Where the Heart Is

Confirmation Gift

I've received so many wonderful gifts for confirmation.  Thank you to everyone!!  Most people gave me gifts from this wonderful company, James Avery.  They make wonderful silver and gold pieces.  Sister and Honey have a couple of pieces from my mother from this company. 

My sister gave me this beautiful floating dove. 

While my mother gave me this guardian angel.

My mother-in-law sent me money with the caveat that I spend it at James Avery.  So, I did.  I toyed with various things and then decided to buy a charm bracelet with two charms.  Here are the charms I bought.

Looking back, I should've purchased the confirmation charm, but at the time I didn't really like it.  Upon further inspection, I realize it's a really pretty piece.  I can always add on later.  Actually, I'm looking forward to it.  I never would've thought to buy myself a charm bracelet, but my mother-in-law suggested it as one of the options.  I love it as do my daughters.  Thank you, Mom!

Out of Sorts

It seems I didn't adequately inform Brother of the changes this weekend due to my confirmation.  During mass, I sat with the other candidates so it threw him off for the rest of the night.  He's still out of sorts today.

Here he is with Pumpkin.  Aren't they just wonderful together?  Pumpkin loves her big brother.

One More Tooth

Sister's second tooth came out yesterday with a little prodding from me.  She bit down hard yesterday and really loosened it up, but it didn't come out.  She complained about the pain so I asked her if she wanted me to pull it out.  She said okay, but that I had to ice it first.  She brought the ice and I used it to knock her tooth out.  Isn't she cute?

Growing up is Hard

Honey is learning that sometimes you don't always get to be with your older sister.  The neighbors across the street asked Sister to come over and play.  They didn't ask Honey.  She sat here in the grass waiting for her sister to come back.  It broke my heart and I knew this was not going to be the only time this would happen.  Honey kept saying, "I need her."  Luckily, lunchtime was upon us and I had to call Sister back.

Cat

Pumpkin asked Honey to make her into a cat.  She obliged her.

By the way, this is Pumpkin's cat pose.  See how she has her mouth closed tight to show off her "whiskers"? 

Knock, Knock

Pumpkin loves to tell this knock, knock joke.  She even uses her fist to knock in the air--it's awfully cute to see that little fist do that.

Pumpkin:  Knock, knock.

Me:  Who's there?

Pumpkin:  Owl.  (peals of laughter).

That's it.  It's a hoot (pun intended).

Rainy Day, Silly Day

Today was a silly day.  I don't know if it was because of the rain.  Here are some pictures of the children.

Apparently, the girls think it's summer and swinsuit weather.  Aren't they cute?

Brother wanted to take a picture of him running away.

Day by Day

I thought I'd take a moment to update you on our lives.

Brother:

Therapy continues to go well.  He's currently on his second round of The Listening Program.  The implementation of the program is easy:  15 minutes in the morning and night.  However, it takes quite a bit of effort to put it into our daily routine.  Since we're on the second round, it has become easier. Most of the benefits I've seen has been in the social, empathy area.  He seems to be more aware of what is going on around him.  He's more interested in his yougest sister.  We're still in the beginning stages of the second round so I don't know what sort of benefits we'll see.  He wants to learn how to play golf and also the drums.  His current obsession interest is learning and writing all the 50 states. 

Sister:

Ballet is, of course, her love.  She dances and flits around constantly.  They are preparing for their spring performance.  The theme this year is a princess one--what girl wouldn't love that.  As you know, she lost one tooth and another one is loose.  Her permanent tooth is already coming and it looks cute, cute, cute.  Her speech therapy is going well.  She's working on the "R" sound.  It's a tough one, but I know she will conquer it. 

Honey:

Honey continues to delight us all.  She loves to "read" and make up stories with books as a guide.  She is our most pious one and has declared a desire to be a nun.  She'll be 4 this year and will start ballet in the fall.  She's anxiously awaiting that time. 

Pumpkin:

Pumpkin is a typical toddler about to reach the terrible twos.  I think she will be a real terrible two.  She's the most opiniated of the 4.  I think she's most like me. ;-)

Ben is finishing up his current job and will move to a new one in the August timeframe.  He's looking forward to it.  I'm busy trying to keep it all together.   

Hot April Days

Tuesday was a hot, humid day and the children dressed the part in their matching summer clothes.

Pumpkin was not happy about taking pictures without her baby.  Then it was too late when I told her she could.

Of course, I can't forget Brother.

Here's a sweet one of Brother and Pumpkin.  Pumpkin adores Brother.

Finally, a shot of Ben with the brood.