Dirty Little Princesses

Last week brought us several days of rain early in the week.  As the girls had just been given rain boots by their friends Lexi and Bella, they were eager to put them to use.  So, outside we went!  There were only little puddles in our driveway, but the road beside our house had big puddles to play in.  As it was late morning and that road is often quiet, we went out to play after talking about still needing to watch for cars.  The girls had a blast!

It wasn't long before Alora was venturing into the puddle deeper than her boots.  At first, I tried to stop her, but soon decided she was having such fun, so why not?

 It went from sitting in the puddles to crawling in them...

 And then dunking her head...

 Followed by further puddle play in the muddy driveway.

 Ezri was not nearly as enthusiastic about the puddles, though she was running a fever on and off Sunday through Wednesday, so she wasn't feeling the best.  Regardless, they were both soaked and muddy by the time they were done playing.  Bath time came before lunch that day :)

In fact, there were several early bath days this past week as the mud was just too inviting and we had several days of playing either in the puddles or making mud pies or some other adventure.  And why not?  The play was fun, the baths were fun, it was all fun!  They especially liked the crazy hair styles we came up with in the bath :)

Daddy was able to get in on some fun too.  The girls learned how to hang on his legs as he walks and soon this was the new game of the week.

 Tierney has been growing like crazy, eating and sleeping very well.  We have been getting 6 or more hours at night for a couple weeks now, which is wonderful!

At 6 weeks, she is smiling and beginning to coo, very aware of what is going on around her and holding up her head for longer stretches of time.  The girls continue to be helpers and want to hold her, insisting on hugging and kissing her each night before bed.  Though I feel like I seldom get done what needs to be accomplished, it is a pretty fantastic life here in our home :)

Tulips and Mommy

We are so glad for the beautiful spring and even summer like weather we've been having.  It seems that everything has turned green and blossomed overnight.  Ezri and I have been watching our Sugar Maple tree bud and sprout leaves, each day it is a new discovery as the tree fills out.  With the beautiful weather, we've been outside working in the gardens and playing as much as possible.  The girls have been enjoying cruising the yard in their car and love to go next door to see Molly, who is quite curious about their new ride :)

 Last Thursday, The girls and I went to Holland for the Tulip Time parade with Grandma, Aunt Kerri, Aubrey and Wesley.  We arrived early so we could have a picnic lunch together

And watch the Dutch Dancers.  Ezri loves to dance along, watching what the high school dancers do and then doing the same.  she does pretty well when she's not being held in place or spun in circles by a cousin.

Alora was unsure and a little afraid of the noise made by the wooden shoes, but by the end she had warmed up to the idea and was dancing along as well.

 It was a very hot day, with temperatures above 80 and plenty of sun most of the time.  It made for an interesting day with a little baby in tow.  We made our own shade to keep her protected from the sun and cool enough to be content.

 It wasn't long before Alora wanted in on the shade as well!

 Ezri and Alora loved watching the bands and would get up to dance every time one passed by.  Tierney didn't seem to mind the noise at all.

 Sunday brought Mother's Day.  After a morning at church, we headed to Grandpa and Grandma's for lunch.  While on the young end compared to many, the past 4 years of being a Mommy have been more of a blessing than I could ever have imagined, and with each child, I am more filled with the beauty and wonder of these little miracles God has entrusted to us to raise.

 Though each so different, and constantly changing and bringing new challenges, these precious girls have constantly given me reason to smile and laugh, to appreciate the small thing (that really aren't so small) and to grow in ways I would never have considered before.

 After lunch and play time, while everyone else was either on a walk or chatting, Tierney and I took advantage of the beautiful, warm weather and cool breeze to take a nap together on the porch.

The tulips at our house seem to have been affected by some early growth in a still cold weather pattern this spring, so only 8 or so of the many I have planted actually blossomed.  But, as with Ezri and Alora, I had to get some pictures of Tierney in my doll Dutch costume, so we had to make it work...

 After a bit, she went along with it, even though the costume was quite big on her and rather warm on a hot day.

We even managed to get some smiles out of her :)

 Though much sooner than I had with the other girls, I put on my Dutch costume as well.  No, it didn't fit as well as the past two times, but hey - it's only been 5 weeks, not 3 or 4 months :)

Another Adventure!

These little girls just keep growing here!

 How can it be that our little Tierney is a month old already?

After our Thomas adventure last weekend, it's been a very train filled week.  There are tracks and trains all over the living room floor, and fights every time someone wrecks a track or uses a train that was doing a job defined by another sister.  But, it's been fun building the tracks together and watching the girls get such enjoyment and fill so much time playing together and using their imaginations.

 This past weekend, we took another trip (Tierney is quite the little traveler already in her 4 weeks!).  This time, we headed North to Pentwater to spend the weekend at Lake Michigan Camp, where our friend, Nick, is camp director with his wife Jacci and children Lexi, Bella and Jack.  Daddy spent the weekend with the guys (Nick, Jay, Andy, and Scott) fixing plumbing leaks that occurred over the long, cold winter and helping to prepare things for the camp opening in a few short weeks.  This left Mommy and the girls and their friends to play :)  Thankfully, though chilly, it was a beautiful weekend to be outside.  First stop, the sand!  Yes, you can play in sand and make castles even in winter coats and 40 degree weather :)

We got in a nature walk too, which took quite a bit of time with all of the little legs and big curiosity contained in those 5 little bodies.

 Tierney spent much of her time riding along in the wrap again, but did get in plenty of time cuddling with Jacci and Becci as well as some play time while watching this chaos in the house filled with 5 little ones.

 Sunday, the weather was even nicer, and the kids got to help Jacci plant flowers!

Naps and sleep were interesting as we stayed in the home of our friends this weekend.  Alora found plenty of opportunity to goof around during one nap, using the bottom of the pack-n-play as a blanket instead of a mattress, among other things.

 A slumber party was attempted both nights.  Ezri opted not to stay with her friends for the sleeping, but Alora was all for that adventure and enjoyed herself .

 Tierney was happy to sleep anywhere :)

Before we ventured home Sunday evening, we spent some time on the beach together, it sure was beautiful!