The past weeks have been more about our usual, everyday than about any big adventures.
Little Brother has been a source of constant action, entertainment and laughter for us lately. One of his new tricks was to climb into Barb's cage!
During school, he is often into everything, climbing onto the table, pulling papers down, chewing on pencils, and so forth. We gave the pack-n-play a shot, putting it next to the table while we worked. He was un-impressed for the most part.
A fellow inmate offered a bit of distraction, but that was short lived too as Sadie soon wanted out when the snacks and crumbs had been cleaned up.
Valentines Day has passed, but it was a day of fun and celebration with the girls. The night before, Daddy and I each made the kids their own Valentine.
Valentines morning, the girls woke to find their stacks of cards and treats. Each child went through their cards and either read or had them read to them.
Little brother got his own cards too!
After they had each opened their cards and found their treats, there was one more thing... a tradition Daddy has kept up each year. He presented each of the girls with a red rose.
The girls were very excited! They had been anticipating and talking about getting a special flower from Daddy, so it was a big hit again this year. Mommy got a beautiful bouquet too!
Little brother just got into mischief trying to climb out of the exersaucer while the flower giving was going on!
There was snow left to play in, though the weather was warming and it would soon be melting away. So, for several hours, many days in a row, the girls played outside a good 3 hours each day, just sledding and climbing and running and playing their hearts out!
Sadie enjoyed the time outside to run and play herself! However, she was not so sure about the whole sledding down the hill experience...
Elam got back outside in the snow one extra warm day too!
He was a happy camper and enjoyed watching his sisters as well as checking out the snow. He refused to keep his hands covered, though after some time of touching the snow he decided that was enough.
As the snow melted away more each day, soon much of the yard was beginning to peek through and the mud puddles were replacing the snow banks. Last Sunday, Alora was out with her sisters and friends playing in what was left of the snow, running laps and playing when she jumped into a puddle. The result was less than thrilling...
Needless to say, she was done (not by her choice, however - she was quite upset when Mommy made her come in), she was soaked through and full of mud! Time for some laundry!!!
The girls love to come in after playing outside because it means hot cocoa! They each have their special cup and look forward to getting a warm chocolatey drink with colorful marshmallows.
Elam has been steadily becoming faster as a crawler, braver as a stander, more adventurous as a climber, and is even beginning to toddle around a few steps here and there, and sometimes more than a few steps!
He is amused by the steps and wants to climb them so badly! When he gets a chance and some supervision, up he goes! He has also figured out how to go down by turning around to go backwards, though he is not allowed to practice that so much yet.
Ever the entertainer, he is always at the center of whatever is going on (if not the cause of it!)
That includes commotion, noise, tantrums and general chaos.
Life with Ezri is more organized and particular, she is a rule follower and a huge help around the house. She loves school and is really enjoying the Zoology study we are doing in science this year, as well as math. She loves school and it sure is fun to teach her!
Alora is a bit less organized and structured and a bit more crazy and fun-loving. School with her is a bit more challenging and less focused, but she's learning to read and doing a great job of it. She loves her little brother and plays great with her sisters, and she is truly a joy filled child. Fun and chaos are never far from Alora!
Tierney keeps herself happily busy around the house while we school, sometimes tuning in, most time tuning us out. She loves to play with her magnetic shape blocks and is content to play alone or with a sibling. A bit more on the, shall we say emotional side, she adds her own brand of interest to the mix. One minute crying the next giggling... its a constant game of 20 questions! But she's usually very content and easy going, and super easy to be around when she is in the mood. And those blue eyes with that giggle... she knows how to win hearts!
Lately bath time has turned into a battle over who gets to share a bath with Elam. Most recently, Tierney won out.
And set right to work styling Elam's hair!
And event that is quickly becoming a favorite with our family is the monthly Beer & Hymns that takes place at a local restaurant with some members from our church. The girls are loving following along and learning the "new songs" while Daddy and I are enjoying the chance to re-visit old songs. It seems to be a hit with non-church member attenders as well as it is reported to be a popular night each month with restaurant staff
The kids have been popular with attenders as well, and have been asked after, as to whether they will be there or not. This month, the pastor had the kids join him to sing a song!
