Happy Half Birthday!

My big girl is seven and a half. With this haircut and her glasses, she is so much more grown up looking than last year. 

This year she halved the birthday cake recipe to make her half-birthday cake. 

I love this little sweetheart, who somehow is growing way too fast. 

Auntie Cynthia's Baby Shower

We celebrated Auntie Cynthia earlier this month, as she prepares to welcome her first baby, Lady Purington, into this world. 

I don't have many pictures. But it was certainly a delight to spoil this sissy of mine with love. 

Naturally, there was way too much to eat and tons of beverages. 

Everyone was really excited about the baby onesie project. Kristie and Theresa cut and prepares tons of fabric so people could iron on their designs. They were into it! I was so proud of Gabriela when she came out of the crafting area with this little beauty. 

I didn't see her most of the shower. I had given her the job of keeping some little girls entertained. She and Mina took their job very seriously. They came up with a name for their business and created signs. This hard work paid off because those little girls asked their mama if Gabriela and Mina could be their babysitters next time they went out on a date. 

Before the baby shower, Gabriela created an advice book for her auntie. She came up with all the categories and lists. My favorite is her "don't worry, this is normal" list. 

Willow got all dressed up for her new best friend's baby shower. 

We made baby wish sheets that Cynthia is going to turn into a book for Lady Purington. I was so pleased with my kids' lists for their cousin. 

We are ready and waiting for you, Baby Girl Purington. We are anxious for your safe arrival, and can't wait to watch you grow into a little lady. 

Special Delivery

Remember how Papa made Gabriela her very own bookcase at Christmas? Well, he came to deliver it (along with one for us grown ups) a couple weeks later. 

Gabriela couldn't wait! She helped clear space in the house for the shelves and then got very nervous when Papa almost didn't come because of the rain forecast. 

We immediately got busy stacking those shelves with her prized possessions, including so many books. 

For months. Gabriela has been trying to turn that little corner into her library. She would sneak books off the shelves and line hem all up along the floor, stack them into impossible messes, but now she has a beautiful shelf made with so much love by her Papa.  

Easton promptly decided that the other bookcase was his, and started filling the bottom shelf. 

We needed this new case desperately; books wet shoved in every possible little space on the bookcase we already had (also made by papa). 

We had an early dinner together and Nana got some baby snuggles before they headed back home. 

Thank you for these special bookcases, Papa. I have already put in a request for another woodworking project. 

Peter Pan Book Club

This month we read Peter Pan and Wendy for our book club read. I had never read the book before, and was delighted with the language, Gabriela loved the story, and Easton paid close attention to all the Captain Hook and pirate swashbuckling. 

Our book club fun started with a pirate treasure hunt. Some mamas hid clues all around one family's property. The kids all took turns reading clues, checking out new sections of the map, and deciding where to go next. 

Their treasure hunt led them through the whole property, and right over this whole hill. I can't believe they scaled it all, and then climbed back down on the other side. The kids are in this photo, but it's almost impossible to tell Willow and I opted out of climbing over this hill in the mud. 

They found the digging site and just went for it, getting as muddy as can be, until they discovered the buried hidden treasure. Pirate chocolates!! 

Easton took his digging very seriously. 

Look at this sweet boy. 

Then we came inside for book discussion and a potluck taco dinner night. Everyone ate before settling down to watch Peter Pan. 

Just look at these precious kids, all snuggled up to their friends, enjoying a movie and sharing popcorn. 

Easton decided to sit right up front. Best seat in the house. We rounded off the Peter Pan weekend by watching Hook the next evening at home. We all enjoyed catching references to the book that we hadn't noticed before.  

Three months old

This little pumpkin is three whole months old and has just come to life with personality. She sometimes coos to get our attention or cries until we give her our attention, at which point she immediately switches to all smiles. Willo has also started to truly laugh this month. We all find ourselves doing silly things, just to hear those squeals and see her baby face light up. 

She still has a whole head of hair. I swear, it's like a baby wig. Gabriela asked why everyone who sees Willow for the first time comments on her hair. I had to explain that most babies are born bald. 

Willow prefers to do all her napping in mama's arms, sling or no sling. It's sometimes hard to get the housework and homeschooling done with a baby attached to me, but I am trying to enjoy this time with a little sweet pea and take in all the snuggles I can get.

Gabriela found this sweet little Dollie crown and put it on her baby sister. Willow definitely is our little princess. We just love her so. At Willow's 2 month well baby visit she was in the 99th percentile for her height and 22nd for her weight. She is going to be tall and skinny like her big sister. 

When she is on her blanket on the floor, which isn't often, we have spotted a very frustrated baby trying so hard to roll over. She is also getting into the habit of extending her legs while lying on her back and trying to push her body backward. 

