Princess #2 is 6!

In news better a week late than never, Princess #2 is 6! The long-awaited day finally arrived. She had a great day. And I love that she always chooses take-out for her birthday dinner, so nice for mama!

It's hard to believe that this little "preemie" has developed into such a lovely, funny, silly, fancy girl. She is my one that consistently runs hot or cold-there is no middle ground with this girl! However, I must say despite the craziness of having a personality like this in our family, it is part of her charm. Her world is black and white and I love that about her, everything is an absolute. She loves very deeply and has friends everywhere! She runs into more friends on a trip, well, just about anywhere, than I do long-lost high school acquaintances at Costco (and that is saying something my friends)!

When I think back as to how scared we were that we could possibly lose her in the womb or shortly after her early arrival, I feel so blessed to have her in our family. My parents always remind us when we get frustrated with her, that once all that energy and fire are channeled in one (positive!) direction, she is going to be a force to be reckoned with, and I have to agree. I am eager to see where the Lord leads her in life. For now, she wants to be a veteranian and a people doctor, and set up practice on Nanny's farm, so that she can take of the animals and her grandparents, how sweet is that?!

Home Sweet Bathroom

We are still (or maybe it's just me) that is recovering from our journey to the Midwest and back again, so I apologize for the lack of posting. Here's one quick one from the day we returned.

Once we all piled in through the door, the happy exclamations began from the older two: my toys! my kitty! my room! air conditioning! and so on. Princess #3 didn't have too much to say, just kind of wandered around. Then she heads into the bathroom to take care of some business, and we hear this shout of excitement: It's my same bathroom and my same potty and my same stool!! Oh thank you Mommy that I'm home!

She is Free

So we're driving today to yet another location to deposit yet another pet in preparation for our long trek, and we're listening to the radio. I'm daydreaming, scratch that, rehashing all the things that have yet to be done and absolutely need to be done before we can leave when Princess #3 pipes up from the back row "turn it up Mama it's my favorite!" So I do. It's this song by the Newsboys called "I Am Free". I don't think too much of it til I hear her version sung as loud as she can. . . "I am three to live. I am three to dance." and so on! It was so cute!!! When she's done, she sighs a happy sigh and says I love that song for three year olds.

Me too, baby girl, me too.

When Pigs Fly

While we waited and waited and waited for our pizza hut pizza and breadsticks at my local favorite shopping destination, we saw some interesting people. We saw the guy at the register with purple hair, who as Princess #2 informed me, can't go swimming or it will wash out into the water. Does he wash his hair I had to wonder. Princess #2 didn't think so or it wouldn't have been such a bright purple. And we waited with another employee who had half pink/half yellow hair and a gizillion piercings that fascinated the girls to no end. Thankfully their comments waited for the ride home! Whew!

Just when I think that the conversation topic has run dry, Princess #1 declares that she will just get a tiny diamond nose thing and not the rest of the stuff that girl had on.

Oh really . . .

Swinging Fun

I need to take some pictures! ARGH! Anyway, yesterday the weather finally cooperated and beautiful. Not that the cool weather has slowed the Princess' in their love of doing anything outdoors, but it has stopped their mama.

So back to yesterday. Princess #3 was on the swing and asking for a "spin doggie", which is when you twist up the swing and then give an under doggie--see, it's all making sense now! Immediately her older sisters said "No spin doggies, Daddy said no, they are too dangerous!" So she replies with, "How about a spin puppy then?"

She's a clever one, that one.

Remembering

It's June. One of my niece's is about to celebrate her 1st year of life. So sweet. It makes me nostaligic for when my girls were that age. And it makes me sad to remember that my second niece was to be born this month. Little Abigail Faith went to be with Jesus all too soon. She was so wanted and so prayed for and so loved.

Miscarriage isn't something that women like to talk about because it is so heartbreaking to remember and yet it's something that most women have experienced, some multiple times. If you think of it, say a prayer for someone you may know who has experienced a loss of a baby, the loss of who might have been. I know I'm praying for my sister and her husband, and am thinking of my sweet niece in the arms of Jesus.

At about the same time that my niece died, another friend's mom died, and she has told me repeatedly that she feels in her heart that her mom, who absolutely loved babies and the Lord, is there in heaven caring for my little niece. What a lovely thought.

Baby Fit Free!

I am so encouraged! Last night was our first baby fit free bedtime (say that 10 times fast) in over two weeks. It was so awesome. I didn't have to pin down a toddler. I didn't have to block the door. I didn't have to take any stuffed animals away. I didn't have to make any threats. I didn't have to pray feverishly that my child would chill out and just GO TO SLEEP. I didn't even have to call for back-up!!

And then, as if last night wasn't enough, this morning for the first time in over two weeks, Princess #3 put on only one outfit without a fit and proceeded to ask me to do her hair. People, this is HUGE. You really have no idea how amazing these past 18 hours have been--seriously!! I know that this is only one small step, but I'll take it. Thanks to all of you who have said prayers on our behalf. I think we are starting to see a faint glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel and I don't think it's a firefly.

She Loves Me??

Some of you know the battle of the wills we have been having at the castle as of late with Princess #3. And most of you with young children know that "terrible 2's" are nothing compared to the power of the "terrible, horrible 3's". That horrible power unleashed in a three year old whose will is being thwarted (in their world) is an awesome sight to behold I must say, being witness to it several times daily over the past weeks. But there is hope . . . here is a conversation I had with P#3 today.

