Addi's Tale of the Hunt

This morning while we were getting ready for church, Mommy spent an awful long time doing Jie Jie's hair. Wish I could have had mine curled. I guess it's because Jie Jie was singing at church. Isn't she cute?

 

Mommy told Buh-Buh get up on stage and test the mic. We have one of these at home. I've been waiting for my turn, but the big kids never want to share.

 

And now I understand why all week long mom's been singing Open the Eyes of My Heart with us. And here's my Buh-Buh's line from Jesus You Are. . .He spoke so clearly - "You willingly gave your life. . ."

 

After we had lunch, we had to hurry outside. Here's my big brother and sister waiting to go on the Hunt! Still not sure what this is all about.

 

I got to go first because I'm the smallest. . .Still not sure why.

 

Here's my sister. Not sure if she's getting ready to hike this thing or what. Not too "GRACE-ful" GRACyn!

 

My brother is on a mission. I think Mommy had a hard time trying to find all of us running around!

 

My brother means business!

 

Thank you Daddy! I needed some help and the lady I call Mommy is chasing me with a camera.

 

Like this??? Pick it up and put it in, right?

 

Whoa - needed to wear a hat today, my hair is going to blow away! Can't lose any of that. . .I barely have enough to keep my head warm.

 

I think I'm getting the hang of this. . .

 

This is kinda fun!

 

Man, I missed out last year!

 

Um, excuse me. . .that's MY basket you two are fighting over.

 

Thanks Jie Jie! Put it in here. . .I promise I'll share.

 

Hmmmm. . .wonder what's inside these things???

 

If I show you, can I keep it?

 

Hey guys, how much candy did we get?

 

Daddy, you better help. . .there's a lot here!

 

Jie Jie looks for the candy!

 

Buh-Buh looks for the money!

 

And, Buh-Buh likes to keep track of the loot.

 

So, let me see if I've this down. . .You put these things in the basket.

 

And then you pour them all out and crack them open?

 

Very interesting game here. . .

 

By golly, I think I've got it. It's all about the EGGS! So, that's why it's called an Easter EGG Hunt. Still not sure how that's tied to Jesus, but I'll just accept it for what it is.

 

Hopefully next year I'll be able to get my hair curled like Jie Jie's and get up on stage and sing. And that's my story of the Hunt.

Signing Off,
Addi
(Second Easter, First hunt, Some hair, Not enough to curl.)

Missing My Blog. . .April Happenings

Dear Blog,

I have been severely neglecting you, and I miss you. Some say you have to choose. Either update your profile on *Book, or blog, but you can't do both. Others say *Book is so much easier to keep everyone up to date on life, but the reality is, *Book won't be around when my sweet peas are older for them to read the funny things they've done. I won't have an archive of all of the comments that make my laugh out loud. . .so, dear blog. I'm back! I'm committing to doing at least one post monthly! Seems I left off with March, so here goes April. . .

Love,
Me

APRIL HAPPENINGS
As I look back on my last post, I realize that I posted on the anniversary of my Mom's death. Didn't realize it then, and love that what I did post was something happy. Don't get me wrong - I thought about my mom, paid my respects, and almost cried when Peyton asked me about how I found out my mom died. . .But so happy that to see a happy post unrelated to death on the anniversary of my mom's passing. It symbolizes healing.

Updates on the sweet peas. . .
Peyton is enjoying school sans the day his best friend refused to play with him. He's very independent, dressing himself for school, getting ready for bed, and helping with laundry and cleaning the play room and his own bedroom. He can change the sheets on his bed, likes to make my bed (to earn points), and helps watch the girls. He loves to "rehearsal" - not, rehearse, not perform, but "rehearsal" as he calls it. His band consists of himself on lead vocals and guitar, Gracyn on back-up guitar or drums, and back-up singer when he's willing to share the mic. He loves the dog next door. Sadly, maybe more than our own dog. He's outgrowing his bike, and outgrowing the magic stones. I think allowance in lieu of magic stones is in my near future.

 

 

 

 

Gracyn loves school and is quite the chatter box. She loves kinderdance, and telling me who pushed her down at school, and who's getting invited to what party. She's a tattler, but she's also the biggest forgiver around. Never holding a grudge, and always willing to share. (Except for that mini-Pillow pet, that is.) She loves to sing, and loudly. She's a silly goose, who still manages to throw some mean tantrums every now and again. Best sleeper in the family, and my girly girl. Gracyn is thriving in Speech Therapy, and says every morning, "Mommy, can you get my ka-lows?" - that's her way of articulating clothes! Girlfriend is still skinny, and her pants still fall off, but she's got a big appetite. Especially if it involves french fries, strawberries, cheese, or ice cream! Mint Ice Cream of course - she takes after me! In fact all of her food preferences are like mine.

 

 

 

Addi is a pistol! Super smart, and always wanting to keep up with the big kids. She doesn't tire of walking, but likes to be holding hands with two people at all times. She knows what she wants, knows how to get it, but also loves to share her snacks. (Except when she knows her brother will eat them too fast and leave none for her!) She's really starting to bond with Gracyn now. They sit together and eat snacks, color, or do pretty much whatever Addi wants to do. She loves to play dress-up and wear my shoes, but you'll more often find her kicking or throwing a ball. (Or her leftover dinner!) Addi's finally growing some hair, and will wear clips because Gracyn does. But watch out - if Gracyn has one and she doesn't, she'll rip it right out of her sister's hair! (Even if Gracyn is sleeping!) One thing funny about Addi - she hates, and I mean hates anything on the bottom of her bare feet. Not as in grass or water, but as in a crumb, or a hair, or anything that might be laying on the floor of a house with three kids under 6 and dog. . .

