Bathing Suit Wearing, Naps, The Letter B, and Library Things...

We have been busy, busy around here.  Not a "oh my goodness- we have no time for anything" type of busy, but a taking care of kids, doing school, the big kids made a swim team, Ellie's doing pre-school, serving at the church, exercising, studying our bibles, teaching Sunday School, discipling our children- kind of busy.

Anyhoo, things are running along pretty smoothly.  Babies are finally on sleeping schedules- both are finally sleeping through the night- and I feel like a new woman just having a full, uninterrupted night of sleep-
BAM- New. Woman.

Ellie, as always, is totally a rock star and continues to be sweet, kind, and the Queen of silliness.

I took her on a little date the other day and had to stop by the Post Office.  While there she was eating a box of raisins.  The lady behind us in line asked her if she knew where raisins came from.

She said, "Yeah.  This box."

I'm mean really?.  That. Kid.

The kind lady then proceeded to explain to her that yes, while her raisins did come out of that box, they originally started life as grapes.  That made her laugh.

She basically refuses to wear anything other than a swimsuit these days, and being the "totally on top of things" mother that I am- I totally let her.  Dentist. Library. Home. Grocery Store.  She's shown them all that bathing suit wearing has no season.  We've even had a few friends give us some hand-me-down ones just so she can change it up a bit.

I found her asleep like this the other day.  I wish my other kids were so dedicated to their studies.

Henry- Just because he's so cute...

On our date we headed to the Library for Story Time...

They hear a story and make a craft...

She's so fun.

This past week she was learning the letter B in school.  So we totally traced her Big Brother and then she decorated him...

It was so fun she insisted on decorating herself...

That's what's been going on.  Hope everyone has a great day and week!

Happy Monday!

Not A Morning Person...

So apparently there's a limit to most things.

That includes Little Miss Thing's joyful, upbeat, happy personality.

From the hours of asleep to not fully awake there seems to be a window when frumpy and moody reign.

Somebody's apparently not a morning person.

P.S.  All of these pictures were taken in between her telling me to get off her bed so she could go back to sleep.  Whoa girl.  Keep it together.

Even cranky and bent out of shape she's so cute.  If she doesn't want me hovering over her trying to take her picture, bright and early, while she's still trying to sleep, then she needs to reign in the cute- Seriously kid...Sheesh.

Don't worry, within minutes of these pictures she was wide awake, in the kitchen, climbing on the counters, helping herself to the bananas, back to her usual happy self.  All was right with the world.

Blessings,

Summer Dayz...

In an attempt to get outdoors this summer despite the south's heat and humidity I talked the hubster into getting a pool membership.

It's been totally worth it.

The kids are getting some exercise, playing with other kids, getting some vitamin D, and becoming better swimmers.  We've met new people, had some great conversations, and enjoyed each other as a family.

And I've totally mastered packing a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.  So there's that.

This girl is so funny.  She has met more people at the pool than the rest of the family combined.  She just walks right up in the middle of groups, introduces herself, and makes life long friends.  She's the best.  I've said it before and I'll say it again-  I hope she stays this personable and friendly forever.  She challenges me to be a kinder, friendlier, more joyful person without even knowing she is.  Love. Her.

Dives are being mastered...

Boys...are weird, but I just love him so much in spite of all the weirdness.

Did I mention that half the time we're the only ones there?  So it's like having our own personal pool that I never have to clean or manage... It's the only way to go.

Never leave your camera lying around...

He'll regret this picture when I show it at his wedding someday.  #paybackbymom

Other than swimming not much has been going on.  The kids have been reading and playing piano.  Kane's become a master lawn mower- Yay for that.

Our sweet neighbor surprised Ruthie with a Fairy House hidden in our yard the other day- so fun!

We've been taking care of babies- our own and fostered- diaper changes, bottle feedings, and nursing, baths, and cuddles...it's very glamorous.

Our sweet little, foster baby is beautiful and sweet.  Please continue to pray for her and her family.  We've been so blessed by the outpouring of love that's been shown to our family since bringing her home- meals, gifts, friends coming over to hold and cuddle babies and the big kids while I shower and get some things done.  We even had a group of ladies we did not know bring us a weeks worth of meals and buy us some groceries.  It's been challenging to say the least, but already the blessings have outweighed the struggles. God is beyond good!

Happy Summer and Blessings,

Forever Ago Birthday Party...Oops.

Forever ago we held Ruthie's birthday party.  

It was a girly, vintage inspired, outdoor tea party with fancy attire preferred and finger foods and lemonade for all. And of course cake- A Giant. Pink.Cake.

Each girl received a bag of goodies with their name on it that doubled as place settings.

I  basically stripped my house of decorations and took them all outside for this shindig.  Nothing but the gift bags and the goodies in the gift bags were purchased (and the food of course).

We served turkey and cheese on croissants, cheese puffs, veggies, and lemonade in mason jars.

No girly party would be complete without a ginormous pink cake- Ombre for the win!!!

Little Sister was in sugar-coma bliss- No nap, all the sugar she could hold- it was like a dream come true. When the melt down finally came I knew the party had been a huge success- lol.

Blessings,