Summer Evenings

So, I don't like summer. I think it's gross and hot and usually a little boring. But I must admit that about 7pm has been quite beautiful the last few days.

Thursday evening I wanted to try some things with my camera with motion and blur (which didn't really turn out), so the bigs and Margaret and I went out after the twins were in bed. Natalie and James enjoyed watching a dragonfly on the ground.

The grass in the yard (not pictured) was about ten feet tall and still kind of swampy, plus the mosquitos were swarming, so we didn't stay out.

I did get this one of Joanna before we went back in though. I love the light through the trees.

Friday evening we went over to my Aunt Gail's for enchiladas, and when we got out of the car, Natalie insisted I take her picture by this tree. :)

How could I object?

Later, Joanna and I went out to look at the garden – the light was so so pretty.

It has rained pretty much every weekend for what seems like forever, but Matt was finally able to battle the tall grass on Saturday. He also sprayed for mosquitos in an effort to at least keep them out of the house when we open doors for two seconds.

We all went outside after dinner yesterday – it was practically pleasant. There was a little breeze, and the mosquitos were just bad, not terrible.

Don't be fooled, Thomas is NOT leaning over to kiss Michael sweetly. He is yelling at him to get out of the chair.

My toddlers cannot seem to sleep past 6:30 in the morning, even when they're totally exhausted, but I'm hoping I can maybe push that back a little so we can enjoy some evenings outside. I don't go out unless absolutely necessary earlier in the day. :)

Margaret is 3 months old!

And she's pretty much the cutest tiny human around!

A few things about her, as I think of them:

• She loooooooves faces, and smiles at all of them
• She is the best night sleeper that ever ever lived here. She regularly sleeps many hours in a row at night, in the rock n' play.
• She doesn't really nap, except in my arms. I find this lovely, but the twins don't usually let me sit in peace while I hold my sleeping baby. :)
• Her left eye still has a blocked tear duct.
• She wears size 3-6 month clothes.
• She is drooling up a storm and chewing on her bib and hands.
• She's a great nurser and seems to get plenty to eat.
• She is starting to get some reliable neck control.
• She likes to sit up in my arms and face out, rather than snuggle in. She's always been this way. It makes her hard to wear.
• She likes having her diaper changed and being clean and dry.
• She likes bath time. She does not like when we put powder in her neck folds.
• She is so very deeply adored by her brothers and sisters (and momma and daddy too!)

Easter Sunday 2016

We are very lucky to have an Easter grandpa who comes and fills our yard with eggs for the kiddos to find. They were a HUGE hit this year!

I brought Margaret out to enjoy the fun from her bouncy throne.

Just trying to cover all the major holiday decorations here: pumpkins, painted like Christmas ornaments, in a pot with plastic Easter eggs. And a baseball glove. Whatever.

Eventually, I want to get all the kiddos some Easter/Halloween buckets that are each a different color and will nest in each other.

But that time has not yet come. Bags to the rescue!

Michael just giggled and giggled while he picked up all the eggs he could carry – what fun!

Some in the mailbox!

Upon discovering the candy inside.

Hershey kisses!

Still watching over everyone:

On the car!

“Hey look Mom – there’s candy in here!”

Good PT and OT for this kid.

I ADORE this picture. I was heading inside but happened to notice Thomas stop by Margaret and start telling her about what he was doing. It was so amazing. That kid.

I’ve been feeling pretty yucky the last few days, so I thought about sending Matt and the five to church so M and I could maybe go to a clinic, but it’s Easter, and nothing’s open.  :) So I sucked it up and we headed to church as a family. My mom brought over flowers a couple of days ago so the kids would have some to put on the flower cross during Sunday school.

Joanna with her class:

Natalie with her class:

Matt and Margaret!

I had a good spot to watch the cross flowering from inside the commons.

I have almost no voice, and the voice I have is painful to use, so I tried to keep quiet at chuch this morning. Hopefully I didn’t seem rude. :)

This kid smiled so big when he saw me watch him. :)

We picked the kids up from Sunday school, had a little snack, and then took pictures out in front of the flower cross.

The twins did NOT want to stay put, but somehow giving them each a flower to hold made them able to stick around long enough for me to snap a pic.

Didn't make them smile though.

So beautiful!

This is such a favorite tradition and something that is so sweet to look back on. I was inspired this week to go digging back through old photographs (read: searching through March and April of every year since 2008 on the external hard drive instead of cooking meals or doing laundry) to find all the kiddos’ Easter cross pictures. The only one I’m missing is from Joanna’s very first Easter at 6 weeks old. That part of my life is a bit fuzzy so I’m not sure we even took a picture that year. I remember going to church, but I don’t have a picture. I’m hoping somebody out there took one and it’s sitting safely in a folder to come out again someday. :)

A very sweet friend from church has taken my big three kiddos a couple of times to her house to do some baking. A couple of days ago she dropped off some GORGEOUS cookies for them.

Almost too pretty to eat… almost.

Our Easter grandpa included a few confetti eggs this morning, which we saved for this afternoon in the backyard.

The kids are all such good sports. :)

My little gymnist:

Happy Easter to all!