Easter 2011

He is Risen!
We had our friends Beau and Malia Powers and fam over for Easter lunch. It was a lovely day, and we had an Easter Egg hunt in the backyard, after the meal.

My two surly boys. I think they get this from Jay.

Our kids with the Power's kids. A super-fun group. (except my surly boys)

BFFs Sarah and Ruthie.

Lil' Peter Cottontail. His first Easter! I tried to do some quick artsy pics by this tree, but they all look awkward, plus there was a spot of sun which made Pete look too shiny. I need to try again with more time and better light.

For the love of Pete

Attempting to get a picture of all 4 is nearly impossible. They all look drugged in this one.

Harry loves holding Pete.

Mac is so sweet and protective.

Ruthie is in love, and she is also my biggest helper.

Happy 2nd B-day, Harris!

Awww, Mom!

Little buddies celebrating with pizza, Harry's favorite food.

A baseball cake...

Harry with two new faves, his Leaptop and a cozy chair.

The Laundry is Piling up but who cares? I'm snuggling my 6 week old.

Spring has Sprung

All winter the flower bed looked barren and empty...


Then green appeared...


Then pale yellow tulips!


The tulips close at night, and on rainy days, but in the sun they open wide, welcoming the warmth and welcoming the bees!

I need to plant more this fall- they are so easy, and I can look forward to them each Spring (or whoever lives in this house...)

Peter's Nursery

I'm so thankful to have this little nursery for Peter. I've tried to do a special room for each baby, just changing things like crib bumpers and decor, simply and inexpensively, and two grandmothers are always so generous in helping me! This time I purchased these cards from Amazon.com and stuck them around the room. It instantly added a nursery-ish baby-ish charm, I think. A new diaper changing pad cover, and voila! new nursery for baby Pete. I used the same bumpers that were in Ruth's crib- (I tried to sell them on Craigslist with no luck) they are white with yellow ric-rac. I just need to pick curtains!

Fingerpainting

I must confess I dread when the kids ask to do fingerpainting- it is just such a confounded mess. But I don't want to quench their little artsy spirits so we do it occasionally. This is Harris' first time, which IS sad since he is almost 2- but I think we just usually do it when he's asleep. But he can find consolation in the fact that he's gotten everything else way before the other kids- like sugary foods and movies and popcorn- things you can keep away from kid #1 and kid #2 way more easily than kid #3. Peter will probably get a lollipop next week at this rate. Anyway- I enjoyed Harris' seriousness as he engaged in this tactile experience. He was a bit unsure of the gooeyness. At the end he tried a paintbrush out too. You might be wondering about the Navy shirt. Courtesy of my Dad. I must say I will always be partially a Navy girl.

Spring on my street...sigh of delight

Big Boy Bed for a Big Boy!

So big! Wearing Mommy's shoes. And his snazzy haircut courtesy of Daddy. (This is back in Feb.)

About a week before Peter came we decided to move Harris into the big boy bunk bed in the boy's new room. It was super-easy, probably because Harris loves his big brother and loves being in a bunk bed with Mac overhead. He never made a word of protest, and never looked back at the old crib. We built up to it, of course, talking alot about the big boy bed and his new room with brother, and referring to his old room as Peter's room. Harris is really such a BIG boy- it seems the crib was already outdated. He talks so much and runs with his big bro and sis doing whatever they do.

I love their new room- it has taken a long time to get it together, and there is still work to be done on it. The bunk turned out just the way I wanted it- my favorite things are the wall book shelves so the boys can keep books to look at without them being all in the bed and falling on the ground. I also love the Coast Guard Life preserver pillow- I just had to get one. The room is sort of a transportation motif, but I don't like to be too themey. We're leaning heavily to the aviation side of things anyway. More pictures to come when it's all done.

Pre-baby Flashbacks

Here is the belly, about two weeks before he came. A little boy at church asked me, "did you swallow a basketball last night?"

Our Covenant Group threw us a surprise baby shower- they gave several hand-made gifts such as these burp cloths...

And a knitted Auburn hat and booties! Not pictured; some handmade thank-you notes and a onesie with a little airplane stitched on the front. It is so sweet to receive some special things for baby number 4, who will most likely always live in hand-me-downs.

Cupcakes in bright boy blue...and there was even a sugar-free cheesecake for me to enjoy! We are so thankful for the community we have found through our church family.