A glimpse into our lives...

Eggs

We have had a busy past month. The weekend before Easter we went to the egg hunt at Colleen and Bruce's house. Then during the week we colored Easter eggs. Then the next weekend was Easter. We had a double baptism on Easter Sunday. Charlie and his cousin Charlotte were both baptized during the mass. Afterward we took some great pics of our immediate family and the extended families on both sides. (Hoping to post those soon!) Then we celebrated Easter at the Smith house and then in the afternoon at the George house. Needless to say I was so exhausted by the time we arrived home on Sunday night and so were the kids.

Charlie continues to be a good baby. He is growing so fast! We had his two month appointment this week and he weighs just shy of 12 lbs and is 24.5 inches long. That puts him in the 50th percentile for weight and 75th for length. He seems long, so I checked Lorelei's baby records and he is a half-inch longer than she was at two months. So he may grow up to be a tall one! During the past two weeks he also figured out how to get his hand in his mouth. I was a bit worried we may have another thumb-sucker, but so far he just sucks his fist or first two fingers. He is cooing and smiling alot at us. Lorelei loves to "talk" with him and sing him songs.

This week we had one warm morning where the kids played outside and I gardened while Charlie was sleeping. Allan picked me some flowers. During the evening I had Steve check the bird houses for eggs and low and behold we found one house with bluebird eggs. The photo above is taken from outside the box looking into the hole. Amazing isn't it. So tiny and beautiful. Spring is so full of life!

Charlie's Birth Announcement

 

I was hoping to send out good ole' handmade announcements for Charlie like I did for the other two kids. It seems it is just not in the cards this time around. So this photo is his official birth announcement. I will be printing a 4x6 photo to give to grandparents and godparents.

Hopefully when he grows up he won't count this as one of the ways he got gypped as a child...

Bacon Explosion

If you have not yet heard about this internet phenom, then here is the link for you to check it out for yourself: Bacon Explosion Steve and Andy have been talking about this for weeks. They finally made it for the family while we were at the George homestead celebrating March birthdays. I was hesitant about the meat log at first, but am happy to report that it taste really good.  Definitely make one for yourself. Steve is saying we are making it for Easter dinner...

We had a lovely day with the whole George family. We celebrated birthdays the weather was spectacular, so the kids spent most of the day outside. Grandma and Grandpa set up their new trampoline and the kids were in heaven. Anna took Lorelei for a bike ride and Emma drove some of the kids around on the golf cart. They all enjoyed the weather, which we haven't seen much of since.

Also, here are some pics of the kids holding Charlie. Lorelei asks daily to hold to Charlie. Allan on the other hand would prefer that I hold Charlie and he sit beside me and look at him.

Lorelei's 4th Bday!

I am having a case of the Bad Mom syndrome. I have been feeling bad that it has been so long since Lorelei's birthday, but I have yet to post anything about it. It might have something to do with the new baby or maybe the freelance work I have been doing for the last 3 weeks. Either way, I feel bad, bad, bad about it. So here you go sweetie, a post about you.

We have a birthday tradition that I started for our family. I bought a small crank music box years ago in France that plays "Happy Birthday". So the morning of each family members birthday we all wake them up by cranking the music box and singing Happy Birthday. The next step is to have part of your birthday dessert for breakfast. The kids love that part of the tradition.

To kick off Lorelei's birthday, Allan and I sang to Lorelei and then we headed downstairs to the table where they both enjoyed breakfast cheesecake (homemade from scratch I might add). They both scarfed it down quickly and then refused any other regular breakfast food.

The night before Steve had decorated the area over our French doors with crepe paper, paper flowers and balloons. Lorelei was so happy when she saw the decorations. To quote, "This is the best birthday ever!" Really it doesn't take much to make her happy. The cheesecake and decorations had started the day off right.

Steve left work a little early and I ordered Big Chuck's pizza for dinner, per Lorelei's request. She had told me we had to have pizza and pop for her birthday, with cheesecake. So Steve arrived with the pizza and a 6 pack of root beer with 2 helium birthday balloons. Lorelei's eyes lit up! She gobbled the pizza so we could get to the present part. She had barely opened a corner of the first present when she proclaimed, "Return to Neverland DVD!!!" I am seriously not sure how she could tell from that speck of green she saw, but she was right. Then she opened the big box, which was a new big girl swing for the swing set. She also loved the birthday card Steve made for her from all of us. She is always insisting we make her cards like she makes for everyone else.

After presents we had more cheesecake. Lorelei did perfect blowing out the candles and Allan was more than jealous that it was not his birthday, but was content to be able to eat cheesecake.

As is also tradition, here is a list of 10 things you love at 4 big years old!

1. Your blanket

2. Sucking your thumb

3. Fairies

4. Eating at a Restaurant

5. Making craft projects and coloring for hours

6. Being affectionate - you give hugs, kisses and say "I love you" often

7. Playing outside

8. Dolls - Tinkerbell Fairies, Strawberry Shortcake and Barbie

9. Playing tea party

10. Making your own afternoon snack