Cookies With Friends

 A couple of weeks ago we had some friends come over to play on a rainy Friday morning.  The little girls ran around playing dolls, kitchen set, house, etc.  The little brothers had the cars and farm animals to themselves.  Having friends over is sort of like cheating--they entertain each other for a few hours while I get to do housework in peace.  After a bit of play we aproned up to make some cookies.  Who doesn't like cookies warm from the oven on a drizzly day?

 B is really just too cute! 

 So much attitude and personality represented in these pictures.  All four were huge helpers.  They took turns without whining and fighting. 

 And Little Man down there played happily with a measuring cup and spoon on the floor.  Oh boy--he was in big danger from large lumbering ME!  I have forgotten how careful you have to be when rushing around the kitchen with a Baby on the move.  Thankfully, I never squashed him.  Seriously, he is truly squishable, though.  He let me hold him and feed him  his bottle while I smelled his sweet baby smells.

 He also wanted me to take a picture that shows HIS attitude--since all the other kids were doing it.

We had lots of fun--and ate lots of cookies.  Well, I did, anyhow.  I stopped the kids at one.  Sort of a "do as I say, not as I do" parenting technique. 

Half Way Day: It's a.....

....Surprise!  Yep, again.  We're pretty predictable.  It's just been so fun the past three times that we wanted to feel that excitement again.  And the kids are really into it this time too.  They want to come into the hospital room and be the first to find out what flavor their Baby is. 
The Baby looked healthy and happy and plenty busy in there.  Lots and lots of arm movements and rolling around.  I can really feel him/her these days and the kids and Tadd are starting to be able to feel the movements externally as well.  This Baby is a responder and kicks or pokes at arms, hands and knees that knock into my belly.  Just this morning I was thinking "Seriously, 20 weeks--half way--already????  I'm not ready to be this far along!"  I mean, in 20 weeks I'm staring down labour and delivery--one of my least favorite things in life.  And then it's time for round the clock Baby care.  Right now the Baby is so easy.  I eat and he eats.  He urinates and there is no diaper to change.  I can't hear any crying.  She lets me sleep through the night (as long as the other kids allow it too).  It's so easy to take care of an unborn baby.  And I'm feeling great too.  A little tired--but still lots of energy bursts to see me through.  So, the half way mark felt daunting.  But then I saw those darling little fingers and toes and I wanted to feel them.  I looked at that little rump sticking up in the womb and wanted to see it sticking up in the crib.  An adorable yawn split her face twice and I wanted to see that taking place in my arms.  Seeing the Baby has such an affect on a Mother and Father.  We can't wait to meet this Little Precious.  I'm still glad that I have half of the pregnancy left.  This is a time that I enjoy.  And I really am not ready for round the clock Baby care yet.  But I am even more excited to meet God's miracle that He is knitting together a little more everyday.  Thank you, Lord.  Psalm 139 has long been one of my favorites, and I especially enjoy it when I have a Babe within.
"I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:  marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well."    v. 14  Only God could create such a beautiful system.
"Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them."  v. 16  I was thinking about this the other morning.  "yet being unperfect".  That means, that when we are born--no matter how we look, or what might be extra or missing--we are "perfect".  We are exactly the way He wants us to be.  He forms each of us specifically for a purpose.  Our job as parents is to continue molding these perfect little beings to suit the purpose.  To show them the path to Salvation.  To pray for them every.  single.  day.  To live as godly examples.  What a scary idea.  How we live before our children--what we teach them--how we love them--all help to guide them toward their purpose.  They are born perfectly formed before God.  It will be so fun to see this Baby in about 4 1/2 months and see God's next idea of perfection for our little family!

Science Fair

 Our school's annual science fair was last month.  Both kids wanted to participate and both chose a "research project" in the form of an animal report.  I was pretty sad because I love doing science experiments with the kids and was hopeful that this year at least one of them would want to do an experiment with me and write it up.  But they are both "fact" and animal nuts.  And I didn't want to pressure.

 Other than going to the library and helping them check out books on their chosen animals (snow leopards for Ezra and horses for Caroline) I let them work on their own.  I only required that they do a rough draft before publishing.  They could use their library books as a spell check--but no  help from adults on perfect spelling.

 Nora worked hard on her project (how many messes can be made while Mommy cooks dinner) as well.

 Pictures from the big night of the finished products...They each free handed a drawing of their animals and that was my favorite part.  I am really sad that I didn't get a close up of Ezra's drawing--oops. 

Good job, my little Scientists! 

Easter Brought Lamb Weather

With the snow out of its system, the local weather turned mild and gorgeous.  Just in time for an early Easter weekend.  Easter happened to fall on my birthday this year (as it does every 11 years) and I tell ya, I couldn't ask for a better gift than a weekend of 70 degrees and sunny at the end of March in Seattle!  Saturday we enjoyed a nice long bike ride on the trail near our house.  And Sunday, we were set for lots of relaxation and a big family Easter dinner at Great Grandma's house. 

 There might have been some March Madness viewing in the mix.

 My Mama made me an amazing Strawberry Shortcake Cake.

 And we headed outside for an Easter egg hunt that Great Grandma had ready for the kids.

 Hunting for Easter eggs makes for lots of rear view photos, I guess : ) 

 The loot.

 Overall an amazing weekend.  We headed home that evening feeling very full and sun soaked.  It was hard to prepare for a new work/school week after all that fun and relaxation.  But--the normal spring rains returned a few days later and helped us get back on routine.  No more Lambs and Lions--just plain old drip-drip-drop-little-April-showers (name that kids movie) to bring us our May flowers!

Of Lambs And Lions

 Yep!  It's officially spring--the season when the ferocious weather and the gentle tame weather fight each other for control.  First up--the Lion took control for the third official day of spring and we woke up to a couple inches of fluffy, white snow.  It was the only snow we'd really had all winter.  We knew it wasn't meant to last more than a couple of hours, so I took pity on Ezra and let him miss the first hour and a half of school to play in the snow with his sisters.

 Hearts and Camo--hand-me-down-Heaven!

 Inside waited a hot breakfast--Pioneer Woman's Egg Melts with stove top hot cocoa with plenty of fresh whipped cream and cinnamon.  I couldn't wait for the play to end, I had to dive into my portion as soon as it was ready--I mean, it wouldn't be fair to starve the baby, right?

 The times when they work together really make a Mama's heart happy!

By noon, the fluffy white was only a memory...and a new spring animal was waiting in the wings to make his appearance.