Repeat

Nyah @ 1 1/2

Elsa @ 2 1/2

I love this shirt on our girls, it has to be one of my favs. I know it's just a shirt but this ol' thing lived a long life in Nyah's closet and now has a secure spot in Elsa's, courtesy of Aunt Ali. It's just so nice to see it again.

Long live hand-me-downs.

Catching Up

Hi. I am a slacker, I know. It's been awhile. What have I been doing you ask? I don't know, I really don't know. But sitting down and editing photos and writing doesn't seem to be fitting into that schedule and truly, I miss it.  

So here I am with a family update. Nothing special, just trying to catch up and then I am going to make a better effort to take time out for me to write our life down because I need to have something for me, right? And this blog is my thing, my creative outlet, something to do for myself. 

So, first thing is first. We survived Isaac. 

And looking back, our 24 hours without power was really wonderful. We had the windows open, the breeze was cool, the kids played and played and played and we ate and played and watched the storm. We were headed out in the morning to try to find some ice for our food when the power came back. Perfect.

George and I caught up on some checkers and cards and he was reminded of just how competitive I am (bad trait, bad). Everyone slept wonderful without power and overall it was just peaceful, minus the deep hum of allllll of the neighbors' generators. We spotted someone across the lake with candles lit but other than that we might be the only generator-less family in the hood. And that is all right with me. 

Our clean up crew and Elsa in her favorite jersey (??).

Jude is a new boy now that he can walk. No more babies over here and oh, it feels so nice. His new favorite hang outs are on Elsa's bed, in one of our empty cabinets (because this house is a hoarders paradise, storage galore over here), on top of anything he can climb on, in the mix of whatever his sisters are doing, or anywhere someone has food. 

This kid will eat anything as long as you are eating it but the moment you set him in his high chair and feed it to him with a spoon or cut it up nicely for him, its over. He might take two to three bits and he's done. So he grazes and thats okay with us. Remember when Elsa did the same?

He now gives the best kisses. He leans in, bottom lip out and gives a full on muah too. Its the best. I live for them. And he has learned to growl. 

Playing outside with him is such a joy now that I don't have to worry about his poor knees on the cement. He is busy in everything and playing, just playing. It is so nice to have my arms free again.

His first walk around the house. 

Other major happenings, Nyah and Elsa are now taking showers. Not a big deal, I know but up until this point all three of them have been taking a bath, together. And yeah, they don't fit, and Nyah is old so in the shower they went and it is so much easier, and quicker, and Elsa especially loves the shower. She giggles the entire time. Why didn't we make the switch sooner?

Nyah still wakes up excited for school every morning, though has started taking her lunch. Beefy taco melt just wasn't her thing and I can't really blame her. 

I finally broke down and emailed her teacher, just to check in on how she is doing. I am so proud of myself for waiting so long. Kindergarten is so impersonal. Nyah gets out of the car in the morning and gets back in the afternoon and what goes on in between is a mystery. From what I can gather, they play and read stories and thats about it. 

And Elsa is still running things. She asked Nyah today when she was not accepting no for an answer, "Who's the boss, Nyah?" 

Yeah, Elsa. Handle it. 

She wills start at the Montessori school Nyah went to in January. She is just so aware, so wise, she would be fine in school now but I am enjoying these long days her. 

"I do myself!" is her favorite phrase lately. And she does do it herself. Cleaning, dressing herself and changing outfits five times a day, cooking, dragging a chair across the house to reach her light switch. Just watch out, she has it under control.

So thats it. Thanks for checking in.

On the Move

Look who decided to get up and start walking this week. We are so proud of our guy and the progress he makes daily.


I would have loved to post a video of his actual first steps but those happened Wednesday after I forced him to walk. Well kind of. I stood him about one inch in front of me and sweet talked him into my arms and then covered him in kisses. I guess he was into it because the next try he took two steps and by the end of the day he was taking 5-6 steps and by last night, well, he was walking across the room.

I guess he was a better walker than even he thought. But I am finding out he is absolutely not the type to just go for it and take rough falls that come with learning something new. Cautious this one. He waited to walk until he was ready and even now he doesn't fall, he simply opts to squat to a seated position prior to the major wipe out. 

I wonder how long this cautious approach to life will last? Into his teen years maybe? And then some? I really wouldn't have a problem with skipping a few of those broken bones, stitches and emergency room visits I've learned come with the boy territory.

So there you have it. All of our kids can walk. Check it off the list. On to the next milestone.

A Kindergartner

This is what a kindergartner looks like.

She's anticipated this day for quite some time and was so excited when the morning finally arrived, probably mostly to finally be able to wear her uniform, but excited none the less.

And though I thought I was ready, the truth came out the night before, like I was the one about to walk into a huge school and start my life of learning. 

She has been in "school" since she was two and a half. I should be an old pro at this, right? But no. It's so different. She has always attended small, sweet schools where I could look her teacher in the eye and chat about my child everyday at drop off and pick up. Schools where the teachers would tell Ny they love her on a daily basis, and kiss her, and hug her. Schools where she was free to be a kid. And now, my sweet baby being one of almost 800 other kids. I flipped, my mind filled with what-ifs.

