Ellie's Birthday Party

Ellie turned 9 on May 30th so we had a party for her a couple weekends ago.  She's such a little doll and enjoyed being the center of attention.  She read each of her cards out loud for us and took her time opening all her gifts.  Not an extrovert at all!

Her beautiful cake!  Thanks to Amanda for creating the star and to Carter for putting almost an entire bottle of sprinkles on the cake.  While I contemplated trying to decorate a cake, I decided I'd rather squeak in Zumba with my favorite instructor literally right before the party.  I don't think Ellie minded the store bought frosting though.  She just wanted the piece with the star.

Hannah's love of babies is not exclusive to Elizabeth.  She enjoyed taking Isabella's pacifer and then giving it back to her.  She's so helpful!

Then she decided it was time for a full on love fest!  While Elizabeth is used to a little roughing from Olivia, I don't think Isabella liked it as much!

After everyone left, Hannah crashed.  Attacking babies is hard work!

Following naps and rest time for the older 3, we decided to fill up the pool since it was a hot afternoon.  I didn't put Hannah's suit on her as I wasn't sure if she'd want to swim.  She did and she dove in with all her clothes and diaper on!  So we decided to just let her skinny dip for the afternoon since she was already wet.

I still can't believe my little 5 pound, 7 ounce baby girl is already 9 years old!  I don't have an exact weight yet as I still need to get her in for her check-up, but I would guess she's somewhere between 50-55 pounds now.  Still such a peanut!  Happy Birthday my sweet Ellie Mae!  I can't believe you are going to be in 4th grade already!

Letter from an Honest Toddler

A fellow mom in my mothers of multiples group posted this to our forums today.  It was too funny not to share.  Especially because I have totally done the towel things before!  Enjoy a good laugh!

Look mom. I can tell from the way you haven't looked me in the eye since fetching me from my crib well before dawn that you're upset about last night. Waking up every 45 minutes to 1.5 hours isn't easy for me either.

In my defense, my blanket really did keep coming off, I was thirsty, and…I can't remember the other reasons, but I'm sure they were equally valid.

There was at least one nightmare. I was in a strange house. I knew it wasn't ours because the dishes were washed and your hair wasn't everywhere.

I do want to thank you for bringing back the 3AM milk that you worked so hard to get me off of. It was delicious and instrumental in helping me wake up soaked in urine at around 4. Can't wait to have it again forever.

You seem tired and short tempered this morning which is why I felt more comfortable writing this than having a face-to-face. Can I get you anything? A cup of coffee? While you're up please bring me a sippy cup of juice and some unbroken crackers. Oh that's right. We don't have crackers… I recall you saying that around 1:15. That's OK. Why keep the house stocked with my favorite foods? I'm sure we have two kinds of wine though. But that's fine.

Anyway I wanted to thank you for changing my pajamas and throwing that towel down on my pee pee sheets. I noticed you didn't open your eyes once (weird). It's also OK that you didn't actually change my sheets. I find the faint smell of ammonia comforting. Love means doing things halfway.

I mean, I know another mother or a grandma might have removed the soiled sheets and replaced them with freshly laundered ones but you just do you.

There is something I did want to discuss now that I have your attention. It's none of my business what goes on between you and father after I go to bed but if you could just throw on a robe before coming into my room, that'd be awesome. I think you should definitely rock what you've got but angry nude lumbering zombie isn't your best look. I want to be honest.

This seems like as good a time as any to bring up the possibility of reintroducing cosleeping. I can't promise I won't judo kick you to the face like I used to but at least one of us will get a good night's sleep and isn't that what matters?

Anyway. I hope this note brings you some comfort. You really do look awful. Maybe you'd feel better if you made us some breakfast?

love and hugs,

your HT

May Wrap-Up

It feels like summer around here so we've been busy having fun outside and kickstarting all our warm weather activities.  Here's how we wrapped up the month of May:

One of my classes was going to Antler's Park for a field trip and the teachers I work with said I could bring the twins with since they were the same age as the class.  They had lots of fun helping me set up the treasure hunt and watching the kids try to find our hiding spots.  After class ended, I let them go to the water to wade around.  As you can see, Carter couldn't help himself and jumped into the water with his clothes on!

Later that week, there was a vehicle fair and end of year picnic for ECFE.  I took the younger three to check out a school bus, fire trucks, police and state trooper cars, an ambulance, and a bunch of other vehicles.  Carter was fascinated!  Ava was focused on getting through each vehicle so we could sit down and eat our lunch!

The only time I better see or hear of Carter in the back of a police car!

After checking out the vehicles and eating our lunch, we had to spend a little time at the park playing before we came home for Hannah's nap.  Hannah enjoyed a little sand for dessert.

With the warm weather, we enjoyed some ice cream cones one evening.  Hannah and I were to share since this was her first cone.  I was fortunate enough to get to eat the very bottom part of the cone.  She ate the rest!

Batman made a visit to our neighborhood one afternoon to make sure there was no crime to stop.

Rapunzel also made a visit and spent some time watering flowers.

We've also had popsicles on hand as a cool afternoon treat.  Hannah loves popsicles too!

One morning, Ellie forgot to put her waffle plate on the counter after she was done with breakfast.  Hannah got ahold of it and licked the leftover syrup off the plate.  What she wasn't able to lick, she decided to try absorbing into her skin.

Memorial Day weekend, we went over to Papa's to grill out and play on the slip and slide.  Papa has the perfect little hill for the slip and slide and the kids have a blast playing on it.  So much fun, in fact, that this is at least the second slip and slide they've gone through and a new one will be needed for next time!  We like to love our toys to ruin!

Today is Ellie's last day of school and then the real summer fun can begin!  (and she'll actually be in pictures since she won't be in school while we do fun things!)