The Best Muffins Ever

While the big girls were at VBS we made delicious cinnamon chip muffins.

OOOPPS we dropped an egg.

The longest 30 minutes ever.

But OH was the wait ever worth it.

Library Date

While the girls were at VBS I took the little ones to a free program at the library called art and story time.

He loves coloring, but it doesn't hold his attention for more than 2 minutes, but that's OK

because at least he's willing to do it.

This was the nice librarian who read three stories before we got to color.

My Sister

My sister came for a visit for a long weekend, we welcomed her to the chaos of our house...our house is not for the weak..LOL, we had a great time though. We got to watch a couple of movies, went shopping and to the pool. My kids love her.

We had some HOT days this summer so one way we kept cool was water balloons, the kids loved it and now they keep asking when can we do it again.

Dance Camp and Parade

The girls did their dance camp this year with Children of the Light, they are a wonderful dance company in Fairfax and they do a great job with the kids during the year. Unfortunately our schedule being what it is makes it very hard to commit to a whole year so we just do the camp and the girls love it.

Rehearsing for the 4th of July parade.

He loves his sisters and misses them when they are not around.

Getting the speech about the proper use of the flag.

Parade day.

It was HOT!

Watching the parade and waiting for the girls to march by.

A nice family let Madison squeeze her stroller in between so she could see better.
She wanted to wear red so she could match like her sisters, it was too cute.

I love my dog but I thought this was a bit much, I felt pretty bad for that dog, but he didn't seem to mind.

I felt for these people it was hot and they were dressed in these costumes, but I thought it was cool.

Finally after about 45 minutes the girls finally came.

Some water after a job well done.

A picture of almost all of the kids who danced, finally in the shade.

I took a lot of pictures from the rest of the parade but my picasa was giving me some issues and Picnik was taking me forever to edit so this is all I have for now.

Brief Description of What's Going On

I will post some pictures tomorrow, but we have had a very busy weekend. The girls participated in the Fairfax City Parade on Saturday as part of their dance camp wrap up (I'll definitely post pictures soon), as if that were not enough did I mention we are switching kids rooms around this weekend (it's been in the plans for months, but since our weekends are filling up quickly we had to do something soon (will post pictures of that too). Not only are we doing that, our pool had a bbq party today, getting ready for a garage sale next Saturday and OH yeah just for good measure beginning potty training on a certain 2 year old little boy (loved his reaction when he saw his new big boy underwear) too cute!

Happy Birthday Jaden

Today my baby turned 2, it's hard to believe that and I don't quite think I'm ready for it, and I know it's a cliche but wow...has time flown by.

Funny how the girls are doing the same dance camp this week that they did the week he was born, it's almost like they have come full circle. I couldn't be at the parade the last time because I was in the hospital with Jaden, so we are very excited about that this time Jaden, Madison and I can cheer on the girls as they march in the parade on Saturday and I actually get to be there this time.

We had a full day of celebration with this little guy, he was so excited it was his birthday. We opened up some presents in the morning after breakfast, he actually was dancing around the room. We opened another present after nap time and the last of the presents after dinner. Notice the potty book (since we are potty training this summer, easier in the summer) and the water table for outside (he LOVES water), dinosaur and a truck (boy toys...so weird with three older girls).

He just enjoyed his day so much. He had is favorite foods for breakfast, lunch and dinner and instead of a cake we had cupcakes...which he licked the frosting off...didn't really care about the cake and all day long he got to talk to people who love him and wished him a happy birthday.

He is such a sweet little boy, I can see the little boy coming out in him, he never backs down from his sisters and is always ready to defend a toy, he is VERY verbal and somehow in the last month his vocabulary has become unbelievable. He can hold a conversation with the best of them and sometimes when I can't understand him, it only takes one of his sisters to explain it to me.

I love the fact that he wants to do is own thing, although he's learning that he really does need to hold my hand when we are out and about, but he still wants to cuddle with mommy and "pick up you, mommy" is his favorite words. If I am sitting somewhere he wants to sit on my lap especially if I'm playing on the floor. He loves to climb and do all the things the big kids do, yet he knows when he has done something wrong and when you tell him to apologize he says "I sorry". Sometimes he will just say 'I wuv you mommy" and it brings tears to my eyes. I know he won't always be this sweet and cute but I am savoring every moment of it.
I am in awe that I get to be their mom every day. I do not deserve the gift that God has bestowed upon me and I count my blessings every day that the has entrusted Michael and I to be their parents. My heart swells with love for them every day, even when I'm cranky and not patient. As Kaleigh would say "your the greatest mommy in the whole wide world" I only hope she always feels that way because I think they are amazing little people and my life is full of joy because of all of them.