And she wanted to ride the bus. But, after drop off the first day, I realized that her school is a loving place. She walked in like a superstar, meeting up with all the neighborhood kids as they exited the bus. And I got to say hey to the teacher and watch her settle in, though she just wanted me to go, thank goodness.

I am that parent and can't help it, not one bit.

And the highlight of her day? Throwing the food she didn't eat at lunch away, like in the garbage. No left overs at school. And showing her teacher that she could tie her shoe. Thats all I got out of her because in true kindergartner style, all of my questions about her day were met with, "I don't know". 

But she is still not riding the bus. Baby steps (for momma).

Vaca & B-Day

I just can't get over how old Jude looks sitting at the picnic table with the girls. He is now standing unassisted and smiling and then cautiously sitting down. Steps are coming soon, I just know it.

We had such a wonderful week with my grandma (Nan). We headed south, visited family, went to the beach, and celebrated Nyah's fifth birthday!

Nan gave Ny 50 one dollar bills for her birthday and took her shopping to buy whatever she wanted, something Nyah has never done. After picking a few things and then putting them back, realizing how much things costs, Ny finally decided to spend all her money on one Cinderella dress. I was proud of her and think she got a better grasp of money and paying for things.

My cousin McKenzie with Jude. He loved her, obviously.

We made a quick stop at the beach after breakfast one day to see the water and check out my cousin and her husband's water sport business, you can find them on Ft. Myers beach or here, Wind and Water Sports.

It was so wonderful to be on the beach again. Nyah and Elsa picked up right where they left off. Jude enjoyed his first visit though he didn't get to swim and get down and dirty in the sand as he wanted to. Next time.

Our best attempt at a group photo.

When this is what they really wanted to be doing.

We then had a pool party to celebrate Nyah's birthday and she got to show off some of her newly acquired swimming skills. So fun.

 Here's the teenager in her new princess dress.

The look wouldn't be complete without glass slippers.

Overall, it was such an amazing week spent with family, none of which would have been as easy without Nan's help (and patience). But we missed George like crazy (as usual) and came home one day early just to see him. 

We are refreshed and ready for Nyah and George to start school.

An Update

The older our three get the more apart they seem to grow in terms of vices, nuances, interests, personalities, dislikes, and the list goes on. Elsa likes peanut butter on her sandwich, cut into squares. Nyah prefers just jelly, no peanut butter, open faced. Nyah dislikes ketchup, and Jude just wants a bite. Ny wants anything sweet while Elsa pefers meat, especially if George is eating it. But wow, do they ever have fun together.

Jude has started joining the girls as they are off playing whatever they play in their rooms for hours on end. He sneaks in their room and I leave him for a minute or so and then it usually time to rescue him from whatever they are forcing him to do. Here he is making his escape after they attempted to dress him up.

The girls enjoying a rainy day.

 Elsa trying to fit Jude's glasses over her hair.

 My view while preparing dinner (on a good day). These girls can work I tell ya.

Jude's joy in life-pots and pans. Actually, banging those glass lids on the tile is his real jam but he usually only gets a few good bangs in before someone stops him. Noise. 

Jude is still interseted in climbing on anything he can find. And then smiling at us one he reaches the summit.

While we know Elsa loves nothing more than softly caressing her dirty blankey under her nose to soothe herself, Jude's new object of comfort just happens to be what ever is down my shirt. And it's not just me. When he's really tired and ready to get cozy his arm starts heading down George's shirt too. I just happen to have a little more going on down there so it can be a bit akward when we are out in public and Jude decides to get comfortable. But whatever. Nothing seems to surprise me these days. We are really getting a laugh out of this though. I am sure he will never be able to live this one down.

Nyah's life revolves around tasks these days, like drawing stars, letters, or houses, or making "soup" in the sink. And of course, dressing herself is still her main passion. While I was getting dressed the other day she took me into my closet and was trying to persuade me to wear some dress I have in my closet that I haven't worn for years. But thats just the way I want it. I am sure she will be dressing me or trying to make me look the way she wants for years to come and I look forward to it. She really has her eye on my wedding dress, as you can imagine.

And oh Elsa. The joy of our days is still our comedian, singing and dancing at any chance. She has been sneaking into our bed in the early morning hours more than not lately. We are just too tired to return her to her normal sleeping spot. Some mornings I wake up and am so thankful for a king sized bed, it can get pretty tight in there. She is so in tuned to all the happenings and feelings of all of us in the house. 

The above photos are from the Louisiana Children's Museum. They had a cool video screen our girls got real comfortable in front of. Can you tell who is who?

My grandma (Nan) is coming into town this week and we will take Vanity south (to Florida) to visit more family. The girls are totally pumped up about another road trip and so am I. I guess enough time has passed since our last mad dash to Indiana, so the idea of a road trip with the kids (without George) is all rainbows and glitter in my mind right now. And yep, I think I will leave my computer at home. An old fashioned vacation with my littlest loves sounds perfect to me.