 

 

 

(So, these last two are from May, but they totally fit the post!)

 

 

Happy Belated Birthday Buh-Buh!

How in the world is it already March, and how did I not manage to get a post done for my buh-buh??? My first born turned 6 in February. I have a "big kid". . . a kid with homework, a kid with permanent teeth, a kid who can ride a two-wheeled bike with ease, a kid who knows he should cover his eyes if a "kissing scene" comes on TV (yes, this does happen on Disney!), and a kid who can make his own snack, pour his own milk, and use an iphone. He's also still my baby. He still loves his Mommy time. His cuddle time. He still asks permission to eat treats, cries when he gets into trouble, and is scared of the dark. (Who am I kidding? I'm still afraid of the dark!)

 

My buh-buh has a good heart. He's sometimes misunderstood. But he and I share a bond that's unique, and very dear to my heart. He is the one who's entrance into the world changed my role in life forever. He made me a Mom six years ago. He and I share a lot in common. I understand my Buh-Buh like no else does. I know what makes him tick, what will make him happy, how to make him laugh, how to prepare him for change, when he's lying or tricking as he calls it.

At 6, Peyton loves basketball, likes soccer, and wouldn't want me to write this, but still has a thing for Hannah. (The blond HM) He enjoys being outside, is very inquisitive, is known to be a "reporter" telling the world all the stuff he should keep to himself. He loves to call me on my cell phone, enjoys school and writing in his many journals. He loves the water - the beach, swimming, getting me with cold water sprays, playing in the sink. . .

Peyt - don't grow up too fast bud. Mommy might not be able to carry you anymore, and I know sometimes growing up is hard, and you wish you could be a baby again. I love you big boy. And yes, you will always be my baby. Don't forget who's dancing with you on your wedding day.

I've been meaning to finish this birthday post which is way overdue, and couldn't decide on what photo of Peyton to use. . .until I remembered this one. This was truly a candid shot - grabbed the camera, ran, left it in auto and click. . .it captures something very special about Peyton. What a great big brother he's become this past year. Going from the "only" to having two little sisters in a year's time is no easy task. . .He's succeeded. Can you tell?  In addition to loving his sisters, he teaches them great things. . .he's convinced Addi that the flashlight the Mac's gave her for Halloween last year is a Wii remote!  Good job, Peyt. . .good job.

All About Addi

I've heard that with each child, you take less and less photos of them.  You have less time to document their milestones.  And quite honestly, less time to do their laundry!  So, this post, is for the baby of the family.  Baby number three, our sweet Addison.  Affectionately known as Addi-boo, or Bam-Bam.

Addi is now 16 months old!  These photos were taken right after Christmas.  I knew that I needed to capture a few more with her wispy hair, because you know, by Spring, she'll have pig tails, right?!  (I'm a Mom in denial.)  Addi loves to play.  She loves to climb.  In fact, she's a very good climber!  We may have a gymnast on our hands.  Addi has mastered kicking a ball, playing peek-a-boo, pointing to her nose and her head, and will hold up one finger if you ask her old she is!  (Well, sometimes she holds up the one finger on her nose, but she's getting it.)  Addi naps like a pro.  But only at Grandma's. . .hmmm. . .in fact, she climbs into her own toddler bed there, and just goes to sleep.  Either my mother-in-law is a terrible liar, or Addi just likes to snooze there better than at home.  She loves her bananas, has given up almost all baby snacks.  Can eat a slice of pizza in one sitting, and did I mention she loves to THROW everything on the floor?  Sure, some cereal, or apple bits. . .but breaking plates?!  Yep.  She's done that too.  She has her Gong-Gong wrapped.  He'll carry her all day - I repeat ALL DAY.  She loves to take a shower, she loves to get pushed around in the car or doll stroller in the house (I know - toys have weight limits, but I swear it's strong enough!), can say "Up", "Mama", "Da-Da", "Gong-Gong", "ball", "buh-buh" (for Peyt), and "Woo" (for woof!).  She loves to sing, tries to move her little fingers to Itsy Bitsy Spider, and knows how to use the remote, the cordless phone, and yes, she can even slide open an i-phone.  She can comb her hair (well, what little she has), and is great at opening her mouth to get her teeth brushed.  (WOO HOO - so opposite of the other two in this dept!)  She loves to shut the microwave door after I put her milk in to be heated, loves to push the start button on the microwave, washer and dryer, and well, this 16 month old, feels like she's going on 3. . .so I thought I better get this down before I forget.  I know there's so much to share Addi, but at least Mama was able to document some funny stuff for us to share when you get married, okay??

I love you Bam-Bam.

Oh, and we call her Bam-Bam because she like to carry stools, and pretty much anything she can get her arms around all the time.  She pulls skirts off, and well, she's just sort of a rough!  In fact her little friend Mia is scared petrified of her.

And Addi. . .not every doll sings and dances like Mickey Mouse, Pablo, Elmo, and Spider-Man.  You love to have all of them going at once, we know.  And you're getting that Backyardigan's dance down!!  You've mastered raising those Arms to Mickey's "Shake your groove thang, shake your groove thang, yeah, yeah - show 'em how you do it now!"  And baby, the toilet is not for splashing around in, okay?. . .accept the gates for now, because catching you four times in one day playing with toilet water, well, that's just gross. If you're wondering where I was when you got yourself into the mess, well. . .I was still learning that if you're missing and it's quiet, you're up to no good. I don't learn as fast as you do. . .but I'm gettin' there.