Princess #3: I love you Mama.

Queen: Do you really? Because when you love someone you want to make them happy. And what makes Mama happy?

Princess #3: Lotsa kisses and hugs, and back scratches!

Queen: And Mama loves it when you don't have baby fits and when you obey the first time right? So you can show Mama love by not having baby fits and by obeying right?

Princess #3: Yah. I guess I only love you sometimes. But I want to love you always.

No Good

No good can come from a day that started at 10:30pm the night before can it? I guess I'll find out today. Princess #3 was up then for quite a while, and then was woken up just a "skosh" before 6 this morning by her dear bunkmate. We made it to 7:30 with no problems, but then those darn panties felt "funny" again and there's no end in sight to the cranky-pants.

Thankfully, school's out, so I can deal with just her and not have to work with the older two on school stuff. Well, the crying has slowed, so I'll see if we can find some breakfast that suits her royal self!

School's Out!

School's out for the summer at the castle, I am happy to report! Last year all of the "extra" stuff made for a longer school year, but thanks to the hard work of the princess' and the determination of the queen we are done!! I promised a trip to Sonic as a fun done with school treat, so we'll go do that maybe Friday, since the king will be home. Princess #1 is most excited about that, the servers are on skates mama, and I saw him skate backwards, with food and he didn't fall. I love how easily pleased and amused they are (just like mama).

Today we had another experience with a home-schooling doubter. Someone just curious as to why my school-aged-looking daughter could be done with school by noon. . . you know those helpful little comments. I think I need to order a t-shirt I saw a while back. It said something to the effect of: I am in school now and you're talking during class! Too funny.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to getting my spring cleaning done in the next few weeks and maybe some weeding done too (notice I didn't say gardening-just the weeding). Kind of a boring post, but baby fits are no fun for anyone and that's been most of the mothering "fun" I've had as of late.

Morning Conversations

I'm drying my hair, Princess #2 is perched on the plant ledge in our bathroom, thoughtfully looking out the window. And the conversation goes something like this...

Queen: Whatcha thinking about little love?

Princess #2: I love mornings.

Queen: What do you love about them?

Princess #2: It's just that when I wake up sometimes I have sleep in my eyes and I love to get the sleep out of my eyes. It just feels so good to get the little crisp things out of my eyes. And you only get to do it in the morning, unless you take a nap, but then after nap you may not have any sleep in your eyes. It really just depends. . .

Queen (speechless, thinking . . .): I had to ask, I couldn't just let the comment go at mornings, I had to ask.

Overheard in the bathroom . . .

Princess #1 to Princess#2: Have you seen my nail polish?

Princess #2: Nope. Which one was it?

Princess #3: I've seen your nail pole-ash.

Princess #1: Where?

Princess #3: It's on your fingers. (giggles giggles giggles)

Princess #1 (with frustration!): Not that one, the one that looks like SPIT!


I guess put that way, clear nail polish does kinda look like spit . . .

Princess #1 is 8!

Old news I know, but thought I'd finally get some pictures posted. No she didn't get the present of her dreams (see a couple posts down, I'm too lazy to link), but she did have lots of fun opening her gifts. Birthday lunch was drumsticks, rainbow jello (of course) and root beer, followed by a teddy bear shaped cake.

It's hard to believe that she is the same baby that I used to read the weekly menu/grocery list to in order for her to fall asleep. Or that she is the same toddler telling us all about her "betty bullon" (belly button). Or the same little girl who wanted to be called "beach girl" the entire time on a trip to the OR coast. Now she is so self-suffcient. She likes having the freedom to get herself to bed on time and she likes to ride her bike solo up to her "sniffing spot". She had a speaking part in her latest KIX program for pete's sake! Who is this GIRL?!?

Some things haven't changed, she loves to talk. She loves to cuddle at bedtime. She loves to plan her future-currently it involves living in her own house with her own pets so she won't be lonely (a future cat lady?) and being a missionary. I love that she dreams big. I love that she writes me secret notes and then tells me where to find them so I won't miss them. I love that she loves the Lord with all her heart and wants to find ways she can serve Him (Mama, holding Mrs. U's baby at MOPS was showing Jesus right? Oh yes honey!!).

Anyway, Happy 8th Birthday Princess!!

She Makes Me Laugh

So Princess #3 has faithfully been doing her chores "for real money", as she likes to say, for quite a few months. And as of her last "pay day" had enough money for a purple ballerina Barbie. So she purchased her last week. (She was almost as excited about the receipt, let me tell ya!)

Anyway, after rest time, which she shared with her new acquisition. She came downstairs and told me that her Barbie has "buzzums". And then she pulled down poor Barbie's ballet costume and showed me the proof. I had to concur (after much laughter), Barbie does indeed have "buzzums". But we decided that she would be much more modest if we kept her "buzzies" covered up and out of sight!

It Was a Simple Question

Princess #1's 8th b-day is around the corner. Literally. We're stumped and this is all the help we're getting.

Queen: "So what do you want the most for your birthday?"

Princess #1: "A new baby brother or sister."

Queen: (thinking: Awww, that's so sweet.) Says "Go tell Daddy and see what he says."

A few minutes later . . .

Princess #1: "Mama, Daddy says we don't have enough time for me to get a new sibling before my birthday."

Queen: "Valid point. What else do you want?" (Silently thinking, we dodged that bullet. That time.)

So There!

