Why we Like Girls Around Here

I thought this was funny. Girls are so different than boys. They love to dress up and will put on these clothes by themselves. I remember Jack and how helpless he was when it came to dressing himself when he was their ages. Kate loves the dress up shoes. Elizabeth loves the skirts. Anna loves the accessories, especially the purses. While playing with the clothes, they all decided they needed their white canvas bag. Anna calls hers a purse and puts anything for her baby doll in it, i.e. bottles, diapers, doll clothes, etc. Kate wants to wear hers like a back pack. She put her shoes in it and any treasures of hers, i.e. lately the silly bands she calls, "my bracelets." Elizabeth filled hers with a variety of toys, balls, play food, you name it, it was in there and she had so much stuff, she had to find another bag. As I watched them, I smiled thinking about how different these little girls are. From each other, and from Jack.

Updates on the girls: They are all speaking so well. They are putting sentences together, repeating almost everything I say and calling each other by their names. It is very cute to hear them call out to each other. They also know their own names. Elizabeth calls herself Lizzie. I don't think she can pronounce Elizabeth. The girls love the book, Inside, Outside Upside Down. I started reading this book to them a few weeks before we moved and they are so funny. They will bring me the book and can be heard throughout the day saying, "Inside. Box!" "Outside. Box!"

Thanksgiving Week: Friday Afternoon, Saturday & Sunday

On Friday and Saturday we spend time with the Scudders, Fraziers, Chiazza's and Mimi and Papa. Saturday we were at Frazier's all day. I have to say, this is the first time ever that the girls were very good all day. It helped the older cousins were great in helping watch them, but this is the first time that I wasn't overly worried about them. Two years ago they were five month-old babies that needed fed, held, etc. Last year it was the stairs and they were new walkers that I worried about falls. This year, they played, well, actually. I think because there was enough older girls to play with them they got enough attention and didn't need to fight each other for attention. John fell asleep on the couch at one point in the afternoon. I was able to sit in the family room and enjoy talking with my in-laws. The girls did not get a nap and were even OK in church that evening. Maybe, just maybe, we are turning a corner...

Erin loves to play with the kids

The girls love their Aunt Sue Sue. They miss her too, because now when we get into the car, they immediately say, "Sue Sue's house"

Aunt Sarah is so gentle and patient with all the kids

Elizabeth loved this toy. She could sort all the shapes and knew her colors too. Notice the toys in her pockets. All three of them love their pockets and will put their hands in them (and toys) any chance they get.

The kiddos and I stayed one more night (Saturday) at my parent's house and John went home to get some work done. We left on Sunday after lunch for Ohio. It was a great weekend. Can't wait to see everyone again in a few weeks!

Thanksgivng Week: Friday Morning

Friday morning Sarah and John packed up to go back to Texas. We had fun and will miss them. Next time we see them they will be a family of FOUR!

One two year-old sitting in the chair.

One plus one

Two plus one

Three plus one!

Then, just for fun, add Alexa. *(Maria was at home sick)

My mom took these last few pictures. This is the normal these days. All three girls want to be on my lap at the same time. She thinks it is funny.

Thanksgiving Week: Thursday Night at the Nail Salon

After opening gifts, my oldest nieces sent around a note telling us they were opening a nail salon and we could get pedicures and manicures. The letter was very cute. It basically told us the prices of the services and the last sentence said they needed the money so they could start saving for, and I will quote, "collage". Ambria is 10 and Emily is almost 8. Anna, Kate and Elizabeth all got their fingers painted, I got a pedicure and Jack got a pedicure minus the painting of his nails. Sometimes he doesn't understand the whole gender thing, haha.

Abby and Jack get their pedicures done by Ambria and Emily (in matching shirts)

Marie gets her nails painted

Thanksgiving Week: Thursday Opening Gifts

After dinner, we ventured downstairs to open a few Christmas gifts. Since Sarah is due with baby #2 in January, they will not be traveling in December. We watched them open all their Christmas gifts, did the children's gift exchange and the adult exchange. Grandmom and Granddad had a few gifts for each of the kids to open. It was nice to have a few things to open early.

The kids were anxious to open the gifts!

They played duck, duck, goose while waiting

It is not surprising that Anna found Granddad

Abby and Jack are two peas in a pod!

Jack helped Alexa once she woke up