23 April, 2013

Littlest

 The littlest Sister is so loved.
Her big sisters look after her and want to help in any way they can.

 She loves her big sisters, too.

22 April, 2013

Pinterest Project

 I had a remnant of wax left from a candle.
It was a Bath & Body Works candle, and so the glass holder was nice, and durable.
(And if I spent a bit more money than I usually do on the candle, why not keep a pretty jar that would be perfect for cute odds and ends somewhere?)

Here is the candle:
(Paired with my does-not-photograph-well hand for size comparison.)

I came across an idea on Pinterest for removing wax.
Kim, writing at Yellow Brick Home, shared her method for removing wax from her candles.

Here is my try, using her method:

Pour boiling water into the candle.
The wax will melt and begin floating to the top.
Let the water cool. The wax on top will harden and can be taken out of the jar. (Don't pour the water down the drain until it's completely cool, so the drain doesn't clog with wax!)
 The remaining wax is soft, and easily removed. (I just dug it out with a paper towel.)

 Soap and hot water remove the final residue.
I don't have an after photo...sorry!
But this little jar is squeaky clean and ready to use.

So, success from Pinterest! Yay!

11 April, 2013

Life Moves On

 Olivia Michelle is just over a month old.
She is a very sweet baby.

She eats every 3 hours (very punctually!)
Olivia now shares a room with her big sisters, and has adjusted quite well! Ava and Lucy are getting used to having Olivia with them, as well.
Olivia sleeps from 11-6 or 7am, in general. She has had 2 nights, now, where she has slept straight through. I've been very grateful for those 2 nights!

Ava is an amazing helper with Olivia. It is wonderful how Olivia responds to her sisters talking to her, and how she lets Ava give her a pacifier if I need a couple minutes before I can hold her.

Official one month photos



Lucy has found all of her words!
She can now effectively communicate with "A-ba", and 90% of the time they play together beautifully.
The other 10% involves being put in separate rooms, Ava shouting "NO", and Lucy reciprocating with "Go 'way, A-ba!" It's nearly comical at times!

The swings are back up, and every warm-enough day we are outside!
The girls could swing for hours. Although Ava has informed me that she would love to swim in her new swimsuit because it's warm enough. A few rainy days convinced her that no, it's not quite warm enough.


Five weeks old-with her special blanket from Aunt Stephanie

We are again coordinating the Children's Program for the annual statewide homeschooling conference.
This is our third year, and every year it gets better!
(And yes, it gets a bit mad and completely topsy-turvy doing this with 3 littles.)
We are also involved with the Vessels of Honor conference.

Scott and I each have a little sister graduating this year-his from college and mine from high school.
Nothing makes me feel older like realizing my quite-a-bit-younger sister is almost 18. 

Well, that is a bit of our life here. Fun, occasionally stressful, never ever dull!