My {current} Youngest

My youngest is getting so big.  I almost can't believe how fast time has gone--and, yes, I feel that way when I look at my oldest ones, too!  We had some issues over the holiday break with Samuel wanting to sleep with me.  We do nap together frequently so that could be part of the issue.  Here we are on Saturday night--it's way past his bedtime and getting to be past mine but Brian and I were watching a movie so I was up!  The next night, he did tons better so I am not too worried about these possible habit-making nights but it is so sweet to have him crawl up with me and snuggle.  :)  At least you can see how big this belly is getting in that picture!!

Today, I started trying to be a bit more proactive and productive in my time with just Samuel.  It won't be "just Samuel" on these 3 days/week for much longer.  So I decided to use some of the "tot school" ideas that I thought were neat from some new blogs I am really into.  Today, Samuel and I read about colors and played some color matching and shape finding games.  It was simple and fun--the hardest part was for me to get on and off the floor (especially w/my bandaged foot--result of a kick to the bathtub during a temper tantrum--my own tantrum).  :)

Happy Thanksgiving

Today we are recuperating from celebrating Thanksgiving--the break and the holiday.  It was a great week off from all activities, though!  I was able to help with the kids' feast at school last Friday even though Hunter had to miss it for the "24 hour rule" (he had thrown up multiple times the day before).  Then we stayed in and got stuff done around the house for a few days.  Thursday, we celebrated with the Kregers and Friday we were at the PJs.  The kids enjoyed playing with cousins--although, Lily was missing her playmate on Friday because of sickness so that was a bummer.  It wasn't a lot of work for us but, for some reason, we were all totally exhausted each evening.  Today, no one is super cheerful and most of us are refusing to get out of pajamas.  :)  But it was fun and it was just one more thing off the list before I have this baby--it's getting so close! 

Bring On The Holidays!

Once the kids finished school on Friday for Thanksgiving break, I was ready to dig Christmas stuff out. Honestly, I would probably be ready no matter what but my excuse this year is this baby!! I want to have Christmas stuff ready so I (or "we") can start tackling my massive "Nesting List". I like to get ready!! Hunter is a little bit like his Dad and questioned the idea of putting Christmas stuff up before Thanksgiving but, otherwise, everyone was excited about seeing everything!

I got this white pre-lit tree at a garage sale for $2!! What a deal. It is so pretty and it looks wonderful on the porch. Samuel was so excited to see yellow lights. :)

Hunter and Samuel have their tree all set up.

Lily worked hard on decorating her tree just the way she wanted it. :)

3 kids waiting patiently for Dad to finish setting up the "big tree".

I had to verify by looking at last year's pics but somehow the twins remembered that last year Hunter put the star on. Lily told us all day long that she was going to do it so here she is! After this, the kids decorated the tree and I think it looks better than last year--they used a chair to get ornaments higher so it's not all right at the bottom. They had fun and that's what counts!! One thing off my list...

Fun at Church?

Lily came home from Awanas with a nice swollen bruise on her cheekbone. Apparently, some little boy's head collided with her face. The best part is that she said they took her to the kitchen to put ice on it and she fell off the counter. Ha! That sounds like my girl.

Birthday Marathon

What a busy five days we have had here! Hunter and Lily turned 6 on Thursday but the celebration started Wednesday and finally ended today. Here's our fun:

Aunt Nikki came on Wednesday to deliver presents and get the celebrating going!

On Thursday, we took the kids to the Playstation after Lily's dance class. Hunter had really wanted to have a party there but between the cost and other people's fear of germs, we decided against it. But to make them both happy, we let them go for a quick evening and it was a lot of fun. They played hard! Samuel spent a lot of time in ball pit and it was actually endearing for me to look over and see Brian sitting next to Samuel in the ball pit, chucking balls at some stranger-child. :)

On Friday, their actual birthday, I was able to go to school and have lunch with them so that was a lot of fun! That evening, Grandma Barb and Papa Lee came over to visit and give presents. Later, we celebrated w/the supper of their choice (when I asked them, Hunter asked for spaghetti with no sauce and Lily asked for carrots--seriously) and gave them our own presents.

On Saturday, the work began! We had invited all of the kids in their class for a party at our house. We don't have a big house so I was unsure but Brian talked me into it. I am glad he did--what fun (and what exhaustion)! We invited 20 kids and we had a total of 13 come for the party. Whew! No parents stayed so it was up to Brian and I to keep control. Ha, ha.

Lily's Princess cake.

Hunter's outer space cake (we didn't do a Fantastic 4 theme but it was the only outer space-type cake we could find!)

This picture is in here just to note the ceiling fan. Yes, there is a parachuted army man stuck up there. This is just an example of the chaos! :)

All 15 kids. Yes, a lot of girls but out of 22 kids in the class, only 7 of them are boys!! So we knew to expect a majority of girls. It seems like they did a lot of boy v. girl play (all of which involved "swords", running and some screaming). We did provide structured activities, which I am so thankful for!! This picture looks like we have it all under control. :)

On Sunday, we wrapped up our fun by celebrating with Grandma and Papa PJ, the Henleys and the Worthingtons. This picture shows the 3 birthday people--the twins were born on their Uncle Jamie's birthday. They got me back later by having their youngest on my birthday!!

And here they are together. 6 years old!! I can't believe how fast it has gone but it seems like light years ago that I had two babies to figure out. :) What great kids--I am thankful for them!

Cheeseburger & Mashed Potatoes

To kick off the food drive at AWANAS tonight, the kids were asked to dress as their favorite food. Lily picked mashed potatoes and Hunter picked a cheeseburger. Hunter's "buns" have ketchup, cheese and pickles inside but you can't see it from the outside--and at the last minute he insisted we add sesame seeds to the outside so that was a rush job! He said next year he wants to be fries. :) I think Brian and I were proud of our homemade costumes.

The Dentist

Samuel had his 1st trip to the dentist today! He did so much better than I had feared. :) We had him watch Hunter and Lily (there's an exam room with 2 chairs so they get their teeth done at the same time) and he didn't seem thrilled AT ALL. Brian held him for the exam and I waited with Hunter and Lily in the waiting room and that seemed to work best. I didn't hear any yelling so I was so proud! All three kids were proud of their clean teeth and keep showing us their beautiful smiles. :) This is Samuel with his snake (his chosen prize) and his sticker that says "I Made My First Trip To The Dentist Today!".