A beautiful day in the neighborhood

Saturday was a great day!  We spent the whole day outside doing lawn work and enjoying the sunshine.  Jared de-thatched the lawn, worked with the sprinklers, mowed, weed-eated and all that goes with doing a yard.  The girls and I cleaned out the flower beds around the house (which is no small task!), prepped the soil and then planted seeds.  They were so helpful.  As we would pull weeds and fill up the bucket, Addie would load it into her "trailer" and drive it to the trash can to be emptied. 

She was so helpful and had a great time.  She even gave Kimber a few rides- until she hit a bump and Kimber busted her nose on the metal.  As my Dad would say "It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt."

 We even had a picnic.

And now I want to know why we had a great day outside on Saturday and this week (at least since Tuesday) we've been trapped inside because of the wind and cold.

When will it end?!

A beautiful day in the neighborhood

Saturday was a great day!  We spent the whole day outside doing lawn work and enjoying the sunshine.  Jared de-thatched the lawn, worked with the sprinklers, mowed, weed-eated and all that goes with doing a yard.  The girls and I cleaned out the flower beds around the house (which is no small task!), prepped the soil and then planted seeds.  They were so helpful.  As we would pull weeds and fill up the bucket, Addie would load it into her "trailer" and drive it to the trash can to be emptied. 

She was so helpful and had a great time.  She even gave Kimber a few rides- until she hit a bump and Kimber busted her nose on the metal.  As my Dad would say "It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt."

 We even had a picnic.

And now I want to know why we had a great day outside on Saturday and this week (at least since Tuesday) we've been trapped inside because of the wind and cold.

When will it end?!

Reality

 

Reality hit when I called the Elementary school yesterday to ask when Kindergarten registration begins.  I thought that surely had until mid-summer to get the process started.  I was so surprised when she told me registration began on April 13th and that testing will start mid-May.

Addie has been more excited about going to Kindergarten than just about anything in her short 5 years.  I'm excited for her, but feel like it's time to face the facts and that what people say might really happen to me.  "Once they get into school, time goes so fast and before you know it, they're graduating."

Lately I have come to realize that Addie is growing up and is enjoying more "mature for a five year old" things.  She loves her privacy, enjoys picking out her own clothes, loves to accessorize, and pretending to be an adult.

The other day she surprised me when she said "Mom, this french toast is delicious.  And so complex."

She's just not a baby anymore.  She's a little girl who is growing up so fast.

Reality

 

Reality hit when I called the Elementary school yesterday to ask when Kindergarten registration begins.  I thought that surely had until mid-summer to get the process started.  I was so surprised when she told me registration began on April 13th and that testing will start mid-May.

Addie has been more excited about going to Kindergarten than just about anything in her short 5 years.  I'm excited for her, but feel like it's time to face the facts and that what people say might really happen to me.  "Once they get into school, time goes so fast and before you know it, they're graduating."

Lately I have come to realize that Addie is growing up and is enjoying more "mature for a five year old" things.  She loves her privacy, enjoys picking out her own clothes, loves to accessorize, and pretending to be an adult.

The other day she surprised me when she said "Mom, this french toast is delicious.  And so complex."

She's just not a baby anymore.  She's a little girl who is growing up so fast.

Confessions

This pregnancy has been so enjoyable and with the exception of the morning all day sickness thing, it's been great.  I can deal with the swollen feet at the end of the day and I've come to accept the fact that this tiredness is going to last long after this pregnancy is over.


Having said that I have a few confessions to make.

*Almost everyday I lay down and take a power nap.  My friend recently told me that when she was pregnant someone told her that being pregnant is like running a marathon everyday.  Amen to that!

*This is the first pregnancy that I have ever had a craving.  For the first few weeks it was shrimp (which I normally hate!) and beef.  Lately it's been Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal.  (Go ahead and gag!) I bought a box a few weeks ago and have eaten a few bowls randomly as a snack.  Boy, will I be glad when that one passes.

