Miss Potato Head

Tea, anyone?

And yes, it was my laundry day.

*smile*

Turning Point

Somthing new happened today. Something that pushed Elaina over the line that seperates kids from children.

Audrey asked if Elaina could spend the afternoon with her between church services. (All right, it was really Adam and Ashlie that asked but on Audrey's behalf.) And of course Elaina wanted to go. So she eagerly switched vans and never looked back once. It's not the first time she's been gone from us by any means. She and Claire have been a whole state away for over a week before. But this was different. It was the first time that someone ASKED to keep her. Not me asking them. And really, although Elaina won't seem little at all any more, it was great(!!!) to have her go somewhere and not feel one teeny-tiny ounce of guilt about it. I mean, she can feed herself, go to the bathroom by herself (someone does have to wipe) and really, is easily entertained. Especially if she's with Audrey. I slept peacefully all afternoon.

Photo shoot of Eily at the park

A Day at Charleston Park

Cousins Michael, Jacob, Allison and Audrey came with us to the park.

Michael holding Eily, Elaina explaining something to Allison.















Jason, Audrey and Sue Sarah, Jacob and Claire
















Daddy and Claire Bear















Right when we had finished eating and were just about to play on the super cool new playground, a school bus full of children pulled up and took over. So we went to the other side of the park and played with the old park toys. It was still fun.
















Michael, Alli, Claire and Audrey

Messing Around and Misc.

We have had a lot of recent joinings in the churches in this area. This was the "game of the day" last week. Renee is baptizing "Sis. Elaina."

















This was the next game they invented. The wanted to wear ALL of Elaina's undwewear. I know Renee had on 12 pairs!















Just playing together.















Eily loves to relax on Daddy.

First Time Finger Painting

Mmmmmm... (with eyes closed)

Today is wonderful!

I have the windows open and the sky just finished giving a delicious albeit short fall rain that was wonderful to listen to. I have 2 girls asleep, 2 thinking that I think they are asleep but really I am quite aware that they are sitting on their floor reading books, and one little munchkin belly-down in front of the front glass door enjoying all the colors outside and demonstrating it by kicking the floor as ferociously as she can and squealing occasionally.

I just made refried beans for the first time and they turned out quite delicious if I do say so myself. In a few minutes I am going to fire up the grill and get the chicken cooked so that I can chop it for tonight's dinner (which is burritos and brown rice.)

Currently, the house is all picked up. It will cease to be that way once all 5 girls are up and playing again. But that's ok. It feels nice for the moment.

I almost have all the laundry done. This is a GREAT feeling for me. I hate doing laundry.

My nose is tickled by the Dewberry Dreams Scented Oil Candle that's burning on the bar.

There is wonderful classical music in the background. Mixed with Eily's gurgling it is the best sound my ears could be hearing- I think. (And I'm sure if you were here you would agree.)

What's for Supper Tonight

Quick Chicken Stew


2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into bite-size pieces
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium onion, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 medium carrot, thinly sliced
1 medium zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 medium red bell pepper, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
2 (14.5 ounce) cans diced tomatoes with juice
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1 bay leaf
2 tablespoons butter
salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS
Heat the olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in chicken and cook about 1 minute. Mix in garlic and onion; cook until tender. Stir in carrot, zucchini, and red bell pepper. Pour in tomatoes with juice. Season with red pepper flakes, basil, and bay leaf, and continue cooking 10 minutes, until vegetables are tender and chicken juices run clear. Stir in the butter until melted, and season with salt and pepper just before serving.

It says this is great served over pasta or with mashed potatoes. Yum!

Cleanliness

Here's a fast and easy way to disinfect your dish sponge, which you should do as often as every other day. Simply wash your sponge with hot water and soap, rinse it, and put it wet into your microwave. Microwave at 100% power (High Setting) for 1 to 2 minutes.

Trash

I wonder when the word "trash" actually became the word we know today. Even in the early 1900's they didn't have trash. Everything came in crates or barrels and they reused everything until it just died. It's an interesting thought.

Look what Eily is learning to do!

Elaina's 3rd Birthday!

Elaina's traditional "candle in whatever we're having" breakfast.


































Happy Birthday Elaina!















Adam and the kids came over to help finish the trampoline.

















Claire wasn't about to be left out of this cake.
Who cares who's birthday it is!

Rebekah's Birthday!

Well, yesteday was my 27th birthday and man!, did Jason really do himself proud! He had Dark Night (a fundraiser for the Art Center) that night and it was going to take him all day at work to get ready for it so I basically wouldn't see him all day. Mom came early that morning and helped me get the girls out the door and we ran some errands. Then she helped me wrangle the girls into the library for toddler hour. Afterwards, we ran around F.S pricing all the outdoor benches to find the best deal. Then she took us all to Rolando's for lunch. As we were leaving the resturant Eily was ready to eat so Mom said if we could hold off a few minutes we would pull over just ahead at the Sweet Bay Coffee place and get some hot water for the bottle. Well.... Jason was there waiting for me! He said that he had arranged for Mom to take the girls to her house for the afternoon and he and I were going to do some things together before he had to go back for Dark Night. Horray! I was so suprised! So Mom fed Eily and I changd one last dirty diaper and then we split ways. First we went to Yeagers and got my bench and then we went to Lowes and I got all the plants I had been wanting for the house and front porch. We still had a few hours before he had to get back so we went bowling and then we went and watched a movie. After the movie he called his boss and she said it would be fine if we went to eat before he came back and then we went to Bella Italia for a delightful and yummy supper. After that, Jason had to take me back to the house so I could get the van and go get the girls from mom's house and he had to get to work. On he way to the house I mentioned that it would be neat if I had gotten birthday cards in the mail today. When we got home he told me to get my stuff out and he was going to see if there was anything in the mail for him before he had to get back. He said there was just a card for me and so I went to get it and it was from him! It had specific instructions about going inside and stopping at the glider rocker. At the rocker there was a map and clues in the form of a poem that led me all over the house to find all my presents! PLUS!!, mom was keeping the girls all night and he really didn't have to go back to work. So I went around and found all my gifts and found my dozen roses and all my candy! It was a great night!! What a birthday! He had been planning this for a month!

Claire's 2nd Birthday

Our tradition "candle in the breakfast"..whatever it may be.
















I'm two!!!!










.






Yummy birthday cake (which she didn't like).


















Watching Daddy put the new trampoline together.
















Eily trying to get in on the fun.















Helping Daddy. Always.
















Wee!!! (We have to finish the safety net tomorrow.)

Making the rest of the day fun!

We love our new clothes, Penny!!






















Pizza after the ear truma. Yum!!!
















The "helping distract one while we piercd the other" crew.
















We love our new look!!
















Showing off our new bling!

















Yea for earrings!!

Claire's New Earrings

The two Claire Bears

















Trauma about to happen...















"Owwww!"















"It Hurts!"
















This hurt but I really like them!!!

Elaina's New Earrings

The before shot.
















Making sure the dots are even and in the right place.


















Now she's wondering f this was such a good idea...


















Mommy!!!!



















Calming down and getting the alcohol.
















Checking out her new look.