It's Your Birthday...

Yep...I'm another year older and none the wise...just kidding. I'm actually quite wise...as in wise guy! Okay, I know I'm not a guy, but wise gal just didn't sound the same. And I've also been blogging for a while and have a goal of finishing my May blog posts, so I may be blogging slap happy...or just plain punchy. Either way, my 34th birthday was... ...spectacular! At least for most of us...Rachel Lee is still a bit afraid of the ocean.... But a coffee seemed to perk her up. Or more appropriately chocolate milk. After Jeff got home we went to dinner with a few friends while a sitter took care of the girls. It was really a special time and I felt very loved by Jeff, the girls and friends! Praise God for all the blessings that 34 years have brought me! And here's to 34 more years of living in God's grace and knowing love from God and others!

"Wrap Me Up"

All my girls have loved being swaddled as babies. I remember when Hannah outgrew her swaddle blankets, but I refused to let her go unswaddled because she slept so much better swaddled. My friend Jenny and I made larger blankets and sat there joking that if it meant that we slept better, we would swaddle our kids until they went off to college. Joking...but then my sweet Rachel Lee decided that she wants to be wrapped up before she sleeps...and if she is wrapped up she sleeps so much better. So, here is my two year old, swaddled for nap time (and don't worry, she can get out of the swaddle just ask her sisters who see her play around during nap time...shenanigans I tell you!)

Painting with my Girls

Although I've quit my morning women's Bible study I feel busier than ever! Both older girls have end of the school year activities that are keeping us occupied, and Ellie, the little girl I care for, has been needing a few extra hours of care here and there. Add in extra work for Jeff and BAM! things are busier than ever. But every so often I just have to stop everything, sit with my girls, turn on some quiet music and enjoy painting. Painting is always so relaxing for both me and my girls!

Closing Ceremony at the San Diego Art Museum

Well, the display at the San Diego Art Museum, the Young Artist, is over now, and Hannah's head will soon be returned to her. The closing activity was a brief question and answer time. Each artist was given 3-5 minutes to speak, and the art docent asked questions to get the kiddos speaking. It was a fun time, and Hannah spoke slowly at first, then with confidence at the end. My parents came down for the ceremony, and they brought Amy. What a treat! Rachel Lee was trying to make a great escape...but Kate was determined to hold onto her. We were a bit early, so we stopped by the art workshop to sketch a self portrait and then use water color to paint it. So fun! And you know the interview is over when: And of course, what trip to the Art Museum would be complete without a trip to the dragon...at least that's what I call it because I think it is a dragon...I'm pretty sure it is... But whatever it is, it sure is fun to climb!

Pool Time

Jump! Jump, jump! Or, just hang out poolside look cute.

Messy Paint Day

It was a good day....a messy day...a paint and shaving cream day. Yes, it was a good day! Sweet Kate was nervous about Messy Paint Day. Her teacher had told her that there would be paint all over the playground and that they would get messy, messy, MESSY! Kate heard those words and thought, "No thanks." So, it was tough to get her to go to school (for that and other reasons). Volunteers were wanted for the Messy Paint Time (mostly for the clean up) so I called a few friends, found someone to take care of the three other kiddos (it happened to be an Ellie day) and made sure that I was there for Kate in case she wanted to go home. Fortunately she did have a good time and didn't have to get too messy. Just messy enough to have fun! And of course, when your friends are getting messy you want to as well! It was a good day...messy and good!

Crazy Hair Day!!

I may have spent way too long doing hair last Tuesday morning in preparation for Kate's crazy hair day at school. The problem is, when one kid has crazy hair with bands, baby-buns, pony tails, braids and GLITTER, all the girls want bands, baby-buns, pony tails, braids and GLITTER! So, I stood there banding and glittering their hair, and I can't help but look at the pictures and smile...they were quite proud of the crazy hair dos! And of course, crazy hair leads to crazy behavior...this is what happened when I asked them to turn around to see the back...the started spinning and before I knew it they were running all over the front yard. Good times with the sweet ones!