"I just love my life"

Handley had gotten $5 from Gigi and Papa in a souvenir they brought her.  Today we went to the Dollar Store to pick something up for Handley's party and she asked if she could bring her money to buy something.  She packed a bag with her wallet and carried it with us.  As soon as we got there she started scouring the aisles.

I pointed out several items to her (paint and craft supplies, bubbles, a pool noodle, etc.) but she didn't seem interested in any of my suggestions.  There were a few things she would pick up and look at, and then told me she might want to buy that, but that she wanted to check the rest of the store first before deciding.  I loved watching her as a consumer and was proud of her when she didn't just pick the first thing she saw.

She was torn between two items and when I explained to her that with her $5 bill she actually had enough money to buy both items she was thrilled.   I let her pay the cashier, put her change back in her wallet and take her bag.  She settled on a manicure kit and marshmallow ropes.  She and Harper had fun playing nail salon this evening.

Today while we were eating dinner I told the girls if they finished up quickly they could have one of the marshmallow ropes and we could go outside to play.  Handley was really excited all of the sudden a big smile spread across her face and she said, "Mommy, I just love my life!"  I asked her why she just went on and on about how she was so happy to get to buy something with her own money, and how she loved getting to do swim lessons today and play with her friends, and that she was really excited about her birthday this weekend and that everything was just great.  That made me SO very happy. There is nothing more I could ask for.  Not only do I have happy and healthy children, but I love the fact that she also realizes how very blessed she is. I told her how nice it was that she was thankful for the things in her life and she went on and on about all the things she has to be thankful for.  I love the little person she is becoming and even though I can't believe she will be 5 this weekend, at times I feel like she is wise beyond her years.

Wedding weekend

One of our best friends from high school got married this weekend and Robby was in the wedding so it was a busy, but fun weekend for us.  A lot of our friends were also involved or attending the wedding festivities and we were all there without our kids.  Needless to say, we all had a fantastic time.

rehearsal dinner

I have to say a huge THANK YOU to Gigi and Papa for watching the kids on Friday and Saturday nights.  I know it's a lot, but knowing they were in good hands allowed us to really enjoy ourselves.

Last week we had several play dates planned.  One day we had Handley's friend from school, Gracie, over to play and I can't believe I didn't take one picture of the two of them.  We were just too busy having fun.  They had a blast playing with the American Girl doll stuff and even got to stay for lunch.

The next day we had a lunch date set up with Harper's best-bud, Parker.  The two of them were so excited to see each other.  I know I've said it before, but they have such a special bond and their friendship is so sweet to watch.  At one point, Harper got hurt on the playground at Chick-fil-a and Parker came to her side, making sure she was OK and after she had calmed down he took her by the hand to lead her back to the slide.  Then he asked her, "Are you happy now?"

We'll definitely be planning play dates with both of these friends again soon!

 Today we had a nice lazy day around here as we tried to recover from our busy weekend and our late nights.  This evening we got to celebrate Grace's (another Grace that is friends with Handley) 5th birthday at Chuckie Cheese.  This evening the kids were all being super silly.

Hudson is definitely teething again.  He's been a little fussy and he can't keep his fingers out of his mouth.  He also is pulling up by himself now!   We are all so happy and excited for him.

And as much as he loves his big sister, Handley, he's probably starting to get pretty sick of her constantly holding on to him.  I'm not kidding when I say she CANNOT keep her hands off him.  If he is trying to crawl, she pulls on one of his legs because she doesn't want him crawling away from her.  If he is sitting still, she'll pick him up and put him in her lap or carry him around.  I keep reminding her to just let him move around on his own, but she can't control herself.  It annoys him and he fusses about it, but that doesn't stop her.

I can't say enough how wonderful our summer has been so far and how much I love the kids being at home and really getting to play together all day, everyday! 

Movie Night

Handley filled up her marble jar and wanted to have a movie night with Avery.  She came over and played, had dinner with us, got on PJ's and watched a Strawberry Shortcake movie (complete with milkshakes and popcorn).

The girls all had fun and we only had one minor mishap during the evening.  That happened when our iron fell off the ironing board and landed right on Harper's head!  It wasn't turned on and was just sitting on the board, but it must have fallen just right.  I was downstairs changing Hudson's dirty diaper and the next thing I knew, Harper was crying.  She cries over anything so I was taking my time getting to her.  Then I heard Handley and Avery calling to me that Harper was really hurt and when I got to her all I saw was a lot of blood on her head and face.  Thankfully, I'm not one to freak out about things like this, but I couldn't tell where it was bleeding from so I was obviously concerned.  The big girls did a good job babysitting Hudson for me while I tended to Harper.  After cleaning her up I discovered it was a small cut on her head and it stopped bleeding, which was good.  Robby was on his way home at the time, so I sent him this picture and asked him what he thought.

We determined she was OK and didn't need stitches. As we were looking at it closely again later and trying to clean it some more, Harper was laughing and saying it tickled her head instead of crying, so I knew she was OK.

EDITED TO ADD:  I forgot a sweet story about Harper getting hurt.  Last night while I was putting Handley to bed she asked me how much money it cost to buy medicine.  I asked her why and she said she wanted to see how much money she had in her piggy bank and she thought that "we could go to CVS in the morning so I can get some head medicine for Harper and help her to feel better."  Talk about a sweet big sister!  I told her that if we needed any medicine for her that we would buy it and she could save her money, but I loved that she was offering.  She said that instead she would make her a picture and give her some candy because "she really likes candy."  This morning, Handley woke up before Harper and I and the first thing she asked me for was a gift bag.  I got one for her and after I heard Harper wake up she came running in my room to show me the present Handley had given her...a picture and candy!  She was thrilled!

