Destin 2013

We enjoyed a week of rest and relaxation (as much as possible when traveling and vacationing with 4 children!) last week in Destin, Florida.  The kids love the "squeaky" white sandy beach, and I'm a pretty big fan, too.  It was great to spend time with family, especially aunts, uncles, siblings, and cousins that don't live nearby.

Hang ten!

Looking for seashells.

Bathing beauty.

Grandpa treated us to a Pirate cruise on Tuesday and Clare and Jude had a blast!  

Jude wanted to keep his mustache for the whole week.  

He is the sweetest and most laid-back baby I've ever had!

Just the 6 of us!

Michael was a trooper in the car.  I'd have 100 babies if they all traveled as well as he did!  And now I'm somehow back to the reality that is Laundry even though our house had a washer/dryer...  

All worth it, though!

7 Quickies

Linking up with Jen at Conversion Diary today!

1.  

We "celebrated" Cow Appreciate Day last Friday with the good people at Chick-fil-a and with some good friends.  I crossed both "lunch" and "field trip" off my list in one swoop.

Don't let her fool you, she really was happy to play in the playground.  

Thanks for being a good mom and taking pictures, Jessica!

2.  

Certain children and I have seen waaaay too much of the pool restroom this summer.  Almost to the point that I wish I was dealing with swim diapers and not public pool bathrooms with recently potty-trained offspring.  Over-sharing but had to say it.  

3. 

I recently found Ann Marie's blog and have been motivated by her "Summer Simplify" series.  I made a trip to the Dollar Store and stocked up on some organizing bins/containers and purged my linen closets. Colorful and organized.  And about 396 packages of floss lighter!

4.  

Michael had his 4 month check-up this week and weighed in at 20 lbs., 6 oz.  This confirms his win as my biggest baby ever, and that my biceps are ginormous.  (Or just that he's heavy to carry in his pumpkin seat!)

5.  

I made homemade chex mix this week.  My parents' neighbor who I babysat for used to make chex mix.  She would start a batch of it and then head out and ask you to rotate it around and turn the oven off for her.  She was one of the kindest and thoughtful people I have ever known and the smell of chex mix baking always makes me think of Amy!  (Jude thinks I've been holding out on him since I have only fed him the store bought bag of chex mix up to this point in his life!)

6.
Don't you love it when everyone plays so nicely together??!?!?!  I surely do!

7.

Happy Friday!

4 Months!

Where is the time going??  Can't believe sweet Michael turned 4 months old yesterday...although I'm pretty sure I said the same thing when he turned 3, 2, and 1 months...

Hobbies:  Big smiles.  All the time.  Any time.  Also starting to babble more and more.  

Means of Transportation: Scoots backwards on his back by pushing his heels into the floor.  Gains speed when angry.

Recent Accomplishments: Rolled over from front to back TWICE.  (Although I missed it both times because I was treating Princess Ellen to an evening bowl of Fruit Loops.)    

Loves: To hold toy rings.

Wears: Size 3-6-9 month.

Sleeps: 3 naps a day.  And nice big 6 hour stretches at night.  I've hit the jackpot the 4th time around!

PS - Jude at 4 months after his first haircut!  (Just so happens they are sporting the same stripes.)  Michael must not have inherited the thick-hair gene...  

And don't forget to enter the current Firmoo giveaway here!

Five Favorites

Linking it up over at Hallie's with my five favorites right now...

1. Michael's new baby blanket.  It was a gift for his baptism and has become his "tummy time" blanket.  Of course the handsome lad on the blanket is also a favorite of mine. :) 

2.  Granola.  I was in a breakfast funk and granola has been my cure.  I made this homemade granola last week and it was really good.  (Thanks McSisters!)  And surprisingly enough a store brand's "granola with almonds" has also been really good.  Clare and Jude have also joined the granola bandwagon.

3.  Dry shampoo.  Why I've only just tried this stuff out is beyond me.  I blow dry my curly hair and once the summer heat kicks in (which it has!) it's never fun to be standing under the hair dryer for 15 minutes.  

image

4.  The pool.  As I mentioned summer temps are here and the pool keeps us all sane.  And wears us all out! 

I'm talking about the real pool, but couldn't resist this throw back of Clare!

5.  Arts and crafts.  Clare, Jude, and Ellen have been keeping themselves busy the past few days with paints, crayons, markers, "fun" scissors, and stamps.  I always enjoy seeing what they create!

