Counting the Hours, Not the Days!

Phil comes home tonight! The kids want to have a surprise welcome home party for him. They've asked me to make cream puffs, so I should get moving before nap time is over.

Sisters

Look at my sweet girls! I swiped this picture from my mom's blog today. It was taken when they were about 4 months old. I loved these little ballerina slipper tights. I think my dad bought the dresses for them.

Now they're sleeping in toddler beds, wanting to sit on the potty, coloring pictures, eating Cheerios and milk for breakfast "by self" and having tea parties.

Lefty?

I think Caleb is really starting to favor his left hand! Here he is painting a picture for me while I cooked dinner tonight. Is three years old too young to tell? Should I know this, since I'm teacher?

Other "lefties" in our family: Phil's dad and my sister Lizzie. Am I forgetting anyone?

Grocery Shopping

Corinne helped me take the girls and their dollies grocery shopping this morning. They picked out bakery cookies, frosted animal cookies, BBQ chips and grapes. They brought their purses along and each girl gave the clerk $1 from her purse.

New Bed!

We're borrowing Lily's white toddler bed from a friend. Since we're moving in a month, we'll need to return it soon. Grampa made this beautiful bed for her! The darker sections on the headboard and footboard are cedar.

And you thought you had problems...

Lily helped me fold laundry this morning. Was it cruel of me to leave her in her struggle because I wanted to run and get my camera?


Free at last!

Shhh!

Here's Gracie filling out her "library card."

We played library this afternoon before nap time. I probably had more rules than most in my library. For instance, no screaming, no hitting, no whining, no pulling on the librarian's clothes, etc. We had library cards, stamps, stickers, a reading corner with a rug and their pillows and, of course, story time. Jared took a turn as the librarian--not so many rules with him--and for his activity, instead of story time, he chose Freeze Tag! When I checked out my books, he said, "So, only three books today? You did a great job staying quiet."

Summer Reading

Here are some of our favorite books! Jared and Caleb just finished the Summer Reading program at the library. They're anxiously awaiting the awards party at the end of the month where they will receive new book bags!

Home Again

This picture was taken in the upstairs reading room of the library. Can you imagine studying in here?



It's good to be home again; although, I wish Phil could have come with me. These pictures were taken in front of one of the libraries on campus. Isn't it beautiful?

Apple Picking

Isn't modern technology great? I can see what my kids are up to even when I am 2 states away! Here are my sweet girls picking apples. Thanks for the cute pictures, Corinne.

Breakfast

I'm enjoying my time in Seattle with Phil. It's overcast this morning, but hopefully the fog will lift by noon. Corinne sent me this picture of the kids eating pancakes and watching Curious George at Gramma's house.

Mommy misses you, Jared, Caleb, Gracie and Lily! I'll be home tomorrow.

Tired, but Thankful

This summer has been somewhat long and tiring for me. The heat doesn't help matters. One thing I've experienced is a state of complete helplessness as a mother! How does a mom make her child do something he simply does not want to do? (I was only partially kidding about the bribes, by the way!) If you stop by for a visit, you might hear me ranting, "Eat your dinner; swallow your dinner; stay in your bed; get back on your bed; don't punch your brother; say my name only once."

Often times I've asked God for wisdom in such matters, and He has always provided an answer. Awhile ago, someone told me that God led His people into the wilderness so that only He could provide for their needs. How true this has been for me! He carries me through the rough days with my kids. He is close to me and gives me peace in my heart when I'm lonely for Phil. Only He could be the source of such strength and peace. He sustains me and comforts me because He loves me. I've been loved as a daughter, a sister, a friend, a bride and a mommy, but none of these is quite like His love for me. Would I have learned this any other way? I don't think I would have.

Before and After

This morning Lily climbed up onto her headboard, pushed through the screen, and poked her little head out the window to say "hello" to me as I was working outside. YIKES! Time to move her bed. Grace is a little bothered by the new room arrangement. She's trying very hard--grunting included--to move Lily's bed back to where it was.

Growing Like Weeds

I like to measure my kids once a month. Yesterday I noticed that Grace is remarkably taller than her counterpart, so I brought out the growth chart. OOPS! The last time I measured them was on May 10. So much for once a month. Here are the results:

Jared grew only 1/4 of an inch
Caleb grew 2 1/2 inches
Gracie grew 2 inches
Lily grew 1 inch

Bribes

Yes, I sometimes bribe my children when I want them to cooperate with me--like with haircuts, for instance. Today's bribe was popcorn. Lily only needed her bangs trimmed, but she sat in her chair with hands folded and a big smile on her face awaiting her turn. Gracie didn't need her haircut this time around, but I snipped a few hairs anyway because she was feeling left out. Speaking of Gracie, she doing well on the potty! She's able to tell me when she has to go--only one accident so far today.