Willow has also found her fingers and is content with one or two in her mouth, sucking away. She still likes to tuck her thumb in with her fingers. But she often holds one hand steady in her mouth with the other hand. Willow is also bringing things to her mouth, mostly other people's hands, to see what they taste like. In the last week, she has gotten so drooly! I hope this doesn't mean a too this on its way already too soon, baby girl. 

Willow loves being sung to. Just last night, she sat happily in her bouncer in the kitchen while I prepared our entire dinner. It may have helped that I was singing her Beatles songs and dancing the whole time.

Gabriela still can't get enough Willow snuggles or head-sniffs. She sniffs Willow's head on the run, even. She is intoxicated with baby scent. 

Easton wants to get his snuggles too. Today he was sitting next to Willow singing a made up song with these lyrics, "I will never leave you, I will always be there". He hasn't shown the tiniest bit of trouble with the change in our family dynamic and has nothing but sweet, sweet love for his baby sister. 

Every day I think of how amazing it is that Willow is here, the immense joy that she has brought us, and what a gift this darling girl is to our family. 

Ladybugs!

Auntie Cynthia helped get our new year off to a good start by asking us if we wanted to go on a ladybug hike. We had been wanting to do this for weeks and this was our last dry day in the forecast, so we hopped on it. 

I told Cynthia where the ladybug viewing was supposed to happen and we joked for a good solid hour before I asked about the trails. Cynthia had misread the trail names and we turned back to find those little guys. 

Once we got to the right spot, we saw them everywhere! The kids had so much fun spotting ladybugs, and us grownups were pretty amazed as well. 

They were on the ground. 

On sticks and tree stumps and hiding in every little crevice imaginable. 

The kids were caught stuffing ladybugs into the zipper pockets of Easton's coat 

But mama, they're our children. 

A couple days later, we found their son, Charlie flying around inside out house poor Charlie. 

It felt so invigorating to be on such a long and difficult hike (before we backtracked to the ladybugs). The kids took turns walking Sam and it just felt so good to be outside, even if it was super chilly. 

Since we were right around the corner. We stopped at Nate and Meliss's house for a short visit, some gift exchanging. Lego building, dolly making, cousin wrestling fun. 

Easton excitedly told Beau, "and guess what?! Santa bringed me presents even though I punched my sister!!!!"

New Year's Eve

A mama in our homeschool group graciously hosted us all for a New Year's Eve party for kids and parents, alike. Games were played, delicious food enjoyed, dance party mania, and of course, a countdown... Eastern Time. There were kisses and tears (all mine). I've always been a New Years Sap. But there is something extra sad about leaving Simone's memory behind yet another year. And those happy family moments make me cry too.  Because she isn't here. 

After dancing their hearts out, the kids watched a movie on the projector while the grown ups played Cranium. We haven't played that game in nearly ten years. It was so fun to play again. I am glad to say Lane and I haven't lost our cranium touch. 

It was so enjoyable to have grow up fun with our homeschool family. I look forward to more game nights. For the countdown, as we all got our celebratory beverages ready, I told Easton he had to wait until we said happy new year to sip our drinks. He looked at me, said, "happy new yeawh" and chugged his sparkling cider. 

The kids had so much fun dancing and running around with each other. Easton was especially disappointed when it was time to leave. He promptly passed out on the five minute drive home. 

Gabriela, on the other hand, had grand plans of staying up until it was actually midnight. We played her game of choice, Monopoly. That little party animal stayed up until nearly 1am. She was so proud of herself and so excited too. She insisted we get toasting beverages and eggnog did the trick. 

Willow was a little unsure about staying up this late after her bedtime. 

Christmas for the cousins

The day after Christmas, we loaded everyone up in the car to spend a daycelebrating  Christmas with the cousins. 

Nana finally got some baby time. She was really not feeling well over thanksgiving and didn't hold Willow at all. Willow was happy to have her Nana time too. 

Bows and arrows seemed to be a popular gift this year. Wes and Easton spent the afternoon outside practicing their archery and giving each other tips. 

After a delicious grilled pork loin lunchtime feast, the kids all opened their gifts from each other. Easton was a very happy pirate. They spent the rest of the day playing with their gifts, building Legos together, and ended the evening with a movie and hot cocoa. 

Papa was a very busy elf in his workshop this year. He built Willow her own cradle. Obviously, we had too put her inside for a photo. 

Papa also made Gabriela a cradle in memory of Simone, since he has made cradles for all his granddaughters. 

The bottoms says, "Gabriela, may you honor the memory of Simone always. Her Papa will love her forever". Gabriela gets to keep and treasure her sister's cradle. It warms my heart that Papa included Simone in Christmas. Auntie Cynthia did too. She made a donation to the International Rescue Committee in Simone's honor. Thank you for remembering our daughter at the holidays especially. 

We had an impromptu slumber party. The ladies planned for Cynthia's baby shower and did some shopping, the kids played, and Lane got some football watching in. 

Papa also built Gabriela a giant bookcase, which he is delivering this week. That's one lucky little lady and one generous and talented Papa.