Sunbather

Long after Jude and Ella have come in from playing in the water, Maddie can be found sunbathing.  The first time I caught her doing it I asked her what she was doing, and her response was, "Oh, just getting a little bit of color, Mom. I want to be tan like the teenagers." Sigh.

Insanity Update

Rob and I are five and a half weeks into the nine week program, and just started the second level workouts.  Each workout is about fifteen minutes longer than in level one (they end up being just under an hour) and about ten million times harder.  We wake up sore every morning wondering how we'll get through another workout, but somehow do it.    We are starting to see and feel some results, and that is encouraging, but six days a week does not get any easier.  We still wake up grumpy every morning, and have NO motivation to press play on the DVD player.  I think this morning I even said, "I hate Insanity.  I like working out, but I HATE Insanity.  I'm never doing it again."  I guess that's a good indicator that we're getting pushed to the max.

In three and a half weeks I'll let you all know if all of this was worth it - right now the jury is still out.

Here's a video I found of somebody doing some of the exercises we do every morning.  She makes it look so easy - but, I swear....it's not!

Evening with the Avetts

Rob and I went with some friends to go see one of our favorite bands, The Avett Brothers, in concert.  I've been to a lot of shows in my day, but I can easily say that this was one of the best I've ever seen.  These guys have unbelievable talent  - and seeing them live only made me love them more.  I'm already looking forward to next year's show.  So, in honor of one of the best nights ever, I've changed my playlist to be all Avett Brother's songs.  Hope you enjoy.

Within seconds of arriving, this girl (total stranger) asked Brandon if she could wear his coat since it was raining.  Nice guy Brandon agreed - but seriously, how awkward?!  She gave it back a few minutes later - claiming that she felt bad...but then asked for it back further into the show.  

Jessica Lea Mayfield took the stage first - look her up.  You won't regret it.

Then came our boys Scott (L) and Seth (R) 

We were very, very happy - despite the rain.

Soon-to-be-marrieds Zach and Cherry.  They're super cute! 

The whole clan

Night well spent

Loose

 Her front bottom right

We're gearing up for the first visit from the tooth fairy.  I don't know how long it takes from loose to gone, but Maddie sure is excited.

What does (or did) the tooth fairy give your kids?  I think we always got a dollar.  Have times changed?

Try This

I love this dinner because it's easy, tasty, and fairly healthy....if you're not opposed to noodles.  If you are opposed to noodles, we can't be friends anyway. Don't be scared of the feta cheese, it's very mild in this recipe.  Oh, and I usually add a few extra spices to kick it up a notch, but that's just me.

Click here for the recipe...and PLEASE send me more summer dinner ideas.  I'm getting desperate.

At Last

 Ella is at the age where catching a good picture is rare.  She smiles, then looks away.  She squints her eyes, then goes cross-eyed.  She sticks our her tongue, or just plain hides.  For days I've been trying to get some good shots of her, and yesterday I finally succeeded.

Snow Cone Snobs

That's right, I said it...and I'm not ashamed.  We love our snow cones - and are extremely picky about how they should taste.  Thus far we've only found one place that meets our expectations, but if you have any suggestions - feel free to share!  

Happy 6th, Madelyn

July 6, 2011

My oldest is six today.  I cannot believe I'm the mother of a soon-to-be first grader.  I think she has matured more in this past year than ever before.  She went into kindergarten loving pink, princess, girly, fairy anything.  Now it's all about rockstar colors and music on her ipod.  She wants to wear make-up, and has a boyfriend.  "...we're not really in love, we are just pretend in love right now. But I will marry him after college."  Kills me.

Madelyn wants to be a rockstar by the time she's ten.  And, honestly, she has the talent, sass and creativity to do it!  If I wasn't so scared of the life that always seems to follow child stars, I'd get this girl an agent.  (I'll wait for another time to post the song she wrote about the Amrerican Flag.  Classic.)  She's into all of the (as she calls them) teenager shows on The Disney Channel, and hardly cares about kid cartoons anymore.

Even though she's so grown up, the truth is that Madelyn is still SUCH a sweetheart.  She is kind, loving, thoughtful, and so unbelievably obedient.  I'm not sure there is a mean bone in the kid's body.  She is sugar, spice and everything nice.  She was given a principal's award for showing respect to her fellow students at a school assembly - and I think that really sums it up.  She's just a respectful kid.  I am proud to be her mother and proud of who she is.

Happy sixth birthday to the sweetest girl I know.  Love you, Maddie!

