Books in a box...

Right now is just one of those moments of the day when I love being a mom. My girls have been sitting in a box (yes a box :)) for the past half an hour "reading" books to each other. It's so sweet listening to them take turns and encourage one another and to hear their creative stories. It warms my heart and for a moment makes me feel like my hard work is paying off. I am blessed to have such sweet girls with tender hearts! This week my nieces were out of town and our friends were all sick, so the girls only had each other to play with. I feel like it was such a gift and their ability to play and imagine together grew in just one short week! I pray they always know what an awesome gift they've been given in each other! Love these moments! 

Letter "H" ...

It's the letter "H" week at preschool this week! Which means you get to do fun things like wear a hat to school and crazy hair day! Shaelyn is all about it! I love getting to re-live childhood through her eyes! 

Here is her idea for crazy hair day...

top view

from the back (she has a lot of hair, so we put in 7 ponytails! :))

After dropping her off at school Monreau, McLleyton and I made dessert for after dinner with our friends. Monreau is a great mixer and loves to bake! She is especially good at clean up! She loves to lick any fork, spoon or spatula you'll give her! To keep McLleyton entertained I gave him a spatula too ...for some reason he couldn't figure out why his didn't taste as good as Monreau's :). 

"maybe I'll try this side" :)

Snow day...

We had a snow day one day last week! We got 9 inches and it was beautiful! We all bundled up and went for a walk. McLleyton's first time "sledding." Overall, I think he liked it (at least there wasn't any tears.) He is growing up and it's fun to see him becoming a bigger part of our family activities! 

I loved this picture of McLleyton and Monreau! 

Happy Valentines Day!

We had a fun, relaxing Valentines day! It started with Shaelyn crawling in bed at 8 and asking if I could go get the mail out of the mailbox because she was sure that she had a couple of Valentines cards waiting for her! It made me smile! 

Earlier in the week she had a fun Valentines party at her preschool. It's always fun to see her in that environment and get a little glimpse into her time at school. They sang some songs, passed our valentines, had a snack and we play in the gym. She loves school! 

Here's a couple of pictures...

I made up a little scavenger hunt for Matt and the girls around the house with Valentine baskets full of fun little things at the end! The girls thought it was great :). Matt and I went out for a great dinner and movie on Saturday! It was a fun weekend! 

A day in the life of McLleyton...

McLleyton is on the move ... and into everything :)! He is 8 months now and crawling and pulling up on anything and everything! He took off about a week ago and each day has gotten considerably faster! He is loving his new found freedom, exploring, playing and attempting to "eat" a lot of new things! I'm trying to teach the girls that we cannot leave little things on the floor any more, which is a bit of a challenge, especially when every barbie accessories, Lego, and Polly pocket is just the right "eating" size! 

A few of McLleyton's favorite things @ 8 months are...

His sisters      Peas     LeapFrog Table     Puffs     Yogurt    Daddy     Crawling    Waving   Getting out of the house     Playing Peek a Boo       First thing in the morning    Jacob   Sippy Cup       Carrots          Banana          Wheels         Paci     Lambie    High fives      Mommy

Favorite "words"/sounds...

Dada  (which he'll repeat when we ask him to)   bubbles...he loves blowing bubbles (see pic)

LaLa         Shhhh (which Shae is trying to get him to repeat to make Shae Shae) 

We have started signing with McLleyton at meal time. Just the basics - "more, thank you, please, all done. " He has successfully signed "more" one time and since then has created his own version of it. When we ask him to say more he will tap the tray on his high chair. For now it works and keeps him from screaming, but we'll keep working on the real signs! The girls are all about teaching him and really he seems eager to learn! 

He is a tall boy! He has pretty much out grown most of his 12-18 month clothes and is now wearing a lot of 18-24 month outfits. I put him on our scale the other day and he was 22 lbs (Monreau was 28 :)).  He is still nursing 4x a day and is eating 2 "meals" of babyfood and fingerfood.  Nursing him has been the most challenging for me out of the 3. There are just always distractions and so I really have to lock the door to my room and try to find 7 uninterupted minutes. (easier said then done!) It is important to me to keep him off formula, so we're trying to keep at it :). I know he'll be 1 before I know it! 

Here's a few pictures of my busy boy! 

Off to another adventure!

Superbowl Sadness...

I have to admit, it was a bit of a bummer night around here on Sunday! The Colts definitely did not play well enough to win! But, it was a fun season and hopefully we'll be back in it next year! 

