time out with friends? A day (or an hour) at the spa? 

And we would love to hear from moms of four or more out there to tell us. Does it really get easier??? 

Summah time

We are having a heat wave here in Boston. With this heat wave, it officially feels like summah time! I have pledged to take my 3 children to the beach A LOT this summer. In fact, I have used the term *every day* to anyone who will listen on multiple occasions. Now that the summer is here, I am starting to get a little worried about how I will actually accomplish said every day beach going. I'm going to have to get organized to be able to get all 3 to the beach solo even once. We were lucky to spend this past 95 degree Saturday as a family on a beautiful North Shore beach. It was great, but how am I going to do that on my own? I was picturing a napping 6 month old and 2 little girls building sand castles next to us. Now I'm thinking a possibly sleeping baby, an almost 3-year old playing in the sand and running down the beach while my 5-year old is going deeper and deeper into the ocean. So I need some help! Do I need the beach caddy or is less better? Do I go for an umbrella or a tent? Come on you beach going veterans out there... what are the beach necessities and what can I do without? 

Three in a room?

As our youngest is getting ready to graduate from her bassinet in our room to her own space, I have been giving a lot of thought to all three girls sharing a room. Maybe not right away, but possibly in a few years. What about a bunk bed and loft layout like the one above? I love the modern white room and great use of space under the lofted bed. Unfortunately, I can't find the source of this photo.

The three little beds in a row are about the sweetest thing I've ever seen. These beds belong the three youngest daughters of Kayce Hughes from Pears and Bears. Her home was featured above in Country Living in April 2010. 

This cozy layout shown in Pottery Barn Kids might work for a lake house, but I'm not sure about the every day. 

And this amazing bunk was built by Casa Kids for four sisters to share a room and featured on apartment therapy. 

I've found a lot of really cute ideas for shared spaces including room designs and layouts, but I'm not sure if the shared room for three would be as good in reality as it is in theory. It may work well when the girls are little, but would three in a room encourage harmonious living as they grow? 

What do you think of more than two beds in a room? Completely crazy or genius? Does anyone have experience with kids sharing a room? Especially more than two children? 

Mermaid party - part 1

Our big girl is turning 5 in a few short weeks and she has requested a "mermaid party" for the big celebration. We designed this mermaid party invitation together over the weekend: 

Now let's just hope that we can use this for inspiration for the actual party over the next two weeks!  

Celebrate earth day with love

Last Monday, I was ready to blog about getting back into running. I had picked up a new pair of running shoes at Marathon Sports in Boston the week before and I was inspired watching the winners of the 2013 Boston Marathon. I told my four-year old daughter about when I ran that very marathon. She asked me when I had run it and we laughed together when I responded "eight years ago." Then we went outside to play on that beautiful day and lost track of time. Oh well, the blog would have to wait until the evening. Then I got a call and everything changed. 

I haven't felt much like celebrating over the past week. The explosions at the Boston Marathon and the events of the week that followed have left me with a heavy heart. I am trying to move beyond this sadness and to choose love, as a wise friend wrote in her beautiful facebook status last week. Love instead of sadness. Love instead of fear. Love instead of hate. 

Today, on Earth Day, I choose love. I choose to take a deep breath of the crisp spring air. I choose to watch the sunrise. I choose to play outside with my beautiful children. I choose to go for a walk and enjoy this New England town where I make my home. And I choose to lace up my new sneakers and remember why I love to run. 

A very british easter

It's taken 5 years of having children in England to finally realize that my kids are having a different upbringing than I had. How did I discover this? I sent Sona a picture from our friends annual Easter party and her response was "I would blog about that, but I have no idea what you are talking about". So there it is. My kids are British. They have brown eggs, so they don't do the dyeing eggs like we did as kids, but there are some super fun things that I have enjoyed every year, probably because it involves my favourite past time - competition.

The week before Easter, at school they have an assembly which, would you believe, they actually are allowed to mention Jesus. They also then have an "Easter Bonnet" competition where the kids do a little parade in the hats they made and the teachers pick a winner. Then, they have an egg roll competition, which is exactly how it sounds.  The kids all line up and try to roll their boiled egg into the center of a target on the ground.

My friends Andy and Claire have an annual party which is hard to tell who enjoys it more, the kids or the grown ups, but I have put some highlights from this years event:

Egg Hunt

Competition Entry Table - Wayne's was the Gruffalo scene top right corner
For some reason, the judges thought a child should win instead!?

Dad's Egg and Spoon Race

Grandma's and Auntie's race

Mum's race - who said I'm competitive?

Happy Kids and a Happy Easter!

Do any of you have any fun traditions like the Brits? A big thank you to Andy and Claire for letting us share this Love and Life moment. :)

Here comes peter cottontail

Happy Easter! Happy April! 

We hope you enjoyed a wonderful day with friends and family and ate lots and lots of chocolate!