Eight Years Old

Today was Ellie's 8th birthday. I still can't believe she is eight years old already! It seems like just yesterday she was a 5 lb 7 oz little bundle of pink joy. Now she's a 50 pound, 50 inch bundle of tweeny-bopper!

We celebrated her birthday with a special trip to Nickelodeon Universe at the Mall of America. Kids can ride free on their birthdays so she got a ride wristband for no cost. Instead of a friend party this year, we agreed that she could bring her BFF (her words, not mine!) Tori along so that she'd have someone special to enjoy it all with her.

This was her first experience with rides and it was so fun to watch her while on the rides! My favorite was the ride that goes straight-up and then drops down fast. I had no problem figuring out which scream was Ellie's! And her face after a drop was priceless! Of course, fantastic mother that I am, I forgot the camera at home.

We followed up the rides with lunch at Panda Express in the mall. Ellie loves Chinese. Before heading for home, we had to stop at Justice, the "it" store for all things tween. Yes, this store specifically caters to girls ages 7-14, also known as tweens. The store was having a 40% off everything sale, so Ellie was able to pick out her presents from us and I didn't have to break her heart and put the kibosh on all her selections. She settled on a tank top, shorts, and flip flops.

We had a special dinner for her birthday. Baked potatoes, corn, and hot dogs. Ellie is a meat-fanatic and we were going to make ribs, which is one of her favorites. Unfortunately, someone (and by someone, I mean me. I accept full blame for this mistake.) placed the ribs in the freezer yesterday and never took them out to thaw. When Jake went to put them on the grill at 6:30, he discovered they were rock-hard. So Ellie gets ribs tomorrow and we quick grilled up some hot dogs for tonight. She grudgingly ate her hot dog tonight! We'll do her cake and family party in a couple weeks when Holly and Joel are here to visit.

I still can't believe little Ellie is 8 years old! I don't even want to start thinking about the fact that in just two weeks, she'll officially be a third grader! How did my little peanut grow up so fast?! The only consolation I have is that at the rate she grows, she'll finally outgrow the booster seat at 15. I can pretend she's a little girl for a few more years at least!

Happy Birthday Ellie Mae! We love you to pieces!

The Last 3 Months

Lest you think we've been sitting around twiddling our thumbs here, much has gone on in this household since the end of February.

You'll recall my post in Decemeber of last year when I repainted our room. When my parents came in February, my dad finished taping the wall we'd finished between the bedrooms and repaired the work in the twins' room. I said it would be the end of March before I got the rooms painted and put back but I got motivated and got both sides of the wall painted in a week. Now both our bedroom and the twins' are completely finished.

I found a headboard for our bed on Craigslist for $60. I found new artwork in the clearance section of JoAnn Fabrics. Using some fabric remnants I'd bought, I made two new covers for the throw pillows on our bed. I was going to make a third but the remnant wasn't large enough.
Here's the finished wall. Much better than the bare white drywall and orangey wall color from before!

I created the pieces above Hannah's crib as well. An "H" canvas to complement the twins' (Ellie has one now too since she couldn't be left out!) and two little wood plaques I bought at Michael's and painted myself.

Creative juices flowing, I've also found the time to create this,

which is an idea I totally ripped off of this. I wasn't about to pay $56 for this so I made myself one for less than $10 in total costs of canvas and paints.

Here's the twins room now that it is completely finished.

Not to be left out, Ava and Carter have been feeling creative as well. I framed two chunks of their paintings and hung them in their room.

So that was March, along with 2 days spent at the multiples group's sale selling over $600 of kids' stuff we don't use anymore.

April brought our trips to Georgia and Arizona along with the end of Ellie's Faith Enrichment Program and the start of her track season.

May has kept us busy with a first communiona baptism,

and the end of track season where Ellie learned the shot put,

the long jump,

and running hurdles and short distance races.

As if that's not enough, Jake started his softball league that will run until mid-July, the twins are taking a sports sampler class at the gym on Thursday mornings, and I wrapped up my time serving on the board of MVMOM. While I'll be a little sad to no longer see these ladies the first two Tuesdays of every month, I'm so excited to have my evenings back!

Since mid-April, the 5 family members with teeth (including Ellie, who does still have some teeth in between all the gaps) have all been to the dentist as well. I took the twins myself last week but that is a story for another day. Let's just say that next time I'll consider bringing either of my friends, Mr. Miller Lite or Mr. Jack Daniels! We've been very busy, especially adding in the baby who is only happy when she is being held.

This week, there is nothing on the calendar except for Jake's softball games and the last sports sampler class for the twins. It is a much needed break from all we've had going on. Unfortunately, me and down time don't mix so I've got about 4 projects in the works right now. More on those when I actually get them all finished. I think I might have project ADD as I start a project and then start another one before the first one is done.

Anyway, in case you think we've been slacking on the posting lately (Dad- I know you have although you thankfully haven't said anything yet!), that's why I've been behind. I will work on getting better. Right after I get all my projects under control, that is.....

Head over Heels

It never ceases to amaze me.....

that I can love someone this little so very much.
These monkeys,
it makes sense.

They've been around long enough for me to fall head over heels for them.

But this little one? She's only been here for 3.5 short months.

Yet she's got me wrapped around all her little fingers.

Literally.

Her fingers are usually entangled in my hair.

And she giggles.

She enjoys being wrapped up in me.

