Special Visit!

We were excited to have Aunt Mitzy, Aunt Chip and Helen as our special guests today! They drove all the way from Clifton Forge just to see us for part of the day, and it was great to catch up. 

Little "hen party"

We sure have missed these ladies.

Lots of Mommy-of-big-family wisdom in those two, which I always appreciate.

This boy gets cuter and sweeter every day. I think he's hiding biscuits in those cheeks.

"Hannah, I'm 5 now. That's big."

Today we celebrate the little darlin who made her debut into the world, and made first-time parents out of us, 5 years ago. A bright-eyed, fussy newborn has bloomed into a precious little kindergartener, a very active and smart girl who loves to be a helper. How have five years come and gone?? 

The moment she woke up this morning she asked, "am I five?" And stood against me to measure how tall she was. She walked Bogey by herself around our cul de sac for the first time  this morning. I think she pretended I wasn't watching the whole time from the porch. 

Oh, my four sweet precious babies, my parenting has been very flawed, but I love you all so deeply and unconditionally!

HAPPY 5th BIRTHDAY CHARIS GIRL!

"I Just Needed a Little Treat"

In honor of our (and every) little girls' favorite movie, we've composed a version of Let it Go. The title fits our lifestyle and our motto these days.

Funny how four kids so close

Makes everything okay.

The things that used to bug us

Don't bother us at aaaall... 

Let it gooooo

Let it gooooo

Can't hold 'em back anymore

Let it go, let it gooooo,

While Bethany drinks paintbrush water.

Here we stand

While they roll wet in the sand.

Let the toys fly,

I'll clean up at nap time.

...She's gonna drink from Bogey's bowl anyway.

Yesterday morning, Charis was looking for three pieces of gum she'd saved in their room from Pop the night before. When she mentioned the gum, Hannah said, "I just needed a little treat last night." Charis soon emerged with three crumpled wrappers.

We had a great visit with Pete, Sally, Susannah and Pop this past week! Here are a few pics!

"I'm going to be a flower girl when I grow up."

Charis and Hannah got in a tiff the other day and threatened each other with, "oh yeah? Well, you can't be my flower girl when I get married." "Ok, well then you can't be my flower girl anymore either." I think this is for the best, so I just stayed out of it.

Nathanael will be four months old on July 5th, and we're completely in love with our Jamesy boy. I'm savoring the sweet smell of a newborn, knowing it won't last long.

Charis is improving in her skating skills, while Hannie still doesn't understand why anyone would put on those silly skates. "They make me fall. I will skate in my sandals." 

Bethany's talking more every day. When she hears Nathanael waking up she says, "Baby cry. I get it." And heads upstairs. When she sees him she says, "awwww, Bubberloo." 

We started school on Monday! This is Charis' kindergarten year and Hannah's first year of preschool (both at home). Why do they grow up so fast?! 

Our baby girl will be 5 in 2 weeks!

Not thrilled to be at the skating rink today... Until the hokey pokey came on, that is.

"I hold it." (This is an older pic).

So glam in a plastic bib.