tooth trauma

Finally!!! About a month ago, I discovered that Jillian had a new tooth moving in behind her baby tooth, which had yet to start wiggling. She is not a tooth wiggler. That baby tooth would have stayed put if we hadn't been constantly reminding her to wiggle it. We even made up a song that went something like this . . . 'when you're reading a book, wiggle your tooth . . . when you're watching tv, wiggle your tooth . . . when you're riding the bus, wiggle your tooth. . .' You get the idea. Thursday afternoon when she came home from school, Jillian showed me her little tooth -- which was sticking straight out of her mouth! I encouraged her to pull that dangler out, but she refused. So after dinner, I took her head in my lap and announced I was pulling that tooth. The way she screamed and cried and carried on!!! Until I showed her the tooth in my hand. She didn't feel a thing because that tiny tooth just fell right out! That night as I was tucking her in, I told her that I was sad she'd lost her first tooth and gave her a big squeeze. "Because I'm growing up?" asked my wise girl. Seems like she was just getting teeth, and now they're falling out. A dear friend has a saying, "The days go so slow, but the years go so fast." Treasuring every little moment and locking them inside my heart.

Operation Christmas Child

The kids had a day off from school today, so we spent some time at Walmart and Target collecting things for our Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. Each of my three sweeties packs a box for a child their own age - goodies like new undies and socks (okay, not so fun but needed) and gum, suckers, crayons, paper, toothbrushes, hair bands, stuffed animals, balls, dump trucks, and more. It was so rewarding to listen to them discuss their wants for the child receiving their box and watch their generosity grow. They felt a little silly buying underwear, but had so much fun picking out the perfect jumprope!

Collection week is next week - I challenge each of you to pack a box with each of your children! If your own children are grown, pack one in honor of each of them at an age you remember fondly. The website for Operation Christmas Child gives ideas for what to include in the box and drop off locations too.

These boxes make such an impact on the kids receiving them - include a photo of you or your family and take the time to write a letter as well. You never know, you may recieve a note back from the special child that was blessed with your generosity!

growing up

October was a whirlwind month for our busy household. . . but I couldn't let another day pass without posting a photo of my first baby. It's so hard to believe that Delaney is now 8 years old! Her birthday celebration was altered as her little brother had a fever and we were trying to keep the germs contained. We managed to squeeze quite alot into a few short hours. Delaney chose to bring her friend Emily along for an evening of fun . . . dinner at Applebee's (why? because they sing to you!!!), followed by some stuff and fluff at Build-A-Bear workshop, and topped off with a late movie! She must have had a great time -- Delaney is already planning for next year!

Halloween Treats

Monkey Elliott

Snow Princess Jillian

Pirate Delaney

My favorite sweet Halloween Treats!

Jillian's Song

Another great performance from my little star!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppHmq2Tx6ic

Once upon a time. . .

. . . there were two princesses who wanted to share a palace. The King and Queen (a.k.a Dad and Mom) searched the kingdom far and wide for the most perfect bunk beds fit for these beautiful girls. As children do, these princesses grew and grew until one day they decided that they each wanted their own royal space. So the King, along with the King's father, took apart the most perfect bunkbeds and divided the palace (and then the Queen used her royal tools to correct the mistakes of those silly men). With a little extra love and attention, the adorable princesses lived happily ever after . . . until they again change their minds as daughters often do.

Miss Jillian

Miss Delaney

first snow

"Mom, mom, did you look outside? You've got to see this!" Delaney woke me at 7:01 am, filled with joy over the freshly fallen snow. I can't say that I was terribly excited about this snow on October 10th. I had projects that still needed to be completed, and I needed warm weather and sunshine for them. Guess the fence, pergola and deck posts will have to survive a Minnesota winter before they get stained. That's what I get for waiting through the hot, humid summer months, hoping to get some warm fall days to do my work. The excitement was building as each child woke this morning. Jillian's joyful cries to go out and play right now, soon followed by Elliott's "Where are my boots?!" After a quick breakfast and scrambling to get dressed, the kids were bundled in their winter gear. Here's what we have to show for our morning in the snow.

You all know that my SIL is the most amazing photographer. I'm certainly not in the same league as Ria, but I do love to take photos of my beautiful children, and I do try to consider angles, composition, lighting, etc, when I am taking pictures. And I'm not above stealing her ideas, either. Ria takes incredible pictures of siblings jumping in the air and captures their faces and their bodies in just the right shot. The series of pictures I got when trying to capture my kiddos jumping in this first snow of the season . . . is, well, entertaining anyway!


Jillian has this way of stealing the spotlight. . .

which her big sister does not appreciate. . .

sometimes Delaney has to take matters into her own hands . . .

but seriously, Jillian always manages to have the big finish anyway!

Perhaps the best shot of all three of them in the bunch, but not really my favorite. I have a soft spot in my heart for that little showgirl of mine -- I've been told I was just like her at that age!