Just get {RUN!} out of the house!

Sometimes I have to tell myself that....  Otherwise, I would perpetually be inside trying to bring order to the mess that erupts repeatedly.  ;)

Tuesdays

 These two have just been a joy.  I love the way our week is laid out this year.  I have Tuesday and Thursday mornings with them.  (But then a little break on M-W-F.)  Each Tuesday, Peter has appointments.  It used to be so hard to go there weekly (or multiple times a week) and so hard to come to terms with the ideas and hopes that had to die a little.  Or with my pride that had to die.  (And there will always be dying to do until heaven.)  But today I just relished in what a blessing it is!!  I LOVE all of the people that help us, even the sweet secretaries.  Each of them have been such a blessing and gift to us.  The secretaries at his school are SO cheerful and make you feel so welcome and valuable.  We do not take that for granted.  His SLP and OT at the school are so so kind and caring.  The secretary at his work is so joyful and loving to the kids, fist bumping them every single time we walk in.  And his new-ish OT is just wonderful.  She is so knowledgeable and passionate about what she does.  She wants to see Peter be all that he can be and she doesn't want to just settle.  She believes in what she does and cares for Peter.  And I learn so much!!  Its all so fascinating to learn.  And it makes me more and more excited and empowered to help and grow these kids.

And Peter... I really like him.  He is such a awesome boy!

Plus, we get out and about.  Today we only had two appointments (we often have three).  I've been trying to be conservative lately and not eat out. But its been several weeks, and sometimes it just worth it.  So we went to CFA today (b/c it was long before the crowds hit) and had "breakfast".  I wanted to just sit and talk with them.  To look at them.  And to let them enjoy going in and sitting down together. 

 *  Lily is working on giving up her dogs this week.  We told her she couldn't use them after last weekend.  We talked about what her reward could be.  And she wants "a cake that has a princess on it".  Done.  She is SO excited.  And she has done so well!  We hope that she will stop sucking her thumb too but I'm not as hopeful about that part.  Every little step is progress. 

*  The princess phase has hit.  Its so crazy.  I have purposefully tried to not talk about them.  I am not opposed to them, its just not at the top of our value list.  But they come, whether you try or not.  Mostly, she loves being one and being beautiful.  Its just in our nature.

*  Have I mentioned that after our vacation, her R's had totally changed?!  She now says them more like an R instead of a W.  Its bittersweet.  We know the blessing of growing and learning but she has been such a doll, such a joy of a baby girl.

 By far, this has been the easiest of years for Peter.  (Lord, hear our prayer.)  He has matured so so much.  He has more self control and maturity than ever.  We still have plenty of work to do (but that's true for all of us- certainly ME).  It often was so so hard to wait for.   

With Peter registered for Kindergarten, we are counting our days.  Its so sad to think that we won't have these mornings next year, but its been so great to have them!  

Teach us to number our days,

that we may gain a heart of wisdom.  Ps 90:12

We are also {naively?} excited about next year and all the learning and blossoming and maturing that will occur. 

 I can see my perspective changing or my heart shifting.  Its been so fun to see them learn and it makes me want to work on more.  It seems like there is so much in a day that I want to do.  Its not quite as much managing the chaos as it used to be (tho there is still plenty of that).  There is more joy for what we get to do and learn.

A pile of "stuff" from the morning:  all things to be thankful for.

Pages of activities from OT, an updated IEP, and books from the kindergarten reading list!  Yay!

Farm House Weekend

  The kids went to see Maw and Paw this weekend while we headed to the river house with some friends.
I love these pics of their time there. 

I LOVE THIS ONE.

On Saturday, there was a little spring festival in town.

 Maw emailed this pic to me with the subject "Junk Food".

Alto it appears that Lily is sharing, I was told that she didn't.  ;)

 The weather didn't turn out to be as warm as we'd have dreamed so we did some shopping instead of dock sitting.  And then had a fun dinner out (guys too) at Southwind Pizza.

