To Halloween....And Beyond!

So, we've got Buzz Lightyear, Green Army Guy, Jesse, Bo Peep & her little sheep and my personal fave, Tour Guide Barbie. This year's highlight: seeing Rosie push her sleeping sheep in the school parade, so fun. Trick-or-Treat Champ: Buzz. Best selection of quality candy: Lizzy. Best tasting Costume: The sheep (according to Drew). As for next year, Rosie is requesting something fancy....stay tuned.

4 Month Fun

Before My Drew turns 5 Months, I need to celebrate the month of Four. Much happened to Baby Drew this last month. He has stopped using a Binky and replaced it with his two middle fingers...it's to die for. He's our first baby who actually likes "tummy time". Our home is filled with that sweet baby babble which for Drew always begins with a long sigh. He prefers Mommy at night, and I'm loving it. Drew has also decided that the car isn't so bad, and has made new friends with the many toys that are offered to him regularly. He is starting to sit up unsupported for a few seconds, and the girls are positive he will be an early walker because of the continuous kicking motion his legs make. And, by the way, he's huge. At four months, he weighed in at 17.4 lbs (85 %) and 27" long (93%). Okay and one other minor detail, he now has 2 teeth. Yes, just like Rosie. WE LOVE this happy easy going baby boy!

Newport part 2

( I truly can't get enough of this big eyed chubby cheeked bundle!)

The BEACH!! We filled the rest of our days in Newport with sunny days at the Beach. Lizzy is most definately loyal to the land of her birth. This Cali-girl would live at the beach if possible and cried each time we left. Rosie enjoyed herself, almost as much as the delicous shakes we had to have after a fun filled day. Max was less then impressed. The big waves were scary but he tolerated playing in the sand. He wanted to get back to Disney, NOW. Baby Drew, sweet Baby Drew, was happy just to be there, out of his carseat.

Newport part 1

When I was a girl, I loved checking out from our school library American Girl Doll books. Samantha and Kirsten we my favorites. I loved them. I wanted Samantha desperately. When I begged my Mom for her, she told me I was to old for dolls and that I wouldn't play with her enough to pay the $$ for them. She may have had a point, since I was in 6th grade, but STILL!

Luckily I've been blessed to live through these two girls of mine who also love American Girl. While in Newport, we made the 1 1/2 hour (gotta love LA traffic) trek to the mother ship, The American Girl Doll Store. It was more than I could handle. Nana came and we both were dazzled. The girls, Nana and I had a wonderful lunch in their cafe, and it was worth every last penny I tell you. If you are even remotely close to the area I highly suggest a visit, it was a highlight of our Newport trip......even though it wasn't even close Newport.

...Second Star to The Right,

Out of the Mouth of Babes:

What was you favorite part about going to Disneyland?
Max- Riding Jet Blue!!
Parents- Wow! Okay Max! What about a ride in Disneyland?
Max- Umm, Buzz Light Year and Pirates
Lizzy- I LOVED California Screaming and Soaring' Over California. DREWY was so cute there, he loved it.
Max- I loved that one, that was my favorite too Lizzy.
Rosie- Holding Baby Drew on Small World (about 5 times), and loosing my tooth by the Matterhorn.
Max- Yea Matterhorn! That was my favorite too Rosie!
Rosie- Max, you didn't loose a tooth, I DID!
Max- Oh yea, I know Rosie.
Rosie- And getting my face painted (thanks Aunt Nancy!) with Emily.
Mom- I loved Small World!
Max- Small World was my favorite ride!
Mom- I also loved going at night (thus the super dark picture) and it was so fun to be there with my entire family, my dear Grandparents, Aunt, and Kelly's brother Kurt, our Sis-in-Law Natalie and our cute cousin Emily (on her birthday nonetheless).
Max- I'm going there for my birthday. Nana is coming.
Rosie- I WANT TO GO ON MY BIRTHDAY! CAN I MOMMY! THAT’S NO FAIR!
And, so goes the conversations about our delightful September trip to Disneyland.

Just the Ticket

Amazing. Inspiring. Breath-taking. Super Fun. ****. However you want to critique it, Lion King is super-fab! It was the perfect show to introduce the girls to BROADWAY. Because we did group ticket sales, we were surrounded by our very own "circle of life" and enjoyed every minute of it. I've been bit by the theater bug once again and am itching to book our next show.

And where were the boys you may ask? Why at home having "guy time" where Drew proved to be the star by rolling over for the first time. He apparently forgot the "Mom must be at every milestone" rule.

Doing The Can Can

Back-To-School Theme 2010-2011 is (Ta-Da): I CAN DO HARD THINGS!

