Exciting news!

The rock pile is gone! The rock pile is gone!

John worked very hard both Saturday and Sunday to clear this project off our list (I helped a little here and there). We both wanted this project completed before the colder weather complicates things, but we have had a busy (1st excuse) and wet (2nd excuse) fall.

We are so happy to not have the kids crawling around in the rock at every opportunity and cleaning up the stray rocks from wind/rain and children. Im glad we don't see our pile every time we drive up and I'm sure the neighbors are glad to see our project completed as well!


It also doesn't hurt that the landscaping is looking pretty nice right now! At least the rock part is looking good - maybe not such much the plant part.

Soccer

Amelia played her last soccer game of the season on Saturday! Here she is with her medal!

Gemma

We were in our hotel room getting ready to go somewhere. I already can't remember where. However, getting 5 people ready to go anywhere is a lot like herding turtles. It is slow going and a lot of backwards progress before you get forward motion.

Gemma was singing bits of her favorite song, "Let it Go". William and Amelia were fighting about something. Gemma started Singh g louder to hear herself over the bickering between the two bigger kids.

Finally, she stood up on the bed and flung her arms wide belting out "Let it Go! let it Go! I love peanut butter jelly"!

Her declaration was just what the big kids needed to interrupt and derail their argument.

Everyone dissolved into laughter, which lasted less than 10 minutes before the next fight broke out.

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Gemma

We stayed in a hotel this weekend outside of Chicago with the kids for their fall break.

I woke up Friday morning and heard Gemma flop over in her portable crib. She gave a big sigh as she started to wake up and made adorable sleepy noises. These little noises are so reminiscent of her baby noises, they strike me in the heart. Another flop, a big sigh and I prepared myself for the heart warming baby noises.

Instead, after the big, satisfied sigh sigh came words.

"Peanut butter jelly"

My not so little baby was thinking about a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

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Not tired

Not tired mom. I not tired. Do you believe her?

Mama is

This morning, Gemma and had this conversation while she sat on the potty chair (nothing exciting happened on the potty, but the conversation was good).


Gemma: William is boy
Mama: yes, William is a boy
Gemma: demma is girl
Mama: yes, Gemma is a girl.
Gemma: mama is mama
Mama: ... Sure. Mama is a mama.

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An art

I am working on a school project with Amelia. In one area, she has to indicate her favorite sport. She is slowing sounding out the letters, kindergarten style : socker.

We talk when she is done.

Mama: do you have another sport you like?
Amelia: like gymnastics?
Mama: sure, or ballet?
Amelia: Mooooom! Ballet is NOT a sport. Ballet is an art ( she flips her hair behind her shoulder and I swear she rolls her eyes).

Mama: (mouth open)....

Mama: well, sure, whatever you think.

Heaven help us when she is a teenager.

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