June 30, 2013

 We love how Annie sticks out her tongue when she concentrates on writing and coloring.

Tommy's awesome hair!

 What a busy week we had!  The girls started swimming lessons, we've been working hard in our yard and garden, we've had friends over to play, and had fun playing as a family.  Tommy is now three months old.  His hair seems to settle into a faux hawk unless I try to slick it down with something.  Annie has been especially busy this week...as you will soon see.

 We had Lily's new friend Claire over for a day of fun.  They had a princess tea party - complete with costumes, macaroni and cheese, and ice water "tea".  The girls also helped pull weeds in the garden, pick strawberries, and make some jam.

 Don't worry, that is not poop in Annie's hair.  It is a product called Couvre that Mommy uses on her hair.  One afternoon while Mommy was in the shower, Annie got into Mommy's travel toiletry bag and smeared Couvre all over the top of her head.  As if that wasn't enough, she also tried to shave her mustache hairs with a razor - but ended up slicing her top lip with the blade.  When Mommy got out of the shower, she was greeted by a bloody mouthed, nasty haired Annie who explained she was "just trying to be pretty" like Mommy.  We cleaned off all the blood before taking the pictures. Thankfully the cuts weren't too bad and the brown stuff washed out. 
 

 The kids are loving swimming lessons.  Tommy even likes watching.  Annie is in a Parent-Tot class, so Daddy gets to swim with her for every session.  Lily is really taking to the pool.  She is doing things she used to be too afraid to try.  It is exciting to see them have fun and learn at the same time.

 Just want to be pretty Episode #2.....Annie got into Mommy's mascara and blobbed some on her eyebrows.  We washed it off, talked about how little girls are beautiful without make up, and talked about how she needs to stay out of Mommy's bathroom.  "Ok Mommy!"  A few minutes later, I hear giggling in my bathroom and find her with mascara all over her eyebrows and forehead.  ARG!  This girl just won't listen.

 Saturday we took all the kids to see a community theatre production of Aladdin.  Our kids love the Disney soundtrack so we knew they would love to see it live on stage.  All the parts were played by youth ages 6-18.  Lily really wants to do a show now.

 It has been really hot here - over 90 degrees for  most of the week.  Our house doesn't have A/C so we get pretty warm.  We've been sleeping downstairs in the basement because it is so much cooler than the upstairs.  Our swimming pool blew away last summer so we've been running through the sprinkler instead.  Even Mommy and Daddy join in the fun to help beat the heat.  Tommy is still too little - but he sits in his sun chair and watches us happily.

 Tommy is sleeping through the night pretty regularly so we've moved him into his crib.  He seems to like it.

And here we are Sunday after church.  It is a good thing they are so cute because each one has been rather difficult at least one day this week.  We're trying to love and teach each child in the way that is most meaningful to them, but it is extremely difficult to know what to do sometimes.  They try our patience and push our buttons but they also make us laugh and give us unconditional love.  Thank goodness for families and the lessons we learn from them!  We are grateful for our three little blessings.