*And speaking of cravings (I tend to think of these as exaggerations since they are things I already enjoy), there isn't enough string cheese or french toast in the universe to hit the spot for me.

*I pass on all prenatal screening tests and most recently it was the Gestational Diabetes test.  My Dr. simply told me that I need to be cautious about the amount of sugar that I eat (he said it's the same advice he would give whether or not I took the test.  So thankful for a supportive Dr.!).  At my appointment yesterday he once again cautioned me.  I didn't tell him that all I want is sugar!  I could eat it by the spoonful.

*I let myself take it easy.  I know that this sounds ridiculous, but it's really hard for me to sit still for too long.  I've gotten to the point where at the end of the day if I'm tired, the dishes can wait until tomorrow morning.  That's only happened a few times, but when it does, I've learned to not let it bother me.  Most times....

*I have LOVED being pregnant during a different season.  Since my girls are two years apart, almost to the day, I endured two winter pregnancies.  I hated it!  I hated having to wear uncomfortable jeans and bulky clothes.  I love to throw on a t-shirt and shorts.  I'm saying this a little prematurely since we've only had  a few "t-shirt and shorts" days, but I enjoy them to the fullest!

*This picture sums up one of the best parts of all of this for me.  My girls love to help out and this is one of my favorite ways they do it.  Lotion up!

I've got 10 more weeks to enjoy this and that is just what I plan on doing.

Confessions

This pregnancy has been so enjoyable and with the exception of the morning all day sickness thing, it's been great.  I can deal with the swollen feet at the end of the day and I've come to accept the fact that this tiredness is going to last long after this pregnancy is over.


Having said that I have a few confessions to make.

*Almost everyday I lay down and take a power nap.  My friend recently told me that when she was pregnant someone told her that being pregnant is like running a marathon everyday.  Amen to that!

*This is the first pregnancy that I have ever had a craving.  For the first few weeks it was shrimp (which I normally hate!) and beef.  Lately it's been Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal.  (Go ahead and gag!) I bought a box a few weeks ago and have eaten a few bowls randomly as a snack.  Boy, will I be glad when that one passes.

*And speaking of cravings (I tend to think of these as exaggerations since they are things I already enjoy), there isn't enough string cheese or french toast in the universe to hit the spot for me.

*I pass on all prenatal screening tests and most recently it was the Gestational Diabetes test.  My Dr. simply told me that I need to be cautious about the amount of sugar that I eat (he said it's the same advice he would give whether or not I took the test.  So thankful for a supportive Dr.!).  At my appointment yesterday he once again cautioned me.  I didn't tell him that all I want is sugar!  I could eat it by the spoonful.

*I let myself take it easy.  I know that this sounds ridiculous, but it's really hard for me to sit still for too long.  I've gotten to the point where at the end of the day if I'm tired, the dishes can wait until tomorrow morning.  That's only happened a few times, but when it does, I've learned to not let it bother me.  Most times....

*I have LOVED being pregnant during a different season.  Since my girls are two years apart, almost to the day, I endured two winter pregnancies.  I hated it!  I hated having to wear uncomfortable jeans and bulky clothes.  I love to throw on a t-shirt and shorts.  I'm saying this a little prematurely since we've only had  a few "t-shirt and shorts" days, but I enjoy them to the fullest!

*This picture sums up one of the best parts of all of this for me.  My girls love to help out and this is one of my favorite ways they do it.  Lotion up!

I've got 10 more weeks to enjoy this and that is just what I plan on doing.

Obstacle Course

Yesterday the girls and I set up an obstacle course in the yard.  They had a great time!  First of all they had to drive their Barbie Jeep's to the slide.  Here they are at the starting line.

 

 Kimber was so excited she could hardly sit still.

 

And Addie was just excited.

 And then they were off!

 

They were screaming and having a great time.

They hurried down the slide-

And then rode their bikes, hopped on one foot, ran and walked backwards.

When Kimber got to the finish line she screamed and screamed "I won!  I won!"

