25 June, 2014

June Photo Dump

Hey, everyone! I've been really bad at posting! We've had a lot happening, so this is a quick photo dump from the last month or so.
Enjoy!





Lucy's first haircut!







My dad and I on Father's Day


Working on advanced puzzles.

Lucy and Riley's favorite way to share the bike.




Olivia is climbing (and now walking!!). Look out, world! 

Some days are like this. 
The picture was to look back and laugh... And I do. :-)

Have a great summer! 

08 May, 2014

Lucy, Three!

We parents always decorate, at least a little. 



Good morning, Birthday Girl!!!


Lucy is all about hand-on, messy play. 
(Her mommy is trying to let her make more messes...)

She got sidewalk chalk paint, a bubble gun, a sparkly tutu, binoculars, a preschool workbook, and birthday money (used to buy a new doll bed and doll clothes).


As I'm sure you can imagine, these were incredible for my dance-loving, creative 3-year-old. 





My silly, sweet, creative girl loved having a birthday! 
We went to Pizza Ranch for supper a day early, and she was sung to by the girls' softball team who were doing Tip Night that evening. 
Lucy turned bright red and crawled onto my lap! She was happily overwhelmed by the attention!

The evening of her birthday, we had tacos while we watched Frozen.
We ended her birthday with chocolate cake! The candles were blown out faster than I can blink. I think it was a most anticipated moment!!

 Lucy is a friend to all, but naturally shy. It is a huge step out of her comfort zone to talk to strangers. She pushes Ava to be more daring and explorative, and Ava encourages her to obey boundaries, and do "big girl" things such as drinking from a lidless cup or emptying the dishwasher.

She is so sweet with Olivia, but definitely can be bossy big sister. If Olivia does something that Lucy disapproves of, she will grab Olivia's heels and pull her away from a situation. I can always count on Lucy protecting Olivia, but it will always make Olivia angry. :-)

Lucy recently had her first ride on an escalator, and also got her first big bike.

She knows most of the alphabet, can count to 20, name most shapes and colors, and is learning her numbers. This fall she will be ready to jump into full preschool work.

She says "restaining" wall, "sank you", and is only just starting to say a proper "L" sound. (It's still usually replaced with a "w" sound.) 

I love my May Day baby! She lights up our home with her singing and silly antics, and keeps us on her toes with adventurous, and naughty, decisions. 

Happy Birthday, my darling Lu-Lu!



21 March, 2014

Another Day


 "What do you do all day?"
"Oh, mostly sit around and do Facebook and give myself pedicures and read romance novels and stuff."

Right.
(Sarcasm, you know. I'm fluent.)

It's more likely that I feed the children.
Namely, the one-year-old who cries until there is oatmeal in her tummy.

We get dressed every morning, except Sundays.
Sundays are "Jammy breakfast day". 
(Because parents don't want to deal with oatmeal spilled on the nice dress for church...)

And I cuddle baby,
and read books,
and work on sounding out words with the 4-year-old.


I revel in the moments of peaceful play.
(not pictured: arguing)



 Sometimes they watch a show.
Educational, right?
 

We have two snacks a day.
Skip a snack, and it's regretted for hours.


We all love baby Seeley.
However, Lucy particularly adores him.

 "Mommy, I wish he was my baby."

 Lunch, the pivotal meal of the day. 
Exibit A: What happens when I'm out of fresh vegetables


Mine is pitas with turkey, sauteed mushrooms, fresh spinach, and homemade guacamole.



I spend a lot of afternoons with this one. 
He is so sweet!


My day revolves around children. 
Someone always needs attention, diversion, discipline, teaching, help, 
encouragement, instruction, or comfort.
It's a constant emotional pull, and I always find that my reliance on God for strength 
determines the flow of the day.



This particular day happened to be the Daddy's birthday.
We were very excited to celebrate!
 




It was a very thrilling day!

Bedtime takes about 30 minutes.
Brushing teeth, final bathroom stop, pajamas,
singing songs, praying, kisses, cuddles, 
and finally they are ready to settle!




That's basically what I do, with the Littles, anyway.
After they're in bed I do the dishes, clean the kitchen, fold laundry (or put it away),
clean a room, or just sit and relax with tea and a snack.
Sometimes I even relax with Mr. Wonderful and we just talk or do projects together. 

Pretty exciting, right? 

I love it, every day, even when it's stressful.
As one woman wisely said, "You picked this job, so enjoy it!"

13 March, 2014

The Life We Live

We play games.
Ava is very good at winning.
 We do school. Ava is somewhere between preschool and kindergarten.
She can write the alphabet, knows letter sounds, 
does simple math, reads simple words, and can skip count by 2 if she thinks about it.



She helped make sandwiches one day, too!
 
 








 Olivia got a new high chair for her birth