On the other side of the window

This boy loves watching his big sister and big brother play in the backyard from the living room.



He calls out to them because he knows they are having so much fun on the other side of the window.



I keep trying to tell him that if he will start walking he can join them. But he's just not quite ready.



So he watches in awe.





And all too soon he will join them.



 

Multitudes on Monday

1920. a stomach bug that only hits 3 out of 5 in the family

1921. the sweetest BFF who takes care of ME and MY kiddos (plus her own 3) while I take care of an unexpectedly sick baby at her house

1922. pizza that is hot, fresh, and delivered to the front door to feed the crowd of kiddos

1923. washing machines that thoroughly clean vomit-covered clothes...so I don't have to even think of doing it by hand!

1924. boys who are otherwise healthy, just not in their guts at this stage

1925. cell phones and the ability to chat with my friend who moved to Alaska...4700 miles away

1926. putting together kid-friendly-care-packages to send to Alaska

1927. awaiting our own care-package from Alaska

1928. just saying we have friends in Alaska...I mean how many people do you know that can say that?!? ;)

1929. kiddos who are excited about jumping back into our school routine after an unplanned week hiatus

1930. Nana and Mimi who always offer help when it's needed

1931. a new, delicious crock-pot recipe with 3 ingredients (trimmed pork roast, can of cranberry sauce, one pack of Lipton onion soup). You're welcome :)

Psalm 69:30, "Let me shout God’s name with a praising song, Let me tell his greatness in a prayer of thanks."

Back Yard Nature Study

There has been no school this week. None. Not even reading. Gasp! And it's all gonna be alright. Sickness has taken over {again}, and one of the benefits of starting school in July is taking time off when needed.

But last week we had a full week of school. And it was fun!! My kiddos love to be outside, so nature studies are always a favorite activity. We measured out one square-yard in the back yard, and the kiddos observed everything they saw.

They had to draw their observations first while standing.









And then they got low to the ground and made more observations.





Buddy-Ro observed a bird chirping up high, too. :)





They observed grass, dirt, mud, bugs, a mole hole, recently fallen leaves, dead leaves, pine straw, bugs, a cracked bird egg, and more bugs. They loved it!!

Multitudes on Monday

1909. having our pediatrician on speed dial when {yet another} stomach bug hits

1910. large beds to share with the kiddos when Mama and Daddy are needed in the night

1911. Pedialyte and Gatorade for little bodies that need their electrolytes

1912. the fact that we homeschool and can take days off from school when we need to

1913. the fact that we started our school year in July to make up for these days already

1914. Zofran...again...because it works miracles

1915. Nana being close by to rescue the tiny one from our house to {hopefully} keep him from getting sick again

1916. a hat to throw on after a long night and no time to shower in the morning

1917. the pharmacist who already knew I'd be waiting when the doors opened b/c our pediatrician called ahead

1918. letting the kiddos sleep as much as they can while I disinfect everything I possibly can

1919. the strength to keep going after each "clean up"

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."

Catching A Butterfly

Buddy-Ro loves to catch things. As in living, flying, crawling, squirming things.

Which I do not.

But the other day he finally caught something I could truly appreciate - a beautiful Monarch Butterfly. Daddy showed everyone how to hold it so that its wings wouldn't be broken (although it already had a small spot that was damaged). It was passed around, had its picture taken, and then set free.







I love my camera for capturing these pictures. The Butterfly was flapping its wings like crazy while Scott was teaching the kiddos how to handle it, but these pictures look like it was enjoying the attention it was receiving and performing for the camera. ;)







Buddy-Ro loved holding the butterfly.





And Birdie-girl enjoyed it, too...maybe just not quite as much. ;)





Thank you, God, for all the beautiful things you made!!

Birdie's 7-year Interview

(M)ama: What do you want to be when you grow up?

(B)irdie: A chef

(M): Why's that?

(B): Because I like to cook!

(M): What is your favorite thing God has made?

(B): You, Mommy. (Yes, I cried. Oh, how I love my girl!!)




