She's SIX!!

I'm still not quite sure how it happened, but it did. She turned six. She has seriously been counting down since about January. This girls loves her birthday and of course an excuse for a party and friends.

The day started out with a super quick breakfast because John had an appointment. Once we were there we waited TWO hours to see the doctor. That has never happened to us before. They are always so good to be on time and fast. Let me tell you, three kids in a cramped exam room for an extended period of time equals crazy mama! We barely survived. Joey was crying over John getting his shots which was super sweet. And then, he didn't blink an eye when they gave him his flu shot. When they were done he looked at me and said, "That kinda hurt mom," with the most straight face ever. I really had to try not to laugh. And then, there was Katie. Katie who was pretty much bawling from the second the nurse came in with the consent form for me to sign. When it was her turn she went balistic. We're talking she was climbing up the wall screaming. I was so embarassed! The funny thing was she continued with that sherade even after the shot was given and she was totally unaware that it was all over. She assumed the lady had given up and left. She looked at me and asked why the nurse didn't end up giving her the shot. REALLY?!!! I really had to try and keep it together knowing it was her birthday and all, but I really wanted to hang her by her toenails!

So, that was our morning. Then it was off to Kindergarten with her "store bought treat." I really hate that you can't make anything homemad anymore. It just seems so much less birthday to walk into Harmons and purchase a tub of bakery cookies and call it a birthday treat. Of course, she knows nothing different, but I do. I have such great memories of helping my mom make cupcakes to take to school and being so proud of them and that my mom was there to help me pass them out. Oh well, she was completely thrilled with chocolate chip cookies from Harmons.

That evening we had a little family party with my parents and sister. She picked pasta for dinner. So, I made her some plain spaghetti noodles with parmesan cheese and then lasagna for the rest of us. I can't believe she picked plain pasta for her birthday dinner, but she really does love it.

Dinner couldn't go by fast enough for her. She had been dying to open her presents since that morning when she got up. That girl can sure unwrap in a hurry. I think we done in a matter of minutes with the whole present thing. I was barely able to snap pictures!

And yes, there was a theme to her presents this year as well. It was all things fairy!

A fairy doll from Grossmutter
A tinkerbell watch and stickers from Aunt Jackie and Uncle Casey
Winter clothes and a camera from mom and dad
A razor scooter and Tinkerbell jewelry kit from Grandma and Papa.
And a few weeks before--a special party with Grandma Barb and Grandpa as will as some tickle monster gloves and the book to go with!

She was one lucky and happy little girl. And now, I have a dramatic, loving and absolutely adorable little/big SIX year old!

The State Fair

I love the State Fair! I remember going there with my family when I was little and just being in awe of everything there is to see at a fair. In fact, in the summer when we would be on family vacations we would hit every fair and rodeo we could. It really was so much fun. We used to harrass my dad that he planned our summer vacations soley around fairs.

This was acutally the first time we have been to the State Fair in the four years we have lived here. The kids were so excited. We checked out all the animal barns and then some. Katie wanted to pet everything while Joey observed safely from the stroller. The bunnies were absolutely adorable and Katie and I were dying to get this one. He was so cute with his little floppy ears. I kept having to remind myself that we are moving in 9 months and then what we would we do with it.

I couldn't believe how expensive everything was. I thought fairs were supposed to be cheap. You expect to pay a little more, but seriously 8 dollars for a funnel cake, 4 for a lemonade and 3 per ride. Yikes! We stuck with a small slushy for a 1.50 which was still a total rip off, but you can't go to the fair and not have something! If you can't tell, Joey had a blue slushy that took a very aggressive washcloth and soap to remove!

What is it about fairs that draw out such unique people. I was having a hay day people watching. Oh, and the booths. There were some crazy booths with some very crazy looking people. Like this one for wholistic medicine one. They were selling some "fabulously natural product" to make you more healthy and prolong your life blank amount of years. The woman pedaling this looked like she was about 500 years old, but I know she was only about 50. She reminded me of the poison apple lady on Snow White. She was totally leaning out of her booth waving her product at me! How in the world do you think your going to convince me to buy that! She really was quite scary looking. And then, there was this guy for the funeral home dressed in his fancy suit with his coffin next to him. Dude, I'm at the fair! Why on earth would I want to be talking about my future coffin! And I can't forget the magical cleaning products for carpet, tile etc. I could go on and on.

Really, there's nothing like the fair!

Family Pics

So, we had family pics. Need I say more......

Ok, so my really super awesome friend Lynndi Wilson and I did a family photo trade. We would take each others pictures and then do our own editing--the not so fun part. Pretty sweet deal!!! I think she did awesome considering the three ring circus we were.

So here you go. I seriously need help picking which one. Despite being a photographer I am embarassed to say I hardly ever hang pictures because I can never decide which one I like and then it's months past and things have changed . . . you get the point. So, seriously, I NEED HELP picking.

#1


So this next one is the before and then there are a couple head swaps below for John. We'll call the top on A and the bottom B.

