Royal Pamper Session

They spoil my girls. They call them Royal Queen, Royal Princess, and Royal Toddler. They call themselves the Royal servants. They soak my girls toes and fingers in soapy water. They sit on the floor to make them feel like royalty. They treat them as if they are made of royal diamonds. Then they leave town and leave the girls with me. 

Now, I am asked "Servant, may I have some royal pineapple?"

Memorial Day 2014

 Memorial Day is about our fallen military service members. Our base housing neighborhood decided to celebrate those who paid the ultimate sacrifice with bike parade, escorted by the base fire truck. We were also lucky to have family in town since Elli's party was the same weekend. It was a blast, as you can tell from the pictures!

 Popsicles for all. I know I am getting weak as a momma when I am letting my barely two year old divulge in popsicles.

 It is okay, the popsicles kept them occupied so I could get in kisses for my sweet nephew. His cheeks are so KISSABLE! I hope his cheeks always stay that way!

 Family, the glue that holds life together!

Then shortly after the parade, we heard the 21 gun salute start. It is a cannon shot off every minute for 21 minutes. A 21 gun salute is a traditional sign of respect for fallen service members. Brady, Reese and I went the three tenths of a mile down the road and watched the remaining 17 cannon fires. 

It was a day strongly attached to the meaning of the holiday, in a kid friendly environment. I LOVE living in base housing. 

Elli is TWO!

I will have to admit, I kinda didn't want Elli to turn two. I learned from my other daughters, that I REALLY treasure 12-24 months old. But Elli is out to prove me wrong! I love the age she is at now! She is just about perfect if you ask me.

There are several things I admire about Elli.

-She is a determined fighter. She doesn't know what the word hypotonia means, nor has she let it get in her way. Today (5/29/14) she did a forward roll in our living room without any assistance! This is the girl that a mere seven months ago was taking her first steps. She doesn't see obstacles, she sees another chance to set a goal to work towards.

-Elli is a sweetheart. She gives loving hugs like none other. She wraps and drapes her body into mine and it melts my heart. Her left cheek on my left shoulder, my left cheek on her golden locks, her left hand twirling my hair; that is heaven on earth folks!

-Elli cares for those around her and wants to be surrounded by her loved ones. "Daddy home?" or "Baba home?" She wants to know where everyone is and prefers that they are at home with her.

-Elli knows how to roll with the big kids. I think she honestly believes she is five or six. She carries a book bag to the bus stop and walks towards the bus. She grabs the 18" wheel bike and attempts to climb on. She puts the step stool on the coffee table and attempts to jump off. She writes thank you notes as if she has been doing it for years. She talks to the neighbor kids like they are her best friend, not to mention she addresses all of them by name.

Elli wanted to close this two year old post with an interview. 

America's Kids Run, Year Two

Last year, we attempted to have the girls run in their first organized race. It ended tearfully without passing the finish line. This year they didn't want to do it. They remembered last year. But we like to push our girls outside of their comfort zone occasionally so they can see that they don't need to be scared. This race is done right here on base, so there are always neighborhood friends there to run with or cheer on. The 5 and 6 year olds run 1/2 mile.

I love this pre-race photo. 

 Always make sure to warm up. I swear I just gave birth to my first child and that girl (that looks twelve) in the pink shorts is not mine.

 Reese was happy to help out a neighbor. I guess I raise lil mommas.

 All smiles mid race.

 Reese did need extra encouragement from me. I ran beside her the entire time and pumped her up the entire way. She gets frustrated that she doesn't run as fast as her peers (only one kid behind us). But while running/walking we talked about everyone has different things they excel at. Reese gave it one good last sprint at the finish line.

 Then the girls stayed to cheer on a neighbor in the next age category that ran one mile.

 Meanwhile, Elli observed older girls doing cartwheels for about five minutes. Apparently, she absorbed it all, since her attempt is quite valid!

Today was a success! Both girls crossed the finish line and without tears. This momma did shed a tear of pride though. 

Trying to turn my thumb green!

This year I decided to venture into gardening. Now that my kids love being outside, it is easier to maintain a garden while supervising them. YAH! Plus, they love watching it grow and helping maintain it.

We have strawberries (which have produced tons), tomatoes, lettuce, brussels sprouts, potatoes, carrots and basil growing. I didn't dabble too much with flowers because I want to eat what I grow. We all know I LOVE to eat.

I, however, became inspired to make a living wreath for my front door.

I was very excited to hang it since I had to leave it flat for 6 weeks while the roots set.

