The Life You're Living: Week 30

Paul Thomas, you and Avery took such pride in styling Mary Colette's hair. You two are always so amazed with all she can do and cheer her on so well. I have over heard you both telling random kids at the playground how she is in gymnastics and is really good. What a gift she has to have two awesome big brothers.

Avery you have been enjoying slowing going through the big box of books from Uncle Shoe and Aunt Noelle. You seek out and need lonely time daily, if you are quiet you usually have a book.

Always a Momma!

Making sure Baby Doll has her meal first.

And always my dare-devil. Whew you scared your Poppy right out of his seat doing this, I didn't tell him that you have been doing this for over six months.

Georgie, I am sorry I interrupted your game to take a picture. Its just that we haven't had such an independent player so young. You are very capable of dragging out what toys you want and playing happily for quite sometime, making for enjoyable homeschooling as well.

Baby B, we do not know your name or even your gender, however you are loved. I feel you move and my heart skips. I am enjoying you being tucked away growing stronger and bigger. We are preparing for your arrival slowly. 

P.S. I think you look like your brother Georgie here.

Manic Monday

Avery has a gift for quiet studying. He picks up so much more than I think. After one week he had his first poem memorized and really it was only after one lesson that when I challenged him to recite it that it was golden. Avery is also very into creating, so for art I had him paint what he thought the poem looked like. He had a little help with the picture. I am very proud of how everyone is plugging along with this homeschool experiment. 

Friday Photo Favorites

Our new view on walks.

Can you see the oldest way up ahead as little orange dots?

The Life You're Living: Week 29

We took a break from sitting at the table to investigate foil boat floating and

dam building.

With more or less help from a simulated natural disaster named, George.

Oh Avery, how can this be? Are you really old enough to be losing teeth?! 

You were so proud and I think struck the fear into PT as you are poised to catch up with him.

My Little Momma! You and Baby Doll were having such a great time playing some sort of wonderful game on our messy bed. Your imagination is just beautiful. Watching you play brings such joy and special kind of stillness. It makes one what to savor every ounce of childhood.

George, how you love your Teddy! He is such a good buddy and gifted from one who knows good buddies. Avery is delighted to give you Teddy and you are delighted to have Teddy.

Manic Monday

George's song.

Okay it doesn't show it too well here, but our sweet little one sings the best song most mornings, especially at Mass. I love how he uses his sweet voice so softly as he sings.

The Life You're Living: Week 28

We started our school work early because we are planning on taking off all of December for our new baby. You have been great about it so far. You enjoy math the most, which doesn't surprise any of us. Each lesson seems to come so easily and is truly enjoyable. 

Oh how you have been ictching to do these Avery! At least four times a day you have asked so finally after a week of great discipline from you, you got to make your St. Michael Rosary holder. I love how serious you are when it comes to creating. You try to be very purposeful in every color and placement.

Oh My Little Lady, you have been very fixated on purses lately. If I have mine then you will have yours. What a weight it is to be your role model! I am thankful for it, you make me a better, more Godly mother.

Pushing, pushing, pushing...all the time!

Boys just need to move things!

I have learned this from your brothers, however it still amazes me how focus and driven you are in this self directed task. Oh my sweet, sweet George that smile melts me everytime!

Manic Monday

Sliding with Baby Doll!

Friday Photo Favorites

Having fun with a favorite Aunt!

I think she would happily go home with Aunt Jessica!

The Life You're Living: Week 27

 Happy Birthday America!

Which means we celebrate with...

park time

and Daddy and cousin time.

With Cookies!

And with parades in the neighborhood.

And with a small controlled firework displayed long before sunset so that we can tuck the littles in bed, while the bigs head out for the big display.

Manic Monday

Did you know that even if you have a passcode on your phone your little ones can do this.

They'll still do this even if their Daddy is sitting out front with them.

(Yeah, I have no idea where the beatbox thing comes from because Philip and I are about as white as they come and listen to Chant and Classical, okay and Jack Johnson.)

Bonnie and Clyde

These two are becoming such great friends and quite the mischievous duo.

"Are you there, Clyde?"

She is always quick to share her food and drinks with him and make sure he is taken care of and he, whether he likes it or not, shares his food too. 

She does a great job making sure he gets a turn and will stand up to "the boys" if she feels like they are not treating George with utter devotion.

As you can see there is one in this duo that might be a bit more silly than the other.

Mary Colette invited George to join her animal party...we heard some ruckus and found MC shoving two extra chairs into her bedroom. She had it all set up for three little bunnies and when George came in she quickly found room for him.

I love the way George is snickering at Mary Colette, "Silly girl, you really don't have anything in your hands."

"Ahh utter madness! She's eating the plate!"

It has been fascinating to watch these two develop into great companions and trouble makers. George knows to seek out Mary Colette whenever he is wanting to sneak a snack or get in some good play and she always seems to rise to the occasion being part mother and part friend which I guess makes her the big sister!

The Life You're Living: Week 26

We celebrated Mary Colette's 3rd birthday this week and what fun you had helping with the cake Paul Thomas. And what a task I had to keep you and your siblings from eating all the little pearls and the bottom!

Silly Avery and your blue mustache.

Oh My Sweet Little Lady how can you be three already!

You were so excited that you almost burst!

Still a little momma.

A Momma with a new set of wheels!

After a couple of birthdays you've got this cake thing down George.

What a day this turn out to be, George! We had a birthday lunch for Mary Colette followed by getting "girl legos" for her. While in the check out line a bug bite on your head (that you got the day before) started to swell rapidly. I was beside myself. Your brother Paul Thomas was a champ helping to get everyone swiftly to the car and loaded up while I frantically called everyone I knew with medical experience. (Our pediatrician office was closed for lunch at the moment.) We headed straight to the ER as your skin was beginning to split from the swelling and I was pretty sure this was not a good thing...all this took place in less than 15 mins. Right before we committed to the ER bill and unknown wait I got ahold a nurse who wisely told us to go home, it was just delayed reaction to the bug bite. George only a few other times have I had such a relieving cry and a close momma holding session. I forbid you from reacting like that again! I know you are not mine and only gifted to me and your father, however when crazy things happen to any of you it makes us realize how precious and fleeting our time with you is.