Sisters

With baby sister and Kindergarten coming soon, I decided to go ahead and make the switch and put the girls in the same room. In the last 2 weeks, they had shared a room at Nana’s, Blair’s and the hotel. It seemed logical to just keep them in the same room when we got home this week. They were both very excited and so far are doing great. It is actually easier on me too, though Megan is still in the crib. When I move her out, I have a feeling that will be a little more difficult. For the last few months, since the disappearance of “paci”, Megan has put up quite a fight at bedtime. She liked to scream at me as I left and continually call, “mama, mama”. Alyssa is usually good at bedtime, but liked to call us back in her room at least once to say, “I can’t sleep.” Or whatever else she could think of. But as of night #5, we have read books, said our prayer, sang together and then said good-night. I walk out and do not hear from them until after 8 am. Alyssa has slipped out quietly a few times while Megan slept, and the other mornings I hear them quietly talking. Alyssa will climb in bed with Megan and play. I love that they enjoy each other right now. I know it will not always be that way. Alyssa is so sweet and loving toward Megan and is just a great big sister. Think we can fit three in that crib?

Chuck E Cheese

I regret to say that when your children get older, they begin to have their own opinions. It has started with us from clothes, to color of bow, to where she wants her birthday. I had to eventually let my control issues go and give her the party that she wanted. And I am so glad I did, she had a blast. And of course, having cousin Blakely here helped. My mom and Blakely arrived yesterday and they have been inseparable ever since. Today we had a great time celebrating her birthday with family, some old friends and I am so happy to say some new friends. I told my mom today that she was going to be impressed at how many friends we have made. Thank you all for coming and making this day special for Alyssa. Party pics

Her cake at home on the 4th

Photoshoot

It is simple. We were headed out for the day with Daddy and I thought they looked cute. “Let’s go outside real quick and take a picture before we leave.”


“Look at the camera Alyssa.”


“Alyssa. At me.”


“Meeeegan! Look at mommy.”


“Got it.”

Nope, I just Photoshopped it. (Yes, I am good at it.) But something prevents me from printing these type of pictures to keep for myself, because the event I have supposedly captured didn’t exist. The other pictures actually tell a more accurate story of my kids at this age.

They do a little better individually.

And this is our bunny who usually eats breakfast with us.

The Class of 2008

Preschool graduation that is. They had a very cute, elaborate ceremony for Alyssa’s school allowing each kid to walk the stage and receive a certificate. They marched in to the typical graduation theme song and preformed a few songs for us. Most of the kids preformed…okay maybe all of them but mine?? They sang three songs and Alyssa told me early that week that she was only going to sing “I am a Promise”. She did not lie. She stood very still and solemn during the other, but jazzed right up on cue for her song. I couldn’t help but smile that she actually did one song. Oh, did I mention that she is the only kid without her cap on? At least she was easy to spot. Afterwards, she walked down, shook her teacher’s hand and received her award. As silly as it seems, I was very proud of her. Immediately following the ceremony, we walked down the hall to get her cap that she chose not to wear, and she insists on putting it on and proceeds to wear it the rest of the evening. She also showed me all the moves and sang along with her preschool songs on CD the next day, but forbid me to video … ugh! She is definitely a non-conformist.

My artist

Today I choose to write about something fun. Instead of the gross sickness that has trapped our family in PJs for 4 days, stranded us on the couch watching kids’ shows, and forcing us to only enjoy graham crackers and cheerios…

Alyssa loves to draw and color. She has recently added a “stomach” to her people, which I like to call a big bottom. But she insists it is their stomach. And as of this drawing they are now wearing clothes. It is so cool to watch their little minds figure this kind of stuff out. She is also picking up an interest in birds like her daddy. At breakfast the other day, she said, “Do you know what time it is mom? iiiiiiit’s bird-watching time.” And proceeded to get her own pair of binoculars out to look at the birds in the backyard. Here is some of her latest work.

A robin

Alyssa and Megan at the zoo with a turkey vulture, giraffe, and moose.

Pooh. This was drawn at the end of our Pooh movie. An artist shows you how to draw Pooh with the cross lines and everything. She did this all by watching the guy on TV.

New friends

This is our new friend, Morgan. She is much closer to Megan’s age at 2, but Alyssa still considers her “her” friend. Morgan and her mom, Erin, joined us today for playtime and lunch. Megan felt so comfortable with her new friend that she immediately stole her shoes. What is it with this child and shoes? We are very thankful for the friends that we have made at the church (not “our church” yet) and glad that we have someone new to play with. I am reminded time and time again why God deemed relationships so important.

Nobody say a word…

That is what I think when I can actually escape in the house while they are outside playing. I have even been known to call Ethan and say, “Do you know what your kids are doing right now?” Maybe this is common for you at your house, but getting Alyssa to play outside by herself is an unbelievable accomplishment. I can stay inside and cook dinner and they will play together outside. Thank you for sunshine and an old horse-shoe pit that we have not gotten around to removing.

Love

How do they grow up like this? I don’t know how Alyssa figured out how to draw block letters, much less feel the desire to write a love note to God. She told me today, “You know who I love more than a zillion years, mom? God.” I am so blessed to have such a sweet, loving, creative, emotional, and cute as can be little 4 year old who has such a raw, innocent belief in the Lord. Thank you God for moments like this.