The Life

Last year...we got to join the country club mainly for business and golf but we and d's business partners family get to reap the benefits of the pool. 

So we ventured out Memorial day weekend (grand opening) and had the pool to ourselves for about an hour. It was amazing. A little chilly but still a blast. They got new slides and water  pad stuff so it is even more fun this year. 

Of course, this mama likes that the towel are there to use and so are a ton of toys. I just bring us a change of clothes and our life vests and we have a blast. We even get to eat there. Best french fries around, in my opinion. 

We had a blast and the kiddos and D and papa went back on Monday to use the bounce houses they brought in for the day. Again not too many people and always a blast. 

Used to think it was a bit out of our league and it is. But it is REALLY nice. At least I love it!

Thankful Thursday: Its the small things

Sometimes all a mom needs is a moment of peace and tranquility. This was it. A long day and all three sitting together and sharing a moment!

1. when all three get along
2. any moment of quiet
3. blooming flowers
4. green landscape
5. the swimming pool
6. air conditioning
7. nights to myself - and a hubby who lets me get away
8. d's flexibilty in his job
9. the oaks - makes my job easier for a few hours
10. God's truth
11. friendships
12. my mom - such a great listener (always the perfect ear)
13. healthy baby
14. sweet friends of ours and the life of their little one on the way - so happy and excited for them
15. the movement of the baby
16. my lasts with Shaddy before school
17. sleeping in (if only all three would get it together on the same day)
18. small completed projects before baby comes
19. outdoor eating
20. rain showers - haven't watered anything really yet!

the girl

I know people always say...every child is different. Well that's for sure.

Ells is slowly progressing out of the difficult threes. Except four can still be rough on the patience of this mama.

She is a sweet, kind, perceptive little girl. However...she has a few tendencies that can get her into a whirlwind in a second and its a tough climb to get her down out of the tornado if you catch my drift. One battle that I tend to lose all patience with and can send me into a four year old tantrum just like her.

She is a perfectionist to the core. I mean D is and I can lean that way too so it shouldn't surprise us but wow is it a tough road. Small and I mean tiny details like a sweatshirt dropped in a puddle (this sunday pre-church), Sage writing on her worksheet (today), sticky hands (anytime with syrup), wet shoes after going in a puddle (monday) can set this girl into a craze.

So I tend to choose my battles. Clothes are another one. I mean she is four! Most of the time I can steer her the right direction but there are some things this girl just refuses to wear. For a while it was capri leggings, only the long ones would do. Well its hot so we are gradually switching over, thank goodness. Then I bought her these super cute crocheted shoes, I even got matching ones since I wasn't sure she'd wear them.

Well it took prompting and after the tenth plus try she finally did and loved them! See mom does know best!

Stubborn sprited thing this one.

I'm not writing this to gripe or complain...don't get me wrong I love this little girl to pieces but she can frustrate me to no end too. Way more than the boys ever get under my skin. I mean I know she looks like me but she definitely can't act like me can she? I like to blame it on D but I'm sure it falls back on me. The Lord is using her to mold me and make me. No one ever said this parenting gig would be easy but trying to figure out what makes another person tick is tough.

I just want to remember these days. Of repetition each morning and night. How she asks both times of day if she needs new underwear. Sometimes she forgets from the living room to her bedroom and checks again - kinda similar to D's garage door routine, christmas card addressing, and locking the doors at night. A little OCD.

Side note...funny story...the other morning she came and asked if she needed new underwear. Normal conversation for our day. I replied yes as we didn't take showers or baths the night before. She replied, "good because these have a little poop on them". Still makes me laugh. Of course, D and I chuckled as we do regularly at all our kiddos throughout the day and evening. Never a dull moment around here thats for sure.

How she just forgets what she is doing in the middle of something - like dressing and comes and tells me some random thought completely naked. She is a wander. A thought wander. She is also a good 2nd in command. She likes to repeat my instructions and loves to be the boss. A girl thing I think. She is slow to get out of the van and tends to float around aimlessly at times - kinda beating to her own drum.

