target practice

Theia is absolutely loving this vacation out in the hollers of Pennsylvania with Grandpa, Grandma, and Aunt Joy. She is spending most of the days out of doors, and is particularly enamored of Aunt Joy's horses. But earlier today she showed that she is still very much a city girl. She asked Joy about some gunshots she was hearing. Aunt Joy explained that it was just some people shooting at a target. She accepted that answer, but a few minutes later, after hearing the shooting continue, she commented "That must be a pretty big store!"

That's my little shopper.

Full Circle

It always tugs at my heart a little when I have to pack away clothes that the girls have outgrown, but especially if it is something I have seen often on all three of them. It is such a tangible reminder that they are growing so fast. I love my children at every age, more than ever, but I still miss the stages that have already passed.

So many pleasant memories are associated in my mind with this little dress. Theia received it as a birthday present from Uncle Pat and Aunt Nadya on her second birthday.

It has been a favorite with all three girls.

(Theia on our Spring Lake babymoon, shortly after Ingrid's birth)

(Eliza by the open window in January 2009, the first morning of our new life in Florida)

(Ingrid opening presents on her second birthday)

Ingrid wore it for the last time a few days ago. I started to put it on a hanger, then suddenly recalled how short it had been on her, and how the snaps had gaped apart because it was tight around her chest when I had put it on her. You can't blame me for shedding a few tears when I took it off the hanger and instead folded it up to send along to my niece. I look forward to seeing it on Rebecca next. It's one of those dresses that makes sweet little girls even sweeter.

"down hair"

Everyone dreams of having hair like this, right?

Everyone except for those who come by it naturally, that is.

I think Theia wasn't even three years old when she began saying she wished she could have "down" hair, like Eliza and her cousin Josie. I actually wasn't really surprised. Since I grew up with a curly-haired sister, I've heard ALL the reasons why curly hair is the worst thing that could ever happen to a girl MANY times. Funny how she always manages to look amazing in spite of this sad trial of hers. (well, almost always ;)

We always affirm the girls and tell them they are beautiful just how God made them. And I think Theia realizes that people think her hair is special, so she is resigned. But today I decided to have a little girl time with her and Eliza while Ingrid was napping, and Theia requested that I "give her down hair". I have never tried to straighten Theia's hair before, and I didn't officially time it, but I think it took close to an hour.

The results are below. I think it looks more "downy" than "down". Once we went outside, the humidity did it's work, and by bedtime she had soft ringlets. I was relieved when she said she didn't want to do it again soon. An hour is a long time for a 5 year old to sit still!

All by our Two-sies

A few weeks ago I promised Theia I would take her on a special outing, just the two of us, as a reward for a scholastic achievement. Wow, I have never seen Theia so motivated. Every day there afterward she begged me to work with her on her school assignments so she could earn her "ow-ting" (as she so distinctly pronounces it) faster.

The day finally came, and she was giddy with excitement. We started with a trip to Target where I told her she could choose three things from the $1 section.

Theia is my little shopper. She was very excited with all the possibilities. Yeah, I was dorky enough to take out my big camera at Target. If Theia were a few years older, she probably would have been embarrassed.

She chose to get three neon light-up squishy things (I don't know what else to call them), one for herself and each of her sisters. Needless to say, I changed the limit from three to five after that magnanimous gesture.

Then we headed to one of our favorite waterside parks for some fun with one of her other choices, the butterfly shaped bubble wand.

We used water right out of the canal to make our bubble solution.

She was proud to be sporting the necklace she had made the night before.

After she tired of the bubbles (and the paparazzi), we took a little walk down Coffeepot Blvd. 

It is one of the pleasantest walks around.

And she is the pleasantest five year old around.

~~~~~

We took a surprise detour on the way home that brought us here:

So many choices

After deliberating for quite awhile

She finally chose Orange Pineapple

She pronounced it to be very good

I don't know who enjoyed this outing more, Theia or Mama. Jessie and I decided that we need to take turns doing this on a regular basis. Having four children all close together has it's share of wonderful, but it is easy to fall into a herd style of parenting sometimes. It was so nice to just focus in on the individuality of my oldest with no other distractions for a few hours.

I can't wait for my next kiddo date!

Red, White, and Blue

I think that covers it.

What's putting a spring in your step today?

firstborn of four

She's not even five yet

but already she has three impressionable siblings

looking up to her example.

An example, I am proud to say,

that I am happy for them

to follow.

I'm so glad God sent each of them,

and He sure knew what He was doing

when He sent her first.

Still Twitching

 You know what this is, of course.

Don't you?

Alright, then I'll explain.

 This is a picture

of a little girl,

dressed as a bride,

who just tried to catch a lizard,

and succeeded.

But not quite.

Bathing Beauties

The other day I enlisted Theia's help so I could snap
some bathtime pictures of Mr. Emeth.



She decided to try her hand at bathing him while she
was at it.



That boy still loves the mirror.

Afterwards, Theia thanked me profusely for

letting her help me. I sure hope this lasts :).

Sung to the tune of...

Waking up knowing that Jesus has saved us

Swingsets set up while we sleep to surprise us



Playing outside just before we get dressed

These are a few of the things we like best!

__________________________

Girls in pink dresses with white grosgrain hairties

Egg hunts at house church before the rain drenches

Boys in white pants paired with argyle vests

These are a few of the things I like best!

Actual playtime conversation between Theia and Eliza

Theia: "Honey, go get the bare necessities, please."
Eliza: "We don't HAVE any bare necessities!"
Theia: "Just go look in the cabinet, that's where the bare necessities are!"
Eliza: (slowly and succinctly) "There are NONE in there. We are ALL OUT of bare necessities."

I think someone's been watching Jungle Book.

A byproduct of allergies

It seems like every year around this time I have to do a post about allergies. I really can't help it, because it occupies an inordinately large percentile of my attention during these accursed weeks.

The girls, I must say, have been touchingly compassionate about their mother's condition. The other day I had a fit of sneezing about 12 sneezes long. Theia was in the same room with me at the time, and she inserted a "bless you" between each and every sneeze, without looking up from her coloring book, or changing tone a single time. Today Ingrid very sincerely blessed me after a sneeze, and when I sneezed again immediately, exclaimed "Bless you again, Mommy!" After I recovered I said to her, "You are so cute, Ingrid!" She beamed with delight, and ran over to me and presented her cheek to be kissed. Sometimes I just can't stand how cute they are!

Big Sister/Little Brother