And I enjoy being wrapped up in her.

Except when she pulls.

That I could do without.

She's such a sweet little baby and I love her more and more every day!

Hannah's Baptism

Hannah Jade was baptized on May 15th. She wore the dress that my grandma made roughly 56 years ago for her oldest, who happens to be my godmother. My mom, along with all 7 of her siblings, wore the dress. I also wore the dress. Ellie, Ava, and now Hannah have worn the dress as well.

Amanda and Tony are Hannah's godparents.
4 Generation picture
Mommy Alissa, Baby Hannah, Great-Grandma Mary, Grammy Sara

With Great-Grandma Mary, who made the dress. I used the dress 3.5 years ago and *forgot* to give it back to Grandma. Conveniently, I needed the dress again this past weekend. Grandma was surprised to see Hannah in it since she wasn't sure where the dress was! Let's hope she forgets who has it again! This dress is being worn by all my girl descendents whether my children like it or not! This is one area I'm already preparing to be forceful on in 30 years!

How cool is this picture with the light shining down on her?!

Getting anointed with the oil

Hannah prefers the football hold and didn't care that we were in church and at her baptism. Football hold or baby crying, those were our only choices!

With Father Wilson

He gave Hannah the best hair award afterwards. Everyone loves her au natural hairdo!

The cake I made! Wasn't impressed enough with the cupcake cake from Target for E's party the week before so decided to make this one myself. My mom showed me how to use the decorating tools and I went at it. Now I might have to start putting some effort into birthday cakes instead of slapping frosting on and sticking their favorite figures into the cake!

Hannah had a wonderful day and we thank everyone who came for joining us. We only wish that all of our family could be present. We know that Grampy Tim, Uncle Alex, and Aunt Holly, Uncle Joel, and Olivia were all there in spirit.

A conversation with Ava: I asked her what was going to happen to Hannah. She said that Hannah was going to get water on her head and then become a part of God's family. After a pause, she asked me if we'd get a new baby. I said no, that we already have Hannah. She repeated that again later and I figured out that Ava thinks that now that Hannah is a part of God's family, she is no longer in ours! I tried explaining that to Ava that she is also in God's family but she's too concerned that Hannah will now be leaving us to join another family and that we'll need to find a new baby! Silly girl!

Ellie's 1st Communion

Ellie had her first communion this past Saturday. There were 37 kids in her group but the church had about 200 children signed up for their first communion. Thankfully, the church had 4 different services for the 1st communion so we didn't have to go to one really long and crowded Mass!

Here's the group that she was in. She knew one boy from her school in the group. That goes to show just how big our church is! This picture was taken at her Thursday dress rehearsal. The church requested that all children show up in their clothing so that the professional pictures could be done that night. The girls were not required to wear special white dresses and could wear anything springy. Being economical, I found a white spring dress for Ellie that would work for 1st communion but can still be worn for other events. I'm glad I found something white since all the other girls in her group had fancy white dresses! Most had the veil too, but not being Catholic myself, I feel that is a little overkill. She still looked adorable in my eyes and I didn't spend a ridiculous amount of money for a one-hour event.

Here she is in the processional Saturday. She was so nervous!

The bread went down fine but she made the funniest face when tasting the wine!

With Great-grandma Mary

The stained glass window appears to not have been the best location for photos.

Anyway, she had a great day and the Mass was followed by a small party at our house. Ellie got lots of nice gifts and money, which she is really excited about since she would like another American Girl doll and I told her she needs to save up her own money to buy all or most of the doll. She's halfway there after Saturday and her birthday is the end of the month so she's hopeful to have enough in just a few weeks. I haven't yet broken the news that some of her money needs to go in her savings account. I don't imagine it will go over well!

Being a sacrament happy family, we have Hannah's baptism this weekend. I begged and pleaded but with 200 children receiving 1st communion the first two weekends in May, the regular Mass schedule, confirmations, and everything else that the priests have going on, the church was unwilling to squeeze Hannah's baptism in the same weekend as Ellie's 1st communion. So we scheduled as close together as we could so we can have one big celebration for both.

The church office informed me when I was dropping off information for both events that with the age spread, it is likely that Ellie will have confirmation the same year Hannah has her first communion. Guess we'll always have to do double parties, especially since the other two are twins and will go through everything at the same time! I'm still trying to decide if this is one more twist in my wild-and-crazy life or a helpful situation. Only time will tell!

Mother's Day Tea

The twins' school put on a Mother's Day Tea with a program of songs that the kids sang and then treats and lemonade afterwards. My children were about as successful with this event as they were with the Christmas program.

When I first got there, they were lining up nicely and playing together while they waited for the singing to begin.
The minute the singing started, the two froze like deer in headlights. Ava's eyes found mine and she started to cry. Her teacher pulled her out of the group and brought her to me. Being up there without his best friend made Carter start to cry as well. So they both sat next to me while all the other kids sang songs about their moms.

As soon as the program was over, all was well again. Both Ava and Carter were all smiles and ready for treats.

Two cookies and countless glasses of lemonade later, they finally agreed to pose for me in front of the handprint banner.

Following the program, we went to Target to get groceries. The twins proceeded to serenade me throughout the entire store with all the songs from the program. Wrong time, wrong place, right mama. It made me happy to still get to hear the songs and I believe all the other patrons in Target enjoyed the serenade as well. They don't mind an audience as long as they aren't staring right at them!