Isn't it lovely?

It obviously still has filling in to do in some places, but I am quite pleased. I plan on watering it about once a week since I used succulents. I went to water it after the first week...and... I dropped it!!!! All the 'chicks and hens' plants fell out :( So I have to wait again for them to root. I may let the other plants fill in the missing spots though, ugh!

Get some popcorn

It is about to be movie hour!

I thought I would share some of our latest happenings with videos. Sit back, relax and enjoy the show(s).


Brady was choosen to preform in the school pep rally for standardized testing. She is the one in the lime green. She had to memorize this song in three days, but you know my girl, she had it down pat in one.

Reese demonstrating the skill of "skin the cat" awful name, I know, but cool that Reese got this. Her coach said only a handful of her preschoolers can do it!

Speaking of gymnastics, Elli has shown SO MUCH growth in her little class. I love seeing her getting stronger and leaving her diagnosis in the dust!

Now, can't leave the puppies out of this line up. I think this video needs no introduction. Simple happiness.

This one may be worth watching a few times. Pay attention to what the animals are wearing. Though it is hard to tell, Elli is identifying the color and clothing for a lot of them.

Another one that is simple happiness. 

Don't want to leave out yet another production!

Cousins playing together, I can't wait to see what they get into once they really can play games together.

I guess I must say 'awe man' alot!

The Official SNIP SNIP

Yep, that's right...

ELLI GOT HER FIRST HAIRCUT!

Originally I was going to bring her to one of those fun places with the car seats and DVDs playing. Ya know, the whole nine yards! Also it was going to be when she was like TEN. This is my baby girl, I am not suppose to let her grow up, right?

Well, when Reese had her appt, I got talking to my 'regular girl' that did Reese's awesome hair back in December.  I constantly have people asking me about my or Reese's hair. I think I have sent her at least 5 new clients. SHE IS AWESOME!

So why would I send Elli to some chain just to get a cute picture, when I could get a QUALITY cut. So, on a whim we put Elli in the chair and I snapped my photos with my iphone. 

 Every single day since, I have gotten a compliment on her curls. I guess removing those tattered split ends really made her hair spring up.

So while the process may not have been fancy, it was done right.

Season Tickets

Karl and I are lucky enough to have lifetime rights to front row seats of the Orthner Family Theater. We make sure to renew our season tickets yearly.

This is a compilation of our show we went to see this morning.

Here are blurbs of some of the MANY wonderful shows we have been privileged to attend in the past years. They are posted roughly in descending order of time. 

Never a dull moment!

A Little Diddy About Brady

I was just saying to one of my friends...

"I don't have a favorite child, but I am sure my blog audience thinks I do. I blog in an uneven amount about each child. The one year old hits milestones so those naturally pop up on here. The five year says and does the darnedest things, so those make appearances. But, that six year old, she is such a rule follower that her awesomeness doesn't usually translate into good blog material."

I guess I spoke too soon...

Tonight was Reese's turn to pick out the good night story. Reese is one of those kids that gains confidence in hearing repeated stories; so, naturally her older sister has to HATE hearing the same story one hundred times in a week. So when Reese picked out a story from the Usborne Fairy Tale book, Brady rolled the not again eyes. I told her to read quietly to herself if she doesn't want to listen.

Brady trots right out of the room without speaking a word. Daddy says 'I think she went downstairs.'

I give her a few and then go to investigate. I speak while walking down the stairs. You know that rule I always tell my kids. You must be looking at my before you speak. Someone ought to practice what they preach!

"Brady, I understand you may not want to hear this story, but you still need to spend this special time with the family."

Brady walks to meet me at the bottom of the stairs... holding a cleaning cloth and spray in her hands.

Yep, people, she didn't want to listen to the goodnight story, so she went and cleaned the dishwasher and fridge, oh, and swept. So rude! ;)

Oh, and while I am typing this, she left her room (suppose to be going to sleep) and states "Reese and I think we don't need all this stuff! We want to get rid of lots of STUFF in our room." Now instead of going to bed she is decluttering her room...THE NERVE! :)

I love the individuality of my three girls. They are all very different yet all very awesome. LIFE. IS. GOOD.

Respect for the red white and blue

Only at base housing does a ONE year old hear the first eight count of the Star-Spangled Banner and know to stop walking and talking and place your hand on your heart (without prompting). 

 

Please excuse my temporary disrespect during the national anthem while I snapped this picture. I am just proud to be raising patriotic kids.