While playing "tease Daddy with my lipgloss"* (the fabulous game that's sweeping the nation) tonight, Princess #3 declared she'd had enough:

"Daddy, leave the Princess alone!"

It's the first time she's ever referred to herself as such, and it was said with such certainty, he couldn't help but obey her royal highness while I laughed myself into another coughing fit.

*A super fun game in which one little girl waves lipgloss in her Daddy's face while telling him he can't have any "because boys don't wear lipgloss". Then he tries to take said lipgloss and she runs and he chases, well you get the picture. Did I mention it was super fun? Ahem.

Another Spelling Lesson

While reading the "Girls Book on How To Best at Everything"(a must read for any young royal) Princess #1 yells, "What does U-R-I-N-E spell and what does it mean?"
Once explained, says, "Eww that's gross."

We're still laughing.

I am the Lone Beacon

Did I mention that according to the highly accurate Austen quiz that I am Elizabeth B.? Did I mention that it was men's retreat weekend at our church this past weekend? Part of the description from Elizabeth Bennet's personality is that she is the "lone beacon of reason in a sea of ridiculousness". Emphasis this weekend on the words LONE and SEA.

My sea has three versions of ridiculousness and I got to enjoy all them (on my own) this weekend, thankfully though, not all at once.

Wasting Time, Austen Style

Take the Quiz here!

You are Elizabeth Bennet of Pride & Prejudice! You are intelligent, witty, and tremendously attractive. You have a good head on your shoulders, and oftentimes find yourself the lone beacon of reason in a sea of ridiculousness. You take great pleasure in many things. You are proficient in nearly all of them, though you will never own it. Lest you seem too perfect, you have a tendency toward prejudgement that serves you very ill indeed.

Colin Firth here I come! :) :)

Spelling Bee

Spell along with the littlest princess:

Princess #3 (pointing to the queen's carbonated drug of choice): "Can I have a S-O-T of your pop?"

She thinks that Princess #1 is so cool when she spells out "secret" messages to mama that she had to try it herself!

Bliss

This morning was pure bliss. I got up at my normal time (just slightly after the crack of dawn) and it was quiet--really quiet. No singing from the other room while waiting for it to be dawn (when they are allowed up), no lights clicking on from the early sneaky reader (princess #1), even the dog was quiet (he's usually snoring). It was heaven. It felt like I was the only person in the house which was lovely and extremely rare. (Being a stay-home mama and a homeschooling mama to boot doesn't lead to much time alone in one's house . . . go figure!)
I don't know what each of you need to recharge, but for me it's solitude and even more so quiet solitude or solitude with noise of my choice. That's why this morning was such a treat. Even though my solitude only lasted for about 30 minutes (I know-like eternity, huh??), it made facing the day so much more bearable.
And now it's almost rest time. Notice I didn't call it "quiet" time because it's not. Oh the kids are quiet (as in no screaming/talking/singing, etc.), but I can still hear the occasional thump or the patter of footsteps or the incessant foot tapping that my oldest does while reading, that remind me that I'm not alone! But I'll take it.
Wishes for a restful day to each of you readers. . .

Birds and the Cows?

On our way to Papa's farm Easter morning, Princess #2 spotted an unusual sight! A cow was standing up on his hind-legs like Otis in Barnyard, but why oh why was it milking another cow?? Then she says : "Or maybe Mama he was tired of standing up and was just resting on the other cow."

We decided it was probably the latter. . . hmmmm.

Feel the Love

A homeschooling photo essay. Photos by the queen. Essay by Princess #1.

Not loved sincerely P#1

Kinda loved bye P#1

Loved greatly sincerely P#1

Today her doodling took on a purpose . . . to relieve the day's angst!

Thankfully by the third worksheet life was back to being good again.

Mama's Little Helper

Overheard at the dinner table . . .

King: So how did you help Mama set up at MOPS today?

Princess #2: I helped get all the other kids in trouble.

Words of truth--'nough said!

An Ah-Ha Moment

So tonight I had an "ah-ha" moment. You know, the moment when the stars align and everything makes sense again. Let me explain . . . I struggle with keeping my house clean and picked up. No sooner do the toys get picked up in order for me to vacuum or walk through without tripping, that they are dumped out again! It feels like I am always getting after the girls to clean up when you're done or could you please put that away. Well, no longer! I have discovered tonight that I should have been getting after Captain Marbles!

Princess #3 turned him in tonight. After reminding the littlest Princess to please leave toys in the family room tonight (we are hosting Bible study), she informed me that it wasn't her doing the dumping and dropping, but someone else was responsible. It was a relief to know that it was someone else--none other than Capt. Marbles. I knew that there was no way that three girls could make all the messes I continually find. . .

Princess #3 is 3!

My baby's three. THREE. three. And she loved having her birthday all to herself and reveled in "her" day! She tore through her presents not taking time to savor the gift, but instead savoring the delicious sounds of paper ripping and hearing that yes, she could indeed open all of them with no waiting her turn! Once she got through the business of opening, she turned back to see her loot which some of us were furiously "un-twisty-tying" trying to beat the crazy pace she was setting for us. And we lost her to the goodies for the rest of the afternoon.

It's been a ride this past year, especially the past six months with this little girl. But it's been good (in retrospect and great b.c. ifyouknowwhattamean) and it's been good to watch her come into her own a bit more and blossom into a little girl. She has quite the vocab and quite the memory. And quite the strong will at times. But the softest heart and servant's heart once that will has bent. She is the only one of the bunch who after throwing a humungous baby-fit, will then almost immediately afterwards ask for forgiveness. A skill I marvel at and need to cultivate in my own life. So anyway, my dear baby is three and I am looking forward to what this new year in her life brings.

