Borrowed Leaves...

We don't have leaves of our own yet. Our mini-orchard trees are just babies and our new Red Maple only spreads a few leaves in our yard. I really don't imagine we will ever have many leaves, as we built our house of wood on a place where the wind huffs, puffs and blows terribly hard on a regular basis.

But... thankfully our church had some leaves we could borrow and partake in piling, throwing, and jumping in.

Birthday Hats...

Kylee turned four yesterday. We can hardly believe it... it seems like it was just yesterday that we brought her home from the hospital and she needed us for everything. I thought I should record exactly "what is up" with her these days.

She...

-loves Barbies
-loves Polly Pockets
-loves playing dress up
-is working diligently on learning her letters
(there is a deal on the table for a breakfast out with mommy when
she has mastered them)
-wants to wear only dresses and velcro shoes
-is sleeping in her new BIG bed
-has started swimming lessons and loves it
-started CCD with mommy and Anne as her teachers
(this is truly going to be a test for both of us)
-eats endless amounts of cheesesticks and yogurt, but that seems to be about it
-still cries when we take her to pretty school
-enjoys painting
-asks to sleep with someone every night
-is afraid of the dark and must have her nightlight on and her music box playing when we put her to bed
-quotes the monsters from Monsters vs. Aliens quite well
(her favorite is quote is when Bob greets the giant robot and says, "hey there, hi, we are here to destroy you". She does it in a completely animated manner)
-tells us she loves us all day long... we are the best mommy and daddy in her heart and to God and the sun and back.

Tony brought home his retired work hats. It was hard, but he managed to part with them and now the girls are wearing them all the time. They were this year's birthday hats. And, by the way I was joking about Tony having a hard time parting with these blue cowboy hats... not really his favs. This beautiful package from Taunya contains lots and lots of Polly Pockets... yeah! Thanks Taun.

Just The Family...

I just realized that this weekend was spent solely with my family. We didn't hang out with anyone, besides ourselves. I just read a wonderful blog about being content and that is just what I am right now. It must take a 48 hour dose of two adorable, loving, little girls and a fun, considerate husband.

We...

~had our first family movie night, seriously, that I can remember anyway. Tony does not sit still for the length of a movie, ecspecially not a kid appropriate movie. We were able to captivate him with Monsters vs. Aliens. We all started out cuddled on the couch, but needed our space about halfway through (around popcorn and M & M time).

~hung out (the girls and I) at school for three hours while Tony slept. I got my classroom library reorganized by genre. Today I picked up camp chairs for my reading corner (I really hope lice don't like camping chairs).

~BBQed chicken and made twice baked potatoes for a lovely dinner for four. I was sad that I couldn't remember where exactly everyone sat. It has been too long since we sat down for a nice family dinner. We used to never miss... time to slow down.

~dressed the girls in matching pumpkin shirts and went to Tri-Cities to let Kylee pick out her own birthday present. She choose a pre-school teacher Barbie set and a baby nursery doctor Barbie set. We dined at Red Robin and hit Costco and the Mall.

~read books, drew pictures and watched cartoons.

~did lots of laundry and a smidge of other household chores.

~went to church.

~heard I love you about a million times!!! and got oodles of kisses and hugs!!! The girls are so generous with their love... what a blessing!!!

I have to remember to pencil in these family weekends... I do think they are good for the spirit. Next weekend the girls are going to spend the weekend with grandma and grandpa ALONE. I usually always go, but they are ready to go by themselves. Tony is working both days. It is going to be so weird... I am guessing I will cry. At least we will have just had this weekend that was "Just the Family".

Our Latest Insults...

Kyndra and Kylee really seem to be getting on each other's nerves these days. It is hard not to laugh when they are insulting each other because they use such funny words. There is a lot of "head" and "pants" involved. "Meanhead" and "crabbypants" are two favorites. Kylee often tells Kyndra, "I am frustrating at you". Kyndra is constantly complaining that Kylee "is in her business". There is constant mimicking and endless face making. Kylee's latest comeback for everything can be viewed on this video.

Don't get me wrong we are truly working on using our kind words, but I am thankful these are the worst of our insults (for now).