Thankful

Abby looked at me the other day and said, "Mommy, I'm glad we have Danny." I responded, "Me too, Abbs. Me too." I love that my kids love each other.

Our Boy!

Emelyn and her bunny

Emelyn spent all last summer dreaming about having her own bunny after spending time at a friend's house who had bunnies. So finally, in September we ordered a hutch and bought two baby bunnies. They were siblings, but we didn't know if they were male or female. Eme named them Racy (because he was a fast runner) and Cuddles (I think you can figure out where this name came from!). Well, this spring, Cuddles hasn't been so cuddly - he's actually been very mean. We discovered they were both males, and had to separate them. Then Cuddles started being aggressive towards us - biting and attacking. We decided it wasn't a good idea to have him around the kids and had to take him to the SPCA (with tears).

In the meantime, Racy has become such a sweet bunny. He seems very happy and content. Last weekend we moved his hutch underneath a tree and added a fence so he can run "free." He really seems to like it. Here are some pictures of what we have done and of Eme and Racy.

Back Carry

So today was our first try at a back carry in the Moby wrap. It went really well. First of all, I had to get him on my back and then wrap 16 feet (or so) of fabric around both of us, by myself! Abby tried to help, so that was fun! Daniel thought the whole thing was great. He giggled and giggled when I put him on my back. He seemed to really like riding on my back - he smiled and cooed while we walked. I had him on for almost 2 hours. I felt great, except for being a little sweaty. =] Here are some pictures that Abby took =]

Memorial Day Weekend

We had a really nice Memorial Day weekend. Garr had to work nights all weekend, though. So Friday night, the girls and I went to the mall. We did a little clothes shopping and then all 3 girls got their ears pierced!!! It was a last minute decision so I didn't have my camera with me. I was so relieved to see a girl from our youth group (she also babysits for us occasionally) working at Claire's. It was late - Danny was getting fussy (I was trying to get him to sleep in his wrap)and I wasn't sure how the girls would do. So it was great to have someone we know to do the piercings - plus, it's kind of scary to let a perfect stranger take a needle gun to your child's head!! The girls did great. Liv cried and we thought she was going to change her mind, but she did it in the end - what a brave girl!


On Monday, we joined Mom and Dad at Denton Camp for a picnic. My Aunt Karen and Uncle Lynn were down from PA so we got to see them also. The girls got to go for a paddleboat ride on the lake. We took walks and Garr tried to get some sleep in the ever-receding shade. We played Yahtzee (I won!) and roasted marshmallows. The girls didn't want to leave! (neither did we)

Abby and her new earrings

Emelyn showing off her earrings
Daniel - tuckered out!
Don't you just want to kiss these sweet toes?

On the paddleboat - Eme in front, Abby and Liv are in back

Favorite Songs

Well, Garr and I each have a new "favorite song." I am loving Billy Dean's "Let Them Be Little." This was played at Olivia's preschool graduation and I tear up every time. It is so hard to watch my babies grow up! I want them to stay little, so I am trying to enjoy every moment! (speaking of, Eme just came out and asked me to snuggle with her before she goes to sleep, so I will be going in there as soon as I finish this up.)

Garr's is "I'm Still a Guy" by Brad Paisley. This song will just crack you up. Paisley is a great songwriter. Anyways, Garr can relate to this one, as many of you guys will!

Both of these songs are on my playlist at the bottom of this page. Just scroll down and click to listen. Just wanted to share! =]

Farm Trip

I have not had a chance to update the blog much so today I am adding quite a few events from the last month. I think it was April when we took this trip to the farm. We went with Olivia's preschool class. The farm is called Hickory Hills and it has many animals. There were pigs, a horse, lots of goats, cows, and even fish! The children went to different stations to learn all about the farm. What a great trip! Here are some photos:

Livy and Abby checking out the goats and tractors

This hay loft brought back some major childhood memories for me! I used to love going to Uncle Leland's farm (my mom's childhood home) and playing in the hayloft with my cousins. Of course, we inevitably played hide-n-seek or "guns!" (Can you tell I was the only girl?)

