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This girl.....

is FINALLY

riding a bike (and pedaling by herself!)

talking in sentences

saying, "No, Thank you"

asking questions like, "what are you doing?" "what's that" and then when you respond she says, Oh"

Still calls Trevor; "BUH"

LOVES to play in dirt.

The other day, I dropped Breanna off at school and she turned around and said, Bye Mom, Good Day"(Have a good Day)

Thank you girl, for giving me a reason to cry tears of joy when something I have wanted so badly for so long has finally happened, you are talking and I am getting to know you........

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This boy.......is Daddy's little helper. He must have all his tools out working a long side him building our new deck!!!

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The big question is whether you are going to be able to say a hearty yes to your adventure....

-Joseph Campbell

Today......

was totally unscheduled (but started WAY too early!), and I even found myself reading a book in a lawn chair at one point while these two were doing this. I knew was exactly where I was supposed to be, and my life is exactly what it is supposed to be and there is no feeling greater than that.

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Today was all about preparing for our big night out, for our sleepover, and for six kids being watched by one FANTASTIC babysitter. W had the best time out in the old port, eating great food, drinking great drink, laughing and pretending we were 10 years younger. Here's to Captain Phil....

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You are getting to the age where everything is just better when you have a friend over (usually spontaneous neighborhood play). I LOVE it, but I'm also sad that Mom and Dad aren't number 1 any more (when did that happen?!?)........

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EVERYDAY.....

You need to have your drinkable yogurt (or three or four) with a " Christmas straw " .

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The simultaneous lick (from last evening, but this photo deserved a day all on it's own)

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As they drift off to sleep tonight, tired and with full bellies, they feel the small grits of sand between their toes and taste the salty air and ice cream still on their lips. They remember the warm breezes, running and jumping in the waves, walks with mama, and making sandcastles. They drift off and dream of these summer childhood days. I hope they always take these memories with them (I know I will....)

Happy Birthday Girls!

WE LOVE you!

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The Shooting Stars preschool garden......adorable!

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Taking down our old deck (well only 4 years old---Josh said that the person who built this deck shouldn't even be building a birdhose..)

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Today....

Some lawn mowing, yard work, errands and housecleaning

A baseball game that lasted too long

An 8 year old friend birthday party that was "the best party EVER"

entertaining the Day family.... (it's been FOREVER!)

a cookout with some delicious burgers, salads and homemade strawberry shortcake

kids playing (and crying) and one three year old playing football with a baseball helmet

a two year old learning how to ride a bike

catching frogs (or just poking them with a stick)

a campfire (that was too hot!) and S'mores

finally... a movie (so the adults could sit still)

This IS the good stuff.......

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.......And Another season of growing begins.

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This boy.

(who in this picture got himself dressed with his pants on inside out and underwear on backwards--but YEAH for indepenence:) )

IS REALLY giving us a hard time right now. As much as we try to focus on the JOY, it is hard to not want to kick this little three year old to the curb sometimes. He is just dying for attention (even though he has it constantly), has taken a step backward after he was potty trained last week, he talks over people constantly, and needs everything NOW. He is clingy, very clingy. I know someday I'll miss it, but really?

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I wish I could describe the heartache I feel inside sometimes when I pass a group of teen girls hanging out at the playground together, shopping for a dress for the school dance , getting their hair done, or playing a on a sports team. Sometimes, I have a hard time holding back the tears for something I want for you so badly, but you may not have. I know it will be hard, but I wish so badly for you to have that sense of belonging and friendship someday---things that are a given for any typical girl. Sometimes, though, I have to tell myself that I can't forsee the future, and that maybe, you will be OK. I don't care what else you learn in your life, I just want you to have friends.

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The newest fad in the elementary school, Silly Bands. I wish I would have thought of them. They are little rubber bands (that cost $5!) that come in different shapes. The kids collect them and trade them and wear them as bracelets.

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just finishing up our antibiotics from some Strep throat that was going around here (Lucas and Bre) last week.

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Happy birthday party to two very sweet little girls, I hope you had a fun day---WE love you!

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Saturday+Spring=Baseball

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the sky couldn't have been any bluer, you were so excited about your first baseball practice!