Sassafras

Sass, sass, nothing but sassafras around the castle these days. The "I don't wanna's" are out in full force no matter what the topic. It's frustrating to try and maintain control (I do run a benevolent dictatorship here, you know), when all you hear all day are disparaging remarks. Rest assured, I will think of some torture to get the princess' to toe the line consistently, that's what dictators do. The trick is hiding the fact that it's torture (quite honestly more so for the dictator) and getting the girls to believe that obeying the first time, eating meals, doing school, going potty w/o help, getting along w/eachother, etc. are all things that they want to do!

It's that time of year when everyone gets a little stir-crazy and sick of one other. I just wish that they would clue in that the big people are feeling that way too and give a little break. I really hate being the "bad" guy all day long, the spoiler of fun, the enforcer of school, the one who likes a tiny path to walk through the family room . . .

Anyway, enough complaining. The sun was out enough this afternoon to make a beautiful rainbow, and the oldest princess reminded us that it was God's reminder of a promise made long ago and the youngest proclaimed it a "miracle". And since He always keeps His promises, I can rest in the fact that there is nothing I will go through that is too difficult with Him along for the ride-even slogging through that ever growing Mount Barbie that takes root in my path to the kitchen!

Knitty Photos

Here are some photos of some of the finished projects . . . if you roll your mouse over each picture & give a click, a caption should appear (no money back guarantees though!).

One More Benefit of Homeschooling

Flurries of homeschooling posts here lately. I guess it's due to trying to get back into the routine of things after Christmas, MOPS, and all the New Year hoopla. Today Princess #2 decided that she needed to wear "glasses" aka swim goggles that she found who knows where, not in the swimming lesson bag, of that I am sure! Anyway, if I was sending her to school, I know for a fact that I would have had to deal with (what we fondly call) a baby fit when I would have told her that the goggles needed to stay home. However, since she is homeschooled, I could say sounds fine to me, and when the novelty wore off, I could gloat in my own private victory dance to the tune of "I told you so".

A Little Humor

As most of you know, I'm a homeschoolin' mama. We have our "yay for school days" and our moany groany, I hate learning and always want to be in (insert grade level of choice) grade. And you just have to roll with it.

Today was a moany groany, waily, gnashy of teeth kind of school day with both school-age princess' dishing out quite a bit of sass. I cracked open another can of my preferred carbonated drug of choice and dug in my heels. And school happened. I am the queen, remember?!

However, later on this afternoon while chatting with one of my sisters, Princess #2 announces that she has a joke. So I thought I'd share it . . .

Q: "What school teaches lots of math?"

A: "Homeschool"

Can you guess her favorite subject???

He's Taken

I married the last good one I am convinced. Right now he is on his second of three consecutive nights out shopping for me! Yesterday he decided that he would take each of the girls out individually to shop for mama, so he called Princess #2 and asked her out yesterday. And today he called Princess #1 and asked her out to shop even though, as she has repeatedly reminded him, she already made me something. And tomorrow he'll repeat with Princess #3.



Am I spoiled or what? And he's mine all mine! I think it's time for a "kissing party"! Tee hee!

Obsession

You know you're obsessed with knitting when you tell your kids "as soon as I finish this row, it's time for bed". . .
and they reply with: "How many stitches are in your row?"

More to update with you later. The post-Thanksgiving weeks have been dark for me here at the castle. But I am encouraged by the reminder of why we celebrate Christmas--His birth brought to life a light that changed my life!

A Glossary--Of Sorts

So I have a few new definitions to share with you that you may have been unaware of . . .

Kissing Party: We used to call it "playing cards", my parents called it necking, but Princess #1 coined this phrase over the weekend. As in: "Mom and Dad I'll do the dishes and clear the table so you guys can have a kissing party upstairs with privacy instead of in the family room." Rest assured our kissing parties are pretty tame, and usually include much leg-pulling by the princess' as they clamor to be included in the smoochin'!

Sunset: This is when the sun has to hide and change into it's pajamas because it's night time--thank Princess #3 for that creative one!

154: According to Princess #2, 154 is a lot of something. I personally use the phrase "50 bizillion", but she likes hers. Like when I told her that we weren't getting another cat, and she replied with "when I'm a grown up I'm going to have 154 kittens!" (said with the "so there" kind of tone!!)

Nothing But Knitting

Lest you think I have abandoned my current fav hobby, I post these pictures in proof. Unfortunately, you'll have til wait until after a certain December holiday for a glimpse of ALL the finished projects. I finished all my Christmas knitted gifts up and am on to a fun "Jack Frost" sweater for the youngest Princess. Thankfully she's down with pink even though right now orange would probably be her first pick!

Handwarmers for every princess!!

A dark purple ear-flap hat! She

really really wanted orange yarn, and

continues to mention the "orange hat",

so I will probably be making another

one of these!

A little purse for a sweet friend's b-day!

It's turquoise and cabled w/a black gingham ribbon.

Bless the Fates

So I hate the door to door salespeople that always seem to come right at nap time, school time, mealtime, or any other time that is inconvenient--and then they won't leave unless you're rude and then they have the audacity to be angry and put-out by your rudeness. Backing off the soap-box now.

