Sisterly Love

I was curling Olivia's hair on Saturday for a birthday party, and Ava yells at me from the living room, "MOM! THERE IS SOMETHING IN KAY KAY'S HAIR!" I yell back, thinking it is something from her lunch, "Get it out then!" Ava keeps repeating the same phrase over and over until I come out two minutes later and witness a hamster Zhu Zhu Pet that Olivia got for her birthday two days before, sitting atop Makayla's head, with it's wheels tightly wound and locked in Makayla's hair. Makayla lets out a whine.  I asked Ava how this happened, and she tells me she doesn't know, but then points to herself. Unfortunately this is not a isolated event. Ava bullys her  little sister all the time: by a whipping with her blanket, giving her a lick on the face when she thinks no one is looking, or simply sitting on her. Just. for. fun. Anyhow I ended up cutting the hamster out of Makayla's hair, and the awesome part is that it was on the very top of her head, and you can't even really tell! She has good hair. And Olivia put her hamster on the naughty spot for the rest of the day.

 When this all went down, I was really ticked. (Hence, no photos. I am not good about remembering to grab the camera in the midst of our special everyday emergencies.) Later that night Scott got home from work, the kids were in bed and I was trying to tell him the story, and I was laughing so hard that I was seriously crying like a crazy pregnant lady. So weird. I love my family and I am so thankful for these funny memories that my children provide so generously. :)

Easy Treat

Today we made these! They are just peanut butter (we used almond butter) between two Ritz crackers, dipped in almond bark, and sprinkled. Super Easy!

First Day of School

Here are some shots from our kindergarten/preschool kick off!

And here are some things to keep us busy while Olivia is at school:

Here is a picture of Ava's first day of Preschool. It was very different than Olivia's, in that Ava didn't want me to stay at all. Very nice, but also very SAD! She is my independent girl!

Fall Fair

While I was taking a shower today, Makayla peed on the floor. She and Ava proceeded to clean it up with toilet paper. Why didn't I think of that? :)

Here are some pictures of our recent trip to a local fair. We went with some good friends, and it was very fun!

I love the fall!

Mom, something happened at school today...

I am thinking, "What was it... a bomb threat...something dangerous?"

M: "What happened?"
O: "Nick was holding my hand! I am going to marry him when we get big!"
M: Phew.... "What!?!"
O: "Do you want to come sit with me and talk about it?"
M: Continuing to breathe into my brown paper bag....

So I guess this little ladies man just held her hand at story time, all by himself. Does this really start this early? Any advice on what to say to her? I am stumped.

Might I add she has been prancing around like a pony all day today since said conversation!

Smart Girl

So I have a funny story about the tooth fairy. Olivia lost her second tooth, and in a rush last night I scrambled to find a dollar bill (out of her piggy bank, I know I make an awesome tooth fairy.) The one I choose was ripped in half (Ava), and taped with blue painters tape (me). Unfortunately I didn't notice that it was the infamous taped bill in the wee hours last night. I did the routine sprinkle of glitter in her tooth fairy jar and thought I was set. Olivia wakes up to find what the tooth fairy left her. Happiness as usual, and a couple of hours later, she comes to me with the conclusion that Ava is in fact the tooth fairy. Dang. I really need to improve my level of preparedness or Santa is toast.

Movie Night

The kids picked out the new Dora Movie at the RedBox, and we set up the air mattress! The kids loved this.

Bed Time...?

I have been finding some pretty funny sleeping habits at my house lately. I put the girls to sleep in bed with pajamas, and by the time they actually fall asleep they are not in their beds, and most the time pajama-less. Ava is so perfectly tucked in on the storytime chair, above. I have a feeling Livie had something to do with it. :)

Ava woke up from her nap today, and I made brownies with Livie when she was asleep. I told her I had a special suprise for her and showed her the brownies. She then suprised me with, "It's my birthday cake?!" Her birthday is next month. So cute. :)

These brownies had crushed up candy cane on the frosting, and they were pretty exciting, for brownies!

Today's Blessing!

What can $35 buy you on Craigslist?

47 Church movies in new condition, that's what! I know. I am still in shock.

Picnic Play

I though I would post some photos from our picnic today. They played together, ate PB&J heart shaped sandwiches, cookies, apples, and ice cream sundaes with whip cream, sprinkles and a cherry on top! Then continued to play and watch a Barbie movie. It was a good day!

Sorry I didn't get pictures of everyone! The kids were not really into me taking their pictures anyhow. Oh well. :) It was really fun to have so many princesses in the house today, and a prince too! :)

Quality time....

We took a surprise field trip to Evergreen Park the other day, it was so nice out! We stopped by McGavin's Bakery beforehand and I told the little ladies they could each pick out a cookie to take to the park. I steered them to the Christmas cookies on the discount rack, they can't taste the difference, right? :) At least they had sprinkles..red and green..but hey now...sprinkles! Then we made our way to the park, which was still a surprise, and they loved the excitement of a surprise!

How great/confusing it must be to fall asleep, and wake up at a new exciting place all the time! If I were a baby I would love nap time! Wait... I do love (and really miss) nap time.

M: I don't know what I love more, toting this slobbery cookie around for the rest of the day, or being pushed on this swing by my awesome big sister!

A: Mom, don't make me share this swing with my little sister again. Ever.

O: Check it out Mom!

Olivia is a big 5 year old now, and she loves to experiment with her boundaries for safety! Not really, I am just a scaredy momma, and would rather have my little baby keep both feet on the ground (firmly). She loves fireman poles, tunnel tube slides that twist and turn (!), and all kinds of stuff that would take some major incentive for me to consider at her age, or even now! She must get this from her daddy!

Ava is really intellectually advancing right now. I can't predict what she wants to talk about any more. Her thoughts are so wonderful and enchanting to me. It's like having a new girlfriend to talk to all day long! Also- if anyone asks her her name, she will politely reply, "Ava Clair Bear Bambino." It is the cutest!

NEWS of the WEEK! Makayla is walking! We are all enjoying this milestone, it is so fun to watch her bathe in the praise after she walks to someone. She is so proud of herself, and loves that we are all fixated by this long awaited task!

Scott and I are so in love with each other, and our children. They teach us more important lessons than we could ever teach them. We talk all the time about how thankful that we are on the path that our decisions have led us. We are so grateful for our church, family and friends. Most of all, Heavenly Father and Jesus; and the example they have given us to follow.