Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Mid-week Likes & Links

When we were little, my grandmother made us sweet little Christmas ornaments just like these.  A walnut shell, cotton ball, bead for His head, and fabric for His blanket make this precious little baby Jesus ornament.  The kids made them with Elley while they were there after we came home from the hospital with Henry, and I forgot to post this photo until now.  These ornaments are a new favorite!

I love this new chambray tunic - I have it in gray.

These are some of my favorite cardigans.  They're very lightweight, so they work year round, and the length is my favorite.

Aren't these booties nice?

Jeremy thought the kids and I would enjoy this indoor garden.  Maybe I can't kill it?

I love cake stands, and I recently found this sweet, small one!

Jeremy has read every book in this series and has raved about them.

This magazine was a gift, and it is as good as you would expect!

Happy Wednesday!

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Anything Guys Can Do...

...Sophie can, too.

Not really, but she loves doing almost anything her brothers do, especially when it involves her Daddy!

We got this neat little hammer and nail set for Christmas, and it's been a great way to learn shapes, colors and a bit of fine motor skills.






























I'm not one to think boys and girls should be the same.  I don't think toys and clothing should all become gender neutral.  I feel like there are two genders for a reason and that each is uniquely beautiful in what it can only do.

That being said, I love that Sophie has interest in problem solving and doing things with tools.  She has great examples in her older brothers and her daddy.  I want for this little girl to be able to think her way out of problems and work hard to do everything she is capable of...even if it is with her baby doll in hand!

Monday, February 20, 2017

Birthdays as a Mom

A couple of weeks ago, I turned thirty-five.  Birthdays as a mom aren't quite like birthdays when single or married without children, but they are equally good.  Instead of sleeping in or going out for a  fun dinner date, the kiddos wake you up even earlier to celebrate more hours of your special day with shouts of "Happy to you!!" from Sophie, and "Let's eat cake!" from the boys.





We celebrated with our favorite strawberry cake, and Jeremy ordered in Chicago pizza and made a cookie skillet.  Everything was so delicious!



And, it wouldn't be a birthday unless everyone got a turn blowing out the candles.





We almost had a little tragedy here...

But, Jeremy caught that itty bitty finger just in time!

She thought someone might get her cake if she didn't eat it all at once.

I received some very thoughtful gifts including a St. Michael retablo from Peter (that he received from my parents last Christmas), a piece of petrified wood from John Paul, a ring out of the quarter machine from Carter and lots of kisses and hugs to go around.

While different than a birthday without them, I wouldn't have it any other way!

Friday, February 17, 2017

These Girls

Next to my husband and mom, my sister probably knows me best of all.  Growing up we got in our fair share of fights (one time even involving a tube of toothpaste), and we weren't always the nicest to each other.  Being fourteen months apart brought its challenges but even more special things.  

We are each other's best friends.  We know each other better than we sometimes know ourselves.  And, while I would give anything to have her closer, I'm so thankful for facetime, and texts and well, anything that keeps us in touch!

So, when I look at these two little girls, I see my sister and me.  I pray that they become as close as Rozann and I have.  I pray they always take care of each other.  And, I pray the bond they develop now only grows stronger as the years pass.

On this particular day, they decided they wanted it to be summer...




Then, they were little clothes models, and I have a feeling Sophie can't wait to teach her to spin.  I see so much of us in them, and that makes me so excited for what their future holds!










Thursday, February 16, 2017

Dance Party

Lately, Sophie has loved nothing more than putting a CD in the DVD drive, and cranking up some music to dance.  She likes it more than cartoons, more than games, more than anything!  Well, it always helps if she has her "pincess" dress on, too.  So, the other night, she wanted us all involved!  

She's always asking her daddy to "pin" her.
Carter is a bit more on the funky side.  Lately, he's been asking to watch videos of Michael Jackson when he was little.  And, he's done a few moonwalk attempts.  Verrrry entertaining.


You never know if Peter is going to watch from the sidelines or go all in.  This day, it was all in.


And, John Paul...anything that's crazy, he's on it!






Little sister even has a love for it!


There is never a dull moment, but I'm thinking I should probably be thankful for that!

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Mid-week Likes and Links

One of the world's sweetest people sent me this amazing skincare package for little Henry.  I love it! And, I love even more that it is from her sister's store.
My sister sent me this water bottle!  Talk about making it fun to drink water!
Jeremy got me these new kicks.

My sweet cousins gave me this awesome camera strap!

And, I got these for when I get back into working out - haha, when is the key word.

Need a fun jumpsuit?  My sister picks out the best ones!

We bought these to make with the kids.  When they came, and boasted of 6000 tiny beads, I about died.  But, Carter and Peter LOVE them.  And, they've been pretty great for quiet time.

Henry has been living in this little zipper sleeper.

I finally got some Makeup Geek shadows from my makeup expert cousin.  They're just as great as I've heard, and at a great price, too!
Have a great Wednesday!


Tuesday, February 14, 2017

A Morning with "Fosie"

For the longest time, when asked her name, Sophie would reply, "Fosie!"  It is one of those things that her speech teachers didn't love, but her momma did!  So, a couple of weeks ago, when she started saying her name correctly, a part of me cringed.  But, she's "Sophie" now, and will always be!  

And, she is one of the toughest little girly girls I know.

We had the morning together, and we made the most of it!  First we did our hair.
Then, it was onto our makeup!  Well, mine.



I said she could have a little gloss after she brushed her teeth.



She thought I needed some, too!





Then, we made some baked oatmeal to have on hand for breakfast during the week!


She said she needed to smell it.






It's such a blessing to be able to have a little one-on-one time here and there!