So, today we're finishing up school and since I had heard the mail-lady a few minutes earlier, I told the girls I was heading out to collect the mail. I open the door just as one of the previously described salesman was about to knock, scaring the pants off of him and jumper off of me! I squawked, not only because of his unexpected presence, but also because at that same moment a huge "Gloria"* spider decided to descend right in front of me. I shut the door and whipped off my shoe and took care of the little pest. Meanwhile, I can hear the big pest gasping and laughing maniacally in my front yard. I opened the door and watched him try to catch his breath. He told me he had never been so scared in his life. (Yes, I have that affect on people--handy huh??) He then left with just handing me a brochure and not the sales pitch!! Hooray!


*Gloria was a pet spider I had from waaaaay back. One of those big black fuzzy ones with the white spots on their back. I kept her alive for a really long time (even caught live flies to sustain her), and then left her jar in the sun while on a trip to McD's and effectively baked her. Horrific then that I was a spider-murderer, horrific now that I actually had a pet spider. How's that for TMI??

What Can I Say?

It's been almost a month since I last blogged and every time I think of something to write about and then find time to write about it, I can't remember what it was. So there you go.



We've actually had an eventful September. We had the wonderful priviledge of seeing our nation's capitol and two of my sisters, and their families. The visit wasn't nearly long enough, but it was amazing and so much fun.



So anyway, here are some pictures from our trip and I will try and get more "with it" and get some real posting done.

A Case of the Blahs

While being the good parent that I am, and trying to sort out yet another fight amongst the princess', I hear this side of the story.

Queen: Okay, tell me why you're upset.

Princess #2 (with voice raised, and vein protruding from her little neck): Because I'm trying to set up my Sweet Streets and this BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH keeps sitting in my spot!!

So that sums it up, a direct quote. All I have to add is I'm glad she left the 5 year old swear words out and just used some "blah blah blahs" instead. I could learn from that.

It Never Fails

You get done with all the vacuuming (at one time!!) and as you are tucking the vacuum away, thinking proudly to yourself "wow, I actually got something done today", you see it. That tiny round, purple piece of guinea pig cage stuffing. The one that got away. ARGH!

Giggles

We have slowly begun school up again, just a few days last week and probably a few this week (if the girls are still alive--something for another day when I find my life humorous again). Most of the beginning of school for Princess #1 is a lot of review, so she's breezing through it.

Anyway, yesterday, she was working through her seatwork and all of a sudden got the giggles. And if you've heard her spontaneous giggle, you know it's very catching. So soon all four of us are laughing without really knowing why. Then she says, "I had to write the word "toot" three times!" Of course, Princess #2 seized the moment to get out her weekly potty-talk requirement as quickly as she could. Even Princess #3 got into the (dare I say fun?) and says, "once I tooted". [Insert gales of laughter from all three girls and the queen's frustration at needing to be responsible and NOT laughing at that little comment.]

And so here is my question for the void-why oh why are the "potty" words so funny to hear and funny to say?

Countertops and Floors . . . Oh My!!

My wonderful husband has been working hard these past couple weekends finishing up the last big bits of the kitchen remodel. Last weekend the long awaited countertops went on and my sink went in permanently! Yay!
Then this weekend, thanks to a fire out near where he works, he got an extra day off and got all the flooring done in the main area of the kitchen and then also through to the dinette. Today he made it up to the pantry. It looks so nice. It is Pergo, snap and lock tile. Wonderful stuff. Oh, and don't forget to check out my pretty new stove in the picture too, it's to the right of Princess #3!

I've Taught Her Well

Tonight, while clearing away more "stuff", so that he can potentially put in the new kitchen floor; my hubby found Princess #1's purse. He peeked inside and then shared the contents with me. All I can say is that she knows what a girl needs.

You need multiple shades and types of lip-gloss, lipstick, and other lip cosmetics. For instance you might need the lip-gloss ring to cover the accessorizing of the naked finger, and any lip care needs you may have when your purse isn't handy. You may also need extra bracelets or necklaces in neutral colors for that last minute outfit-completer. You will need a key ring, so you can get home again. But money . . . with those cute pouty lips and cute jewelry, what Daddy can say no to a stop at DQ?

At Long Last

I have great news! Our countertop laminate has found it's way to our local Home Depot! Hooray! (It has been back-ordered for about 3+ weeks.) For the past week, I have had my sink and d.w. thanks to my husband's resourcefulness. But once the real deal goes in, we'll be able to really settle into the kitchen. So exciting . . .

And now onto the new floor!

Princess #2 Turns 5!!

I'm having a hard time with this little gal getting so old, so fast. But she is thrilled to be 5, which means a friend party, and moving up to a new Sunday School class, and starting Kindergarten.

She had a great day! A wonderful "bride" cake thanks to a little help from some friends with a fully functional kitchen! A wonderful dinner and of course! wonderful presents.

Kitchen Remodel Update

Progress has been made on the kitchen--despite the frustration of waiting for the countertop laminate to make it's way to our local Home Depot. Tim Allen aka my wonderful husband, got the micro-hood installed. It has real fan speeds like lo, that really is lo, medium, and high--it is wonderful and HUGE! I am going to enjoy having it. The new stove is in the garage awaiting it's spot. And thanks to my hubby and dad's hard work Friday, the last of the cabinets have been put in. We have another friend who has been helping out as well. Like for instance he'll offer to come over to help unload the stove, and stay to hang a cabinet. So wonderful.