And right now she is playing quietly beside me while everyone else naps. She loves to color and draw. She hates to be pestered by Sage and is a bit on the dramatic side. But she always is the first to notice my pedicure or d's new haircut or a new shirt/dress etc.

Gotta love this sweet girl. Even if she causes me to lose some hair along the way! She will always be my girl and so far the only one I can call daughter!

Our first spill of many...but I hope not

This little princess is far from a princess. He is a dare devil. Jumping furniture, taking risks. He is the crazy one.

Last wednesday...it had been a rough day. Finally reading stories prior to nap and we were all sitting on the couch. Sage turns around, loses his balance and falls backwards onto the coffee table. He cries of course. Thinking he just bumped his head I comfort him only to find a hand full of blood. Dang heads bleed a ton. I panic. Of course. Rush to the kitchen. Yell for Shadd to call Dad. Of course, he doesn't know how but hands me the phone. He can barely hear me I am sure. Finally I get the bleeding to subside and examine.

Call some nurse friends. Call D. Try to figure out what to do. Decide to take him in. He gets three staples while I hold him down on my lap. One sweaty, but relieved prego lady with two bigs who sit patiently in the waiting room like champs. I was so proud of them. Almost even teared up when Shadd put his arm around Ells to lead her back to the waiting room with the nurse while he got the staples.

Sager did great. He was actually more mad that he was missing the show in the waiting room. But he is one strong little dude and he surprised the nurse and doctor with his strength.

He hasn't complained and it looks like it will heal great. Just made me extremely thankful it was such a small incident and that I don't have to do that hospital, clinic thing on a regular basis. Praise the Lord for my healthy, resilient little ones.

Add caption

D's Birthday

Last monday was D's official big day! His birthday that is...

We were thankful that some of our best friends could come over that evening and celebrate.

Of course, the kiddos wanted to decorate. Yep. That being said around 2pm. So we went with an ISU theme since we have a lot of that stuff randomly around. We pulled out some chalkboards, some cute red and yellow straws and napkins and threw a party.

Dad even helped out by picking up dessert. Little did he know about the theme. Great minds think a like I guess.

But what tickled me the most was my little thoughtful Shaddy. He made a card for dad during nap. Then he wanted to mail it. Of course our mailbox is a little different so he addressed it and took it up and opened up our mail and put it in. He was so excited and pumped.

He also gave Dad a ticket for a round of golf with him.

Amazes me that sweet heart. He will win the heart of some lucky girl someday. Till then I think I will just cherish the moments and glimpses I get of his daddy in him.

Tulip Time

Going backwards....


We had to venture to get our will signed at D's attorney so why not tackle Tulip Time too. Plus see my sis and her fam and eat way to much of our favorites.

Plus a parade. Could it get any better? Yes. Thanks to Grandma E a sweet parking spot downtown so we didn't even have to walk and cherry donuts from Jaarsma early so we didn't even wait in line. Score!

the two year olds - what a pair! 

dancing with some friends of ours to the band music

Mother's Day

Happy to say I got to spend the day with these 4! Little big bump tucked away as Sager snuggled up close. Plus they got me all these beauties that sit on my front porch. All my favorites in one spot!

Plus I got to hang with my mama...the best one around! She never ceases to amaze me with her wisdom and love. She has got it all and I'm lucky to only have to share with a few. Love you more that you will ever know MOM. Thank you for being the VERY BEST!

Garage Sale

This week has been a busy one. I need to get caught up but it takes time to get photos off my camera, my phone, etc and sit down and write via blogger.

So...we had a blast last weekend. i'm kinda out of order but still no the less documented for someday when i'm lonely and i read on how chaotic our lives once were, right?

Last weekend was city wide garage sale in my hometown and i have had garage sales at other times of the year and they never seem to be as great as city wide. We didn't have a ton but the kids did a lemonade stand and I actually sold this really cool chandlier that i got a few years back for my sister's wedding and only lost $5 on the deal so i was pumped. Plus I scored an old school runner sled for a $1 from the garage sale down the street and some great toys for the kiddos on Friday. Plus my momma and I know how to quickly set up and tear down a garage sale. Maybe its the 30 plus years of the experience. We rarely price and most of everything is $1. Simple and cheap is our motto. Plus it is a great way to recycle and clear out the junk in our houses.