Boat Campout

I feel like such a slacker when it comes to the blog.  It isn't because we haven't been having lots of fun.  Mostly it's because I've been really bad about taking pictures with my real camera because it's hard to juggle that and a squirmy baby at the same time.  We are just loving our laid back summer routine.  Last week I think I only put on make-up and real clothes once because the other days we were at the pool. All three kids are loving the water and I have practically had to drag them away from there because they don't want to leave.

This weekend we were at the lake.  I think we broke our own record and spent over 9 hours out on the water.

You would have thought they would have had enough of the boat.  Not for this crazy crew.  Robby had promised the girls they could go camping on the boat and that's exactly what they did.  They had their sleeping bags, a tarp to cover the boat and make a "tent" out of the boat, and also the ipad to watch a movie.  They were so excited to tell me about it this morning when they got back to the house and Robby said they did great all night.

This afternoon we got to celebrate Avery's 5th birthday!  The girls were so excited to go to her party and all day Handley kept telling me that she just couldn't believe Avery was 5.  I can't either because she and Handley have been friends since before they were 1 and 5 just sounds so grown up!  Only a few more weeks and we'll be celebrating Handley's big 5th birthday.

Memorial Day Weekend

We had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend at the lake.  We met my parents and the girls there on Friday afternoon.  I was so excited to see them and they were so excited to see us, too.  I really think they were most excited to see Hudson though.  He sure did miss them.

Jen, Justen and Parker also spent the long weekend with us and we had so much fun.  We made it our goal to be some of the first ones on the water and stayed out ALL day long.  We all lived in our bathing suits the entire weekend, but that meant lots of time for swimming, tubing, playing at the beach, naps on the boat, fun music, ice cream at the marina and lots of laughs.  I was so bad about taking pictures this weekend, but did manage to snap a few with my phone.

Harper loves swimming in the lake, but no sort of bribe was enough to get her on the tube.  She wanted no part of it.  Handley, on the other hand, went on it every chance she could get and with anyone that would ride with her.  She  is fearless and loved not only being slung around on it with the guys, but also doing her "tricks" on the tube.

Another wonderful thing I discovered this weekend was that Hudson loves the water, too.  I was starting to get nervous about our summer because the last time I tried putting him in the lake he cried and he was even crying during his baths.  This weekend was the turning point, thank goodness. I was starting to think it would be a long summer for him as part of this water-loving family.

The biggest thing that happened this weekend was Handley getting up on her wake-board.  She had help, but we are still super proud of her.  Robby rested her board on top of his and the both got pulled up out of the water.  Then he eased her board in the water and let her hold on to the rope.  He was still behind her to help her balance, but we're excited that she is getting the hang of it and at least getting the feel of being pulled behind the boat.  Fingers crossed she'll be able to get up on her own by the end of the summer.

Hudson's first word

Hudson started saying his first word a few weeks ago, but I wasn't sure if he really meant what he was saying.  I'm going to go ahead and call it.  He says "MAMA" and certainly means it for me.  It only took me having 3 kids to finally have one of them say Mama first.  Handley's first word was dog which is appropriate since she absolutely loved our dog.  Harper's first word was snack which doesn't really need any explanation.  The girl loves her snacks...always has. 

Not only has Hudson started saying mama but he has also become SO attached to me this week and is definitely going through major separation anxiety.  The second I put him down he starts fussing and if I don't pick him back up the fussing turns into full blown crying. 

 If I happen to walk across the room from him, he comes to find me and grabs onto my leg.

Coming to find me

What I saw all day

I'm hoping that part of this is because he is bored without the girls and that when he is reunited with them tomorrow he will be a little more entertained by them and not needing me by his side every second.  Today I vacuumed, pushed the cart at Target, and did just about everything in between while holding him.  While I enjoy the extra arm workout, I appreciate his happy smiles and laid back personality even more.  

The good news is that he wasn't crying all day.  He got so tickled when I put the sunglasses on him.  Of course he kept taking them off, but then wanted them back on.  

The girls are having a blast with my mom and dad.  They've gone to get their nails done, had frozen yogurt, visited my cousin that has baby ducks, and been to the beach.  I've been missing them and our house seems so quiet and weird without them here, but I'm glad they are having so much fun! 

Going to need a long bath

Besides getting up with Hudson at 5:30 this morning, today was a great day.  I always love visiting my parents and love the kids getting to spend time with them and with my extended family.

This morning I asked the girls what they wanted to do today and they told me they wanted to go to the store and use the kid carts.  I needed to go pick up a few things, so that is exactly what we did.  The local grocery store here has the carts and they are absolutely precious.

This evening we went back to my grandmother's house for a visit and the girls got to collect hickory nuts from the yard to throw in the water.  My brothers and I did this as kids and I remember thinking it was so much fun.  I love that my girls are able to enjoy this simple fun, too.

After that we went to Capt'n Bills for dinner (my aunt and uncle's restaurant/volley ball complex).  We got to see my brother, Cameron, some of my cousins and some of my aunts and uncles there.  It was tons of fun and the girls loved getting to play on the sand courts.  What started as putting their feet in the sand some how turned into rolling around in it.  Right after these pictures were taken Harper looked up at me and said, "We're going to need a long bath tonight."  She was right.  They were all filthy, but had the best time.

Tomorrow morning Hudson and I are going to make our way back home and the girls are going to stay the rest of the week with Mimi and Dadaw.  They are so excited and asked me several times today if I could go ahead and leave.  I know they'll have a blast here and I'm happy they will get to spend some special time with my parents.