Four Months

Ashlyn Rolls

My Artist

Abe gave me this picture today.

It's Alice in Wonderland.

He spent about 10 minutes on it.

I realize I can't really be objective about this,

but I think this is truly amazing for a 6 year old.

He has such a passion for art.

I hope he keeps it up forever because I will never get tired of looking at his drawings.

Mommy's little helper

St. Patty's

Gavin modeling the leprechaun ears that Abe made.

This is actually my basil coming up, don'tcha think it looks like clovers?

Found some pretty green hydrangeas at Aldi and thought they were festive.

Clover pancakes.

Daddy's girl

I'm in love. ....with both.

From around the house...

Gavin:

"You know why I love girls? They are the second most important kind of person in the world."

Me: "Who's the first most important?"

Gavin: "Boys"

Abe:

"Mom, I wish I had more earwax so I could make you an earwax Elvis"

Ella:

"Mom, wanna play hide and seek with me?"

Me: "I can't right now. Go ask Abe to play with you."

Ella: "Ok, I'll ask Abe and then he'll say no and then I can cry and then you'll play with me."

Pause.

We bought a new sofa. Our old sofa is the first piece of furniture that we bought when we got married. It has been through a lot. It has moved with us 7 times. It has been burned, spilled on, drooled on, colored on, jumped on. I have spent the last few years loathing it, but now as it is time to move on to something bigger and better I am feeling a little nostalgic. Lately the littlest things make me nostalgic. I think it is because we feel Ashlyn is our last baby and we are moving on to a new stage in life. Time goes by so fast. I wish I could push pause. I love my life right now. I love having a baby to cuddle and a 3 year old who makes me laugh all day and a 6 year old who is so excited to be growing up, but still loves to be home with Mom and an 8 year old who is turning into a young man despite all the obstacles he faces. It is perfect. The new sofa doesn't come for six more weeks so I'm sure I'll adjust to the idea of it before then. Plus, this morning Ella said "Mom, I can't wait to paint the new couch!", so I'm sure it will bring just as many memories.

Farm box.

This week we decided to try something new and ordered a fruit and vegetable box from a local organic farm. We are trying to eat healthier around here so we thought this would be a fun way to challenge ourselves to try new things and eat more fruit and veggies. The kids have all been out of their minds excited. I think the idea that what we get is a surprise each week (we ordered the box that sends whatever is seasonal) makes it really fun for them. Gavin was so sad to hear that it might be delivered when he was at school. He's been counting down the days. Abe had to run out to the front porch every few minutes to check the cooler to see if it was here yet. We got a good mix of things we know we like and things they have never tried. Now I just need to figure out how I am going to use up all this stuff before the next delivery!

Rockin' and (almost) Rollin'

Big Brother.

Every day after school the kids do "quiet time". They each pick a room to spend some quiet, alone time in. It's a great way for them (and me) to relax after school. Today I asked Abe what he wanted to play with during quiet time and he said "Ashlyn!". She was awake and happy, so I put her in his room in her car seat thinking he'd get bored with her after a few minutes, but he talked and played her for a full hour! It was the cutest thing. These two little girls are lucky to have some amazing older brothers.