How to Get Work Done!

With three little bodies around here, I need a few tricks to get work done. Here was my solution yesterday:

All three in a playpen :) As you can see, two are quite crazy, no matter where you put them!

Nine Month Pictures

Even though Kiera turned nine months old on the fourteenth, I didn't get around to taking her nine month pictures until yesterday (25th). To be honest, I was kind of not looking forward to it. Months seven and eight didn't really work out - every time I laid her on the blanket she would roll over, and she just wasn't happy sitting in the basket (as if anyone really would be!) So, it was with much trepidition that I started organizing the living room for her monthly shots on Tuesday. However, they turned out beautifully (at least I think so!!) She was very happy and even somewhat cooperative! Here are a few (I took nearly 100) of my favourites :)

Hooray for me! I'm nine months!

Oh, how I love her :)
And, just for reference:
 

Bubble, bubble, fizz!

With a beautiful week of summer weather upon us, I decided to find some fun outdoor activities for Seth and Maddy. I thought that painting outside would be nice, so I turned to pinterest for a homemade recipe. I was not disappointed - I came up with this fanastic one from Life with Moore Babies' blog. Here are Seth and Maddy painting a masterpiece:

 

The great thing about this paint was that the fun never really ended. The paint was made with baking soda, so once the "masterpieces" were completed out came a spray bottle full of vinegar ....

Look at those bubbles! Seth and Maddy squirted for a llloooonnnnngggg time :)

A Lapfull of Blessings

I have been blessed in an exceedingly great way:

I'm not going to lie - these three keep me hopping. They run, fight, eat, cry, make a mess, eat, make a mess, and demand more of me than there is to give. Nevertheless, I am so thankful for all three - without them my life would not be complete! I thank God for the task He has given me in these three - the raising of children is no small job! My heart and mind are busy and full and happy! And look at those faces - who can resist those smiles?!? (or, in Kiera's case, look of despair?)

A Season of Sand

Around here spring and summer = sand. We have a huge sandbox in our backyard (thanks to the kids' Uncle Mark!) and Seth and Maddy can often be found playing in it. This past week was full of gloriously warm sunshiney weather. We took full advantage and spent as much time outside as possible. I pulled out the pool once again and filled it with (nice warm) water. This time the kiddos found a new adventure - go in the pool to get nice and wet, then run to the sandbox and roll, slide, and do whatever necessary to get absolutely filthy! Gross! They were sandy! Of course, once they were covered from head to toe in wet sand they both had to go to the bathroom. So out came the potty, much to Seth's delight (there was NO way they were coming in the house in that state!) That evening Seth told his dad and his Aunt Vicki: I'm still four, but today I used the potty!

 



Storybook Park!

Early in June Greg took a day off work, so we packed up the kids and headed north to Storybook Park! It was a long drive, so Seth and Maddy packed a few books to read on the way ...

 

I have to admit, when I first entered the park I was a little disappointed. The kids, however, were thrilled. They had a fabulous time and asked several times if we could live there. I guess I've forgotten how to look at the world through the eyes of a child!

 

There was lots to see and do. We began with a little walk through the park. We passed some Japanese Sika deer:

 

These deer make HORRIBLE sounds - sort of like a screaming baby.

We also befriended a little chipmunk:

 

 

We saw several animals on our walk. These were the cutest:

 

 

 Two fine looking firepeople ready to help when needed!



 

 

There were lots of rides, which Seth and Maddy both loved! It wasn't very busy, so they would often stay on a ride after it ended and go on for a second time. Seth even conquered his fear at the end of the day by going on the high ferris wheel - even though he was scared. He clung on the bar tightly (while his sister sat swinging her legs). He was proud of himself, and so was I! 

 

 

 

Even Kiera got to join in on a ride - the strawberry ride. I think she like it!

 

We took a train ride through the park:

  

 

 Ate some lunch:

 

 

And napped (without her soother since it got lost by the Japanese sika deer at the beginning of the day):

 



 

We even visited the ocean, as Maddy called it (apparently a trip back to Mrytle Beach is needed!). The kids were not a fan of this and we didn't stay long! Too cold ...

 

 



 It was a wonderful day with lots of family fun! Seth and Maddy thoroughly enjoyed themselves and ask to go back to the park on a regular basis! I call that a success :)

 

 

 

 

My Little Monkey

She has got to be the cutest monkey around!

Storm

We have had a spring full of thunder storms and torrential downpours. My garden is often a lake. The beans are in distress (aka: not growing!) One of these storms came roaring through late one sunny afternoon. The sky suddenly turned dark, thunder rumbled and lightening flashed. We all scrambled for safety inside the nice dry house and watched the storm from the window. That was when I noticed two things:

1. Kota. Outside. Wet. Poor dog.

2. Maddy's umbrella. Open. Blowing away.

So out I went. I was drenched within seconds. The minute I walked out the door was also the minute the hail started falling - ouch! I got Kota safely put away, the umbrella closed and in a safe spot and re-entered the house... to two screaming children. They were devestated and convinced that the hail was going to hurt me. After calming them down we went onto the porch to explore the hail.  

Pretty neat!

Standing!

Look who's standing! She will even stand on her own for a few seconds - right in the middle of the room! I usually don't like my babies to grow up too early ... but walking would be wonderful - especially if she masters it before camping! Here's to clean knees at MacGregor!

 



 

 

So proud of herself!

When I Grow Up...

I want to be just like my big sister!
After all, what better place is there to curl up than in a cubby??

Awwww....



Thanks Greg :)

 

A little bit of spring inside my house ... and it doesn't involve dandilions! So pretty!

The Greatest Park in the World

It's true ... we have discovered the greatest park in the world. Or at least our little part of the world.  I'd like to say that it was me (or even my handsome hubby) that made this discovery, but I cannot. The park came recommended by a friend. We went to check it out and were more than impressed!

It has great sand digging equipment:

Fabulous swings (okay, okay - this is a fairly typical swing found in all parks. This park did,
however, have three rocket swings and a platform swing that I (and my kiddos) think are pretty neat!)

 

It also has a merry-go-round:

 



And many other wonderful kid-friendly slides and climbing apparatus. I'm sure we will visit it often! Incendentally, it also has great grass for picnics :)

 The extra child in the above picture is a great friend of Seth's. His mom had a baby and he came to visit us for a week. I decided at some point during that week that we needed to adopt a five year old boy. He and Seth played so nicely all week - it was great! Seth loved having a playmate and was disappointed when the week was done. I had to break up zero fights / disagreements - how great is that??!?