Enjoy the pictures. I am so excited about how it looks. So much so, that my vision of what it will look like has eclipsed my frustration over not having a sink or d.w. Or maybe it's all the take-out pizza we've had here lately . . .




My beloved micro-hood. :)

A new member HE he heh heh

A post by Princess #1. Enjoy.

A new member started Friday. There it sat very quiet very still with a pill bug
crawling on it. I picked it up brought into the house I told Mom the same story im telling you well not the same Story Now im going to tell you where I
found it RIGHT IN THE GARDEN well of course it had to be in the garden it WAS A GIANT ZUCCHINI. Wow here is a picture of it. I have to go I coud do this all day BYE

Knit Pics!

Here are some pictures of recently completed projects. The pink sweater is for me! It was my first lace garment. It's got 3/4 length sleeves and a cropped waist. It was done quite a while ago, I just needed to block it and sew on the button. So I did that this weekend at long last.

The purple sweater is a Debbie Bliss pattern done up for Princess #2. She chose the pattern and the yarn and it turned out great. It looks really cute on her. I did most of the knitting on this one during our trek out to MN and back. I finished the last stitch just before entering ID. It is long sleeved and cropped looking. The 4 inches of ribbing around it really look great! It closes with a pin (the flower!). Now I'm working on two Christmas gifts. I got frustrated with one after the repeated ripping out of the same 12 rows--ARGH, so I started another project. Here are the pictures:

Remodeling Phase I

Well, just about the minute we got back from MN, the kitchen project began! YEAH!

As most of you know this has been a long time coming. For about 18 months actually. It all started with the dishwasher leaking and then the subsequent removal of the leaky dishwasher only to discover that this leak was no stranger to our house. Then we knew we'd have to replace the pretty pretty Pergo that we installed after we bought this house 6 years ago. Heavy sigh. Then we thought, why don't we just remodel the kitchen's floorplan, upgrade the cabinets, and make the kitchen how we'd like it. And that was 18 months ago.

Phase I has involved the disgusting chore of tearing out rotten sub-floor, replacing that, and taking out old cabinetry and replacing it bit by bit. An hour after work here and there and heavy on the weekend. Thankfully my dad came over this weekend and helped us out or we're pretty sure we'd still have a gaping hole in the center of the kitchen. Enjoy the pictures . . .

Hello Again

Well, we are back, not quite back to normal, but define normal. For those unaware, we made our first cross-country car trip at the end of June and got back earlier this week. Is it possible to feel jet-lag when only crossing two time zones? This is a question I've been pondering. I feel as if I'm walking through mud, and my girls can attest to the crabbiness that has over-taken me.

In all actuality the trips out there and then back home again went really well (thank you God for portable DVD players!!). The princess' all behaved (just a few minor fights &/or irrational screaming) and really seemed to enjoy pausing their movie to see what their crazy parents were pointing out this time. The king and I realized that we are indeed getting older if we can find eastern North Dakota interesting . . .

On our trip back we stopped at De Smet, SD where Laura Ingalls Wilder lived in the "Little Town on the Prairie". For the Laura "fans" out there, we got to walk through the actual "surveyor's house" where Laura and her family stayed their first winter on the prairie. Of course the house was filled with things that "looked just like what Laura, Mary, Ma or Pa might have had". We had to chuckle about that. We got to go into a replica of the Brewster school where Laura taught while Almanzo began to court her. The local historical society recently acquired the original school where Laura and Carrie attended in town, so we got to peek in there and see the renovation being started. They managed to uncover part of the original blackboard, so that was fun to see. And finally we got a really interesting tour of the house that Pa built for Ma after Laura married Almanzo. It was full of original Ingalls/Wilder things and the tour guides gave a lot of the family's history. Like what happened to Mary, Carrie, and Grace, etc.
Princess #1 just soaked up the information like a sponge. It was fun for her to see the books come to life.

Then the second day we stopped at Mt. Rushmore and toured that area. The renovations that they have done since I was there last were very impressive. It was fun to take the trail around the base of the mountain and listen in on a Ranger-given history lesson about the mountain.

And two days later we arrived home. Safe and sound. Grateful to be home again. Thankful for air conditioning and long-lost, much missed toys to play with again.

More to come--the king has started the kitchen renovation (the chorus said "Hallelujah"), so I'll have plenty to blog about!

I'm An Auntie!

My younger sister and her husband welcomed their little daughter just a tad before midnight last night! The baby is healthy and doing really well, and so is my sis. The baby was 8 lbs. 11 oz. so it's a good thing she decided to come 10 days early!

I can't wait to at the very least see a picture of my brand new niece, much less get my hands on her! The latter will have to unfortunately wait a bit.

Thanks for your prayers . . .

Happy (almost) Birthday!

I just got word from my expectant sister that baby is on her way! Hooray!

Please pray with me for a smooth and (dare I pray) quick first delivery for my sis, her husband, and their new little one.

I'll keep you posted . . .

Making Sense of the Noise

Lately, the castle has been so noisy. It's irritating to say the least. By dinner time yesterday, my external noise assimilator had malfunctioned leaving me with a horrible headache and a crabby disposition. I really hate it when I feel as if I have to yell to be heard, and then I'm still not heard, well okay listened to. Finally after being able to get control of the hyper princess' after dinner and holding their attention long enough to communicate my displeasure with their antics, the oldest princess apologized.