#2 A or B

And same thing with the next two. John was screaming so visualize the above and then the head swaps.#3 A or B

#4 A or B

#5

#6

John-- 4 months

It's funny how on the day I got married I couldn't imagine loving anyone more. And, then it was after Katie was born I was sure my heart would burst. And now, even with baby number three we are there. My heart continues to burst. He is just scrumptous! If he were a food I would eat him all day long. As each phase comes and goes I find myself just eating up every moment. He is so fun right now. Just a few thoughts...

He's figuring out how his little voice works. And his laugh is just precious.

He is now aware of his little arms and that he can make them do things if he concentrates hard enough. He's like a little robot. He'll stare at whatever it is he wants (toy, pacifier, blanket) and then he'll growl and grunt and coo at it. It's almost as if he's carrying on his own conversation with it. And when he realizes it is not going to get up and walk right into his mouth he musters up all his concentration and brings those little robot arms around to grab it take it immediately to his mouth. It really is adorable to watch.

He despises tummy time no matter what. He will kick, scream, snort and push his face into the ground. It really is the most painful 10 minutes of the whole morning.

The whole rice cereal or oatmeal thing was a definite NO. The first time was not too bad and since then it has been terrible. He sputters, dry heaves, turns his head from side to side and purses his lips as tightly as possibly. He definitely prefers the snack shack!

He sleeps through the night most of the time. That is if you count from 9-5am the night and I do!

Nap schedule...what nap scedule?

He loves love loves his brother and sister. They can get him to smile and laugh any time.

The outdoors remain top on his list.

He's a snuggler. Every morning when he wakes up I feed him and then he just curls into my side and we sleep for a few more hours. It really is heaven to have a cuddly baby.

He smells absolutely wonderful. And yet, his gas can knock your socks off.

His little cheeks are just firm little balls of fat that beg me to nibble on them everyday.

His toes are perfect little playdoh balls stuck to his feet.

He really is perfect in everyway possible. And, I love that I get to spend everyday loving all of him.

4 months--- 13 pounds 14 ounces & 25 inches

John's Blessing

We blessed this adorable little boy over labor day weekend. He didn't make a peep. And, for those of you who know John that is amazing!!! It was a beautiful day with wonderful promises, family and of course tasty food.

This little guy is our chunkiest (by our standards) baby to date! I put his blessing outfit on three times the week before to stretch it out so it wouldn't cut off the circulation to his legs. I fell in love with his outfit and bought it before he was born. I took a chance on the 0-3 month size because it was the only one left and I just couldn't pass it up! Fortunately, it was a little stretchy!

Oh, how we all adore this little baby boy!

She's growing up on me!

Really, she's growing up so fast and it's a whole ball of emotions for me. Excited, happy, sad, terrified, fun, frustrating... you get the idea.

The first day came and went. I'm not sure that it went the way I thought it would or that it didn't. She has afternoon kindergarten so we didn't really have to rush to be out the door and it's not all day so there was no lunch making. It really was just like any other morning except she went to KINDERGARTEN!

The night before we had so much fun picking out her outfit. I really tried hard to stay out of it wanting her to wear what she really wanted, since it was her first day, but not wanting something terribly ugly/odd to be documented for years to come. So, we came up with three choices which she modeled for daddy and then she chose. I think she did great. I'm sure years from now she will wonder why she has a huge flower on her head just like I wonder how anyone ever thought feather bangs and sides were cute, but really, she looked adorable to me. We painted her fingers and toes and I gave her a special bracelet to wear in case she was missing mommy. Kind of like the whole "Kissing Hand" thing. She was so happy to have something from mommy to take with her.

We also had a special "daddy-prayer" which I think she was more excited about than school. At that moment I was so proud. Of her, of her daddy, of all of us for making it to this point. And, then I was sad. Sad that it is all just racing by and just wanting to soak it all in. It seems like it is the beginning of the end. School means nice kids and not so nice kids. More good choices and bad choices with bigger consequences. So here we go..... Hopefully, I've taught her what she needs at this point.

All of the kids in our neighborhood are in her class, so we decided to walk together. I think it made the transition and the goodbyes a little easier for them as well as us. There really is strength in numbers! And, as I watched her skip down the sidewalk to school I couldn't help but smile. She is ready. She has been ready for a year now. She LOVES kids and learning new things. She loves to be a leader and to do what the teacher says. She loves to do the right thing. It doesn't occur to her to be apprehensive, or anything BUT excited about it.

So, as I kissed her goodbye on the playground and she ran to line up by the door without a moment's hesitation I realized I was happy. Even though the teeniest part of me wanted her to miss me and be sad for a moment. I really was happy she didn't. She is growing up and right where she needs to be. And me, I miss her like crazy already!

She was dying for this backpack. But, it was backordered so we weren't sure if it would make it in time for school--it didn't. So she wore a different one she already had for the first day and when she got home from school there was the package on the front door step. Only 3 hours late! Darn it!She was more than excited. I sooo remember how much fun it was to get a new backpack for school. And it appears as though she feels the same!

First day of.....

KINDERGARTEN!!

I couldn't be more proud to be her mother today and always!

*First day details tomorrow.