Baby care

Today I walked into the playroom and it was terrible. You would not have known there was carpet. So off to some cleaning we went. After about 20 minutes it was really pretty good. Only several things moved out, the sweet little babies moved to L's room. Tonight when they had on their Pj's and J was on the phone with a patient, the kids, all 3, were trying to get babies to sleep. Ek and H were taking care of the babies they got when L was born and L was taking care of baby Katie that her great Aunt Jeni gave to her. They were all swaying and swaddling and humming and those babies got so many kisses on their way to bed. Ek swaddled her baby perfectly. H was a bit bouncy and loud at times, and he wrapped his in a hand towel, but hey, he tried! L was hilarious. For some reason, she holds her baby high on her shoulder and throws her tummy and hips forward and sways. She takes her baby care very seriously. At one point she told me her baby would not let her put her down. hilarious that she recognizes that! And she did get her baby a lovie at one point. She also shhh, shhh- ed her baby alot. So should I take notes here, high on shoulder, hips forward, sway, shhhh, lovie, don't put down. check check check.

Not so much

I forgot to say last night-- just before the movie started, during the previews, Ek leaned over and said, "hey mommy, after this, I think we should get a real dragon." I said, "sure honey, that would be great." she said, "we will know how to take care of him!" I agreed with nodding. About 10 minutes into the movie, she tapped me again, "Mommy. About that dragon, not so much." I had a feeling that was coming.

Raising Vikings?

I just took my kids on a spring break trip to the movies. My big kids that is, I am sooooo oo oooo glad I did not take L to see a movie about vikings and dragons, that would have been a bad choice. At times, Ek and H wished, I'm sure, that they were not there also! Even I had to remind myself, this is a kids movie, in kids movie the hero seldom dies. And he didn't! Horray! So, I am not writing to give a strange recap, but to say-- how grateful I am when God can give a great reminder of what to be speaking to my kids. The main character really struggled to know his place in life, especially because of his relationship with his father. I want my children to know, so much and so deep, that God has a wonderful plan for their lives, not easy, but peaceful, and that they were made with that purpose known. I want for them so much to seek God's plan and know God's plan is mine too. I don't have big specific hopes and dreams for their lives. I just want them to live out their purpose and their good works that were prepared beforehand that they should walk in them (Ephesians). I want to train and teach and cheer, pick up and nurse to healing, send out in strength, receive in fatigue, love always and accept. Help me Lord. please.

Welcome spring.

After the St. Patricks parade, we were at home hanging out with mom and dad. It was beautiful out, I mean perfect afternoon beautiful. The sun was shining, the tank was clean (sorry a "Nemo" line just popped out!) and when the breeze wasn't blowing and you were in the sun, it may have been just about 70 degrees. Perfect weather for--- da-da-da-daaaaaaa-- an afternoon in the sprinklers.

Thats right, bathing suits and all. I didn't actually get bathing suit pictures because by that point I was way too comfortable lying on my towel in the sunshine. Ek and H were so happy to pretend like it was summer for a minute and actually, I was too. Mom and Dad had to head back to Athens for a party, so we headed over next door and grilled steaks and asparagus, made mashed potatoes, creamed corn, squash and onions, rolls, salad and a key lime pie for dessert. What an amazing day. From race, to parade, to mom and dad being here- of course- it was St. Patrick's, to sprinklers to cookout. Amazing.

Irish football afternoon

Last week during the St. Patricks day festivities, S's parents worked with an Irish frield of theirs to bring a team of high schooler to spend the week in our Dublin. It was amazing seeing them around town, they were always smiling and laughing, as well they should be, they had a week taht they were treated as royality! One afternoon, they played the TCS boys in soccer. We were so excited to see them play and spend the afternoon with friends. Then we went over to the other field and the kids played with their hurling equipment and watched the boys run some. We had an absolute blast beign outside and playing all afternoon.

The girls took a break from playing, mostly twirling and discussed the news of the day. H thought he might as well get caught up as well.

The boys had a great time kicking, running and playing...

B acting as water boy, he really liked that cooler!

The M's taking pictures of the Irish boys and their boys at the end of the game.
"Look! I got cleats jus like you!"
Life with friends is so fun!
little ducklings walking from one field to the other, safely. 7 children (C was holding baby J), only 2 families!
I'm not so sure what H was laughing about here, but it must have been good.
We went straight from the fields to the annual Pancake supper. No need to wonder why there are no pictures from that event, although my camera was in my purse. Three hours at the fields playing + a long line for pancakes + crazy amounts of people = tired, hungry children.

Never mind the lights, just a quick picture!

L had her first sleepover guest Friday night. Pops and Mopsey were in Ek's bed, so Ek joined L. It took a while for L to fall asleep, but maybe because she had a 3 hour nap, but she did eventually go to sleep. So thankful these sweet girls think so much of each other.

H was alone in his room, well except for the muiltitude of animals, but I had to turn his lights on for a pic too. Nothing like a peaceful sleeping child.

Mad for bball

H has been all about a basketball lately. Maybe its because the weather is a bit warmer and we are out a bit more, and that boy has been in front of his basketball goal. Last week, he and I were shooting. We both had a ball and were both shooting and keeping track of how many we made. I had 2 and he had 5 at one moment and he said, 'here mommy, I'll help you, let me have your ball.' So he took my ball and made three baskets and caught me back up to him, then joyfully returned my ball and picked his back up and went back to shooting. What a generous boy. :) He has been dribbling up a storm and is even working on some new moves. He is becoming a fan of the under on leg dribble and a spin move that I think will come in handy one day. Yesterday I was calling and calling the boys of my home to come in from shooting for supper-- finally they came in, H was first and proclaimed he had 21. John came in a few steps behind to say he had 17. That's right, H out shot. He has been playing in the driveway, dribbling up and down the hallway and shooting above the door frame and in his room on a over the door hoop. I guess we are having some March madness around here too.