HAPPY BIRTHDAY

SIX years old!!

Wow!

Due to our crazy schedule between softball and baseball, we ended up having her family party after a rescheduled softball game at a local park.  She was really surprised to see everyone show up at the game!  The only downside--it was freezing cold.  Not quite literally freezing, but awfully close!  I think it bothered the adults more than the kids though, they ran around on the playground.  

She has 2 loose teeth, one that REALLY needs to come out as the new tooth is pushing up behind it.

She is reading and writing, adding and subtracting and has a fantastic memory!  She is usually the one with all the answers.  Missy is into all things glittery and sparkly and girly but also loves playing in the mud and finding critters (as long as they aren't bees!).  We just took the training wheels off of her bike and I'm sure she'll be off in no time.

Happy Birthday, Rian!

We love you!

SPRING THINGS: FAMILY FELLOWSHIP GROUP

A couple of Saturdays ago, (before it got frigid again,) we met up with our Family Fellowship Group for a spring walk.  I'd say hike, but that really isn't true.  It is a pretty flat, wide trail.

I had a nature scavenger hunt for the kids to do along the way.

We ended at a local airport and watched the planes and gliders..plus did a bit of exploring around the lake.

It was a total of about 3 miles.
We only ended up with one tick, but everyone had fun.

IN PROGRESS

It is not done yet, but I thought I would give you a sneak peak.

What do you think?

The only problem now..I don't like it with the kitchen color.

Yes, I did match colors when picking this one out..but it has been awhile and I'm not thrilled with it now.  The whole kitchen needs a re-do but it won't be anytime soon..maybe we'll just deal with it for now.  

YOU KNOW YOU'RE A HOMESCHOOLER..

..when the hallway re-do involves corkboard and chalk paint!

This is NOT the finished product.

I'll keep you posted.

PEEK-A-BOO

A wonderful friend of mine, gave me a new-to-us wrap to try out!

Lookin' good!

Little..er..chunky monkey..Mister is now 4 months old and weighs a whopping 18lbs!!

I'm telling you..those thighs are just..just..unbelievable! :)

He has been drooling and hands are constantly in the mouth..teeth may be on the way!  All my kids got teeth pretty early, so it would fit the pattern.

Sleeps well, eats well..smiles, talks, poops...all the stuff babies are supposed to do!

Well, he is calling me right now!

Til next time!

SUPERMOM

After the birth of baby numero 6, I had the opportunity to go to a "mothercare" class that was offered for free.  I figured, why not?  It was a four week program, with a class every week.  A great idea for a new mom to connect with other new moms and discuss various topics.  Overall it was nice.  I kind of just smiled and nodded the whole class time..the other moms (with exception of 1) were all first-timers.  I'm certainly not an expert, but after six births and six different personalities etc., I'm fairly comfortable with the way we run things around here etc.  Its not a new topic.

I found it extremely interesting that "society" feels the need to label everyone.  Some questions for discussion included the "supermom," attachment parenting, helicopter parenting, baby-led parenting, and the list went on...SERIOUSLY?!!  Can't we all just be parents?  Everyone has their own parenting style and as long as the children are healthy & happy--leave it be!  It can create serious judgment and envy of others and their choices. 

 Supermom is a myth, just like superman.  

We are ALL supermoms so long as we are making the best decisions we can for the best care for our children.  Maybe your house is not spotless, maybe your kids don't wear brand name clothes, maybe you don't feed them organic food and maybe, just maybe you weren't able to breastfeed--or maybe you only eat whole foods and never allow them to have sugar or dyes and breastfed until 2 years old (+).  Maybe you MUST have the floors spotless and the grout sparkling white in your shower, or maybe you MUST have home-cooked meals EVERY night or maybe you indulge in takeout and fast food.  OR maybe you send your kids to public schools! (gasp* wink*)..we all have our priorities.  

I know I've said it before, I baby-wear when it works for us, I breastfeed when it works for us, I will co-sleep if the child needs it and so on.  I hate the labels.  I'm a parent.  I'm a super mom to MY kids and YOU are super mom (dad) to YOUR kids.  We all do things a little bit differently, but as long as the end result is the same--please ignore those labels.  

I just looked around at those new moms and could see that no one wanted to really speak up for fear that their choice "style" of parenting would be met with judgement from others.  What a horrid way to start parenthood.  Be you.  Love your kids.  Do the very best you can do with what you are given.  Pray often.  Did I say, love your kids?  Yeah, we all make mistakes but love one another as well.  I'm thankful to a GREAT and AWESOME God for the privilege of raising children and equips me with what I need.

End rant.

I could go on.  I'll spare you though.  I just felt the need to comment.

WHICH ROSE IS WHICH?

Can you name all the boys?