Both Kel and I are excited about our theme for our young learners. We sensed this year would be a big one academically for each of our children. Lizzy will be learning cursive and her times tables, Rosie will become a reader and Max, well, Max will learn all about listening to a teacher and playing well with others. To help our students believe in themselves (even when it's hard), we made a "I CAN!"Can for FHE. The "I CAN!"s are full of valuable reward coupons just waiting to be redeemed. When our kiddos accomplish something "hard" they get to pick a coupon from their can and away we go.

We shared stories from the scriptures about people who accomplished hard things as well as personal experiences from our own lives. Needless to say, our theme was well received and each child couldn't wait to tackle something hard. Last weekend we had our first coupon redemption drawing and activity which included a movie night with Dad. I'm starting to think I need my very own I CAN can just for staying caught up on homework for 2 children in school instead of just one!

GONE!

And now Drew, for exactly 45 minutes, twice a week, it's just you and me kid!

Going Three Times...

Lastly was Max, off to his first year of Preschool. He's been waiting for his turn for quite some time. A few notable comments after day one-

"First we Learn-ded, then we played" and "I miss-head you Mommy, and Baby Drewy too" and "Tan I have a snack...ice cream?".

Going Twice...

First Day of Kindergarten:

Mom- WOW Rosie, you have put all of your jewelry on...every last piece.

Rosie- Yea. I KNOW. It's my first day of Kind-ear-gotten, so it's fancy.

Mom- Yes, that is fancy, but Rosie you know you don't have to wear every piece of jewelry to be fancy. In fact, sometimes it's better to just to wear your very very favorite, that way people can focus on that one very fancy piece.

Rosie- Hmmmmmm. Okay. But, I'm wearing my gold sparkle shoes.

Later on the way to school-

Mom- Rosie, maybe we shouldn't have you go this year.....maybe you could stay home with me and your brothers for just one more year. Whatcha think?

Rosie- BUT MOM.....I JUST GOT MY NAILS DONE (thanks Nana) and they won't last until next year so I HAVE TO GO THIS YEAR (in a very exasperated tone, head shaking, while holding up her freshly manicured fingers)!!!!

Mom- okay, when you put it like that, I guess you have to go.

And off she went too. My Rosie. My little companion. There were tears.

Going Once....

And she's off to Third Grade. Just like that. No more summer. No more: "Mommy, I can change Drew if you want" or "I can hold Drew for you while you ------- (fill in the blank, it could be a number of things) or "Can I get Drew dressed and pick his outfit?". None. Zip. Zero. Zilch! We're going to miss her on the home front, but, third grade's a blast, so, away she goes.

Summer Bucket List

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Summer Bucket List 2010:

1- Fight continually over who gets to hold Baby Drew, which then turns into a fight on who held him last, who holds him better and who loves him the very most.

2- Plan and Host our first annual Cousin Camp.

3- Begin construction on our Dream House.....Dream Playhouse that is.

4- Enjoy our beautiful Mountains up close and personal on a camping adventure (sans Mommy and Baby who were so sad to be left home...ha ha).

5- Completely fall in love with Drew Kelly.

6- Teach Max how to swing by himself, with just one big starting push (really, that's all I need),and then a few more, until he gets "really high".

7- Hit our local amusement park and introduce Lizzy to "big rides".

8- Night Swim in a pool all to ourselves.

9- Plan an over-the-top fun Primary Carnival.

10- Be photographed at our city's children's parade, wearing our favorite "dress me ups".

11- TRY to learn to be quiet when the baby is sleeping...still working on this one.

Names & Blessings

Last Sunday Baby Drew was blessed. What a wonderful day it was, one that has left me pondering this week as I reflected on my feelings of the day. A few recurring thoughts:

1- How names shape us. Looking back on each of our children, I'm confident we named them correctly. Elizabeth-kind, courteous, "Ms. Manners", Rosie- cheerful, happy, full of life, Max- strong, determined, charming. And now, our Baby Drew. How will his name define him? I love to say his name; I love the special meaning behind it. I think of the sweet boy he was named after and feel honored to raise Drew David's namesake. When I talk with Kelly's Mom Sylvia, it seems that Drew David was a very active, energetic mama's boy who accomplished the baby milestones in a hurray. Perhaps Baby Drew will be the same way?

2- How lucky Kelly and I are to live where we do, surrounded by our family. Many of my extended family not only came to Baby Drew's blessing but helped prepare for it. I feel buoyed up by them. Most of our siblings were there, it's so fun to raise our children together. Kelly blessed our baby to grow close to his siblings and family; I pray he does.

3- How much I really love our backyard!

4- How much I completely adore our Baby Drew. He was perfect the entire day, letting anyone hold him and kiss his chubby cheeks. The day was definitely baby bliss!