I am thankful for...

• my girls who sat on Addi's bed with me tonight and giggled themselves silly. I already can't remember what was so funny, but I hope I always remember their laughter.
• the big, beautiful, open Texas sky I gazed at as the sun set tonight. It made a long drive enjoyable.
• my son. He adds such a different dynamic to our family and he loves me and fully expects me to pick him over either of his sisters.
• the cooler weather. I forget how much I love fall every year and then, after a long, hot summer, the temp drops some and I fall (pun not intended) in love again.
• that monstrosity of a football stadium because it made my husband happy since he was able to go to a game there tonight.
• my grandparents who were delighted the kids and I spent the afternoon and evening with them.
• my husband. I'm reading a book set in San Francisco and it's put me in a mood to take a trip there. I emailed Bryan this morning and said "I want to go to San Francisco with you." He wrote back and said we could go in a few weeks. (Except we can't because we have 3 kids and other responsibilities. Fortunately, he travels enough that we won't have to pay for airfare or a hotel, so it really is as easy as finding time. And childcare. :))
• Bryan's traveling job. See previous bullet.
• my warm bed. It's calling my name and I have about 20 pages left in my "San Francisco" book. Good night!
  
  

the boy is breaking us

For the past six and a half years, Bryan and I have enforced a hard and fast rule: Children may NOT eat or drink in the living room.

I get the feeling he doesn't care about our rules.

*Our rules = my rule, but Bryan backs me up on it 'cause he loves me and wants to keep the peace!

His Signature Look

Levi's 18 months old now! I don't want to believe it, but it's true. I took him in for a check-up last week and the poor baby got 4 shots and a finger prick. Levi weighs 24 pounds and 4 ounces, which is only 2 ounces more than he weighed at 15 months. The doctor and I think something was off with his 15 month weight...it was recorded incorrectly, he hadn't pooped in a week, something. We've Bryan turned his car seat around, so he's discovered the dvd screen and points to it when it's not down. :) He's constantly moving and constantly un-tidying things. (I've kind of (much to Bryan's dismay) adopted the idea that he won't be able to destroy anything else if I just leave it all out. The experiment is failing. I see trash bags full of donations in my near future.) Everything was made to throw, according to Levi!...food, coasters, remotes, cell phones, toys, books, sippy cups, spoons, plates, bowls, anything. His vocabulary is increasing and he loves to imitate sounds. Yesterday he was trying to snap after he heard me do it. Outside is still his favorite place, so all this rain we've been getting has been challenging for us. As much as I'd like to ignore it, the fact is he's becoming a little boy right before my eyes. No more babies in this house! :(

What a wonderful age!

Libby came down the stairs ready for the rain this morning. Doesn't she look ready to splash in raindrops? :) She said that big, cowgirl hat would protect her. (I think it provides added protection if worn backwards :) Addi, careful not to hurt Libby's feelings, whispered, "It is going to be sooooo embarrassing having her walk me to school in that thing!"

Of course, she got tons of smiles and compliments on her hat which made me think of all the moms we passed who saw her and were taken back to a time when their children put on clothes with no worries. Like Libby, they hadn't yet learned to care what others thought of their outfit choices. It is a precious stage that I adore. Well, I admit, I don't always adore it because, unfortunately, I worry about what people think of me. I even worry that people will judge my parenting if I let my child go to the library in a Cinderella dress or the grocery store covered in cheap, plastic jewelry or church in a way-fancy flower girl dress.

I don't worry as much now as I did when Addi was in The Stage and that makes me sad. Sad because I wasted energy worrying about stuff that doesn't really matter and mostly because I took a little of that innocence from her. I made her think there was a reason what she was choosing to wear was wrong. I should have saved my energy to fight her when she wants to wear too-short skirts! The good thing is I've learned to be a little more flexible and to consider priorities before I open my mouth. Sometimes. Like this morning. I let Libby wear the hat and fold her ankle socks over and even wear plastic jewelry and I reminded Addi that she won't be judged by her sister's fashion tastes.

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wordless wednesday

HOME SWEET HOME

(thankfully just for one night!)

Preschool!

Reagan, or Elizabeth as she's requesting I call her now :), was so excited to start her last year of preschool today. Her classroom is upstairs this year, which is a big deal to her. I asked her to tell me 3 things she wanted to do today. She said, "Eat, sing, and learn to read!"

This next picture made me laugh because Levi did something Libby usually does to Addi. I brought her out for her "First Day Picture" and he ran to her side and smiled for the camera. Before I could take the picture, he was on the move though. :)

It's FREE!

Do you have a Sprouts in your area? We have one and I love that place. You can go to their website and register for a free 3-month subscription to an online meal planning site, Six O'Clock Scramble. The subscription is almost $20 if you paid for it, so I think that's a great deal. I have no idea if the food is any good, but it's free!

