First soccer game

We signed Eloise up for her first activity...Soccer!

She loves it. Saturday was her first game and it was hilarious watching the kids (ages 5-7) try and figure out how to navigate this new game. It always cracks me up when the other team scores a goal for them. But it gave her an idea as to how to play the game. Little sister is going to have a tough time waiting patiently during practice and games.

Here's some of my favorite shots.

Lily extremely bored with this activity that has nothing to do with her.
Daddy makes a great bed.

Following soccer we had a fabulous garden Fairy birthday party. I'll post pics of that tomorrow.

savoring the moments

Oh, September, you have arrived. The school buses are traveling and parents are driving to and fro. It's time to start the yearly routine. Lazy summer days have ended and it's time to start back up with the world.

It gets me thinking about how great it is to have one more year of all my kiddos at home. There are times when it drives me insane and I wish for just one moment of peace, but when I stop to think about the fact that they aren't always going to be home, I appreciate the fact that we are still hanging out together.

I've chosen to stay home and not work and with that comes the priviledge of laying around in our sweats, if we want to, watching videos on days where no one feels motivated, and doing preschool lessons with the older two while Sam plays under the table by our feet. It feels great and I am savoring the moments I have before me b/c I know they will pass quickly.

I mean, who wouldn't want to hang out with these three? They're hilarious!

goodbye summer, hello autumn

Today was chaotic.

Today was Eloise's first day of soccer practice.

Today it rained in the late afternoon/evening.

Today is the last day of August.

Tomorrow is the first day of September.

In 13 days I'll have a 5 yr old.

In 21 days it will be the first day of Autumn.

Now it is time for baking, playing outside in the crisp fall air, organizing already organized closets, buying new pants to replace last years outgrown pairs, drinking up pumpkin spice americano's, baking anything and everything pumpkin, and filling my house with red, orange, and deep red. It is a giant deep breath of fresh air for me.

photo

phew....

I. AM. EXHAUSTED.

And this is why.

He is into EVERYTHING. And he's not walking!

There's no longer a need for me to do the Shred. I'm chasing this kid all over in between trying to manage a house and other kids. Take that Jillian. All you need is a 1 yr. Cardio: Sprinting to make sure he doesn't fall. Weight lifting: Pulling him from said shelf, couch, bed or bag of oats in the closet.

public toilets

Let's talk toilets for a minute.

First, taking 3 children to the potty in a public place is chaos. (I tried to think of a great way to describe it, but words are failing me). It's just plain difficult. If you're lucky enough to be in a place where the stall is big enough to hold 4 people and a huge stroller you have your first hurdle jumped.

Then we move onto examining what type of flushing mechanism the toilet is equipped with. If it's your typical handle, no fear. If it's the IKEA type that's green with the up or down options, we've got questions. If it's the type with a button to push on the wall, it's cool. If it's automatic, we've got screaming. TREMBLING AND SCREAMING! They know. If there's no type of handle or gigantic button, we've got serious trouble.

I can see it in there minds. The two of them standing there debating if they really have to pee or will they take their chances and forgo this unpredictable bowl that could flush on them at any moment..

With the patience of my husband (which is none) I plop them down on the toilet, hands clutching onto my shoulders, and their heads looking back at the toilet with rapid fervency just waiting for this monster to blow. They finally pee out as much as their trembling body can possibly muster up. And then before I know it, they've climbed off the seat, huddled into the corner with their pants still down, and their ears covered as if waiting for a bomb to go off.

It's flushed, we can all breathe again.

Oh wait, there's one more and Sam is now trying to climb out of the stroller.

happenings

There are so many things I want to write down and catch up on, but I also want to sleep. Decisions, decisions.

Sam is on the move, not walking, but crawling like a monster everywhere and into EVERYTHING. I refuse to put door locks on my cupboards b/c I don't want to have to deal with it (I'm stubborn) and the girls only went through a short phase of getting into things, but with the 3rd kid there are other distractions. Today he managed to find the cooking cupboard and for some reason the vanilla cap was loose and he dumped some out on himself and the floor. At least he smelled like cookies!

I took the girls to their first wedding yesterday. The could not stop talking about how white and sparkly the brides dress was. To them, she was a princess. Seeing the wedding through their eyes brought back the fantasy part of it all that is lost when you've already had your own. It was a joy.

I've been following this fantastic party planning blog, TomKat. Eloise is turning 5 in a month and she is having her first friend party. She wants a garden fairy party and when I googled some ideas this one came up. Let's just say that drool was all over my computer. I love planning parties and cakes for my kids and I'm so pumped for this one. We've already made tutu's, ordered wings, and gathered ideas (homemade fondant) for the cake. I hope it's a nice day b/c all my ideas will work best outside.

Speaking of parties, sometimes people look at me a little crazy that I'm planning for a 5 yr old's party. I know she's only 5 and may or may not remember it, but I love doing this for her and planning it with her. I know other moms don't and that's great. Each mama has something they love and enjoy doing for their kiddos. This is my thing.

This little video was taken after we came home from somewhere. It's actually happened alot lately. I used to not be one for kids sleeping in the car but the girls are at the age where they can go without a nap easily and actually having a nap will make bedtime that much longer and more painful. I took this to remind myself of how peaceful they all are when their sleeping and that these are the moments (when I'm driving) where I need to remember to gather myself together, pray, focus and gear up for the rest of the day.





time to sleep

the sweet gift of dresses

Our girls received some fun mail a few weeks ago and I've been trying to carve out time to share with you the cool story. Between Great Wolf Lodge and Sam's birthday I feel like I've had a hard time even thinking.

Anyhoo....the dresses.

Ashley Nash has been reading my blog for a while. I popped over to check her's out and noticed these adorable dresses. When I inquired about sewing and if she sells them, she graciously offered to make my girls some of their very own. I couldn't wait for them to arrive.

The girls tore open the package and put them on right away. I should have known to take a picture then b/c they have been worn and washed since. Here's Lily displaying her dress today (Eloise's dress is exactly the same). She really loves to act it up for the camera. Pardon my lack of great photo skills, Ashley's really are much better.

I don't know why she looks so sad here.

Now she's happy

Ashley is a working mom who would love to stay at home. She loves to sew and sees this as a great opportunity to open that door to being a SAHM. She just recently opened an Etsy shop called Monkey Style Boutique and is hoping to spread the word. The least I could do for her wonderful gift, was help spread the word here on my blog. So head on over and check out her cute girl digs. I LOVE the twirly skirts!

Forgot to mention, she didn't forget Sam. She made him a cute little tie shirt just like this one. Again, I should remember to take pictures in the moment. But her pictures are so much better.