Festivities for the Girl

"Mommy...am I seven right now?" is what I was asked yesterday morning. My girl wants to know things exactly how they are. She is just a joy in our life and I'm so glad that in the middle of my 3 boys God blessed me with a daughter. She has spunk and wit and a sense of kindness that I've been witnessing her share with others when no one is looking. Love her.

Saturday afternoon we had an Asian themed friend party complete with chopsticks and "sushi". I was extra thankful for the gifts my family had bestowed on us from there travels to Japan and China (my brother and his wife lived there for 5yrs) to help with the details. The girls made their own fans, carried rice (cotton balls) with chopsticks from a post to a rice bowl (for miss kitty), pinned the fan to the doll and were actually fairly successful in eating their snack and dessert with chopsticks.

Any pictures you see and think, "Wow! What a great picture!" was probably taken by dear Tina who stopped by and did some snapping. Thanks Tina!

Sunday afternoon was just us and of course she had to blow out candles on her actual birthday. It's a rule for me. Before that she had her requested lunch of tomato soup from the can. I had leftover butternut squash soup, thank you very much. I'm over MSG in a can.

Then she opened gifts from us and my parents and Grandma Linda.

Thanks Grandma Linda for the tea set!

Giving brother hugs as he gave her all his silly bandz. True love.

Outfits for her and doll.

Opening her most favorite gift from my parents.

Not this doll.

This one, Lanie. (She is also wearing a shirt that I made my attaching socks for sleeves)

"May I take Lanie exploring?" Lanie is a girl that loves exploring the outdoors so that is what they did for the rest of the afternoon.

They stopped to read a book together.

Then they invited me to go for a walk and do some bird watching. I believe Lanie saw the most as she had binoculars and never offered me a peek through them.

Then we said goodbye to Dennis has he left for Maine for a week.

We had some company in the evening that brought ice cream and of course we had to light another candle! Thanks Owen and Mia!

It was a full couple days but I know she felt loved. So after tucking everyone in and cleaning up the kitchen what does one do at 10pm?

They remember their promise to make birthday treats for a first grader. And they are thankful that they had JUST barely enough chocolate to dip the red velvet cake balls and pray that there really are only 25 kids.

7

Now that soccer has finished I feel like we are slowly entering a more balanced pace of life. I know there are people who have all four+ kids in 2 sports each, plus music lessons, and weekly play dates, 3 pets and all the while being team mom for each sport, class helper and in charge of the church bake sale, not to mention their part time job. Kudos to them. I'm come to accept my limits and I'm okay with it. The city of comparison is a dangerous place and I 'm never satisfied when I visit there.



So while the kids are at school, it's me and the two youngest boys. I'm relearning the stages of toddler hood with V. I forgot about the "I'll do it myself" stage or as V puts it, "my turn." I remember now. He is such a fun guy though. Such mix of the other two. He's a goof and a joker, loves to get crazy, but has the ability to sit and focus on something and play by himself. This is what I caught him doing yesterday.




He was so proud and kept saying "I did it!"



This little man is still happy 90% of the time. His two bottom teeth have both broken through and they can get in the way of his race for the title of "Perfect Baby". Yet usually if he's fussing it's about food or it's bedtime.



He loves when the kids read to him.

Applesauce

E had her last soccer game and her coach passed out medals. The rose was from Aunt Denise who coached a different team but had one for her (and for me too!). I think she got more into towards the end. I'm thankful that it's done and we will have our Mon. and Wed. nights more free. With the kids getting home so late from school I always felt rushed. I don't think she's in love with it enough to have to do it again next year...but we shall see!

Autumn yum

Cute right? I saw it somewhere, I don't remember where exactly but I'm not original.


My helpers...they were allowed to lick some frosting when we finished.



Acorns...can you tell which ones E did?

Good night.

This fall Saturday was for...

holding kitties,

playing in the leaves (they ran in begging to take pics of each other),

not to be pictured...indoor scavenger hunt, sewing, and lunch with daddy as he was working just around the corner,

and cleaning out the garage.

They look so pleased because we were finished. I let J back the swagger wagon out of the garage...am I crazy? He did fine and I was in the car too. E was quite upset that she was not allowed to drive. I let her squeeze in my lap to pull it back in.

Also listening to....

Haven't listened to this in a while. It was interesting trying to explain the story to the kids when they asked "what's this?" A few songs were skipped in the children's presence, I'll let you guess which.

Family Rules

Ask me how long I've had this canvas...go on ask.

THREE YEARS. at least 3. I had a dark time of spending money and Michael's was a weak spot. It was on sale...I thought I'd paint...or something.

SIX MONTHS ago I found this fun paper that I thought I could decoupage onto the canvas and hang it as art. (Because let's be honest...I don't paint...at least not in the way that results in something worthy of a frame and a sincere compliment.)

ONE YEAR or so ago I saw somebody somewhere on the blogsosphere do something with a set of family rules to hang in their house.

SOMETIME in there I remembered all three of these moments and LAST WEEK I decided to finally do it.

I'm generally pleased. I keep thinking of things I wish I would of added...something about sharing, or putting others first, or serving your fellow man. However, I figure the first two rules blanket anything I missed.

Opening Day

It's that time of year where women all over the state become hunting widows. Actually, it's not that bad for me. It's definitely Dennis' favorite thing to do, but he doesn't go out everyday...in fact he was only out opening day so far. This year he decided to take each of the older two out to the tree stand with him. J went in the morning and E went in the evening. Surprisingly it was J who was able to be the most still and quiet for the two hours. Not our E who can play quietly on her own, or when we watch a movie actually sit and watch the movie...unlike my bouncing boy. The guys saw quite a few deer and I'm sure that helped. I wasn't there in the morning to get a picture of the boys, but I did get one of E and Den before they headed out


priceless.


I loved how her face and curls were peeking out, but she was not in the mood.


There was lots of enjoying the outdoors that day.

Visiting Thomas and Francis (they split the name between the two)

(j was there when they banded the bull and I said "oh they're castrating it today?" and J responded..."no mom, they're not killing it yet.")

Friday night was a farewell gathering for Michelle (blondie) who is moving to France. Chocolate, coffee, prayer and girly giggles = a good night.

Sunday was our annual outdoor church service and these girl ran around chasing kitties. I was a judge in the chili cook off. Food judge/critic would be my dream job.

Spent Monday with sister in law Gina and these boys spent some time getting used to each other. They actually did pretty well for a couple of 2 year old's in their prime.

V loved Misty.

Love this laugh.

Camping

Last weekend we went camping with the world's happiest baby.



Yes, we ALL slept in tents.



We all went for a hike.




Explored with cousins.



Grew from boy to warrior. (sadly i do not have a picture of when they painted their faces with purple poke berry juice)


Growled for mom's picture.






Did some sound of music re-enacting. (she just learned this in music class at school, w/ motions.)



Then it was time to pack up and head back.



Soccer game Sunday. (She's headed the right way in this picture, woo hoo!)



Monday night Bible study with world's happiest baby. Thank you Aunt Liz for the hat!

Happy Birthday!

Love this guy!!

Nephew @1yr