Ruby Speaks

Ruby is at THAT age. She is taking in so many new words and phrases in her language development and there's just bound to be some confusion and misuse often. Throw in her 4year old mind and things just get hilarious. Here are some recent crack-ups that I have to write to remember.

1. A month or so ago she was choosing between two ice cream choices and she pointed to the cookie dough one and said, "OOOhhh mom, I'll take that kind, cuz I love those meatballs in there." Ha. I love those "meatballs" too!

2. Maisie is learning to spell and constantly sounding words out and practicing, so it's not surprising Ruby is "spelling" too. The other day after lunch she stood up to clear her plate and announced that, "Mom, that lunch was M-O-E, delicious". It's a start folks!

3. Then today on the way to pick the girls up after our grocery shopping, she asked what the candy was called that I let her eat as her reward for being a good shopper. I told her and then seeing the wheels turning, I jumped in with a reminder saying, "but you are not to brag about it to your sisters!" And she was like, "well, can I tell them at midnight?" Not sure WHERE she got that one!

I'm sure there are so many more during the days, but I forget them fast. She just wants to be a big girl, but we are trying to keep her little for awhile longer:)

Henry's Dedication Day

Yesterday was Henry's big day! It went really well. I was fairly organized and by the time Sunday am rolled around we were ready. It sure takes a lot of details to get four kids and a mother looking their best for an occasion like this AND have a clean house for a gathering RIGHT after the event. And there were a few that had never been to our house before so I'm talking dusting baseboards, cleaning the WHOLE toilet, and bleaching the kitchen sink kinda cleaning! It felt good to finally do some of that long over-due stuff.

But by pacing myself and with help from many people it all came together! Above everything my goal was to stay calm and really keep my priorities straight. Celebrating God's blessing in Henry and all those who love him!

Henry was a sweet little cherub baby in his dedication clothes. The girls donned their bright yellow dresses with swanky new sandals. Family and friends were in attendance. Leah, one of my best friends, did the honors. And then we returned to our house for soup, bread, lemonade and cookies. Picture perfect really.

Then everyone went home and I collapsed on the couch. I think Mike and I watched 5 episodes of our favorite show on Netflix, while the girls rested and played upstairs.

Today, I am still wiped out. So I am treating myself to a minimal chore day and blogging these cute pics for ya'll that couldn't make it!

A Scratch Day

Do you ever meet the end of the day and feel defeated because your to-do list went unchecked?

It happens often here and I have just enough obsessiveness in myself that I have to remind myself to breathe and it's therapy to list off what DID happen before I fall asleep.

Dishes piled high.
Daily internet job hours didn't get done.
And this and that too.

But, Daphne and I went on a long walk at 6:15am...meeting the day's sunshine hand in hand.

Ruby got to ballet.

Spent an hour plus outside after school watching the kids play with their neighborhood pals.

Made home made waffles for dinner.

Each child picked a story that I read to them at bedtime.

And ended the evening with a dear friend.


Seriously, how can I be discouraged with a day like that. And just.like.that....I feel better.

Sleep awaits.

Famous :)

This summer Daphne did one of the science camps at the new water park in our town. Here she is in their latest catalog with two of her favorite buddies. Isn't it a great photo!

Our Favorite Winter Get-a-way

If you know us well or have followed my blog long enough, you know that we like to take the girls to the Embassy Suites. Somehow we've managed to keep the tradition going even in this bad economy. Actually it's not that much money for an amazing weekend activity. Plus, being a "suites" hotel, you get two room, and there is a cocktail/snacks time in the evening and a free (very large) breakfast. Really, you'd think we were taking them to Hawaii the way they carry on when we have it on the calendar.

This past year Mike and the girls have been collecting all our family's coins in a huge jar. After Christmas they took it to the bank to be counted and we were shocked to be given 226 dollars in bills in exchange.

That was PLENTY for one night's stay (140.00 - that's with 6 in a room...it's less if you have fewer people in your party), the gas and a little food money too. So we finally got around to packing our bags last weekend. It was another good time, but I have to say that packing four kids for one night is a LOT of work. It's definitely more for the kiddos than us..riding the elevators, pushing all the buttons, swiping door cards, and swimming as much as possible.

But I do have to say that AT LEAST I can finally sit in the hot tub and just watch them swim now, which is a huge delight. And it really does feel good to pretend to be on a vacation even for a night.

We have turned many friends onto this tradition ... start saving your coins today!

Valentine's Tea

A few years ago we started a tradition of inviting special guests for a Valentine's Tea. Last year I was so sick in my first trimester that we skipped it. So this year we resumed it in full swing.

The girls and I are so blessed with girlfriends. If I am teaching them anything well, I believe it is the importance of relationships. I guess they inherited mine and Mike's social genes and this comes naturally to them. They make friends and have a grand time with people of all age wherever we go!

So this year we invited some of their older girlfriends...Emma age 11, Riley age 12, and Lacey age 17. Of course their mothers are my dear friends as well and they came to sit at my table.

We had a memorable time.









These are the bubblegum necklaces that were my nemesis. Things on pinterest look so wonderful and easy, don't they? Well, they were not and took all my cleaning time the day before the party. Oh, well, the girls loved them and now I know how to make them.



When our friends had gone, I couldn't help smile with these last shots. They are beautiful proof of time well spent on a Saturday afternoon.



Lastly, I have to thank Pam, who saved the day by helping me clean that morning. Her and Mike Sr came into town that am to take the girls out to breakfast and to pick out new chicks at Wilco, but instead I called and asked her to "quick...come rescue me!" And she did. My floors sparkled. Thanks Pam!

So many firsts around here!

In the last month we have experienced a few milestones with Mr. Henry. He has two little teeth, has rolled over, is LOVING eating new foods (favorites being pears, carrots and sweet potatoes), and can hold and drink water out of a sippy cup. And although his sisters squeal with delight and pride with each of his new accomplishments, I have to say that they were most beside themselves when he had his first trip to one of our favorite places - the Embassy Suites hotel in the "big city". I'm not sure what is better ... watching Henry experience these firsts or watching the girls' excitement.

He is the sweetest little boy. He smiles a lot and doesn't complain much either. The girls carry him around and fight over him and he doesn't seem to mind. Unfortunately he has begun getting up again in the middle of the night lately, but he is so stinkin' cute I don't seem to care running to his room.

These lyrics come to mind, "I love him, I love him, I love him and where he goes I'll follow, I'll follow, I'll follow" 100.percent.smitten