A day with Laura

Ellie enjoyed a day with Laura and Vince yesterday playing outside and learning about amphibians!  She was so excited to have the opportunity. She's such a big girl too. 

She is brave with nature and always willing to try something. She enjoyed hearing Laura's views on nature and dirt and all that fun stuff, that mommy thinks is gross. 

Laura said she was a lot of fun and really grown up!

Because you are special

I believe that my children know they are loved, and I hope you know how special there. Tonight I had a conversation with Max that made me question up a little bit.

He gets to go spend the night with grandma tomorrow and he asked me why. I said because grandma wants to spend time with you. He says really? I say of course next. He says why? I say because she loves you and you are special. He says again really, I am? He had a sincerely puzzled sound to his voice.

Now next likes to have conversations, and he likes to push the limits too. But he seemed sincerely surprise with the concept that he is special.

I knew goal was to make sure every day my children know one of the reasons that I think they are special, because they are so very special And not just because they are my children :-)

Max is four!!!

A toy weed whacker, leaf blower, lawn mower, wheel barrel, rake, and wood - this is the list of "presents" I just wrapped for my son on his fourth birthday!

Max is such a sweet, energetic, smart, and busy little boy! He looks up to David so much. He asked for a toy of every tool he has seen David use over the past two months. He even tells me he wants some real toys and doesn't understand why we say no. 

Max loves to play make believe and try to drag us into his world. For example, when we go for a ride in the car, he alway proclaims the vehicle as something else - a boat, a helicopter, or something else fun. 

Max thinks he's a lion, sometimes. I'd like to believe he knows he's not, but sometimes he lets out a roar that is fierce, very randomly, maybe like a lion would. For the last half a year, he has told me he will be a lion when he grows up. Just recently he said, " mommy, when I grow up, I decided not to be a lion, because I want to be a daddy instead."

Max hasn't gone to any school. He spends his days with his sisters and Ms Sarah. He has learned a lot. He is smart and can count to 20 or more. He even knows the concepts of the number of items he's counting. Writing is another story. He doesn't like writing, but he knows his letters and counts syllables rather well!

Max does a great job playin with other kids when he gets the chance. He's a social boy. I also think he's an extravert.  He loves to just chat away. 

Max is my amazing son that I have always wanted! I'm so thankful to be his Mom!

Love my Max

This morning I was trying to fix my hair while Max was in the room with me. I said "my hair isn't working today." Max's

response without skipping a beat, "that's alright mommy, I love you anyway."

A relaxing family evening at the Girl Scouts swap

Tonight we celebrated the end of the Girl Scouts year with a pin swap at Garvers farm. The whole family was invited. I have to admit, I was sort of dreading it. However, it turned out to be a fairly easy event and I think everyone had a good time. 

Clair enjoyed some sliding, crawling around on the grass, crawling through tunnels and just generally making me chase her around. At one point for about 30 seconds I thought I had lost her because she had moved so quickly when I turned around to help Ellie for about one minute. It was horrible! 

Max enjoyed playing hard - driving the tractor ( even telling the boy who took over the driver seat when he left, "make sure you cut all the grass!" ) - playing in the sandbox with a digger - climbing on the train - jumping on the big pillow - and of course the big slide!

Ellie enjoyed running around with a boy from her reading group named Clay and another Girl Scout friend, Aubrey. They stuck together all night and really had a good time. It was wierd seeing her off on her own so low maintenance and really having fun all night. 

Everyone enjoyed making a smores!

I am thankful for this evening. They even weren't that bad when we got them home and to bed. I was honestly expecting disaster after yesterday's long day at Hershey park!

Today I turned 38

Today is my 38th birthday. I had a good inkling yesterday was going to be full of unhealthy children. But I went to sleep hoping a good night sleep would fix everyone. My inclination was correct. Instead of Sunday school Max went to urgent care with David. He was diagnosed with double ear infections.

I knew Ellie had a sore throat but I encourage her to keep going. Usually she can fight them with some herbs and vitamin C. 

I thought Clair was really fine. While Ellie went to Sunday school Claire took me to Starbucks for coffee. We had an okay morning. She is good company with her smiles and adoration she shows her mother.

When we got home everybody had an early lunch in early nap. I knew Claire needed to go to bed but I thought she was just tired from skipping her morning nap. 

I'm came over around three to bring my favorite strawberry shortcake. We had a nice chat and went to get Clara. I found her with the Rosiest cheeks And running a nice high fever. So, after briefly opening presents with the family and my mom. It was off the urgent care we went , instead of out for the nice lovely family dinner that was planned. 

By the time Claire was seen she was running a fever of 103°. Poor little thing was so miserable, she actually fell asleep on me while waiting for the doctor. After we finally saw the doctor, she was also diagnosed with double your infection.

So, that's four infected ears for my birthday. I really hate when my kids are sick. I spent most of the day taking care of someone else, like I do most days as a mother. It I okay though because the three best gifts I was ever given are my children.  I've wanted them since I can remember. I am thankful for them everyday, especially my brith day, even when they are sick and make me work extra hard and miss my birthday dinner :)

For the rest of my life, I will be someone's mother!!!!  I'm so greatful.