Things settled down for bedtime, just in time for the first thunderstorm in a long while to rumble in. Of course, my hubby was off helping a friend so I was solo amidst the irrational tears of Princess #1. Soon Princess #3 picks up on the tears and drama and decides to add her own. I tell them all that it's just the thunder telling us that he's coming to cool us off. That appeases #3, and she loudly shouts "I DON'T LIKE THE RUMBLE BUMBLE!" So now we have a new catch phrase around the house. Thankfully #1 decides to suck it up and be brave, and they are all down for the night. Peace and quiet at last.

So today the noise returns! Happy noise today, not screaming and being obnoxiously hyper like yesterday. The girls' were listening to "Silly Songs" today and the older princess' must have replayed the "Pirates Who Don't Do Anything" song about 100 times. (and you know, I never exaggerate!) Well, the baby princess picked up on one line: "And I never kissed a chipmunk" and sang it, oh about 100 times. Too funny! Then I overheard the older two playing Polly's and saying at the top of their lungs: "No, she has AMMONIA!"

Happy noise I can deal with . . .

Cute Stuff

The girls in all of their various stages, ages, and personalities never cease to amuse me. The latest cute stuff has been:

Princess #1 talking about the "calzones" she is getting from her bike handles.
(calzones=calluses)

Princess #2 telling me that she found my wedding dress in my closet (she has rest time in our room now and has been busy investigating it instead of laying F.O.B.), so out of curiosity, I ask her to show me, knowing full well the wedding dress is not there . . . and she pulls out a long white nighty that I had shoved in the back of my closet behind several winter coats along with other few unmentionables. Then she asks why there is lace there and there, and says, you must have had a slip under that for your wedding day. "Er, um, yes honey you're exactly right!! Now let's go downstairs and I want you to stare into this bright light for a second!"

Princess #3 loves to count, it usually goes like this 1, 2, 4, 5, 2, 7, 8, TWO! Her latest is counting her steps as she goes down the stairs. One (takes the first step) . . . THREE (takes the second step) . . . and then repeats all the way down the stairs!

A Little Pick Me Up

While eating lunch earlier in the week we were talking about ages. Specifically ages of the cats and dogs and then grandparents, etc. Then it turned to how old mommy was. I said I was in my thirties, then not skipping a beat, Princess #2 chimes in with "I'm in my fours". It was stated so matter-of-factly, that I burst out laughing which led to the other princess' copying their sister, and even more laughter.

It was one of those moments where everything was as it should be, laughter, happiness, no fighting . . . just enjoying one another.

Bike Rides and Scream Fests (and not necessarily in that order)

Now that Princess #1 has mastered solo-riding, I got the bright idea that we should institute a daily bike ride, and do it first thing, so that it didn't get swept under the rug with every other good intention that I have.

So yesterday was our first day of trying it out, and of course when Princess #2 discovered that she would have to ride in the bike trailer rather than pedaling, she flipped. So while she was in the house having her fit and carrying on about the "stupid bike ride" and "stupid exercise", I was trying to hitch up the trailer to my bike. During the hitching process, Princess #3 was deceptively calm and excited about the trek. I should have known better than to get my hopes up when Princess #2 recovered from her tirade (after being told she could bring along the entire box of "Littlest Pet Shop" toys to entertain herself), and Princess #3 happily climbed in and let me buckle her. The happiness ended there. She didn't want to be buckled, she didn't want to share the "LPS" toys with her sister, she didn't want to go in the trailer anymore. AWWW!!

After violently opening the trailer opening and fixing the offensive buckle, I almost gave into the screaming and quit. Then I remembered that swimsuit weather is on the horizon and closed the trailer screen, called for Princess #1 and we took off. The ENTIRE trip, Princess #3 yelled and screamed "MOMMY-NO! NO-NO MOMMY! MOMMY STOP!", you get the picture, and it's not pretty. I am pretty sure that if people weren't already up and had a window cracked to let in the fresh morning air, they were rudely awoken. Or if they were enjoying a nice cup of coffee on their patio, their peace was interrupted by my daughter. But, hey, I got my exercise in, and today not a single fuss out of anyone. In fact, as I huffed and puffed into the driveway, Princess #2 asks for another swing around the block and Princess #3 says "yeah!". Go figure.

The Score: Queen: 2 Princess': 0

Princess #1 Turns 7!!

It's been a busy couple of weeks. Princess #1 celebrated her birthday May 4th. She has mastered riding her bike solo (with a minimum of wipe outs) and her second top front tooth is coming in (finally). It's fun to see what she's going to look like with both big "Bucky Beaver" teeth. She is enjoying being 7!

Say A Prayer

Well, if you think of me today, say a prayer! For once we're all healthy, so it's not a health related crisis. Today is the day we are rotating beds, rooms, and all of that. So Princess #1 will have her own room, Princess #2 is headed for the top bunk, and Princess #3 is out of the crib and into the bottom bunk. AND I AM SCARED! Freaked out is more like it!!

We took a trip over the mountains this past weekend and got the loft bed for Princess #1 and Daddy set it up last night, the mattress will be delivered at 11:30-ish (she is really into saying "ish" for some reason) today, so we have no more excuses, save my sanity, which is obviously going to be shot.

I am hoping that the anticipation of camping out upstairs for bedtime and rest-time for the weeks to come is exaggerated and that all goes smoothly. But I think that for now I will settle on the darker side of things and be really happy when everything lightens up.

P.S. Did I mention that Princess #3 is moving out of the crib??? How did this happen??

