Worth coming out of oblivion for...

We found out baby's gender.  We created this little announcement to share the news...
Unveiling Baby #5

Simon is in preschool!

August 30, 2011

Simon came downstairs in the morning, all dressed in the clothes he picked out and ready for his first day of school!

Simon's choice for his back-to-school breakfast? Cinnamon toast. Mmmm.

We remembered to take the traditional by-the-front-door picture before we headed to school (I didn't manage to do that with the girls this year. I guess it's not too late. It'd just be a...random Thursday in the second week of school type of picture instead).

He was very proud and excited!

Roman didn't want to miss out on the photo op.
(I had asked Simon to put his hand on the knob, like he was about to walk out for the first picture.
So, of course, he did it in every picture from then on. So cute! :)

Isn't this precious? I just love it! He's proud as punch.

The two of us, right before we went in his classroom.

He put his lunch box on the shelf and hung his backpack on his hook.

There were several activities for the arriving preschoolers to choose from (blocks, cars, kitchen, etc.). He wanted to draw. (Of course Roman did too!)

Roman and I said our goodbyes and Simon wasn't nervous at all. He said goodbye and sat there, coloring, talking to his new teacher.
He had been a bit nervous at "meet the teacher," and his teacher came out and told me he said, "I was angry that day." So funny!

Roman's goodbye hug with Simon. Yep, I just about cried at that!

Roman didn't have to experience being the solo child at home Tuesday because Liliana was home sick (poor thing!). But, we were all excited when it was time to go get Simon!

Simon was happy to see us too!
I know this picture isn't the greatest, but I love it because that's exactly what happened...he saw me, said, "Mommy!" and ran to me. That's as fast as I could snap the picture!

Roman greeted his big brother with a hug!
(I might have had to ask them to re-enact it for the camera, but I'll never tell. ;)

In the car, after school. It was a great day!
(Poor sickie there in the background.)

I asked Simon a few questions about his first day:

*What was your favorite part of the day?
"Lunch." :)
"...and the next thing I liked is dress-up. I was the dragon and Spider-man."
*Did you make any new friends?
"Yeah. It' a girl, but I don't know her name. She can swing the same high as I can, and she's as tall as me, and she's four like me."
*What did you do in the classroom that was fun?
"Draw. I maked a boat and a thing that could do everything and one that could go super-duper fast and it's a boat."
*Finish this sentence: My first day of school was..."fun."

First day of School

August 22, 2011

Julia started fourth grade this year! Can you believe that? And Liliana is in first! I can't believe how big my girls are getting. They were excited about their first day of school. They got up so easily and did everything to get themselves ready in a speedy-quick way. We had a nice morning together. Nate went in to work a little late, so we could all walk them to class together.

Once they were ready, they started their morning off right, with a breakfast smoothie (and maybe a little popcorn?). :)
The girls both got feathers in their hair with their haircuts the week before. Julia wanted her hair braided with a bow (gasp!) & Lili wanted hers down.

We walked Lili down to her class first.

We each took one last picture with her at her desk & then walked Julia to class.

Getting a last picture with her proved to be a bit more challenging.


The boys and I sure miss the girls when they're at school, but I'm excited for them and know it's going to be a great year!

From the depths of her backpack...

...sometimes I find wrinkled treasures.

A poem by Julia.

Friendship

Friendship is like the soil.
It can sprout flowers of love.
Or it can grow damp
And be home to the fungi of sorrow.
Weeds will sprout
I have no doubt
That they will soak up all the water.
The soil will dry up and crack.
And that kind is unforgivable.

Such wisdom from my nine-year-old daughter. I love her mind. And I love her. She makes me proud, everyday.

His first day back in the pool

On Memorial Day, we got to go swimming for the first time this season. Simon seemed to pick up right where he left off from last summer!


We think he's a natural. It must be in his blood. Not bad for a three-year-old, eh?

The girls are on the swim team again this summer. Their coach saw Simon swimming and said he could be on the team if he wanted. But, I explained that he can't quite get a breath on his own yet. She was impressed though!

{Yes, I am, not-so-secretly, thrilled!}

Now that he's almost five months...

...maybe it's time to post his four-month stats.

Roman had a great check-up!
Weight: 17 lbs 14 oz
Height: 26 1/2 inches
All in the ~95th%!

I can't believe he doesn't have teeth yet. He's our latest one. I'm actually very happy about it, too! I don't mind if those teeth don't come for quite some time. He's drooling like crazy, so I'm sure we don't have much longer, but a girl can hope, right?

