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Whoa nellie, we had quite the weekend. Our local playground was the location for a church-sponsored fundraiser kiddie fair on Saturday morning, which my kids obviously thought was the coolest thing ever. We had no idea – some friends just called to say they were there and (for us) it was a total surprise.

Although, the music should have clued us in. Anyway, Andy took the kids down, fresh out of bed. Only he can pull off wild bedhair, a wifebeater with basketball shorts, flip-flops and a cup of coffee in hand. At the park.

The kids “won” at several different games, prized with (gently used) stuffed animals. [Which may or may not disappear sometime in the near(ish) future.] All very exciting. And then we packed up, made a picnic lunch, and went swimming. Arianna and I haven’t been in a few weeks, so that was fun.

Yesterday after church we played the “lets-see-how-many-kids-we-can-cram-into-one-house” game and ate lunch with two other families. Good friends, good times. We made it home in time to clean up a little bit before GRANDMOMMY CAME! Always an Event around these parts.

She’ll be in town for a couple of weeks so there’s been much rejoicing. The fall children’s consignment sale drop-off starts Thursday, so you can guess what I’ll be doing this week. (Too bad my attic is about 1,000 degrees.)

And these are just because, taken this morning fresh out of the bath:

(Of course, she spit up five minutes later and had to be changed. Life.)

Alive and well; a little tired around the edges

We’re recovering from our weekend around here, which I’ll share on Friday. I have extra laundry to do, too, since the load drying when we left didn’t get alltheway dry and has to be rewashed. So all I’ve got is two photos I snapped of the baby yesterday.

So that will just have to do.

9 months

I forgot to mention that Arianna was 9 months last Thursday. Longer out than in!

[I know, I can't believe it either.]

8 months

I plopped Arianna down on the baby scale when we were at Madeline’s check up the other day.  She was 19 1/2 pounds.  She’s eight months.

My big girl!

(By way of comparison, at NINE months, Madeline was 16#10oz, and Adelaide was 17#2oz.)

And it’s up!

Yesterday, ALL BY MYSELF, I drug the remaining top-bunk box down from the attic, and started getting the bed set up. Andy had to pick up an extra bolt (one of the included ones was stripped or something) on his way to work, but we were able to finish last night. The kids were so excited they barely paid attention to their bedtime story.

(That photo doesn’t show the depth well, but it’s really a full on the bottom and a regular-sized twin on top.)

Arianna slept in there, too, in the crib. She woke up once (at 2 a.m.), nursed, and then slept the rest of the night.

(And there was much rejoicing.)

Just because

(Alternate title: impromptu mini photo shoot)

We cleaned out the kids’ rooms last night while Arianna watched, perched up on the bed.

And this one cracked me up:

(No wonder they make baby toys at least big enough.)

Hope you’re enjoying this fine Saturday, too, wherever you are!

Happy Father’s Day!

When I came home from dropping the girls at their princess party, this is what I found:

Arianna, covered in blueberries.

(Vintage 1960’s edit via Picnik.)

He had pureed blueberries and apples for her IN OUR [cleaned out] COFFEE GRINDER. (Such an Andy thing to do.) And apparently she loved it!

Happy Father’s Day to all the Dads!

It’s a little bit wild

(Her hair.)

The full effect:

She’s my jelly donut.

One of the most precious things ever

His instructions were “don’t let the baby fall off the bed.”

(He didn’t.)

We went swimming today, and apparently it wore everyone out. The kids all changed into jammies when we got home and they all napped. I got a few projects done which I hope to share maybe tomorrow (if I get good photos).

But, while I’m at it… a little Drew update.

He tends to be our child that doesn’t (willingly) share unless it’s on his own terms. (”Here, Madeline, you can have two grapes.”) So a couple of weeks ago we met my friend Sarah at the park, and Drew took it upon himself to give her son (age 2) two of his “baby toys.”

(Never mind that what he was really saying was he was too old for those ‘baby’ trucks. Her son thought they were the best thing ever, and who was I to step in when Drew was being generous!)

Then another friend had us over to swim and let each of my kids “borrow” something when we left (two of which we still have) — well, in return, Drew wanted to lend Charlie his fire engine. Which, for him, is a big deal.

So poor Charlie (and his mama!) was loaded down with the fire engine after Sunday School. I apologized to my friend but she was a good sport. Andy even went in the downpour to fetch it from our van.

Ah, life’s little lessons…it’s better to give than to receive.

Fitting

I’m sorry. I don’t usually make fun of my children but this was just too good to pass up.

(Snapped this morning before I changed her into her dress for church. Ha!)

First Piggies

Tried yesterday, just for fun.

A bumpy day

So today my girls and I attended half of our church’s Ladies Tea. It was one of those times where it just struck me sitting there that this isn’t worth it and we got up and left. Maybe next year, when they are older and I’m not stretched quite so thin; not as many little girls needing things or a nursing baby.

Plus, I had been holding Arianna while trying to manage with the chicken salad, and a mayonnaisey piece fell down the front of my shirt.  (Sorry…just had to share.)  Funny, except when you’re over-tired and already a wee bit stressed.

I also forgot my camera.  These were taken at home after we had relaxed some and she had been fed.

Six Months!

I know, I can’t believe it either.

The minimum

It’s been a rough week and I’m so behind. Dealing with a growth-spurting baby all night means I [we] try to just survive each day.

I did turn my camera on yesterday while the big kids were sleeping and/or having room time. So that’s what you get today.

(All SOOC.)

In case you needed pear pants in your life today

(I may be heavy on the photo posting for a little while. Our wireless card is half broken and I have to hold it in with one hand to stay connected. You try typing like that!)

le bebe fille

(None of my babies appear to have necks, btw, until about oh, 8-9 months.)

I took Arianna to her 4-month check yesterday morning. She was 25.5″ long and weighed 15#6oz. (For those who care about these things; grandparents and such.)

I don’t have time to think up a title

I thought my sling was in the van and it wasn’t. I met some girlfriends last night for a friend’s birthday dinner and Arianna screamed half the time. I tried several things, she just wouldn’t calm down.

I ended up leaving and she fell asleep in the van, in my arms. I cautiously carried her back in and sat down, and was at least able to finish my dinner (even though it was awkward). I was kicking myself the whole time that if I just had my sling! Life, you roll with it.

Of course when I put her in the car to go home, she looked up at me with this huge grin. HUGE. I had to laugh. (And call her a stinker.)

Changed into my pj’s when I got home and painted the first coat on several of my kitchen cabinet doors. I want to find a black valance for over the window (I promise, that makes sense!) and then I’ll post some photos. I peeked around the interweb last night and didn’t find anything — so I might be making one myself. Hobby Lobby run later today?

So I’m off to enjoy coffee with my in-laws before they drive home. Ciao!

Train ‘em early

(Not really.)

Madeline has been BEGGING me to allow her to hold Arianna while walking around. I always say no.

Here’s the thing, Madeline is c-l-u-m-s-y. And still too little herself. Her arms aren’t strong or long enough for Arianna’s bulk and weight.

But I did agree she could try to hold the baby in my sling and that actually proved to be a good solution. It looked funny though, I just HAD to snap a few photos:

Alternate title: Sisterwearing!