Grace & Joseph

Last Summer we got new neighbors two doors down from our house. When we found out that 3 boys moved in, Grace was very disappointed. You would never believe that today! We soon learned that the youngest of the 3 boys, Joseph, was Grace's age and starting Kindergarten with her in the Fall. (this was last Fall) Since then, the two have become inseparable....hardly waiting after school until the other one has his or her backpack off to start their after school adventures. Joseph's mom Kim and I have become good friends and love that the kids are so like-minded. We laugh at Grace's desire to have Joseph play "house" or some other roll-playing game and Josephs patients at teaching Grace millions of video games! They compromise by playing "Star Wars", which means that Grace gets to be Princess Leah (this bugs Olivia who thinks she is the ONLY princess in this house!) and Joseph gets to be Luke Skywalker, or some other character that he loves.

Many afternoons the kids go from my house to Kim's house playing upon our sympathy and asking for snacks at each location. Friday night, Joseph stayed for dinner and a movie...the two were thrilled at the "bonus" time together!

The dynamic duo tired after a day outside....but not too tired to enjoy dinner and a movie together. Joseph had already seen the movie "Hotel for Dogs" so he was able to tell Grace exactly what was going to happen throughout the movie!

Joseph and Grace - taking time to pose for a picture!

Grace & Joseph - reveling in their new freedom to "ride in the street" out front of the house!

Spring Soccer.....Go Fireflies!

Grace is playing her fourth season of soccer this Spring. We have really enjoyed watching her from timid first-time player to being not so afraid of the ball! Most of the girls go to school together, and love seeing each other at practice each week. I have really enjoyed getting to know the other parents...there are some that we have become good friends with! Last Summer Grace went to a local soccer camp and she is showing interest in doing it again this Summer....argh. I could do without the camp even though I know it's fun. (Camp is in mid-July from 9-noon each day in the TX heat!!)

Girl Scouts Go Green!

In the weeks prior to Earth Day, Grace's Daisy Scout Troop worked on recycling projects, ways to make our home and communities more environmentally friendly and enlisted their families in a "Call to Action". I was so proud of the girls - really thinking about ways to help the community and the World around them. To celebrate the weeks of hard work, several parents, siblings and all the Daisy Scouts enjoyed a hike at a the local Wildlife Learning Center/Preserve. The hike wasn't as long as we had hoped, but it was one of the nicest days we have had this Spring! We brought lots of sunblock, trail mix and oranges for our party. Grace and I are just about to complete our second year of Daisy Scouts and I often comment that I have gotten way more out of it than the girls have! We look forward to next year...and being a Brownie!

Top: Claire, Taylor, Carly, Kelsey, Jackie and Kaileigh

Front: Ellie, Abbey, Maggie, Gracie, Grace and Emma

Easter Smiles

I love this picture taken on Easter Sunday. Anyone who has met Grace knows of her love for her cousin Emily. It started long ago when they first met and Emily thought having a new baby around was the best thing in the World. More recently, it has turned into Grace idolizing everything Emily does. Emily takes it very well, and has learned just how giggly little cousins can be! Here, Emily was reading and Grace and Olivia decided to lay on top of her in order to love her a little more!

Sweet Morning Time.....

Early this morning I heard little whispers coming from Olivia's room. I thought nothing of it, Olivia often is the first awake in our family and lays in bed talking to her babies before coming in to wake Robert and I. I quietly stood in her doorway wanting to savor the sweet moment and watch without her knowing I was there. I was surprised to find Grace laying in bed with Olivia in the early minutes before we all got up for the day. They were cuddled together talking quietly of what "plan" they had for their Saturday. I ran to get my camera...not wanting to ruin the moment but wanting to capture this sweet sweet time. They were delighted that I was there, and eager to get their picture taken and tell me all about their "plan" for the day!

Oh-Livia!

Olivia. Where do I begin here? It's funny that I haven't posted anything in several weeks and my first try back is to talk about our glorious 3-year old. There are tantrums, snares, whining and general unpleasantness. Parents of 3-year old might refer to the child as "strong willed" which is a code phrase for a little (no, not our Olivia!) bad behavior. We find her hilarious though...and giggle with each passing day at the funny outfits, the sunglasses and her reasoning for why she is doing something. (like why she "had" to bonk Grace in the head!) Is there a funnier word that being hilarious - if so, she's IT!

Not to pass by Grace in all of this....but watching a 3-year old is funny! Even Grace finds her mildly entertaining....when Olivia isn't stealing Grace's things, bonking her on the head, or out-right being mean to her! God love Grace's patience and love.

This was earlier at dinner with the "outfit of the night". Olivia once again has managed to find summer clothes, from last summer (meaning they are a bit small) and change out of her well-fitting outfit into something she liked better. A good parent might suggest that the sunglasses come off during dinner...oh but that would mean a fight and let's face it - who wants that at dinner time??

Another summer dress, outfitted with Jackie-O sunglasses and fairy wings. Olivia would chime in and point out the Hello Kitty necklace she picked out to go with this ensemble! The photo below was just after dinner the other night, standing on her chair announcing that she had finished! (give that kid a gold metal!)

Again, Olivia with another pair of sunglasses....talking on the phone to some mystery person! This time she is wearing her summer pajamas from last summer that are unlikely to keep her warm when she goes to bed on this winter night!

Jack OR Jill?

So here comes another one. Do you think it looks like a boy or a girl? And to answer before you ask- NO we are not going to find out! There are so few real surprises in this life and this one will be great either way.

This is my first post, but I am so excited about the new addition that I could not contain myself. New life is pretty amazing- especially when you think that there are two ears, ten fingers, ten toes- all growing inside of Laura. Father's little dividend is due end of July/beginning of August.