*He's rolling over (he rolled back to tummy first, the little booger - but now can roll both ways).
*He is so strong! He stands for a long time when we hold him in our laps. When he's on his tummy, he pushes up with his strong arms. What a boy!
*He's grabbing at things (including the remote, my cell phone, etc.), but not always making contact.
*He babbles and coos, and blows bubbles and raspberries (goes well with the drool...makes for some very wet bibs, or, when I forget those, his shirts get soaked...all the way down to his belly button)
*He laughs. (Isn't that a magical sound?)
*He is such a delight! He smiles at everyone. And doesn't mind other people holding him. So far, so good on not having anxiety yet. We get compliments from strangers on what a good baby he is. It's true, what can I say?
*He LOVES his siblings. They make him laugh all the time.
*I love that, while he's nursing, he plays with my hand, holding it and squeezing it with his hand. (We hold hands). And I also love that (also when he's nursing) sometimes he'll rub my back with his other hand. So sweet!
*He is all smiles for his Mama! Love, love! Okay, okay, and his Daddy too. And, well, everyone. But, he does know and love his Mama! ;)

Roman is a joy! We love him so much! He is such a huge part of our family. I can't imagine our lives without him!

She never ceases to amaze me.

I found this poem in Julia's backpack. I asked her if it was an assignment. Her reply? "No, I wrote it just because."

The pond is silent.
A falcon soars high above the clouds.
A mouse scurries down below.
Too afraid to show,
Fear of the falcon.
The pond is silent.

I love it. And I love her.

Mother's Day

When you're behind in scrapbooking, the best way to get back in to it, is to start with what's most recent, then try to go back and fill in on the past events. That's what I'm told, anyway. I tend to remember things like that. Maybe because I'm always behind.

This past Sunday was Mother's Day. Nate did a good job trying to make it a special day for me. The kids? We definitely had some tender, memorable moments, that's for sure, but...let's just say, at the end of the day, they asked if maybe they could have a "do over." ;) I'm prepared to leave it at that, but just so you don't die of curiosity, I'll just say that we seemed to have more drama than usual. Maybe there was just too much pressure for it to be a nice day. :)

Anyway, Nate made a yummy omelet breakfast, complete with juice and toast...

Then, we went off to church. Afterward, we returned home, where I got to take a nap (what a treat!). Nate and the kids straightened up a bit, and began preparations for our homemade pizza dinner.

Side note: I just HAVE to include this! This past weekend, I enlisted the kids' help and we cleaned out the car. We had a bag for garbage, and a bag for "not garbage" as well. After the cleaning of the car, I placed the "not garbage" bag in the house to be dealt with later (I'm really good at that "later" business). I didn't think much about it until I remembered it yesterday, but couldn't find it! I asked Nate about it and he said, "You mean the garbage bag? Oh, I threw it away." I anxiously replied, " WHAT? You threw it away? You didn't look in it first?" He said he just assumed it was garbage. AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH! We both laughed and laughed about it...even though, I freely admit, I'm still haunted by what might have been thrown away. I can't remember all the stuff that was in that bag. Except I'm almost 100% sure that Lili's other shoe was in there (as only one is in her closet)...and possibly my keys...and maybe some toys...and perhaps some books? AAAAHHHHHHH!

Back to Mother's Day...why did I go off on that tangent? Oh yes, because he threw the bag away on Mother's Day. ;)
He was cleaning up! Who could really be mad?

The pizza was such a great idea, because it was an experience to have, together. I loved that.
The kids were even on board! That's saying a lot, as they are not the most adventurous eaters (and Julia doesn't even like pizza).

Nate made the dough & shaped the pizza crusts...


We built them together...
First the sauce (which Nate also made)...
Then, the cheese & other toppings...
The girls were excited when their pizzas were done...
But then, reality set in...
Nate cooked them on the Big Green Egg. So, even Lili, who likes pizza, didn't like the smoky flavor.
Hey! At least they tried it!

Simon? He loved it! Well, he loved the pepperoni, anyway.
Our pizza was last to be cooked. It was yummy!
It had all our favorite toppings...

In keeping with tradition, the kids made me cards and gifts. I love their homemade treasures! Julia made me a mobile...
to share with Roman.


I am so thankful to be a mom. What a blessing! I can think of nothing greater. I love them with all my heart, might, mind, and strength!

I'm thankful, also, to have such a supportive, helpful, beautiful, giving, sharing, loving mother of my own.

And, I've been blessed to have...
a Mother-in-law who I truly cherish as another mother
grandmothers who I've loved and looked up to
sisters
aunts
cousins
friends
...as such amazing examples of motherhood.

Happy Mother's Day!

Busy, busy, busy

I am a terrible blogger. There, I did it. They say the first step is admittance. Maybe I can get back to blogging again now. I have lots of pictures and bloggable moments, but finding the time to sit down and do it? Not so much. I think part of the problem is that our computer situation is not at its finest at the moment. Our PC is down...not that that's any real excuse, because I usually blog from the laptop anyway, but it's running rather slowly these days. So, that equals frustration, which equals blogging avoidance. But, I just wanted you to know I do have lots to catch up on. And I plan to. Soon.

And, just a few pictures to make this entry way more interesting...

Because it's fun...

I did a couple more.
{This time, they're in birth order in each collage}

Sweetly sleeping.
Close to the same age.

I'm glad I take lots of pictures.