This and That

Libby Lu is all about dressing herself these days. When Addi started doing this, I had panic attacks worrying if I let her wear her "outfits" in public, people (read: other mothers) would condemn me, but if I didn't let her, she might spend years in therapy being cured of her overly controlling mother. I'd like to think I've relaxed a bit over the years, but really I think Libby's just better at wearing me down. I barely batted an eye as we ran to 4 different stores with her in this get-up.
My White-Trash Baby
I couldn't normally post a picture of Levi running around outside because it wouldn't be decent! He would live outside if we let him and makes such a mess when he's out there that I usually just strip him down to his birthday suit and let him run free. Well, free within the confines of our teensy-tiny, fenced backyard. Bryan put him to bed last night and doesn't believe in pajamas for our children, so I didn't care if Levi got his already-dirty-from-yesterday's-food-stains shirt more dirty and he's wearing shoes only because the grass was still wet from the sprinklers running last night. But, normally he's out there nekkid as a jay bird and happy as a lark, especially when he pees all over the yard (or worse yet, the patio!) making one of his sisters scream. :)
This darlin' thing was adorable jumping on the trampoline this morning in her nightgown with her short hair wildly whipping around her face squealing and giggling in delight. Hands down the cutest thing I saw all day. I wanted to run in and grab the video camera, but instead I selfishly soaked the moment up.

It's been so cool in the mornings lately that I've left the back door open for the kids to wander in and out. First, notice how obedient Zoe is. Clearly she's begging for someone, anyone, to play, but she's outside and stays out until we call her in. She's a great, old dog and I hope she's around long enough for Levi to remember her. He is passionate about Zoe. She's part of the outside appeal for him. He still barks more than he speaks.

What about Addison? Well, no pictures of her because she always at school now! I'll get some soon though. She's doing well and likes her new classmates and teacher. Although the other night she told me she wished I would put her back in kindergarten. Her kindergarten teacher was so wonderful and, while we've heard over and over how fabulous her grade 1 teacher is, she just hasn't been in 1st grade long enough to bond with her new teacher. It doesn't help that she isn't as comfortable as we thought she'd be since only one kid that was in her kinder class is in this class. In a month, she'll be glad she's in 1st and has all these new friends, but it's bittersweet now.

I'm undergoing my usual Schedule Changing Issues. In a few weeks, once preschool starts (next week!) and my bible study starts (next week!) and MOPS starts (in a couple weeks!), I'll be able to get my new School Year Schedule down. For now though, I feel like I'm in a long transition. I've never been great with transitions!

ww - 2nd day of 1st grade

I had a picture ready to go, but...

Addi was holding a sign with lots of information about her school, teacher, etc. and I just didn't feel okay about publishing that on the internet. Call me crazy! I already feel like sometimes I share too much just because you never know who's looking at what. It didn't even occur to me this morning to take more than one picture of her without the sign. The one I got wasn't such a great shot. So, I'll post a second day of 1st grade photo tomorrow. Nevertheless, she had a good day and will probably be in bed in about 2 hours, just as soon as I can shovel food in her and throw her in the bath.

We spent our last week of summer, and Reagan's birthday, in Houston and Galveston. We had a great time and the weather was great. The girls loved the waves and building sand castles. Levi liked digging and eating snacks at the beach. He was also able to snooze for a while. In Houston we ate lots of yummy meals and went to the Butterfly Center. Levi was remarkably flexible and only had issues each night when he realized if he fussed enough he'd get to sleep with mom. :) Of course, Libby got to open her presents on her birthday and was thrilled with the watch (although I haven't seen it since!) and makeup bag filled with real makeup (lip gloss...one is already used up). It was a memorable trip and a great end to our summer break.

Happy Birthday to You!

REP,

Today is your 4th birthday, my sweet girl! I'm having a hard time believing you've been a part of our family for 4 years now, yet it's hard for me to remember a time without you.

You are one of the most unselfishness people I know. I have much to learn from you, Libby Lu! Even today, on your birthday, you have insisted on sharing with your brother and sister. As much as we've tried making this day all about you, you've wanted it to be just like any other day. The one exception has been your acceptance of being the only person to press the elevator buttons!

We will be in Galveston tomorrow because you chose to celebrate your birthday at the beach instead of having a party with your friends. I drove down to Houston with you and your siblings yesterday and we met Daddy for supper. He flew down earlier in the day for work. Later today, we're going to see some butterflies and then we'll meet Daddy for a birthday dinner and give you presents.

I love you, baby girl! Happy Birthday!

