There Was an Old Woman

So, if sleep deprivation is torture, who's going to arrest Nathan? I'm starting to feel like the old woman who lived in a shoe, or maybe just an old shoe. Where are the torture police when you really need them?

Our Marvel-less State Government

First of all, everyone should go check out Ben's latest post. You won't understand the title of the post until you read it. I Love this guy! I'm sure that's not a surprise to anyone :)
Eve is growing up too fast! She has her first loose tooth. When she showed me her wiggly tooth and asked me what was wrong with it, my heart sank a little. I can't believe this is happening. The transition from overgrown toddler to little lady has come so quickly! Just last year we were struggling with tantrums, and now she's responsible and helpful and thoughtful. She's a joy to be around, and it's a privilege to teach her hungry mind, but I'm a little sad she's not a baby anymore.
And here, finally, is a video of the boy talking. He's been doing this for a month-and-a-half now, but I finally made the effort to get a video and actually put it online, with Ben's help, of course (I hate learning new things on the computer).

Kings' Firecrackers

My sister just sent me this link, and I thought it was so cool, I had to share. It's a group called the Firecrackers - they're about a hundred girls with jump ropes, and they're AMAZING! I have to admit, I spent like 45 minutes watching this - I just couldn't pull myself away. So why do we usually have to watch out-of-work strippers during half-time at King's Games?

Easter Joys

We had a lovely Easter, even though I wasn't even close to ready for it. My washer and dryer were both indisposed for a couple weeks (ok, maybe only a week and a half, but it felt like a year). The problem was, that when I finally got everything washed between my Mom's generosity and my neighbor Monica's, I was knee-deep in laundry to be folded and put away, and then Nathan got an ear infection. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the phenomenon, it forces Mommy to pace the floor for hours with a miserable baby. So, when Easter got here, there were clothes, dishes, toys and school supplies EVERYWHERE. The Easter Bunny was still able to make it in the door, and the girls were thrilled to find all the goodies he left them. Why is the Easter Bunny male anyway? Doesn't he/she lay eggs? That's one funny bunny.
We had 3, yes, count them, 3!! Easter egg hunts! One was on Sat. at the Civic Club -

One was at Nonna and Poppa's after Church on Sun. -

And one at Grandma and Grandpa's late Sun. afternoon. -

We had a fancy lunch at Nonna's and fun visiting with everybody -
Stephy has 2 weeks to go. She had a nice little table to lay Nathan on.
...and a fun dinner at Grandma and Grandpa's with cousins galore.
And here are my sweet girls, cuddling by the fire one cold rainy morning last week. You can see some of the laundry behind them :)

3 Big Sisters

This morning, I overheard Sadie ask Eve to play Candyland with her. "I can't," said Eve. I'm busy getting Nathan dressed up for the fair. He's going to a party with me." Poor Nathan:

More fashion stylings by Sadie:

Aren't kids wonderful when they sleep?

Yes, that's a laundry basket Sadie's sleeping in.

Just plain cute!

Sunday Again

We had another fun Sunday today. We took the kids for a walk and picnic at the Weimar Institute. We walked out to a huge swing hung way way up in an old oak tree. Swinging on that thing is a real thrill, a little too thrilling for me. The girls were shockingly brave. Sadie got a little nervous, but Eve was whooping and shouting "more! higher!" Eve is a ball of energy. She outlasts all of us, and ends up running twice as far as the rest of us walk because she runs ahead, then runs back, runs ahead again, etc. Sadie got tired. She kept telling me she was going to go to sleep. I told her that was fine as long as she kept walking. At one point, we stopped to wait for Ben and Liberty. Sadie found a shady spot in the grass and sat down. "Mommy," she said, "will you bring me a blankie?"
"Where would I get a blankie, Sadie?" She looked at me, incredulous,
"You didn't bring one?!"
A fun time was had by all in the gorgeous weather. Unfortunately, I forgot the camera, so you'll just have to imagine the beautiful day we had!

More Sunday Fun

Sadie gave a talk at Primary (Sunday school for little kids) this last week. When she got the assignment, she was told the subject should be, "family members have responsibilities." On the way home from church, Ben asked her, "Sadie, what's a family member?"
"A 'sponsibility."
She did a stellar job giving her talk - without help. She had it memorized and only needed a couple cues from the back of the room. What an adorable moment!
Of course, Eve had set a great example for Sadie by giving her own talks with such skill in the past. I'm so proud of my big girls!