Day 60

Ah, Playdoh. I truly have a love, hate relationship with it! I love it because it's good for at least a half hour of uninterrupted play. I hate it because it gets everywhere!! The kids love it, though, and we had a great time playing "cookies" where they cut up cookies and then we "baked" them in the oven. Yummy!

Bennett thought that the Playdoh was super yummy!

I put Bennett in the Pack and Play while I showered and came out to find this...Bennett draped in my underwear. He had three pairs around his neck!! Please note that those are maternity underwear--my normal ones aren't that huge!!!

PS--Day 60!!! Halfway there!! I want to throw a party!!!

Day 59

Christmas decorating!! The kids were so excited to make the house look beautiful!

We loved setting up the Nativity!AND watching Christmas specials!

This is how a little brother watches a Christmas special...with his sister at knifepoint. He wouldn't leave her alone! He truly fits the profile of the annoying younger brother!

Day 58

We're gearing up for the season--our house smells like cookies and cinnamon, the children are wearing red and green, and they're spending lots of time pouring over toy catalogues. It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!

Day 57

It truly wasn't my best day ever. I locked my keys in the car on my way into church with too much to carry, spent worship service crying my eyes out, missed having a nap today due to uncooperative children, and rounded out the night cleaning up broken glass from a shattered light bulb. I'm exhausted, I have a headache, and the kitchen still looks like a disaster. On the upside, the kids did an awesome job cleaning up their toys, the house smells great from some treat baking and we had a really fun afternoon playing ball, tag, and "snowstorm."

I gave Bennett a HUGE sucker tonight to occupy him while we finished up some treats for a care package. I knew he was enjoying it, but didn't realize just how much. He was the stickiest, messiest, stinkiest child I've ever removed from a high chair and he couldn't wait to get into the bathtub!

Day 55

It was beautiful and sunny out today and we just had to spend some time outside, getting the stink blown off(as my mom used to say!). The kids had a ball playing together, especially on the see saw. I love seeing the kids interact(nicely) and play together. They are truly precious!

Day 55

What a fun day! Horseback riding, Thanksgiving leftovers, naps all around, movies, birthday parties. It doesn't get much better than this...especially when you're also surrounded by your aunts and uncles. The kids were in seventh heaven and I enjoyed some adult time and conversation!
My equestrian...she wants to take lessons.
No fear...absolutely none.

Tristan loved his ride, but as soon as he saw and opportunity to use a garden hose, he was off Smokey's back in a flash!
Happy Birthday Uncle Jeff! I'm so glad we got to visit. Over a year is too long to wait to see your brother!

Day 54

Happy Thanksgiving! We had a great one, full of family, food and fun! It was so nice seeing all my siblings at the same time and visiting with my brother. It was just a really good day...but we missed you so very much. We are so very thankful for all our many blessings. God has truly blessed our lives.

Day 53

Once again, I find myself with a post that is all about my little man. I had the camera all ready and waiting to take photos at Chick-fil-A today and then it went and died on me. Anyway, the kids took some MUCH needed naps for LONG time this afternoon, which meant I had some uninterrupted time with my sweet thang. He found some paint brushes and was "painting" the carpet, so I brought out some water and paper and let him go to town.
The artist at work...

He loved "painting." My plan was for him to paint with the water and just get the paper wet, but the brushes must not have been washed out very well!

He lost interest after a time and his body became the canvas. Good thing he was already sans pants!

Day 52

Now presenting "Wild Man!" Hard to keep up with, easy to love.
"Need an Angry Bird, Mommy?" He actually pegged the camera with this one.
PRECIOUS! Look at that curly hair. The rain and humidity have made it gorgeous and curly. If he was a girl, he'd be proudly sporting some curly pigtails!

Day 51

Today was a rainy day, full of cookie making, tea parties and crafts. In fact, I had three separate tea parties today, and they begged me for a forth, which I declined. There's just so much spilled water, tea, milk and sugar that I'm willing to clean up in a day!
Maura affects a wonderful British accent every time the tea set appears. I got it on video today because it's so cute! Tristan, the superhero, was the tea party MAN today. He just wanted to keep going and going. I think he would have sipped a gallon of water out of that little cup!

Oh, Bennett William. LOVED the tea party. Did NOT want to see it end. Fits were thrown and china tea cups were also thrown.

Maura's midterm report came yesterday. I'm so proud of our girl.

I'm so glad I got to go up to the school to be part of her Thanksgiving dinner. It was SO cute. All the kids were dressed as pilgrims or native Americans. It was a nice little feast, with turkey, corn, green beans, johnny cakes and pumpkin pie.

Believe it or not, I forgot my camera. I was so irritated! Thankfully, my cell photos weren't too bad! I'm so glad to have this special time with my sweet girl.

Day 50

Fifty days!! I'm so excited. Only ten more before we hit our halfway point. Despite all my fears to the contrary, we're all doing fine. I'm sometimes sad, often overwhelmed, but mostly feeling incredibly blessed by the wonderful husband who loves me with all his heart and the children who bring me so much joy and happiness all the days of my life.
Speaking of happiness, you should have seen your baby's face as he took his first carousel ride. Priceless. He loved it until I wrapped my arm securely around him to prevent a fall. He flipped out, started to crawl off the horse and we quickly transitioned to the bench.

Wesley sure was happy to see us!

Speaking of firsts, Tristan had his first experience on a bumper call, which he LOVED! He got the hang of it so quickly and he was zipping around the ring like a pro, hitting people other cars. Sure was fun!!

Day 49

Maura was so proud of her face paint that she got at her party. She looked so beautiful!Aunt Emily came over for dinner and bedtime. The kids loved having a new storyteller!

Day 48

Much fun was had today at the Chick-fil-A playground. I'm not sure if Tristan is there for the food or the playground, but today he had the best if both worlds. And the best time!

Bennett had lots of fun too. He loved "driving" and that's absolutely what he was doing with this wheel. We could try the equipment. He surprised me by pulling up on the step and sitting there. I kept waiting for him to climb up, but he never climbed any forther. Thank goodness!!

Day 47

It was Thanksgiving party day at school...one of my favorite days! I had an absolutely crazy day with four classes back to back and the pressure of making sure my dishes for the potluck got into the oven on time. Whew! Glad it's over!!
Sweet Boo Boo realized pretty quickly that there was a cookie on that plate and on that cookie was some icing. You can imagine what followed.

My little Indian! He's so proud of that headband! He got down to some serious eating at the feast!

I wanted to get a cute picture of all the kids in their adorable turkey t-shirts. This was the best I got...

Because of this. Sigh. Maybe in a few years they'll all sit still for photos???

Day 46

We invented a new game today...Angry Birds. I found some plastic cat toys at Wal-Mart that were shaped like Angry bird and thought the kids would enjoy playing with them. They REALLY did. We stacked up blocks, put the pigs on top and launched our Angry Birds at them. Cue laughter and fun!Tristan with his usual all brawn approach. We're still looking for one of those birds!!Maura was great at knocking off the birds, by not at knocking over the structure. She got so mad every time I knocked over the blocks saying, "Now I'll NEVER win!!" Didn't realize we were keeping score!!