And for timing, she did win.  But, for technicality, Addie takes first place.

Obstacle Course

Yesterday the girls and I set up an obstacle course in the yard.  They had a great time!  First of all they had to drive their Barbie Jeep's to the slide.  Here they are at the starting line.

 

 Kimber was so excited she could hardly sit still.

 

And Addie was just excited.

 And then they were off!

 

They were screaming and having a great time.

They hurried down the slide-

And then rode their bikes, hopped on one foot, ran and walked backwards.

When Kimber got to the finish line she screamed and screamed "I won!  I won!"

And for timing, she did win.  But, for technicality, Addie takes first place.

S'more of what?

Since the weather has been warming up and we've been spending so much time outside, Addie and I came up with the idea to have s'mores on Monday night for Family Home Evening.  Jared built a fire and we got cooking!

Horrible pictures, but I have to include them anyway.  Kimber took a bite of the s'more and then stuck to marshmallows and crackers separately.

Addie on the other hand has changed her ways and decided that she does like s'mores after all.  Last summer while camping it was a different story.

 You gotta love Addie's earrings.  She loves them and has been wearing them everyday.  She found them in a box of costume jewelry we somehow inherited from my little sister.

I love these priceless moments as a family.

S'more of what?

Since the weather has been warming up and we've been spending so much time outside, Addie and I came up with the idea to have s'mores on Monday night for Family Home Evening.  Jared built a fire and we got cooking!

Horrible pictures, but I have to include them anyway.  Kimber took a bite of the s'more and then stuck to marshmallows and crackers separately.

Addie on the other hand has changed her ways and decided that she does like s'mores after all.  Last summer while camping it was a different story.

 You gotta love Addie's earrings.  She loves them and has been wearing them everyday.  She found them in a box of costume jewelry we somehow inherited from my little sister.

I love these priceless moments as a family.

Sunshine and Sunburns

Gorgeous.  The only way to explain today.  It's 6:20 pm and it's still 72 degrees outside!  We were outside by about 10 am and finally came in to work on dinner at about 5:30.  Nothing excites me more than long days outside in the sunshine.  Nothing depresses me more than realizing that with all the sunscreen I applied, I skipped my feet.

And I now have a wonderful farmers tan on my wrist in place of my bracelet.

Thankfully my girls (who were in swimming suits by the end of the day) escaped without any redness.  Kimber did get a little farmers tan on her arms, but from what Addie observed it sounds like she needed it.  While lathering them up with lotion after their baths last night she said, "Mom, Kimber's legs are really bright."  She takes after her Mom.  What else can I say?

Sunshine and Sunburns

Gorgeous.  The only way to explain today.  It's 6:20 pm and it's still 72 degrees outside!  We were outside by about 10 am and finally came in to work on dinner at about 5:30.  Nothing excites me more than long days outside in the sunshine.  Nothing depresses me more than realizing that with all the sunscreen I applied, I skipped my feet.

And I now have a wonderful farmers tan on my wrist in place of my bracelet.

Thankfully my girls (who were in swimming suits by the end of the day) escaped without any redness.  Kimber did get a little farmers tan on her arms, but from what Addie observed it sounds like she needed it.  While lathering them up with lotion after their baths last night she said, "Mom, Kimber's legs are really bright."  She takes after her Mom.  What else can I say?

Annie Muffin

I took some totally nonprofessional pictures of my little sister, Annie, a few weeks ago.  I love to take pictures and decided she was a great practice model.  Since I took them, I have spent time editing them and have looked into her face over and over again in the last few days.  It got me thinking about how much fun she is and how much I love having her for a little sister.


For 12 years I begged and pleaded for my Mom to give me just one little sister.  I had four little brothers and even tried to turn them into sisters a few times.  I would dress them in dresses, throw a headband on their head and doll them up with some makeup.  (Remarkably, they all turned out okay.  Thankfully they were too young to be scarred permanently.)  After all of that, I would grab the vacuum (to be used as a microphone) and put on a fashion show.  What good sports, but one thing was still missing.  A little sister.