Thankful for good friends!

Happy Birthday, Audrey!

 Aunt Jessica threw Audrey a super cute 2nd birthday party!
We were so glad we could be there with them for the weekend.  

 The birthday girl and her big cousin.

Cupcake time for the pretty girl!

 Owl Cupcakes by Jessica... aren't they amazing!!!

Seriously.  The good looking parents.

 The Bug was happy to be with "Baby Audrey" for the weekend who is no longer a baby!

Audrey's gift was a swing set that the guys worked on while we were there.
Balance beam practice.

My kids thought this pipe going under their road was especially fascinating!

 They liked being the troll and shouting through the pipe.

One on either side!

 By Saturday eve, the swingset was done. I think Audrey approves!

We stayed for church on Sunday and then went back over for a picnic lunch.

Is she cute or what in her boots and shorts!!

Paw found a mole, of course.  

It was the hit of the afternoon.  

He was as happy as anyone, of course. :)

 Then the kids got to play with Uncle John's new chickens.  

March and April Phone Pics

Just wanted to have these pics here for our blog book.

A late winter trip to one of our favorite parks for a bike ride with friends.

The kids all kept trading bikes.  Lily is riding one of the bigger bikes and doing great! 

Another freezing late winter outting.  We I didn't last long.

 This boy loves books on CD.  He likes to turn on certain books and then act them out.  Here he is listening to Mater on the Moon and flying his space shuttle.

Peter LOVES to use this yellow and black rope for his "cheetah tail".  A cheetah is his most favorite animal.

 Kids love Mike.  Enough said.

My kids loved riding on the "four wheeler" at the Andrews.

 Sweet snuggles with the boy and girl while P was sick. 

 Does everyone have Easter Candy named after their kids?!

 Backpacks packed for a trip to Goo's House

 The kids got green from Goo for St Patrick's Day.  :)

 There was one particular day in March that I just needed to get away.  I needed to not think about something and be away with my kids.  I needed to esp think on this and have it drilled into my head and heart:

Soul, then know thy full salvation

Rise o’er sin and fear and care

Joy to find in every station,

Something still to do or bear.

Think what Spirit dwells within thee,

Think what Father’s smiles are thine,

Think that Jesus died to win thee,

Child of heaven, canst thou repine (complain or grumble).

  So we went to Williamsburg for the day.  I got the kids some new clothes at the outlets (retail therapy: yes please!) and clearance winter jackets for next year.  Then we went to Friendly's for ice cream.

 The van was in the shop (for a money hemorrhage) and so we took the Civic.  It was really, really sweet to be so physically close to the kids.  They liked poking their feet through the holes in the seat.  They thought it was HILARIOUS to have their toes peek through.  I loved having Peter's feet in my hair (yes, please touch my hair!).  They kept saying "HAIRY MONSTER" to me... pretending that the peek of my hair they could see through the head rest was a monster.  We all loved it.  

So thankful this man is handy... 

  The many faces of the Bug--- she is excited about an easter egg in her hand.

and she loves Henry (Uncle Henry the Great!)

These were a spring break afternoon outside while the boy napped.

 Nothing like snuggles with your Daddy.

Lily is making "patterans" with pretzels and a little pack of convo hearts that she found. 

 And will I have my hands full?!  Maw bought her this new dress.  She HAD to wear it and twirl.

 The boy is REGISTERED FOR KINDERGARTEN!!!  We actually didn't take any pics.  :(  But he did GREAT! and is super excited!!  Lily waited with Goo for the morning. She enjoyed being a little queen & was sad when we interrupted her fun.

 Singing the weather song at preschool.  Its too much sweetness in one room!

 I could be fooling myself.  I've never taught kids to read before.  But I feel like we are getting close.  I can almost feel it.  We've been working on this book and sounding out EASY, little words.  

IT'S FUN to see them figure it out!!

Making faces while we wait for Peter.  Lily likes it that I can touch my nose with my tongue.  Haha.