Easter Photos

I know, I know, it's way past Easter, but hey, we spent the week after Easter dealing with pink eye and a double ear infection in Princess #3. However good news on the health front, we have reached our family deductible for health care (please don't ask how much, it's that depressing), so I am sure that from here on out everyone will be healthy. . . at least until the new calendar year starts up!

I managed to get all the dresses made up in time to flirt with the crazy notion that I might be able squeak in a dress for myself. Thankfully all I did was flirt!

Here are the princess' in all their Easter finery:

Meet Dotty Harold . . . and Cookie Monster

Easter weekend was an eventful one as far as new pets for our family and extended family!
Princess #1 and #2 split the cost of a guinea pig (a bargain at only $5!!) and purchased "Dotty Harold". So here she is . . .


And during the Easter egg hunt at Nanny and Papa's we got to see up close and personal a brand new baby calf. Princess #3 got the honor of naming the new baby, and she chose "Cookie Monster"! So here she or he is . . .

I couldn't believe how friendly the little he or she was! It nuzzled the girls as they petted it. Then mama cow "Wilma" had enough and told it to get up and get going.

My Sanity

Here are some pictures of what keeps me sane! The latest knitting projects that I have completed. I finished the teeny tiny felted tote yesterday and it is teeny tiny, even more like eensey weensey. . .
**I updated the photos of the tiny tote to show it's size in relation to my cell phone. Thanks for the idea Laughter Thoughts !










And the little teddy bear (he's about 7" tall) and the mary jane slippers:

Sick of Sick

Let me re-cap the past week for you all. A week ago Sunday we were "ushered" (really ushered, by the head usher!) out of church to rescue our eldest, who had thrown up during Sunday School (thankfully she made it to the bathroom in time). Then I got her stomach bug the next day. Princess #2 started in with a runny nose a day or so later and passed that on to me as well. Saturday she woke up with pink eye. Sunday the youngest and oldest princess' are coughing. Which brings us to today, all four of us blowing noses, coughing and cranky! I am so sick of being and dealing with sick of any kind!!! Thankfully the weather reflects my mood and health (dark and drippy), so I am not feeling frustrated being stuck in the house as well.

Enough of that . . .

On another note, Murphy's Law of sewing has struck again! As I am working on Princess #1's Easter dress yesterday feeling all smug as the first cap sleeve pops perfectly into her dress, wouldn't you know that the second one would not go in for anything. Being swept up with euphoria over the first attempt on the first sleeve being perfect, I neglected to lower my expectations for the second sleeve and Murphy struck. There is one pleat that I cannot get out. I have ripped and resewed twice and then spot-ripped and resewed to no avail and I decided that the sleeve could win this round! Her dress is made from a vintage 1950's pattern and is very cute. I am eager to finish it.

I got Princess #3's dress cut out today and it looks to be a fairly simple pattern. No extra gathering or fussing thank you Lord! It is a duro-style dress and I am excited to get it going. I have purchased three duro-style patterns for myself, I just need motivation to get them sewed up!

However, it's hard to be motivated to sew when the knitting has been going so well. After completing a couple of sweaters, I decided to do some smaller projects and it has been a lot of fun. I've made up some adorable mary jane baby slippers and a teddy bear and am now just about to felt for my first time. I made a little stripey bag to try felting. I'll post some pictures when I get it completed.

So despite the illnesses, I am surviving. Of course with all this sewing and knitting, I mean illness, housework has become non-existent . . . I guess it's the price you pay!

One of the BEST sounds . . .

. . . is hearing your daughter laughing out loud while reading a book to herself!! I am in the kitchen, Princess #1 is in the office having rest time and I can hear her infectious laugh from here. It definitely must be a good book!

Yeah for Baby Legs!!

Well, I bought some baby legs a week or so ago. Basically they are just leg warmers that fit a baby's legs from ankle to chubby thigh. (The packaging states they fit size 0-10 years.) I must say that they are wonderful for potty training. We have thrown out the pull-ups with the exception of nap and bedtime and are just using "big girl panties" with Princess #3. Of course some days are better than others as far as accidents, but I've noticed that if she's in pants, she tends to have more accidents. So when we're home it's baby legs with a skirt and she's doing great.

This morning has been one of our best days in real panties and I have needed a good one here lately as far as potty training is concerned.

My Day

So here is a run down of my day:

1.) No school done.

2.) Swim lessons.

3.) Successful trip to Home Depot.

4.) Lunch and still no school done.
(Some AWANA done after much cajoling by queen and carrying on by the princess')

5.) Rest time--yay all kids down and younger girls' napping-safe to assume Princess #2 will not be cavorting upstairs and brushing her teeth in bed today!

6.) Hear youngest princess at same time I realize that the last 4 rows of knitting (over 600 stitches) will have to be taken out because of a mistake! ARGH!!!

7.) Get princess' settled into afternoon TV time and call soccer director. Finally get through to soccer director (after 3 days of trying) and find out that Princess #1's coach is no longer coaching as of today!!

8.) Yummy dinner--taco soup and cornbread. Still no school done. Princess #1 will be doing a double load tomorrow-lucky me!

9.) AWANA carpool comes for older two princess' while I am discovering that I washed a large load of unmentionables and dried them, only to then notice that the load cycle had been set on "mini" (amount of water) with full strength laundry soap. . . hmm, wonder if they will be itchy, and decide to chance it.

10.) Decide to sit down and blog before I fold the questionable laundry.

Hope your day was a good one!