Momma

the big, fun party that never happened and the pink guitar that made it all better

Reagan will be 4 on Tuesday. She's a little confused about that because her birthday party was supposed to be yesterday, only it didn't actually take place on account of this teensy-weensy, itty-bitty problem called vomit! That is the grown-up word for barf! (Wow, I've read a few too many Junie B. books here lately!) Seriously though, she woke up with a stomach bug.

She's understandably confused because she thought yesterday was the day she'd be celebrating her 4th birthday with her grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. She also thought she'd turn 4 at her 4th birthday party. The party didn't happen and when I tried to explain that her birthday wasn't actually until Tuesday, she just didn't get it. After being sick and missing her dance class and missing her party, I couldn't continue to disappoint her and quickly dropped the Not-4-Yet speech.

So, Miss Busy believes she's 4 and she announced this afternoon that she'd like to start having sleepovers with friends since she's 4 now. I gently reminded her that we'll probably be waiting another year to start sleepovers with friends. She also believes 4 year olds can magically play a guitar without any lessons. Or, at least, she believes she can.

Libby received a pink guitar from her Grammy and Grandpa. They dropped it off yesterday afternoon, along with food, drinks, cake, and balloons that were supposed to be for the party. We've eaten and been serenaded countless times the past two days all thanks to my parents! Thanks, Grammy and Grandpa!

I'd like to say I'll be back soon to my regularly scheduled blogging, but we're headed to the beach. And then Addi starts school. And then Libby starts preschool. But, after all that, I should be right back blogging away at least 3 times a week!

Six Flags + August in TX = (hot)Fun, Fun, FUN!

Libby and I were waiting on Bryan and Addi to finish a ride that Libby was too short for. This was about the fourth ride we'd encountered in the first 30 minutes of our day that she was too short to ride. Clearly, she wasn't thrilled with the way her first visit to Six Flags was going.

But, she perked up when I gave her some water and promised her a snack.

And then she got plain goofy!

We all got to ride the bat cars. This was the beginning of what could've been the end for us. It was so hot, we were all miserable.

Thankfully, the girls found a little splash area after we got off this ride and then we were able to talk Bryan into the Roaring Rapids where we all got soaked.

Apparently, I forgot all about my camera after we visited Looney Tunes Land. Maybe the boredom I faced there killed too many brain cells? The girls had a good time though. Libby thought it was great, after being told time and time again she was too short, to be able to ride everything by herself!

Other favorites were the antique cars, the cave ride, the teacups, the boots, the big swings, the sombero, the conquistador, and Addi said she liked the shockwave just a tiny bit, but not enough to ride it for a second time with me.

It was a lot of fun, but not someplace I think we'll want to go over and over again. Once or twice a year is enough. The heat was the worst part, of course, and the best part was cheaper ticket prices in August - $25/person (like 1/2 of a normal price!). We only had to buy two tickets because Addi earned one through a school reading program and a teacher friend gave us hers. (thanks, Debbie!) The girls are already talking about what they'll get to ride when they're bigger next summer.

ww

The girls used their Build A Bear gift cards they got for Christmas on Saturday! (Thanks, Aunt Ginny and Uncle David!) We now have 2 new additions to the family...Isabel the unicorn and Samantha the bear.

snippets of a seventeen month old

17 months, already?! How did that happen?? My baby boy is growing up too fast. Let's see if I can get in 17 10 7(?) things about him before we have to leave for Addison's gymnastics class.

1. Levi has finally decided to climb, on his belly with feet first, down the stairs. After a few tumbles all the way down, I am very relieved. This morning, Addi had a friend over and the 3 girls were up and down the stairs, up and down. Sweet Levi tried so hard to catch them. He'd make it about halfway and then have to start moving the opposite direction because they'd run past him.
2. His words: hi, night-night, ball, bye, more, yes, no, MaMa, DaDa, hold,amen.
3. His signs: more, please, thank you.
4. Levi is at one of those frustrating stages. His communication is not up to par and he gets so upset with me for not knowing what he wants. We had a battle last night at supper and a smaller one this morning at breakfast. He's had it with signing for the time being and just wants to use Levish (his own jibberish combined with screaming) to communicate. I know it won't be long until I can decipher more/most of his speech. Until then, we'll be a frustrated duo.
5. My little man can still sleep with the best of 'em. He has fought me all summer over giving up his morning nap. I haven't won yet. He slept for 2 hours this morning and has been asleep for over an hour so far this afternoon. He'll probably sleep at least another hour and then he'll get in about 12 hours tonight. Now, how to get the other 2 to do the same? :)
6. Messes follow him. He wears me out. I'd like to say that's because I'm keeping up with cleaning after him. Unfortanately, I'm not. And I'm still worn out.
7. When Levi decides to snuggle, there is nothing better. I usually get in good lovin' at bedtime each night. It's a great reward for the beating I take during supper. :)