No Title Necessary

Secret Garden

I think one of the things I (we) will miss most about summer
is our time in Mimi and Bops' yard. 

It's simply paradise.

And so it begins...

Next week marks our family's entrance/introduction into All Things Organized. The first fall of many where there is a definite cut off from summer. (Pardon me while I wipe my tears off my keyboard).

In addition to preschool (gasp!), Mags is also signed up for soccer. It was a total gamble, but it's only 6 weeks, so I thought it was worth a try. We went out today to buy shin guards (who knew they made shin guards for 3 year olds??).

Apparently it was a good decision.

Seven Years

Nothing says "Happy Anniversary" like Chick Fil A. And kids.

Funny - in our family, I kind of feel like it does. 

A great night spent with my three favorite people.

Sunday Afternoon Tea

Yesterday in Pictures

This is technically from the day before, but this is pretty much a daily occurrence in our backyard, so I think it's legit.

The crib never fails to be a source of entertainment and joy.

Check out the HAIR!

Also in the spectrum of never-ending sources of entertainment and joy are the guys who come to mow the lawn next door. They may or may not also be the source of my first question/answer with Maggie about cigarettes.

After literally three months of ONLY saying "Hi," Howie's communication seems to be taking off this week. And by taking off, I mean he's doing more than saying hi. Yesterday and today he started shaking his head "no" in response to me doing things or asking him questions. I feel like we bonded on a new level today now that we can communicate!! But I digress...while giving him lunch today it became obvious that he did not want me to feed him, he did not want the spoon, he wanted to feed HIMSELF. Obviously he is quite proud of this accomplishment.

And I am quite proud that a half-container of self-fed yogurt only resulted in this face. (Granted, it was a closely-supervised and assisted self-feeding session...)

Clearly yogurt is not the only scoop-worthy thing now.

Over vacation (post still to come), Maggie would say "CHEESE!" in the loudest, most hideous way whenever someone took out a camera. When I told Howie to look at me today, he looked up and said "CHHHHEEEEE!!" Not necessarily the most practical word he's learned, but we'll take it!

He's also working on "ball," although "cheese" is definitely more consistent.

In an attempt to keep each other sane during the (sometimes frequent) nights our husbands are away, my friend Aimee and I have become big fans of the late afternoon/dinnertime play/dinner/bath dates. It is total chaos with five kids, but way better to experience total chaos with someone else than by yourself, right? Maggie and Charis are big fans, too. (Yes, Maggie is wearing Howie's newborn bath towel.)

After Howie went down and our friends left, I promised Maggie a one-on-one game of Dora Candy Land. She is a highly skilled cheater at the ripe age of 2.75, and wins every time...as she should. Note her sorting through the cards to find the one she wants. I also love the purse slung over her shoulder. Not documented are the 20 times she reached in to reapply her new "lip gloss."

That's a good day in my book.

Legs

Other noteworthy news...

Howie is on the MOVE!

About a month ago he finally ventured away from the furniture. As expected, within the week he had completely given up on crawling and was RUNNING after Maggie.

(Please note: We HAVE had his hair cut since this picture. He looks much less like a girl now...although we're still digging the curls.)