Play Group

feeding time at the zoo

Brayden

waterslide...are they not cute!?

Zachary

safe to say that they love bagels!

snack time...notice who is not at the table, but ON it...the moose

Cade, Logan, Camden, Sam, Caroline, and Emma Kate

Mason spent the entire morning in the pool...precious!

Everyone has heard me talk about my wonderful play group that I met through Caroline's preschool...nine kids and everyone shares and plays so nicely! It seems that every time we get together, I forget to grab my camera, but I got a few good ones today. Maybe I am a little biased, but I think this one one cute group of kids. I know I've said it before, but I am so blessed to have met such wonderful kids who love my daughter and other Moms who I respect and enjoy being with and around...thanks for coming over guys!

love

needless to say, they melted my heart

unposted pics

I have a few pictures that were waiting for their own posts, but it just never happened, so here are some cute ones from the last week or two.

I've learned that if you want to get to wearings out of a set of pajamas, take them off when the kids get up, eat breakfast, and then get changed for the day.

I LOVE the way they are looking at each other

new outfits from Gigi and Gramps, thanks guys!

gritting teeth and trying to smile...getting four new teeth at once hurts!

painted face from Marbles...thanks Teri, she had the BEST time!

book club

I love candid moments where I catch the children enjoying time together. This was especially cute because Caroline was reading to them and they were sitting perfectly still listening to her.

checking email

Matt was checking his email in the playroom and Caroline decided to check hers too. Matt had given the kids his old Palm Pilot when it retired and she calls it her computer.

Happy Birthday Cara

Our friend, Cara, came over this week for a belated birthday lunch. Katharine and Evan came too, and it was wonderful to see everyone (and get my hands on that baby again). I had asked Cara what flavor of cupcakes she wanted and she asked for chocolate with strawberry frosting. I had to research a recipe and was excited to try something new. Cara stopped and picked up lunch from El Dorado (Katharine, Cara, and I have a mutual love for Mexican food). Thanks for coming over girls and Happy Birthday Cara!

Patience, please

I've talked to a few of my "mommy" friends and this notion of being just a little short of patience with our toddlers is always at the forefront of our discussions. I found a neat article on the subject and am sharing it..our kids might be a little young for the mommy chart, but I like this ideas in this piece:

http://www.thesecretlifeofkat.com/site/comments/how-to-be-a-patient-mom

Happy Reading, let me know if you have any other tips, tricks, or inspiration!

A PRAYER FOR PATIENCE

Dear Heavenly Father,
Praise be given to Your Holy name for Your forbearance and mercy. You have dealt gently with Your children in love. You have been patient with me in my humanness and stubbornness.
Lord, through the work of Your Spirit, prompt me to be more jubilant in hope, more patient in times of trouble, and more consistent in my prayer life. Teach me, Lord, to wait with faith and expectancy, and may my trials be seen as times for growth in grace. Through Christ our Lord, I pray. Amen.

Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

Romans 12:12 (RSV)

No smiles, but lots of cuddles

Caroline asked me to take her picture and then refused to smile...she played the game even while sneaking a bite or two in...what a personality.

I love this one of EK and C...they were watching "Yo Gabba Gabba" and were completely unposed. These are the moments that make all of the bickering and fighting worth it because I know that they DO love each other!

update your blog, please

This past Friday was a little rough. It started when Matt woke up to cold water (as did the rest of of us). Then the kids and I went grocery shopping for cake ingredients and bought flour instead of sugar. After borrowing sugar from my friend Catherine, I baked a cake, which turned out to be a total disaster and had to be thrown away. I also planned on making another loaf of no-knead bread, but instead of letting it rise on the counter the night before, I had put it in the fridge. The hot water fix-it man came and went and we still had no hot water. The microphone on my cell phone died. See what I mean? This could be why my blog has set idle :)

little people

The twins don't often play well together...there is a lot of biting, toy snatching, and sibling rivalry (already?!). Today, they played with the Little People house so nicely! I love the one of Emma Kate patting Sam on the back as he held the Little People baby...very rewarding after the bruises and bites.

Matthew said just last night that instead of buying toys for the kids, we should give them household items, like remotes, cell phones, spatulas, wipes, or boxes. Sure enough, a room FULL of toys and the babies spent an hour playing with the door!