Ella's Future

I think when Ella grows up she may have a chance to be on TV. Unfortunately I think it would be on the show Hoarders.
Here is a shot of her bed. Periodically I have to go through her stuff and take out things I don't think she will notice are gone. This girl like to keep EvErYtHiNg!
Lets say I check the mail and there happens to be a Toys R US ad in there or American Girl catalog, or coupons in the form of post cards, or, well you get the idea. Well for sure Ella will want to look at them. And then after looking at it she will need to tuck it away in one of her bags, purses or lunchboxes.
Or maybe she gets invited to a birthday party. Gotta save that invitation for the next 6 months. I also think she has about 6 blankets on her bed. Oh she wanted more but I had to draw the line somewhere. And really can you ever have too many dolls, stuffed animals, pillows, toys or pictures of Hello Kitty?

The First Child

Natalie in many ways tests me and teaches me. I often feel bad for all the "learning" and "trial and error" that I have to do with her. She is very skilled and figuring out what bothers her younger sister and brother and sees how far she can get with it. But every now and then she will do something really sweet for them.

Today she gave Ella the last half of her popsicle because Ella had chosen the cookie and after it was gone felt a little bummed that Natalie still had her treat.

She helped Cameron down off the counter and got him some milk since I was feeding Avery.

For the most part she can be trusted to hold Avery when there is something I have to see to (Cameron screaming from the bathroom "Mooooom, I'm DONE!!!").

On these occasions I think she really likes being the oldest one that can do more than the others, but there are also the times when I think she wishes she wasn't.

Like the time when she said, "Mom, when we have the next baby.." and I quickly interrupt,

"Oh there is no next baby."

"But Mom why not?"

"Because I think 4 is enough. When you are a mom if you want you can have 5 babies."

"No, I think I'll just have one."

"One? Don't you think they would be lonely?"

"I'll get them a dog."

or the time she said,

"I wish I was a baby. Everyone adores babies. I just want people to adore me!"

I love how Avery is holding on to Natalie's shirt. SOOOOO sweet.

Pale Green Pants

When I was little we had a tape recording of several Dr. Suess stories. To this day I can still hear the man's voice reading Too Many Daves, Ooblek and of course The Pale Green Pants. A few weeks ago I read Cameron the Pale Green Pants for the first time. He thought it was the greatest thing EvEr! So we have read it every night since then. Sometimes when we are out somewhere he will go up to someone and just start reciting the story, word for word. When I read it I use some of the same inflections in my voice that the man on the tape had so when Cameron recites it he does too. It always gets a big reaction out of people and its some pretty funny stuff.
A few days ago Natalie came out of her room with these pants and told Cameron they were the pale green pants with nobody inside. Oh the joy! He was so excited. For the next two days he carried those pants with him almost everywhere.

Natalie's Birthday

For Natalie's birthday dinner she wanted artichokes and fondue. Yum! We had a great family dinner and then Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Rachel, Nana, Kaylee and Jaden came over for cake and presents. It is hard to believe that she is 8 years old. I am sure that I am not old enough to have an 8 year old! She is feeling very grown up and looking forward to her baptism in a few weeks. She continues to be an outgoing, strong willed and friendly kid and we are so happy she is part of our family.

Natalie and I looked through pictures of cakes online and she chose this cake. It is a unicorn in case you are puzzled. :) All the kids thought they needed a picture with the cake.

Cameron and Ella were very helpful with the presents. Cameron opened the days of the week underwear and were sure they were for him!

Natalie was really excited to get her own set of scriptures with her name on them. She told me that she was going to read them every night before bed.

She was also pretty excited about her new scooter.

The Birthday Party

To celebrate Natalie's birthday she invite 10 friends and we went to Safari Sams. Usually I am an at home kind of party person, but with a three month old that need to be held all. the. time. I made the executive decision to have it somewhere else. I know the birthday girl had a blast and I think her friends did too.

They played in the HUGE indoor jungle gym

Played black light mini golf

Played arcade games

Ate cake and ice cream

And of course the presents!

Some Funny Things Said

The kids are always saying funny things and I need to get them down before I forget them.

-All of the second grade classes in Natalie's school made signs for Earth day and came up with a class slogan. The signs were attached to rulers and had some Earthy drawing and slogan on them. They made cute little shirts that they all wore on Earth day as they paraded around the school with signs in hand chanting the class slogan. They looked like they were protesting something they way they raised their signs up and down as they walked. Natalie was explaining to us the whole concept before the parade. She told us that her class slogan was "Go green. Plant a tree." Without a moment hesitation Ella adds "Or a bush or a seed." I think I shed a few tears laughing at that one.

-I FINALLY found a white dress for Natalie's baptism. It took way too long. I seriously didn't have that much trouble finding my wedding dress. Everything I liked was either WAY to spendy or not appropriate. Anyways. I finally found one that would work that didn't cost something ridiculous. When it arrived Natalie was so excited to try it on. When she walked into the family room Cameron jumped off the couch, ran to her, grabbed her hand and asked, "Can I marry you? You are the queen and I am then king!"

-Eva is an amazing woman I work with in YW. She is so fun, spunky and caring. She also drives a fun, bright yellow convertible. When Cameron saw it with the top down he asked in a very excited, but concerned voice, "What happened to your car? Its broken!".

-Eric came downstairs one night before we took the kids swimming. He had on his swim shorts and a t-shirt. Cameron: "Dad you can't swim in your shirt!" Eric: "Don't worry, I'll take it off before I get in the pool." Cameron: "Where is your swim shirt?" Eric: I don't really like to wear a swim shirt buddy." Cameron: "Why not Dad, they're fashionable?"

One Month

I can't believe it has been a month. I know that this baby's infancy will fly by. I still can't believe that Cameron is three! Funny how with Natalie it seemed to drag. I was always waiting for her to get to the next stage. I just want Avery to stay little because I know it will go so fast.

She is a great addition to our family.
She is well loved by everyone.
She is rather sleepy and is not the best eater but I think we are making some strides. The one thing this girl does demand is to be held. She can be completely out and then I set her down. Within 30 seconds she is crying like she has been left for days. This can make it a bit challenging to get things done. Natalie does a great job holding her so usually I am able to get some sort of dinner together.

Four is busy but I am in love with her and so happy she is ours.

****

To celebrate the one month mark I decided to go for a run. It has been unseasonably cool and wet here which has been annoying because the kids are getting bored, but it made for lovely running conditions.
Well, for the most part.

It was the perfect temp for a long sleeve t-shirt, and the right amount of rain so it felt like you were holding one of those fans that spritzes water. The one hazard was the millions of slugs all over the sidewalk.

Gross.

It wasn't a long run or a fast run, but it felt good. Mentally and physically. Every once in a while I would have a guilty thought about how this is Avery's fussy time and I left Eric to deal with it.

He didn't complain and I appreciated the break.