package!

Lullaby got a box of new clothes from Alexandra and Auntie Jolie. She LOVES everything and tried them each on right away. As you can see from the pictures, she also needed a mini photo shoot outside, where we tore open the box. Very exciting. There was lots of gasping and ooooohing and ahhhhing… She is so spoiled having such a sweet cousin and auntie. Thanks!

Trouble

Solace figured out how to push the kitchen table chairs to get places he should't be. He likes to show it to the window, point outside and say "Dat! Dat! Dat!" Meaning he wants to go out there. He also pushes it to the counter where our candy bowl is, and helps himself. He's not big into sweets though and I will find lots of one-time-licked-lollipops in random places throughout the house.  You would think after three other children, I would have a better handle on #4, but he's a wild child and always keeps me on my toes. :)

skatepark with the babes

I love that ALL of the kids love to go to the skatepark with their dad. I'm there too, obviously, but I'm just there for pictures, snack breaks, and potty runs. Lullaby couldn't look cuter with her tutu over her pants, holding a board that's almost as tall as she is.

After a lot of chasing around with Paul, Sully got tired and took a break, mid park.

 I rarely get pictures of the big boys now, because they are SO independent. They have such confidence here, even with all the BIG boys riding around right next to them.

perks

The perks of having your mom be a preschool teacher are pretty obvious, the TOYS. These kids get to play with so many new and different toys and activities on a daily basis. Sometimes, it's because I'm not sure how appropriate the activity will be (so I test it out on my guys), and sometimes it's because I just think they will love it. We tried out some Flarp before doing it at preschool. The reaction was great, and pretty much the same thing we saw at preschool, laughing and giggling.

Love Solace's surprised face. He makes this a lot. 

preschool

I love this picture that I took during preschool. I take lots of pictures for my preschoolers' parents, and sometimes I get a really cute one of my non-preschoolers too. Solace is so happy when I let him participate, which has been increasing as the year progresses. He also waits in the morning circle for his chance to stand up, like I do for the others. 

I sent out a letter to some prospective parents for next year's preschool to see if there was any interest. I heard back from a few people right away, so it looks like we'll be doing this again next year. I'm happy that people want to send their kids to me, and I'm happy that Lullaby will get to have some of her friends there. Cheers to another good school year!

Children's Museum

Cutest little shoppers around!

Trying out a new feature about weight and air pressure. It was mind boggling to Solace.

My little pack of high climbers. They are pretty athletic and coordinated.

raspberries

When I gave them raspberries for a snack and then left the room to switch the laundry, I expected at least a little mess. When I came back in, the raspberries were mostly gone, but the mess was a lot bigger that I thought it would be. They got out their tiny plastic knives and cut each berry to share with Solace. Very sweet, but very messy. You can't get mad when a mess is the result of a nice sibling moment.

For Avia Jill

Jill let Lullaby borrow this, and several other fabulous clothes that were Izzy's when she was little. This particular coat was Lullaby's favorite, and even though it didn't for her this winter (just in the sleeves), she wanted to model in it one last time before sending it back to Avia Jill. Also, Jill MADE this coat. She's amazing, I know! These poses are completely Lullaby's idea.

Thanks again! We loved it!!

The Bachelor

The new season of The Bachelor is on now and a few friends have been coming over to watch it with me.  Prince Farming (as they are calling him) is pretty entertaining so far, it seems like it's going to be a good season. Love or hate the show, it's nice to have some time to relax. This group picture is from the first night, but since then, we've had another couple girls come, but it's a different number each time. It's fun to see everyone and chat and have a moment without kids, just for fun.  Paul is always the only boy there, which I love.  And I have an excuse to make fancy drinks (no alcohol) for everyone. So far we've had Dirty Cokes, Cinderellas, and Mint Juleps. All very tasty. I haven't planned what I will do for this Tuesday yet… Ideas?

Family Night at Chick-fil-A

Our Chick-fil-A, in addition to their weekly playgroups, hosts a family night once a month. This month the activities were all about ART, which of course, the kids loved.  They tried out a few different things, but the painting on canvas was the most exciting. All free, and all fun, yes please.

I didn't get a picture of Lullaby or Solace with their finished work because they were off and playing with the next thing. Here is what Sully's ended up like; I love it!

fun

Trying out Flarp with the preschoolers was especially funny. I had to take a video clip of it. Sully was right there in the mix too. He loves all kinds of sensory play. Also, I updated the preschool blog with this week's activities. I have some fun stuff on there if you're interested. :)

package!

Packages just because are better than birthday packages sometimes! Lullaby got a REAL baby doll cradle, which she is in love with, and the boys got a REAL tool set in a REAL tool box that Grandpa Louie made for them. What?! These kids have the best grandparents. Thank you guys for the sweet gifts. Although they were all meant to be shared, there is no way Lullaby will let anyone else BREATHE on her cradle without permission, and the big boys brought their tool box and tools outside and found a spot next to Paul's tools, so they can help Dad, for REAL. Sully pretty much got left with the bubble wrap, which he wasn't complaining about! :)

FaceTime to New Zealand

Pretty Ashley, one of the most amazing people I know, had a moment (three hours) to FaceTime with me that I was actually free too. This NEVER happens, at least not for that long. She lives in New Zealand and the times are all wonky for figuring out when is a good time to talk. Anyway, we got to catch up recently and I found out she is ENGAGED! I couldn't be happier for her and Steve-O. So fun! Love you Ash!! Yet another great reason to go to New Zealand!

friend party and a movie

Matix's friend from school, Celeste, celebrated her birthday at a place called "Pump It Up". They had a huge area reserved for just their party.  Lullaby was terrified of this huge slide, but eventually decided to go down (after Paul climbed up past a million kids to convince her to stop blocking all the traffic). Then she did it 12 more times. 

Hawken is VERY nervous that he won't be allowed to join in the big KINDERGARTEN parties, but is always relieved when he can go too. So far, there haven't been any that he's been left out of, so I'm not sire where the worry comes from.

Here are most of the kids. The birthday girl is at the head of the table with the crown. Matix is on her right side, about 4 kids away, which he was really disappointed about. It was a great party, very kid friendly.

Paul had just gotten off of a 36 hour shift and no sleep, but he wanted to come with us. The kids were THRILLED. After the party we walked around and played near the fountains in the area. It was very nice weather and the kids had fun. No, Hawken didn't fall into the fountain in the second picture, he was throwing in a little stone.

Across from Pump It Up was a movie theatre, and in true Paul fashion, he didn't want the fun to end. I don't know how he does it. So we took the kids to see Big Hero 6, a new Disney Pixar film, which was adorable. The kids all loved it. Solace did better, but still doesn't love to be at the movies, he turns into quite the little terrorist as soon as they dim the lights… Stinker. Lullaby was the popcorn helper, and she was jumping and dancing around so much that I couldn't get a good picture of her.