This and that from the past two weeks

Okay, we're busy as usual.  I really want to write a long "me" blog post, and unload the thoughts in my head, but time just hasn't allowed for that.  So for now, here's a kiddo update... our last week and a half (or so) in pictures.

 

Sweet nappy babies.  'Nuff said.

We did some good work cleaning/organizing the big girls' room late last week.  Before pics:

 

We eliminated some unnecessary baskets/stuff, added a night table, hung some pictures, and voila...

 Much improved, don't you think???

Before the big cleanup, I finally captured little J's infectious giggle on video...

The best way that the girls have found to make her laugh is by playing the "don't touch the hair" game.  (By way of explanation, they are *not* supposed to touch the hair on their violin bow, so we make a little game of it in lessons where I try to trick them into touching the hair.)  Yes, L is actually touching the hair on her bow to make J giggle, but N and L have found that J doesn't giggle as hard if they don't actually have the bow and touch the hair.  To me, this is worth re-hairing the bow, just because we got that precious little giggle on video.

A fun birthday party with dear friends.  (Miss you guys!!!)

 

C's 4-year checkup!  She was SO brave and cheerful.  What a big girl she is getting to be.  The days of her cowering with fear at the very idea of the doctor, and me having to stand on the scale with her are becoming a thing of the past.  SO proud of her newfound courage and confidence!

She was equally brave at the dentist on Monday!  Awesome!

 

C spent hours one day carefully choosing play-doh colors to combine and mix into intricately formed little balls.  She was quite proud.

 

Some love notes I have gotten lately-- the first from L, the second from C.

L's first musical composition... "The Trials".  ("That's a fancy way I make my S, Mama, so it looks like a 3.")

 

She labored many hours over this composition, because she had to make a copy for everyone in the family.  After painstakingly copying each note exactly the same way in each copy, she bestowed the original copy upon me.  I told her she was like the medieval monks copying manuscripts before the printing press was invented.

I felt pretty honored to be the recipient of the original copy.  ;-}

 

A fun (and silly) OSV trip with good friends!

 

On Sunday the weather was so gorgeous we got Subway after church and spent the afternoon at the playground.

Afterwards we bought some ice cream and enjoyed it on our sunny porch at home.

 

On Saturday afternoon I ran a 10K outside in the beautiful weather (P.S. running is going SUPER well... more on that later, I hope!), then made chowder with a sleeping baby on me, and a mug of decaf.  Doesn't get much better.

 

I often make dinner with a sleeping baby on me these days.  The "pre-sleep nap", we call it.  She is just too tired that time of day to settle in her crib without Mama, and I can't usually spare the time to rock and shush and bounce her.  Enter the Ergo.  Thank goodness for that, right Mamas?

 

 

I had just served the girls lunch the other day, when I came into the dining room and found none of them at the table.  They were "tired" and decided to have lunch in bed with their beanie babies.  What can you do but smile and take a picture???

Last but certainly not least, L rides her bike sans training wheels!!!!!

Wow.  We certainly have been busy!  In the best way, of course.  I love these kiddos more every day.