Are they not the sweetest girls around! They were great help too!

Our $2 light brite. Love that thing. We have done a snowman, a mrs. potato head, and Shadd and I worked on the free form ISU one that turned out not too shabby.

Plus we got to squeeze in playing with some of our bestest friends along with celebrating Mom's Day and Aunt E and Daddy's birthdays.

Trouble that third child

Wild ride - brotherly love

Oh Spring...you are as crazy as ever

Lots and lots of rain.

One random day of summer sun - last week. I mean it was hot. We did the sprinkler at 6:30 I believe.

And then today. Jackets, hats, gloves. What?

I mean why can't we just have beautiful jeans and short sleeve weather for this very prego mama who is dreading the summer sweat like no one else.

Oh well I guess I need to be thankful for shade trees, water and air conditioning and rainy nap days, right! Its all about perspective!

Random phone pics

Just some random pictures from my phone...

an early morning picture

shadd and i made a dessert out of a kid's cookbook he got from the library. he did almost the entire thing himself.

 silly ells

 my foggy smeary lens on shadd's first day of kindergarten roundup. he loved it!  couldn't wait to go back the next day and can't wait to start.

our finished masks from Ells bday party. a couple dogs and a cat

 spelling and creating with our new pattern blocks. these are so much fun!

dying easter eggs with Cousin S

having fun with cousin H who got to spend the night pre-Ells bday party

Shadd's treats he left out for the Easter bunny.

A little cutie I discovered

Princess Elsa - thanks to he sweet friend K

Happy May Day

What a perfect Thursday...

well it should be...

lots to be thankful for and to do especially since its a fun little treat filled holiday where we get to ring our neighbors door bells and drop off some yummy treats and run home and hope to get there before we get caught.

the kiddos had a blast last year and they had just as much fun this year.

filling up the goodie bags - which i had laying around for just this perfect occasion. sshh... i knew there was a reason i frequently buy random things from pick your plum and very jane, right??? oh dear gotta tell yourself its okay that you don't have a problem. at least i have a stash.

well we had b & q today too so it was fun to have help from b while q took a nap and she has a couple to deliver to her neighbors when she gets home tonite too.

so far we've only made one attempt and they weren't home and our local cousins dropped off some so we got to give them theirs in return.

headed out

returning home

the delivery crew

plus its thursday and on another dreary day like today i need to list a few things i'm thankful for because well dreary weather can just make me downright damp to the core.

1. april rain shower = may flowers and green green grass (for free)
2. creative inside play - silly songs and singing
3. my new wireless speaker for my ipad - greatest little invention
4. when d shows up from work early
5. a moment when 4 out of 5 are napping (yeah - small victory dance)
6. that Shadd loved kindergarten roundup - and he is on his way to kindergarten next fall
7. my parents (both of ours really) and their ability to watch our kiddos for a night away or week or whatever. we are so so thankful and that our kiddos absolutely love it!
8. Sage's redition of Summer from frozen. hoping i can post a video. he has really been picking up on songs and actions and he can make everyone fall to their knees in laughter.
9. Shadd's laugh - it is so infectious. a joke from his magazine got him started a couple nights ago.
10. Ells's mommy actions - hands on her hips, bossing others and repeating our instructions. Its like watching yourself in the mirror.
11. trader joes flowers - just beautiful! plus affordable so ells gets a bouquet on special occasions too!
12. d's love and ability to make breakfast
13. a healthy growing baby boy - measuring about 28 weeks when I am 26 today. surprise surprise he will be big!
14. passed glucose test and blood work all normal
15. baby movement - might be my favorite part of being pregnant
16. my kiddos love for the baby boy growing inside me and the silly questions they ask all the time


ps. we did try out the tattoos and they are awesome!