(M): What is it you like about Daddy?

(B): He's fun


(M): What's your favorite color?

(B): Turquoise


(M): What is your favorite food?

(B): Tomatoes



(M): What is something that you don't like to eat?

(B): Mustard


(M): What is your favorite song?

(B): Anything by Taylor Swift


(M): What are you looking forward to about turning 7?

(B): Being able to be as old as my friends.




(M): What is your favorite thing to do?

(B): Play outside


(M): What is your favorite thing to wear?

(B): A turquoise dress

(M): Who is your favorite friend?

(B): Jocelyn and Peanut




(M): What is your favorite thing to do with Mama?

(B): Cook with you (Note to self: do more of this.)

(M): What is your favorite thing to do with Daddy?

(B): Cook pancakes


(M): Do you like school?

(B): Yes



(M): What do you like about school?

(B): I like doing my math (Uh, really???)


(M): What is your favorite thing about Buddy-Ro?

(B): He's funny.

(M): What is your favorite thing about Peanut?

(B): He's cute and funny.


(M): Where is your favorite place to go?

(B): The Disney Store




(M): What does Daddy do all day?

(B): Work

(M): What does Mama do all day?

(B): Laundry, dishes, fold clothes, cook, teach school, and work.


(M): What is your favorite restaurant?

(B): Golden Corral


(M): What do you want to eat on your birthday?

(B): Cinnamon muffins


(M): I love you, Baby Bird.

(B): I love you, too.


--
This girl is the sunshine to our days. She has grown up a lot lately in her conversations and emotions, but she has maintained her innocence...and we are thankful. Birdie-girl is the sweetness to long days, the smile when I'm at my wit's end, and the 'I Love You' when I'm ready to give up. This girl understands compassion. After Buddy-Ro has had a difficult time, she will stack the UNO deck so that he gets TWO Draw 4 cards. Just to cheer him up. She is quick with hugs and words of forgiveness. She is sugar and spice and silly and sweet. Birdie, you are so important to our family. You remind me on days that feel overwhelming to just smile and have fun because the rest will pass. You are wise for your years and sweeter than ice cream. I love you "mostest in the whole world," and I am blessed to be your mama.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday, AG style

Birdie asked for an American Girl doll for Christmas. It was actually the ONLY thing she asked for. But we decided that she had a baby doll already and that it was probably just a "phase." Well, on Christmas morning after she opened all of her gifts, Birdie says with the sweetest smile, "I guess I'll just ask for an American Girl for my birthday next year." It wasn't a complaint, it wasn't a jab at Mama and Daddy. It was just a simple statement by our sweet little girl that tore this Mama up. Her little heart really did want an AG doll to love and mother, so it was an easy request to grant for her 7th birthday. :)



And we did it up in style by making it an all out girly affair at the American Girl Bistro!!





Even though we had browsed through the store a couple of times before, Birdie was in awe of everything with Caroline in her arms.





Our sweet girl was treated like a royal princess in the Bistro, and we enjoyed a delicious brunch with Mimi, Nana, Ms. Meredith, and Miss N.









This girl brightens all of our days, and it was so delightfully fun to celebrate her!

Multitudes on Monday

1897. celebrating Birdie-girl in Very Girly Fashion at the American Girl Bistro

1898. tiny turquoise ice cream cups with daisies

1899. how much Birdie treasures "Caroline" and enjoys playing with her

1900. that my girl still has such beautiful innocence about her at (almost) 7 years old

1901. enjoying brunch with Nana, Mimi, Nat, Meredith, Birdie, and me

1902. Birdie's new purse (to replace the one that busted at the seams!)

1903. finding the recipe to my chocolate zucchini bread - it took a week's search to find it

1904. getting kiddos to eat veggies without knowing it

1905. a family pool party for Birdie girl

1906. pool water that is just warm enough not to freeze the kiddos

1907. thoughtful gifts from family who know just what Birdie enjoys most

1908. a daughter who is beautiful on the inside and outside

Philippians 1:3, "I thank my God every time I remember you."