A little fun...

Who needs to hire a professional, when you have a 5 year old daughter who is willing to snap a few. She decided how we had to pose--and got a good laugh when we were the ones who decided to kiss. I think I may have to hire her more often.

Hallalujiah

We had two wonderful things happen today. First and foremost, Elli lost her FIRST tooth. It was a long time coming. I found out, that this child is not going to be the one that loves to wiggle and wiggle till the tooth comes out. We were not allowed to touch it, and it had been dangling for days. She is sound asleep as we speak with the tooth tucked nicely under her pillow waiting for the tooth fairy to reward her. Dean and I have realized that after all is said and done, with 4 kids, we will be shelling out $100.00 as our role as "The Tooth Fairy". WOW!!

And secondly, we got some wonderful rain this afternoon that we so very much needed. Even with underground sprinkling, our grass was starting to get a little prickly to walk on.

So Tiny

I took some pictures of my friend, Missy's, baby girl this week. Leah Kay. She was sooo very tiny. She weighed 6 lbs. some ounces, which is exactly what the twins were each. I just couldn't believe that my kids were ever that little at one point. I kept telling Missy that I felt like Leah was a fake baby doll. She was only the size of some of my girls dollies that they play with. So precious. Here are a few to show!!

Are you "In", or "Out"?

I don't know how the conversation even started. I think it was prompted by me telling the kids that they were missing out on one of the most beautiful days this summer, by sitting in the house. I told them that they needed to go out and enjoy the weather. There they stood all sulking like I was asking something totally unheard of out of them. So, after 3 tantrums, I decided to KICK them outside. As they were hanging their heads and walking to the door, I heard Elli mumble to Thys,

"Thys, Mommy loves Tessa more than us."

There is was....the words I used to say to my mom.

"Mom, do you love _________ more than me?"

The question that you really don't fully understand as absolutly ridiculous until you actually have kids of your own. I said,

"Elli, what did you just say?".

"You love Tessa more than us".

And of course I gave the same answer my mom always gave us,

"No, I love all of you the same".

Lame answer--but true. I should have played along, which Dean would have done, and said, "Yup, your right." Although I know that WWIII would have broken out then. So, as we speak, I have the door to the garage open and I am listening to the kids in the garage. They all have their little kid chairs in a circle, and they have now formed the Anti-Mom club. They are asking Tessa if she is "in", or "out". I guess in order to be "in", you have to believe that mom loves someone else more than you!! Thank goodness Tessa can't say sentences yet. At least I have one kid still on my side.

Happy Father's Day

Dad,
I am truly blessed that God has given me you as a dad. You are a true example of a Christian father and your love for us kids and your grand kids radiates so bright. It makes me smile just thinking about how much love you have for all of us and how we never doubt that you love your life and all those in it. Now that I am a parent, I realize the awesome task that God gives us as parents to love, nurture, and instruct our children in His way. You have done that!! You (and mom) have taught us, by example, how to take the task God gives us and apply it with our kids. I don't see any greater gift than to pass that on through generations. I thank you for all your hard work in parenting as I was young, and now I thank you for the wonderful memories you give me of seeing you with my kids. You are the BEST dad ever!! Thank you!!

Tessa Turtle

We found Tessa sitting in one of the flower beds the other day, poking her head into one of the bushes. I went over there to see what she was doing, and much to my surprise, she was petting a turtle. Caressing it's back and saying, "tuttle, tuttle." She was absolutly intrigued by it. Don't worry, Dean told us it wasn't a snapper, just a painter. He was showing the kids it, and kept telling them that painters don't bite--at that exact moment, the turtle turned it's neck around and latched onto Dean's finger. Never say never!!

Pompoms and Basketballs

Anyone who knows my husband, knows that his favorite pasttimes are sports, sports, and sports. He plays them, watches them, teaches them etc... He is hoping to one day, be the dad on the sidelines or bleachers, watching his kids play the sports that he has taught them. So, this afternoon, he was in the garage playing basketball with the kids on a make-shift hoop and court that he so nicely set up. He was setting up defensive and offensive formations, drills, and a little 2 on 2 tournament. Now mind you, we are talking about a 5 year old, 2 4 year olds, and a 1 1/2 year old. You can imagine how this was going. The kids were looking with blank stares, puzzled faces, and limp arms as the ball was drilled at them. As I was watching from the "bleachers", I could tell the words and instructions were just not registering. Then the kicker came....Elli was standing there and was bounced the ball--she missed it, and to which she said to Dean, "Daddy, would like me to go inside and get my pom-poms and cheer instead?" Hilarious!! You can imagine the response to that. Lets just say that the drills continued and they are still out there trying to learn those drills and formations.

A few of my friend Michelle's kids.






Yes, her eyes ARE really that blue--gorgeous!

Park Fun!!