1.22 Family Jam Sessions

I love my beautiful little family in everything they do.

The way the twins settle in to read side by side.

They way my baby girl plays pretend.

And the way music is so firmly a part of our lives.

Bailey is feeling a little ill today, so I kept him home from school. Which led to us having quite the jam session together!

He really rocks out on the drums!

And Blair gets on so well with Harry, too.

But coming home to this sight? It was wonderful.

What better way to end the night than with a family jam session? If only Harry had been there, the scene would have been complete!

I'd been meaning to practice some more when I woke up the next morning, but then I saw Harry.

And my mind completely switched tracks.

I mean, we had a wonderful hot tub in the backyard...

And the kids were still in bed...

Yeah, we couldn't help it.

And that night, our Blair became a teenager!

She wasted absolutely no time in asking her father to teach her to drive.

I was just fine with that. I love her and all, but I haven't really driven much since leaving home. Why would I, when there were subways, and then a limo service?

Meanwhile, Brett was testing out the new chess table (we'd lost the one from Bridgeport in the move, and the boys both really wanted one).

And I got some surprising news! I mean, I'd been feeling a little off, so I kind of expected it. And I was happy! I'd realized, as Blair was growing older, how our family still didn't feel quite complete.

I celebrated the way I know best.

I came downstairs to share the news and found a pleasant surprise. All my babies, musicians!

Brett and I joined Blair in a little jam session.

This is the best way to spend time as a family.

And the best way to spend time with my husband?

Under the stars, gazing up at the wonder around us.

It's peaceful.

I treated myself to a slice of pie the next morning. I'm pregnant, don't judge me!

And without the constraints of a work schedule to stop me, I got in a good bit of practice.

I love maternity leave.

Especially when it allows me to spend time with my boys. Sure, Brett and I were reading while Bailey finished his homework. We're nerds and musicians, what else did you expect?

*Author's notes*

Pregnant again! When I say she changed her mind the second she saw Harry when she woke up the morning of Blair's birthday, I'm so not even joking. She'd just started to practice whatever instrument she was on at the time, and he walked out of the bathroom and past her and a wish to have a child popped up. So, naturally, they wasted no time. Have I mentioned how much I love hot tubs? You know Harry and Addison love them. :)

1.21 A Wild Date Night Appears!

I feel like I have so much more time lately to focus on my music, with all the kids in school.

Am I a little crazy to be practicing in the park in the middle of a hailstorm?

Quite possibly.

Is that going to stop me?

Not very likely.

After practice, Harry called to say he'd been invited to a coworker's party. We eagerly left the boys in charge and headed out. After all, it had been a very long time since we'd had a date night.

I even provided a little entertainment when we arrived!

I couldn't resist sharing my musical gifts with them.

But then I remembered that I was here to spend time with my husband.

We settled in to watch the stars.

Which became decidedly difficult when it started raining on us!

There hadn't been much to eat at the party, so we said our goodbyes and headed to the diner for a bite to eat.

I'll admit, I serenaded Harry with my guitar. That's right, one handed guitar playing. Because I'm just that awesome.

And I like to remind him of that every once in a while.

Because I love him, and I don't say it nearly often enough.

We overslept the next morning, leaving the kids to their own devices. Blair was trying to hold court while the boys read.

She wasn't very impressed with the fact that they weren't listening to her demands.

But she got her revenge later in a pillow fight.

As for me, I turned my attention back to music while the kids played.

I'm sure they wouldn't want to spend every waking minute with their mother anyway.

As long as Blair is always this excited for her bedtime story, I'll be happy.

Of course, after the kids were in bed, Harry thought he'd surprise me with a water balloon fight.

Please, guess what happened next. I dare you.

Let's just say, it was game on.