Officially Summer!!

My girl finished school last week. My oldest finished today (but, we opted not to go watch movies at school). So, summer is here!! On our first official day with all 3 kiddos home with mommy, we went to church to work on vbs, organized our art closet, hit the grocery for snacks, watched a movie, did some chores, and took Miss S to her swimming lesson. Overall, it was a good day. C and S did partake in a little sibling squabbling here and there. They are going to have to have a re-do course in the "interrupt rule" when I am on the phone. We are definitely going to have to come up with some Charlie rules (poor kid, they were all over him today giving kisses and "helping" him play). And, chores are going to have to be re-organized for summer hours. But, overall, they did great during their first day of summer freedom. And, I did too. I truly tried to enjoy the day and not drown in household stuff....my sweet babies are all home with me all summer! I am honestly overwhelmed. Yet, I am utterly overjoyed. I have around 8 weeks to invest and enjoy, to teach and to learn, and to breathe in all that life has to offer.... pool chlorine, sweaty little feet, playdoh, ice cream, playground dirt, bugspray, lemonade, sunscreen....I want to breathe it all in.

I have been on an emotional roller coaster lately by mournfully gazing into the past. Weaning Charlie is a hard process for this mama. I am excited about him growing and developing - so thankful for his progress and personality that is showing up daily. Yet, he is my baby. My last baby. And, this mama's heart is a little sad about the lasts - no more pacifiers, no more sleeping infants, no more rice cereal from rubber tipped spoons, no more infant carriers. Life just happens too fast...days, well, sometimes days take forever to end. But, life...no, it flies by. I was a mom of one just yesterday. And, now that one is almost 7. And, there are two more joys right behind him...growing and changing daily. I do not want to live my days looking over my shoulder at the "lasts"...I want to live in my "nows". It is the ordinary, ho hum, glorious, middle of the week, can sit down to share a book or color a page in the middle of the morning kind of days that I will forever cherish when my children are out of my house. I took a mental picture today of my daughter's face as I braided her hair for the first time. I smelled my son a few moments longer as I snuggled him before putting him in his crib. I lingered a little longer tonight at bedtime to listen as my oldest said his prayers and talked about his book he was reading. Yep, today was a good day. A Tuesday - the first day of a lot of good summer days....just breathing it all in...

I found this video tonight. Let's just say I need a new tissue box...
(you will have to turn the music box off at the bottom of my blog to hear the video)

Baby Dedication Day

Baby Charlie had his baby dedication day at church on Mother's Day. We had a special day celebrating his life and dedicating ourselves to being the parents God wants us to be for him (and Him). Charlie was so happy to see so many people and was on his best behavior. He wore the outfit Cade had worn in his dedication 6 years ago, which was special to this sentimental mommy. We kept Cade and Sydney in "big church" with us to see the service. Sydney is convinced that it was because she is 4 now. She has told so many people, "I can go to big church, I am 4."

We were also honored to have both sets of grandparents, both brothers, both sisters-in-law, and my niece and nephew with us. We had a big day worshipping, eating, and being together as a family. My brother's birthday was that day. Mother's Day was that day. We had so much to be thankful for, so much to celebrate. I had a WONDERFUL day being with my loved ones. As I went to sleep that night, I was exhausted but felt so thankful. What a blessing the day had been....a new baby to dedicate, a terrific big brother, two incredible moms, and the gift of motherhood...now, that was a day to celebrate! This is my big brother on his 42nd birthday and Baby Charlie after his dedication.

The Tea Party

Miss Sydney wanted a tea party to celebrate her 4th birthday. So, we had a tea party in our back yard on a beautiful Spring day (thank you, Lord!). The little girls made their party hats as they arrived. Then, we had a game of "place the flower on the tea pot." After a game of "toss the tea bag", it was time for the tea party with their baby dolls. We served the little girls (friends from school with a couple of buddies from church)their food and pink lemonade. They all were so cute with their dresses and hats carrying their dolls to find a seat. Mommy and the birthday girl - I came out of my pink hat early on....would not stay on with all the mommy jobs.
My party throwing assistant, the big brother, was ready for a break and cupcake. He had helped with every game and was in charge of the "nursery" for the baby dolls. He and my niece, Hardy, were such big helpers!

With both sets of grandparents here, we had such a nice day having lunch and hanging out after the party. My kiddos had a great day with family around celebrating Syd's birthday on a sunny 75 degree Saturday...what a day!! Happy Birthday, Sydney!!

A Birthday Date

For Sydney's fourth birthday, we decided it was time for her to have a daughter/daddy date. She got dressed up. Daddy came home from work to pick her up. And, the two of them went out for dinner and then ice cream. She was SOOOO excited! And, I think daddy was too. They both came home reporting of a very fun night...lots of talking, good food, and a sweet night for a little girl and her daddy.

a walk in the rain

my hubby is the best daddy to my children....what a fun dad to take his kiddos outside for a walk in the rain last week, to jump the puddles, to watch the streams of rain run...
they had the best time not worrying about wet clothes or splashing anyone...no worries, no cares...just playing in the rain together...what a great day, what a great memory...

It's Showtime!!

It is time for the "end of the year" programs...this was at our Great Adventure Share Night at church celebrating a year of learning about missionaries on Wednesday nights. Cade's PE program at school was pretty cute...
Sydney's preschool program..."Wonders Under the Son" was precious... Cade won the Music Award for his kindergarten class at his choir program...Yeah, Cade!

Another school year almost over....can you believe it???

Happy Birthday, Sydney!

She is my sweet girl...I cannot believe she is 4! She went to bed last night saying, "Mommy, I can't believe it. Today is my last day to ever be 3. Tomorrow, after my nap, I will wake up to be 4!" It was so sweet, how excited she was...but, she made me almost cry. We gave her a princess bike for her birthday...that smile spread across her whole face!
She requested Chickfila for her birthday dinner...we were happy to oblige...and Cade was pretty happy with her choice too. I made cupcakes for her class to have. So, for our family party, she was allowed to pick out a cake. We had quite a discussion in the middle of the grocery store about whether she wanted a "4" candle or four candles on her cake she picked out. Who knew it was such a big decision??
Four years old...I love this age...she is my baby girl one minute snuggling in my lap to watch Dora...the next minute, we are coloring and talking about her friends at school. She adores her brothers and is crazy about her daddy. Her favorite color is pink with purple a close second. She loves art. She enjoys singing and dancing around our house. She loves all dairy...cheese, yogurt, ice cream...can't get enough. My Sydney-girl is independent, sassy, talkative, and joyful. And, now, she is 4!!