The only tears that were shed that day were from Monreau, when she realized that we were not GOING to the Superbowl! For some reason she had in her mind that we were actually going to the game. When we told her it was in Florida and that we were just watching it on TV she cried and cried. We got it on video and I'll try to post it soon, because it's so, so cute! I told her she is every daddy's dream daughter and if she keeps her love of football up she'll have one happy husband some day :). 

This was going to be our victory picture...yeah, not so much! I was looking through picture the other night of the last time the Colts played in the Superbowl (07') ... at the time Shaelyn had just turned 2 and I was pregnant with Monreau...it's amazing how much our family has already grown and changed! We'll see what it looks like the next time they make it :)

Monreau intently watching with my dad. 

Dallas had a great game :) 

Princess Tea Party...

All ready to celebrate being 5! 

So much fun to celebrate with friends! 9 great girls! 

Check out her shoes :) She's actually better in heels than I am! 

Great-Grandma Joy came ...it was also her birthday today! Happy Birthday!

Aunt Emmy showing off her inner princess ...she really is the worlds best Aunt! 

My friend Missy came with her 3 little girls! 

Game time ... toss the ring on the castle...

Lunch time

Shaelyn's first "real" birthday cake! She was so excited about it!

Five! Amazing!

These four get a long SO well! Monreau, Amelia, Elle (who are sisters) & Shaelyn! 

Shae and Elle ...yes, Shaelyn is TALL :)

This morning we had a "Princess Tea Party" to celebrate Shaelyn's fifth birthday! A month or two ago I asked her what she wanted to do for her birthday and she said "a princess tea party." So, without much tea we had a princess party :). We all got dressed up and celebrated! I can't say that I've ever been a big princess person and I have to admit that I work rather hard at trying to balance out the princess with a lot of sports in my girls lives ...but today we went all princess! (tomorrow we'll go sports ...go colts :)). Shaelyn had lots of idea on how to decorate and what type of plates, cups etc. we should get. Planning it with her was almost as much fun as the actual party! She is blessed to have so many great family and friends who love her. It was fun to just take a moment and celebrate Shaelyn! Happy birthday my sweet girl! 

"Don't give me away..."

The other night we were getting the kids ready for bed and we were talking to the girls about when they get married some day. We were talking about the "criteria" for their husbands ...he must love Jesus, love them, and love our family. Then Matt looked at Monreau and said "Some day Roey, mommy and I will be excited to give you away to your husband." About 2 seconds later she crawled on my lap and started crying (hard!) I asked her why she was crying, to which she replied "Don't give me away mommy, don't give me away" with the saddest look on her face.  Matt and I couldn't help but start laughing, which only made her cry harder. I tried to calm her down and convince her that it would be a good thing and that she would want to go live with her husband ...but she was having none of it, so finally I just promised her over and over that we would NEVER give her away and eventually she calmed down! 

I know the day we "give her away" will be here before we know it. The years will fly by and all of a sudden my sweet two year old will be all grown up and in love! I think about their husbands often and pray for them each day! I pray that the Lord will protect him, that he is loved and that he will know Jesus. Until then I am NEVER going to give Monreau away! 

Happy 5th Birthday Shaelyn...

 6:16am February 2, 2005 

Dear Shaelyn,

    I am so blessed to be your mom. You fill each day with joy. I love that you are a morning person and that each day you wake up with such a happy spirit, smiles, and you're ready to talk! You are thoughtful and tender hearted. I love how you love your sister and brother. The way you let Monreau keep up with you and how you include and encourage her. How affectionate, helpful and caring you are with your brother. How you snuggle him in and make him laugh. I love to see how excited you get about the smallest events in our days. How you think of others and different ways to love people. I love how you want to help me and that you have such a patient spirit when my day gets crazy and you have to wait (again)! I love playing Candyland and Chutes and Ladders with you. I love how you're eager to learn new things and all the questions you ask. I love putting you to bed at night and snuggling with you. The way that you giggle when I tickle you and the way you snuggle in while we pray. You are the Lord's gift to me. The gift that fulfilled the deepest desires of my heart. Daddy and I could not be prouder of the little girl you are growing into. You are special and beautiful ...and today you are FIVE!!!! Happy Birthday Shaelyn Jayne!! I love you.

Love, Mommy 

Age 1

Age 2

Age 3

Age 4

and now 5!!