March (Catching Up Post)

March was a sad, strange month for us. We went to Florida intending to stay for a weekend, and ended up there for more than half the month. For much of that time, Jeremy was at his parents' house and the kids and I were at my mom's. We did school (Read-Alouds! Bible verses for copywork and handwriting! Math drills printed off the internet! Etc.), and tried to do some fun things for the kids.

(Ivy and Nan on the porch swing. Nan's father built this swing!)

(We took the Sun Train to Winter Park for ice cream)

(And of course, we went to the beach)

(the beach is Mason's happy place)

(Cory did some reading--right around this month was when his reading skills just exploded.)

We were welcomed back home with meals brought by our church family, and a crate full of legos and goodies left on our front porch by some good friends. 

Cory did a presentation on Pyrite at Timothy, and we plugged along with more school.

(My mom asks for family photos every year for her birthday. This year, we took them in the kids' new treehouse. I should have thought through how much running and climbing that would involve when the pictures were taken with a timer!)

Cory's Seventh Birthday

Can you believe this handsome guy is seven? Even though he's been seven for...um...two months, it's still taking some getting used to.

Our traditional last-day-as-a-certain-age photos. Look at those dreamy eyes!

(typical Cory smirk!)

So the question, as January 15th, 2015 rolled around, was this: how can we make Cory's seventh birthday awesome and do it with a three-week-old baby? The answer: a trip to Tellus Museum with his family, best buddy, and cousins! He even asked for donuts instead of a cake. Easy-peasy!

(We weren't supposed to bring food into the cafeteria. We did it anyway. And, um, fire. Oops.)

(After a while, baby girl, Mason and I headed to the car for naps while the kids kept playing.)

 That night, we made our birthday banner and took some pictures. A great day was had by all!

Cory got a pocket knife for his birthday this year. He's been waiting for that since Iain got his when he turned seven. He was delighted. Overjoyed. Thrilled. Etc.

Cory, you're an awesome kid. You're smart, sensitive, determined, and hilarious. You love history and stories, legos and playing in the woods. You're learning to take things apart and (hopefully!) put them back together. You're a good friend and a good big brother. You're sweet and loving and still love to snuggle. We love you to pieces, Cory D! Happy birthday!

My Big Girl Turns Four

We were in Florida for Laina's birthday--went down south for my sister-in-law's baby shower, and Laina was thrilled that she got to celebrate her birthday with Grammy and Papa at the beach! She decided on a Little Mermaid party, though she hasn't seen the movie, because she felt it was beach-appropriate. :)

Last day as a three, in her new dress and ready to go to church:

And first day as a four, in another new dress! (Laina is quite the dress-wearer. She almost never wears anything else.)

Making cupcakes with Grammy.

Party time! We spent some time down by the ocean, and then found a great place for dinner, cupcakes, and presents. 

(at the party: all of us, Grammy and Papa, Phil and Kelly, and Kelly's mom) 

(Legos! A gift from Cory, and not the only Legos she got that day. Also present: lots of Tinkerbell stuff. And more dresses.)

 (bubbles!) 

Turning four is a big deal at our house. It marks and important rite of passage: being allowed to play with Legos. Laina got some great ones for her birthday, including some special ones from her brothers. The next morning, before they were even out of pajamas, Laina and Iain were trying them out. Love these sweet pictures.

Although we didn't light a candle this year (since the party was at the beach), this day in my girl's life did not pass without me thinking of and praying for her birth mama. How I wish she could see sweet, happy, full-of-life Laina turn four. 

Laina Bug, you are a delight. All it takes to make your face break into a beautiful smile is someone catching your eye and smiling at you. You are so eager to embrace life, to enjoy it, to laugh and play and have fun with your brothers. Your moods might be a little more prone to drama than the boys, but your return to joy is so fast. We are so very blessed to have you in our family. We love you, four-year-old girl!

(See Laina turn one [and here], two, [and here] and three!)

Christmas 2013 in Pictures

Carriage ride with the Whatleys

 Santa! Laina was not sure about him. Neither was Mason.

Putting the angel on the tree.

New favorite hairdo.

Loving that he can read to them now.

They wanted to match, so they got themselves dressed.

My littlest boy.

Cory made this "man" and then shot arrows at him.

He won this candle in a bingo game. Then he gave it to me. Love this boy.

Christmas dress by Nona.

Decorating cookies on the Whatleys' front steps.

Mason LOVES the swing.

My sweet new niece Karolina!

Getting ready to look at Christmas lights.

Christmas Eve morning!

Christmas Eve afternoon games.

Christmas morning at Jenna's.

 Christmas afternoon back at home, reading. My favorite way to spend the afternoon, too.

Sweet, sleeping baby.

In Florida after church. We went south for Jeremy's high school reunion and to spend time with his folks. Mason was not happy in the restaurant after church, but sitting outside with his mama? He liked that just fine. Especially since he could dance around to the country music.

New Year's Eve popcorn and a movie.

The end! It was a whirlwind holiday season for sure!