Fireworks

Rob's cute parents joined us for a spectacular fireworks show.  We had a few of our own - but the show continued deep into the night with all of the neighbors taking turns showing off their purchases.  It was a perfect end to my third favorite day of the year.  I had hoped to get some more pictures, but the rain kept my camera in hiding.

Grandma, Ella and Roxy.  Photobomber - Jude. 

Jude, Papa and Maddie

Thanks to the legalization of aerials, no neighbors could call the cops on us this year.  

Jude's FAVORITE.  He begs every year for the froggy.  Its eyes light up, and fire shoots out of its mouth.  Always a crowd pleaser.

Master of Ceremonies...and a couple of duds.  

Thanks Grandma, Papa and Roxy for celebrating with us!

My Chubber Dubber

Claire Bear is six months old today.  It's killing me how fast this has gone by.  As I do the "Will I - Won't I," argument in my brain (you know...the one where you try to decide how many kids you plan on having) I just keep going back to how quickly this past six months have gone by.  Lucky for me, she still wants to be a baby in a lot of ways.  She rolls, but isn't too mobile - and really enjoys being held.  That makes for lots of snuggle time.  Her latest trick is a cheesy, fake laugh along side a crooked smile and one squinted eye. I find myself seeking it out constantly.  Makes my day every single time.

She's huge, hence the nickname Chubber Dubber.  She is already wearing the same clothes that Ella wore last summer.  I'm talking 2T - 3T, people. I'm guessing her size will be the only defense she has against Ella once she's more mobile. It really is survival of the fittest around here - and Ella seems to have most of the control.  But she's soft, sweet, and has the most kissable cheeks ever.

I just want to sit back and enjoy this time I have with her, because in my eyes she is absolutely perfect.

Happy half-birthday, baby!  Your mommy loves you!

Holiday Hangover

I hope everyone out there is slowly recovering from all of the excitement of the weekend.  It always takes me a full day to get myself back together after a good holiday weekend - or any weekend for that matter.  Mondays (oh wait, it's actually Tuesday, isn't it?!) are usually a wash for me.  I spend way too much time staring at the computer, chatting with my husband, and generally wasting the day.  I figured since I was just sitting here anyway, I'd check in with everyone to make sure we're all on the same page.

Your child is also outside at 8:30 in the morning, stuck between two chairs, pretending to be an octopus, right?  

Okay, phew.  For a minute there I was starting to think we might be the weird ones.  

Let Freedom Ring

I hope everyone took a minute to appreciate all the freedoms that we have been so blessed with.  A special thank you to everyone that sacrificed  to make the U.S.A. the wonderful country it is today.  

Happy 4th, friends! 

Sunday Grilling

As I've mentioned before, we eat almost all of our summer dinners outside.  Grilled food, and patio eating is one of our favorite things about summer nights.  So why, then, am I the only person in the world who didn't know you could make homemade pizza on the grill?!

Truth be told, I think this is mmmm, maybe second time I've made homemade pizza in my life.  It's just one of those so-easy-to-order meals.  But I'm fairly sure this is going to become a staple in our dinner time lineup.  If you've never made it - try it.  It's actually a pretty fun meal.

Paper plates and diet pepsi.  So classy.

Licking the cheese

Can't talk.  Eating. 

We made Margherita and Alfredo pizzas.  Om nom nom nom.

Up Close and Personal

I know I'm the mom....but I just think they have the cutest little faces.  

Madelyn Alyse: six days short of six

Jude Tyler: four and a half

Ella Isabel: Two years and seven months

Claire Elisabeth: almost six months

Juuuuuuust Kidding!

Did you come back?  JUST to see if maybe I'd post one more time?  Well, you're right.  I couldn't stay away.  I'll try to post more often.  I'm even considering a blog-a-day for a whole year.  Think I could do that?  CONSIDERING is the key word here.  I still have four kids five and under.  We'll see.

We took a family hike last weekend and had a jolly old time.  It would have been a fairly easy hike for just Rob and I (thank you, Insanity) but by the end the kids were so-totally-done.  Rob carried Claire on his back, and we both took turns carrying Ella.  Despite the three falls and four meltdowns, it actually was some great family bonding time.

Ella leads the pack

Baby in hat.  So cute.  More to come.

Claire's hiking face

Family Photo Op. Three out of four kids looking at the camera = success. 

My baby blue.  A little Asian couple said "he" was the littlest hiker they had ever seen.  The also called "him" handsome in "his" hat.  It's my fault for putting her in blue.  

Proof I was there.

Taking a break.

This picture scared me to death. Claire was hanging out over the water. 

Roaring Rapids

The destination

Strong Man

My hero