FOUR!

We had a small party for August at the park on Saturday morning. I think it was just what she was hoping for. Nothing big or fancy for this girl. Just having fun (and cake/balloons) with her loved ones. I think she has the right idea.

Now, about that birthday girl...

She will officially be four on Wednesday July 1st. Did I really just say four??? My little pumpkin head baby with those huge round blue eyes is really going to be four (deep breath).

Les always says August is, "Such a kid" and we both talk about how we need to try harder to live in "her world."

Here are some things I want to remember about August at age four:

• She brings so much joy and laughter in to our lives
• She constantly talks and often talks to herself
• Her eyes literally sparkle and she has the brightest smile
• She ADORES babies
• She is extremely affectionate and loves to snuggle
• She would do anything for her sister
• She greets her baby brother all day long as if it is the first time she has seen him in a long time
• When asked what she wanted for her birthday dinner she said, "cake"
• She skips more than she walks
• Her voice does not have any other volume other than loud
• She is easy going but can break glass with the sound of her scream when she is frustrated
• Her imagination is awesome and in full bloom
• She shakes her hips when she dances
• She has a pair of fairy undies and a night shirt that her Aunt Sarah made. She wants to wear them every day!!!!
• We think she will make a great middle child
• She DOES NOT like loud noises and is afraid of dogs and cars
• She loves to "take a hair cut"
• She calls hula hoops, hula lops and adults, da-dults
• She starts sentences with the word "perhaps" and often ends them with "for real life"
• Her face and hands are covered in food after eating
• She randomly comes up to us and says, "I love you" through out the day
• She gives really great hugs

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUGUST OLIVIA... YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL

Dinner With Jude

We have slowly been introducing Jude to solid foods. He on the other hand, is ready to dive right in. We still spoon feed him everything except for the finger foods he can pick up and feed himself. The other night I said to Les, "What do you think he would do if we gave him the bowl?"

Happy Father's Day

Thank you Lester for all you do... including reading "Amelia Bedelia" again and again even when you, "can't stand her".

Hair Cut

Hobo's Cobbler

I have a bit of a love for dessert lately. Well, actually since I was pregnant with Skyla. Anyway since Jude and I are not eating any egg or dairy for a while, I tried this recipe and it was yummy! I found it in the Holistic Moms cook book. It was quick and easy and dessert does sometimes need to be an instant gratification kind of a thing. :)


1/2 c. earth balance
1 c. whole wheat pastry flour
1 c. brown sugar - I used about 3/4 agave nectar as substitute
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 c. soy milk
2 c. fresh berries - I used strawberries and blueberries


Preheat oven 375 degrees. (lower to 350 if you use agave) Melt butter in a large baking dish. Stir flour, sugar and baking powder into a bowl. Add milk and mix well. Pour batter over melted butter- DO NOT STIR. Heat berries for a couple of minutes until hot. Pour hot berries over batter- DO NOT STIR. Bake until batter creeps to the top of the baking dish and forms a brown crust, about 30 minutes. Great with vanilla ice cream/non-dairy sub!

Eryn And Ely Spend The Night

We are trying to get "date night" going by swapping babysitting with Sarah and Tim. Saturday night we watched their kids while they went to dinner and Eryn and Ely spent the night. The kids decided they wanted to put on a show in the front yard inspired by a bunch of dance costumes we were lucky enough to inherit from neighbors. They were busy preparing for their show and made signs and tickets. They mentioned that it was a real show and were definitely expecting an audience. Thanks to our gracious neighbors we were able to conjure up a nice size audience with very short notice. After the show the kids chased lighting bugs and eventually made it to bed. I was not able to take many photos considering six kids are a bit much to keep track of. I did get a few "cast" shots before the show.

This is after I said, "Strike a pose!"

Future cast members

Overnight With Grammy And Grandpa

Last week Skyla and August went to stay overnight with Grammy and Grandpa for the first time. They had a wonderful time. Grammy packed in a non stop schedule of fun that included shoe shopping, swimming, art, movies, eating (my kids eat all the time), reading, playing (even ...gasp...with barbie) and of course golf! I am so thankful they were able to have this time alone and off on adventures with out Les and I. The house was quite but Les, Jude and I had a nice dinner out and I enjoyed some time alone with Jude the next day. A big thank you to G and G from all of us. Let's do it again... after you have recovered from this visit of course.

Story Time and Playing With Jude

Neighborhood Art Show

I will have to add this to the list of reasons why our neighborhood rocks! We had an art show this weekend in the street that runs in front of our house. We love living here and love that we have met so many people that we really enjoy spending time with. When we found out the neighborhood was having an art show Sarah and I decided we were up for the challenge and we made stuff to sell. The kids were also able to participate and they loved the idea of making their own things and setting up a table to sell them next to ours. It was really cool to see how much talent and creativity everyone has. Our kids also LOVED the area where kids could make different projects and get their face painted. It was a perfect way to spend a Saturday.

Eryn and Skyla were so funny. First thing in the morning they traded a few items with each other and then they were ready to go shop what Sarah and I made. I love the picture below where they both have their little purses and their lemonade. Les even got a new "tattoo".

Recital Day

Skyla has really enjoyed her jazz and ballet class. I think it has also helped to build her confidence. She had her first recital last night in a high school theater on a "real stage". All of the dancers were so fun to watch. Skyla had a great time and was quite the little ballerina. She was very technical with her dance and remembered all the moves. She was VERY interested in watching the other dancers and loved the whole scene. She would probably still be sitting in the audience right now if she could. It was a late night but we had a great time.

back stageproud Grammy

Flowers from August
Dancers

Creative Play

I love it when the girls get completely enthralled in their play together. They make up all kinds of games that remind me of Sarah and I when we were kids. Today they set up a house in the cedar closet in our basement. I asked Skyla what they were playing and she said they were pretending they were mamas. They were making phone calls to try to find a car seat cover for their baby who is allergic to polyester. I wonder where they got that idea???

More Of Lester's Photos

I found these on the camera. August was playing in the rain at home while Skyla and I were away.