When I was 13, I finally got the little sister I had been begging for.  I remember the night she was born so vividly and no joke, it changed my life.  Annie became my sidekick.  She went everywhere with me and did everything I did.  I actually had to be very careful because she would follow my lead so closely.  I hated bananas, she hated bananas.  I hated egg yolks, she hated egg yolks.

I think my friends just accepted that if they invited me somewhere, then they were inviting Annie too.  She went babysitting with me, she went to hang out with my friends, she went shopping with me, you get it.  I seriously cried the day that my parents moved her out of my room.  I was 18 years old and just couldn't stand the thought of not having her with me.  We shared a daybed and although she had her own trundle, she always slept with me.

It was very important to me that when Annie started Kindergarten, I was home and not away at school or somewhere where I couldn't be a part of it.  Fortunately, I got what I wanted.  I had a job that was close to home so everyday during lunch I would go home and get Annie dressed and ready to go before heading back.

Annie is now 14 years old and is still the same sweet little sister.  We still have lots of fun and laughs.  I am constantly impressed with her and her abilities.  She is so creative, a great friend, super organized, a neat freak, a wonderful Aunt, a great driver (oops!  Did I say that?), and good girl with good values and so much more.


Have you ever thought about what it would be like if there were no more kids in your family after you?  (For those of us who aren't the youngest.)  I sure have and I am sure that if my parents had stopped at 8 and not finished our family with the last two, we would be missing something great.

I just had to add this picture I found that Annie had drawn for me.  It made me smile when I realized that this was just like something Addie would do for me.  It must mean that Annie was about 5 or 6.

Annie Muffin

I took some totally nonprofessional pictures of my little sister, Annie, a few weeks ago.  I love to take pictures and decided she was a great practice model.  Since I took them, I have spent time editing them and have looked into her face over and over again in the last few days.  It got me thinking about how much fun she is and how much I love having her for a little sister.


For 12 years I begged and pleaded for my Mom to give me just one little sister.  I had four little brothers and even tried to turn them into sisters a few times.  I would dress them in dresses, throw a headband on their head and doll them up with some makeup.  (Remarkably, they all turned out okay.  Thankfully they were too young to be scarred permanently.)  After all of that, I would grab the vacuum (to be used as a microphone) and put on a fashion show.  What good sports, but one thing was still missing.  A little sister.

When I was 13, I finally got the little sister I had been begging for.  I remember the night she was born so vividly and no joke, it changed my life.  Annie became my sidekick.  She went everywhere with me and did everything I did.  I actually had to be very careful because she would follow my lead so closely.  I hated bananas, she hated bananas.  I hated egg yolks, she hated egg yolks.

I think my friends just accepted that if they invited me somewhere, then they were inviting Annie too.  She went babysitting with me, she went to hang out with my friends, she went shopping with me, you get it.  I seriously cried the day that my parents moved her out of my room.  I was 18 years old and just couldn't stand the thought of not having her with me.  We shared a daybed and although she had her own trundle, she always slept with me.

It was very important to me that when Annie started Kindergarten, I was home and not away at school or somewhere where I couldn't be a part of it.  Fortunately, I got what I wanted.  I had a job that was close to home so everyday during lunch I would go home and get Annie dressed and ready to go before heading back.

Annie is now 14 years old and is still the same sweet little sister.  We still have lots of fun and laughs.  I am constantly impressed with her and her abilities.  She is so creative, a great friend, super organized, a neat freak, a wonderful Aunt, a great driver (oops!  Did I say that?), and good girl with good values and so much more.


Have you ever thought about what it would be like if there were no more kids in your family after you?  (For those of us who aren't the youngest.)  I sure have and I am sure that if my parents had stopped at 8 and not finished our family with the last two, we would be missing something great.

I just had to add this picture I found that Annie had drawn for me.  It made me smile when I realized that this was just like something Addie would do for me.  It must mean that Annie was about 5 or 6.