Checking out the pool of fish - tilapia!

Watching chicks hatch

Posing with the cows!

Arbor Day Poster Contest

Eme recently won a poster contest for Arbor Day. The kids in her school drew pictures for Arbor Day and the art club at the high school judged them. Eme won for her class. She received a really nice Nature Conservancy tote bag, a camera, and they are going to plant a tree in her name. Her drawing will also be on display at the town hall for a year. We are so proud of our little artist!

Daniel

This is Daniel all ready to go to big sister's graduation. He is too cute!

Olivia's PreK Graduation

Olivia "gad-u-a-ted" from preschool last Wednesday. It was such a beautiful little ceremony. The teachers and staff did a wonderful job. She attended a local Catholic church every afternoon, 5 days a week, for preschool. It was such a great experience. The teachers were wonderful and they did so many fun things. We were sad to see the year end.

The graduation was a very special event. They started out in the sanctuary, filing in wearing their robes. They went up front and sang some really cute songs. Their teacher read a poem to them. Then they received their "diplomas." At the end, they filed out to the traditional graduation song.

Then we went into the fellowship hall where they had a table set up for each child's family. At the table were many momentos. They showed a slideshow of pictures that were taken throughout the year set to music. The first song they played was "Let them be Little." It made me cry. It was so cute to see the kids getting excited and laughing together as they remembered things they had done during the year. There were some really cute pictures of Liv on there. The teachers also handed out prizes to each of the kids. Olivia received the "Fashion-plate" Award. Very fitting! She loves clothes, shoes, makeup, and fun hairstyles. Having 4 kids, I've learned to choose my battles! So she has a lot of lienancy in what she wears. She is so cute!

Garr and I were a bit teary eyed at the end of the night. After this, I know high school graduation will be here before we know it. We are just trying to "let them be little" and enjoy them while we can!

Olivia and Sammi in their graduation outfits!

Olivia and classmates

Olivia walking down the aisle - I couldn't get my camera to take the picture soon enough!


Olivia and little league buddy, JD

Livy LOVED the fruit punch - when it ran out, she kept asking until she found someone to refill it! She looked at me, giggling, and said, "It has SPRITE in it, Mommy!"

Olivia's class
Olivia getting her diploma

Our table
One of the mom's from the class cross-stitched each child's handprints.
This is such a precious gift!
Olivia and Adella (her mom did the handprints!)
Olivia and her teachers, Mrs K and Mrs H

Daniel

Daniel is now about 5 months and 3 weeks old. And he is getting so big! Last week (or was it the week before?) he surprised me by sitting up by himself (well, it's kind of a "forward-lean", but he's still upright on his own!) I was sitting at the table with him and decided to let him "practice" sitting alone, and lo and behold - he already could! He can't do it for too long, though - 30 seconds or so and he starts to tip. =]

Then the next day, he started rolling from front to back. (He could already go back to front.) It's funny when he discovers he can do something. He does it over and over for a few days. Then he only does it as needed.

We set up his jumperoo. He was kind of nervous in it at first. Now though, he really likes it. He is starting to get the hang of bouncing and thinks it's quite fun.

AND today, he got his first tooth! It is just starting to come through on the bottom. The child has been drooling and chewing for what seems like the past 3 months, so I am glad it has finally come through. We were getting concerned that he might have an ear infection b/c he has been so fussy and not sleeping well. Nope. It was this little tiny tooth trying to come through. He is going to look SO cute with teeth. =]

Here are some recent pics!

In his jumperoo - the girls have started dressing him up already!

Danny in Abby's '10 gallon hat.'

Sitting up alone for the first time! (please ignore this picture of me - I'm there for safety reasons only!)

side view
Many of you responded to my highchair inquiry! Thanks! My friend, Shara, offered us this one for FREE so we took it! Thanks Shara!
One thing Daniel definitely has in common with his dad - a complete dislike of peas! He will eat anything else so far, but peas just make him gag!
Actually the "before picture"