"I couldn't find cucumbers."

 "She's in a spa treatment.  I used apples on her eyes because I couldn't find cucumbers."

Teamwork

 On Saturday afternoon, Lee Lee and Howard worked a really long time together to build the tallest tower possible out of magnatiles... I'd say they did a great job.

What You Don't See

Here is a picture taken on my phone on Saturday:

Lee Lee next to a tower of magnatiles.

What you do not see is that Lee Lee built this tower and wanted to show it to me.  But I had JUST started a 45 minute workout, so I was not available to come over and see it... and we live in a home with five siblings any one of whom could accidentally (or intentionally) ruin her town at any moment.

So, I suggested that Howard take a picture of Lee Lee and her tower on my phone.

Is it just me, or does Lee Lee look incredibly uncertain about both Howard's abilities as a photographer and Howard's motives at standing this close to her tower?

Also, that is the dress Lee Lee wore back-to-back days for the entire weekend -- I am having to wash it every night, and it is already laid out for her to wear again tomorrow.

1000 Words

 1000 Words

Springtime

 When my children think back on springtimes and their childhood, I hope then have fond memories of playing outside with their siblings, blowing bubbles, and climbing in playhouses.

These Girls

 They were bickering right up until they both fell asleep like this... and then they picked up bickering the moment they both work up!

... Oh these girls.

Howdy

 Howard came upstairs a few days ago dressed like this adn he smiled and said, "Howdy, Mama!"

Then, he promptly gave one hat to his little sister, and then both gave me a, "Howdy, Mama!"

1000 Words

 1000 Words

Helpful

It is no secret that having five kids age six and under is a lot of work... but sometimes the way they help each other out makes it a lot easier on me.

Like yesterday, for example, when Lee Lee was having trouble riding her "big girl bike" which is a tricycle that requires actual pedaling.  She was having trouble moving her feet and steering the tricycle at the same time and I was having trouble helping her move and steer and hold the dog's leash, and push Hunter's stroller.

But, big sister Caroline was so excited to help Lee Lee ride her tricycle that she walked along side Lee Lee, pushing and steering her the entire way around the circle (which is 1/5 of a mile... so it's not a short walk).  She did so well helping Lee Lee get the hang of it, that Lee Lee pedaled the second lap almost entirely by herself... certainly she had stretches of doing it by herself.

I am so grateful for these children and for the loving relationships they are building with each other that I pray will last a lifetime.

Glimpse Into The Future

The other day the kids were playing really well and I had the privilege of just sitting back and watching.

During the very elaborate game where Tracey organized a full family trip to Disney World complete with Howard driving an airplane, while she and the babies came in a ship, and a very organized hotel room, I had a glimpse into the future.

Here, Lee Lee was playing in the kitchen (the hotel kitchen) and Caroline came over holding a baby.

I felt like I was looking into the future... Adult Caroline had just had a baby and little sister, Lee Lee has come over to help out as Caroline adjusts to life as a new Mama.  And as Lee Lee is helping out in Caroline's kitchen, Caroline comes over with the new baby to make sure Lee Lee knows how things are organized in her kitchen, and how she wants her meals prepared...

Making A Train

When you are determined to make a train one way or another...

Little Sister

I call this series, "Little Sister"

 

Anything You Can Do...

Pretty much anything her siblings can do, she wants to do as well...

 

Going Places

No doubt about it...

this girl is going places...

1000 Words

1000 Words

 

Flower Girls

Yesterday I came out of the kids' school from a meeting with the teacher to find that Tracey and Lee Lee had become "flower girls."  That was how Tracey described the two of them... and then she struck a muscle-flexing pose and said, "Flower Girls!"

 I love these two!

 

Hairstyle To Match

Addallee usually awakens very happy.  On mornings when she gets to sleep in, she's usually very happy, but even mornings when we have to wake her up, she's rarely grumpy.

Yesterday morning, however, she woke up on the wrong side of the bed, and what was so funny was that she had the hairstyle to match.

 

Big Sis Little Sis

Every week at dance class, the last ten minutes or so are devoted to "free dance."  The teacher passes out pom-poms or ribbons and the kids get to dance around to fun music while some colorful lights flash.  It is also the time when little siblings get to participate after having to sit still and watch their older siblings for the entire dance class.

Lee Lee usually prances around with her pom-pom, twirling or stomping, or running.  The twins usually dance in a circle with their classmates, pulling on each other or falling down together.  Tracey either does her own style of free dance in her own world, or she participates in the group circle.

Last class, though, Tracey decided to dance with Lee Lee and it was the cutest thing.  I had no idea there was such a height difference between them... That's a lot of growing in four-ish years.

I love that Tracey and Lee have such a special Big Sis, Little Sis relationship.

 

Say Cheese

Tracey was so excited the other day because she told Lee Lee to say cheese... and she did and Tracey captured it in a picture.

 

Lee Lee Love

This was adorable to watch and it went on for about 10 minutes...