stinker

Only when they're babies, do they get away with making a mess. Because for some reason, at this age, it's adorable to see them making mischief... Why is that?

Solace can't truly crawl on all fours, but he can scoot and army crawl pretty fast. He gets into everything and is never in the same place I leave him. This particular day, I caught him pulling out all the kid dishes. And, no joke, I had just re-organized it the day before. So goes my life.

sweet

One of our traditions at night is bedtime songs. Usually the kids each get one song in their bed from me (and another one from Paul, if he's there).  Paul was gone one night and Lullaby was particularly distraught about it. My song wasn't as good as the one that Daddy should have been there to sing to her... So, Hawken offered to sing to her, and that was just what she needed. Then, of course, she needed Matix to sing her a song too.

These kids really love each other. They care about each other, and try to make their siblings happy. I love that about them. This all happened in front of me, but I wasn't really involved. I just watched. They are so sweet. I love my family.

fun

Three more days of fun at the Children's Museum. One day, a few friends met us there. It was fun to have a big crew to walk around with. Although during the Spring Break festivities, it was way too crowded and noisy to really get to chat with my friend, but still fun to be there together.  They waited in line for the trampolines while our kids did a puppet show for them through the bushes and over the fence.

Matix wanted to try out the giant ball again. He loves it.

Lullaby the vet, prefers to wear here stethoscope around her waist like a belt. Love her.

There was also a performance by the Harlem Globe Trotters. It was SO fun. They are veyr talented guys. We love Spring Break at the Children's Museum!

Using the video phones. They will spend an hour here at least. Just talking to each other and making silly faces.  (While posting this I realized that Hawk and Lullaby are wearing the same two shirts as they were wearing the other day we went to the Museum. It was 4 days apart, so they must just be their favorite shirts? I didn't know they wore them that much. :)

I usually don't let the kids go into this 3 story climbing structure when I am by myself at the museum, because a kid (usually Lullaby) will get stuck somewhere in it, and that means that I have to hold Solace AND climb through to get her and lure her back out. Which I have done, and which is not fun.  This particular day, I was alone there with the kids, but I thought I would give it another chance. I told Lullaby to follow Matix. This time, they both got stuck and were frantic to find their way out. Matix can be very dramatic. Finally, after I figured the way out and tried to show Matix (without getting in myself), they got it. It took almost 45 minutes. I was exhausted. They were exhausted.  It was, however, very cute to watch Matix help Lullaby through it. She would get nervous, and he would carry her down the big steps. So sweet.  Hawken, made it down all three flights several times while this whole thing was going on.  So, back to not letting them do this climbing thing when I'm alone. That was 45 minutes of shouting (so they could hear me over the noise) and pointing and waving my arms and being frustrated that I let them do it. It was my own fault. Lesson learned. :)

The cups. Why are these so fun?!  I was nursing Solace, so the pictures I got weren't very good.

Hawken took over the picture taking and got these:

Then Sully was done, so I got a few more pics. They were so proud of the huge towers they made!

Last day. Music light floor, I need this. It lights up and changes color where you stand. Too much fun.

Another light area. These lights turned on and off in random order. The kids made up a game about switching to a new light and trying not to step on a circle that was lit.

There is a face painting area. Usually they want me to do something on them, but this day, they decorated themselves. Lovely.

Riding scooters in Vietnam.

It was a good three days. :)  And Solace was there too. Being a good baby, despite teething (he has his first official tooth. Bottom left!), and not being able to really play yet.  He sits in his stroller, or scoots around on the floor (if that area isn't crazy busy), and watches. He is good at watching.

Rub a dub dub

3 men (and a little lady) in a tub! First time ever with 4 kids in the bath. It was cramped, but they loved having Sully in the tub WITH them.  Usually I bathe Solace first, get him dressed and let him play near me while I bathe the other three.

This won't happen very often, but every once in a while is okay. :)  Love my 4 cuties. The big kids could not handle it. They each wanted turns with Solace near them. He was passed back and forth and tickled and kissed so much. He had no idea what was going on. Very strange day for him.

residency

Paul is a hard worker. Everyone who knows him would agree. He gives 100% at everything he does.  He works crazy long hours with some people who aren't the easiest to be around. He sometimes has to give people bad news and consoles them. He heals people. He goes above and beyond, thinking about his patients as friends.  He stays positive and optimistic, which would be a challenge for anyone else in his situation.  When he gets home, he gives the kids 100% of their daddy. He watches them play, and plays with them. He reads stories and asks thought provoking questions. He sings songs and helps the kids say their prayers. On nights when he is home, Lullaby always says in her prayer that she is thankful that daddy came home early.  After the kids go to bed, I finally get some alone time with him. We chat and catch up and just as I am thoroughly enjoying my time, I look over and this is what I see. Paul has literally fallen asleep mid-sentence. 

I love you hubby. On Tuesday, you will only have 27 months left of residency. You can do it! :)

cute

Auntie Laurel bought Lulli another new tutu, and this is the cutest one yet. Lullaby wore it all day (and night) when she first got it. Then she wore it to church on Sunday, and got the best compliments. It is currently her favorite thing to wear. She LOVES it. Thanks again Laurel! :)

If you can believe it, this little dress is even more darling in person. I love that I have a daughter, and I love that she loves getting dressed up. It's like having a real life dolly.

kiddie carnival

Mindy's freebie hunting skills are good too, and she let us in on this little secret. A free kiddie carnival at Discovery Green. Yes please. The rides were free, the games (although we didn't play them) were free, the face paint was free. Love it.  Plus Logan and Summer were there, and you can't have a better day without them. We got there right when it was supposed to open to be sure to beat the crowd. The kids ran around for a while while we waited.

First ride was a tea cup style ride. It spun pretty fast and 1/2 way through Lullaby wanted me to hold her head up. Logan, Matix and Hawken rode together and had a blast. Lullaby liked it too, at first.  Mindy got a quick video too, while she held on to Summer and Solace.

The face paint was crazy impressive. They had air brushes and every color you could ask for. Matix got a dinosaur skeleton on one side and slash marks on the other. Lullaby wanted this rainbow zebra thing, but after she found out it was an airbrush, she only wanted the stripes on one side. Usually she loves to get her face painted, but apparently only the old fashioned way, with brushes. :)  Hawk didn't want anything, he just wanted to run down the hill.

Close ups from home, Matix was crabby because I just told him that it wasn't permanent and will come off soon. He thought he got a real tattoo.

Then it was the swings. At one point the boys took off their seat belt and the operator had to run around holding them in their seats. Good grief. These boys.  We went on a few times, since the line was short. Mindy was a good sport and rode with Hawken, since Matix and Logan wanted to ride together.

Then we let the kids run, and ran they did. Up and down this tiny hill. I'm glad we didn't have to pay for anything at the carnival, because I would have felt like I wasted my money since the hill next to it was just as fun for the kids. :) Of course.

Such a fun morning. Thanks Mindy for the free find!