Sunday, February 27, 2011

Lily Bean Turns Five

On this day five years ago, the Lord blessed us with our sweet Lily Bean.  She woke up on her birthday ready to be five.  It wasn’t long before the phone began ringing.  Her first call of the day of course came from her BFF, Margaret Anne.
DSC_0003-3DSC_0011-3  After church we got busy preparing for Lily’s party.  One of her favorite days at school is pajama day and she was elated at the mention of having a pajama party.  So above you see Daddy cooking pancakes and sausage for 16 preschoolers. DSC_0014-3DSC_0015-1   We decorated with paper teddy bears, stars and moons.DSC_0019-1    Lily insisted on wearing her favorite polar bear PJ’s which are two sizes too big.  What the birthday girl wants, the birthday girl gets!DSC_0021DSC_0031-1   As our friends showed up, they searched around the room for a teddy bear with their name on it, then decorated their bear.DSC_0034DSC_0036-1DSC_0044-1  Next we were off for a scavenger hunt!.  The kiddos each picked a clue to where their goodie bags were hidden.   They had a blast running through the house chasing after each clue.DSC_0048 This is where Lily keeps the PJ’s that she wears.
As you can see, her favorites are the ones with polar bears.   DSC_0054 This is where Lily and her daddy like to grow plants.                                      Be careful on the way not to get dirt on your pants.DSC_0056DSC_0059 This keeps Lily’s mommy and daddy cool.                                                        Ask an adult to help, they may need a stool.DSC_0066   Once all the goodies were found, we settled into a yummy meal of pancakes, sausage and fruit.  It is amazing to me how much breakfast food children will eat.  It’s a good thing Daddy made that extra batch of pancakes.DSC_0070
DSC_0010-5Time for cake.  DSC_0079DSC_0080DSC_0089DSC_0091  We couldn’t have pulled off this party without the help of Gabby and Maggie.  It seems like just yesterday we were celebrating their 5th birthdays.DSC_0095   We did something super cute this year for opening presents.  (I found this idea online – how did anyone ever plan birthday parties without the internet?)  Lily sat in a big chair and the children lined up in front of her.  She then drew a name out of a bag and that child came up and sat with her while she opened his or her present.  This kept the chaos to a minimum and both Lily and the gift-giver loved it.
DSC_0099DSC_0103DSC_0106DSC_0110DSC_0115DSC_0120DSC_0124DSC_0130DSC_0133DSC_0134   Then it was up to the playroom with glow sticks.   A few games of duck, duck, goose and everyone headed home.DSC_0136DSC_0142   Lily Bean, you are a blessed little girl with so many special friends in your life. 
Happy 5th Birthday, Bean

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Puzzle Girl

This afternoon Sarah Ellen was begging us to help her with her favorite “Jesus puzzle.”  (It is really a puzzle of Joseph).  I was cooking and Lily and Porter were busy cleaning.  Yes, cleaning.  They asked for wet rags and wiped down every surface of the downstairs.  I love this game.  So I told Buggy we would help her after dinner.  Ten minutes later I walked through the den and saw that she had put together a third of the puzzle.  I thought Lily and Porter had helped her, but they were still cleaning away.  It took a little while longer, but sure enough little Bug finished this 24 piece puzzle all by herself at 32 months. 

She was very excited of this accomplishment.  So was her mamma.

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Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Cuddle bugs

While the girls watch TV, they often snuggle and Sarah Ellen likes to sit in Lily’s lap.  This is how I found them today.  Sarah Ellen was literally watching peeking through her polka dotz bankie. 

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Monday, February 21, 2011

Spring is in the Air

Mother Nature gave us a much needed reprieve from the frigid winter weather in the form of a perfect sunny 75 degree Saturday.  We took advantage of the day playing outside soaking up as much vitamin D as we could.
We began our morning at the playground at James Island County Park.  We then ventured over to the fishing dock to watch the crabbies and throw rocks in the river.   Good thing nobody was fishing.
We spent our afternoon outside riding bikes, making dirt cakes and playing at the park. 
DSC_0002-1DSC_0004-3DSC_0009-2   Daddy had plenty of help adjusting the training wheels.DSC_0010-3DSC_0019DSC_0027DSC_0033DSC_0038DSC_0041DSC_0044
Thank you Mother Nature.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Sarah Ellen Update

I started this update months ago and never finished it to post.  Better late than never, right?
Oh Miss Sarah Ellen, you are quite the character. 
Your antics are mostly cute and endearing, but at times can also be exhausting.  Yes dear, I’m recording the good and the bad.  You insist on yelling about EVERYTHING.   Hence the nickname Sarah Yellin is still very appropriate.  If you want more milk, you yell, “MORE MILKY.”  We are working on using your words and your manners, but it is slow to come.  You also have mastered the art of the temper tantrum.  Sometimes you refuse to say please or use words and just continue to yell louder and louder and louder.  We calmly (most of the time) tell you not to yell and take you to time out.  Amazingly, this usually works.  However, you are wise beyond your years.  The other day I put you in the time out chair downstairs and told you not to get out of the chair until I came to get you.  We soon heard the chair scraping across the floor.  You proceeded to scoot the chair all the way into the kitchen where we were.  I have to give you credit, though, you did follow the directions given to you.  I suppose time-out will have to be in your room from now on. 
DSC_0007-1  Sarah Ellen’s mine face
I am afraid you have inherited one of my not so pleasant traits: you hate waking up.  You almost never wake up happy.  You don’t want to be looked at, talked to or touched in any way.  You sometimes want to snuggle, but it has to be on your own terms. 
DSC_0008-1  Sarah Ellen’s mad face
Speaking of sleeping, you don’t like to – at nap time anyway.  Yes, nap time in no more around here, even though that is what I still call it.  You do seem to enjoy some down time in your room.  Most of the time you sit and read books.  I did learn the hard way, though, the necessity of toddler proofing your room.  One day you found a marker meant for your growth chart (permanent, I might add) and proceeded to decorate your door, walls and new furniture.  Another day, you found some diaper cream and had fun smearing it all over your new dresser.  “Look Mommy, I finger painting.”
DSC_0003-2   Sarah Ellen’s  sad face
You continue to adore your sister although you do get a kick out of aggravating her. You have frequently visited the time out chair for destroying things that Lily is working on.  
DSC_0005-1  Sarah Ellen’s surprised face
You really don’t listen to a thing we say.  “Sarah Ellen, do not touch that.  You will go to time out if you touch that.”  You look right at us and defiantly stick your finger on what ever item we are insisting you don’t touch.  Oh child, what are we to do with you? 
DSC_0013-2   Sarah Ellen’s inside joke face
Your face is full of expression.  Mad, sad and “I just made a joke” are cute and predictable, but it’s the unexpected faces that continue to amuse us. 
DSC_0012-1   Sarah Ellen’s “oh Mom” face in 10 years
Your language skills have completely exploded.  You went from one word expressions to full, complicated sentences in no time.  My favorite is that you say “wipe” instead of “white.”  “I want wipe ice cream.”  “Where is Snow Wipe?”
DSC_0001-1  Sarah Ellen’s stinking cute face
It is a good thing you are cute.  I can take one look at that single little dimple and eat you up.  Although your free spirit can be challenging at times, I wouldn’t change it for the world.  It will take you far in life.  I have no doubt you will do amazing things in this world one day.  Mommy and Daddy love you, little Buggy.