Head over to Hallie's for more...

3 Months

Michael is 3 months old today!  

Or future linebacker?!?

Ticklish: under his chin(s).

Disposition: very pleasant.

New talent: playing the Little Tikes piano.

Recent accomplishment: holding his head up well.

Still not a fan of: tummy time!  

It takes a lot of hard work to acquire this many rolls!

Baby cankles.

We love our little buddy! 

Theme Thursday

Joining Cari today for "Theme Thursday."  The theme this week is "girls."  

I'm sharing a new favorite picture of one of my favorite girls...

Happy Thursday!

Michael's Baptism

Michael was baptized on May 25...and I'm just posting pictures now because he is the 4th child!

Michael Ryan I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit...

 With godparents Uncle Joseph and Aunt Rosemary.

With all of his grandparents.  He's a lucky boy! 

 And a shot of the 6 of us!  

(Ryan and I didn't plan on coordinating our attire - great minds just think alike after 9 years.) 

 And then we partied!  

Summer 2013 Bucket List

Our summer has officially started!

Clare's list.  :) 

Make ice cream.

Go to the beach!

Read 100 books.  (Maybe even make another reading fort.)

Watch fireworks.

Go to the movies in the park.

Dress like a cow.

Eat s'mores.  (Or I would even be OK with these.)

Grow a pumpkin.

Make popsicles.

Have a picnic at the park.

Go to the zoo.

Vacation bible school.

Play in the water fountains at the park.

What's on your list??

Happy 5th Birthday!

Today our self-named "Best Guy" turns 5.  He has grown into a sweet little boy.  (I'll be the first to admit he invented the "terrible twos!")  He is my "baby whisperer" and is always the first one to go to Michael when he starts to fuss.  (And is quite good at calming him down, too!)  He is independent and laid-back.  He has a contagious laugh and gets compliments on his constant smile.  He is curious.  He is reliable.  He is a good friend.  He will most likely eat me out of house and home one day with his constant, and diverse, appetite.  He loves animals and Star Wars.  And he loves to play outside, rain, snow, or sunshine.    

Playing it cool while playing on the Xbox.

I have to agree with what Ryan said the other day, "I can't believe Jude is going to be 5!"

Happy Birthday Jude-Buggy!  We love you!

Mr. 2 Month-Old!

It's hard to believe Michael is already 2 months old today!  He has traded in his newborn bird legs for some serious rolls and overall is a very good baby.    

Favorite pastimes: Coo-ing/talking and bath time.  

Newest accomplishment: Hitting the mobiles in the play mat.

Current nickname: Ellen says he's "Bubba."  (I'd go with the Michelin Man!)

What people say when they see him: "He's a big boy!"

Jude at the same age...

(The fun part of having 2 boys!)

He's Here!

It's a BOY! 

Michael Ryan

March 7, 2013, 1:41 PM

9 lbs., 20 1/2 inches

With his proud older sisters...

Clare



Ellen

And the members of the "Best Guy Club!"

Happy Birthday Clare!

Dear Clare,

Happy 7th Birthday!

We can't believe you are turning 7 today!  You bring much joy to everyone around you.  Here are some things we love about you...

You have your own little sense of humor, that is pretty funny.  You are a good friend.  It is so neat to listen to you read each night and it is exciting to watch you read bigger words on your own every day.  You love watching Arthur.  It was fun to see you compete on swim team this summer and get better each week.  You are a sweet big sister.  I love the notes and drawings you make for us.  A piece of gum is one of your favorite "snacks."  You love learning about animals.  You are slightly addicted to the iphones around here...

Happy Birthday to you!

Love, Mommy and Daddy

1st Day of Pre-K!

Jude was very eager to head off to pre-k this week!  He has been ready to start school since Clare started 3 weeks ago.  His teacher noted that he was cooperative, participated, and was eager!  He is in the afternoon class this year and I enjoyed 2 whole hours to myself while he and Clare were gone at school and Ellen napped!  

Two kiddos after school!

Happy 2nd Birthday!

Happy Birthday to our Ellen!  We can't believe you are already 2!  

We love you very much and love hearing your little voice talk more and more!  You are a sweet girl who loves babies, books, shoes, princesses, Barbies, and most importantly, Peppa Pig!  

We were so lucky to have Grandpa and Grandma B. here to celebrate with us!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Ellen!  We love you!