Stunningly Ridiculous

Pre-school

We just picked up our 16 uniform tops yesterday.

Playgrounds

One of the firsts on the Welcome-Home-To-Do-List was finish the swing set.

This included seats, a drink bar, and flowers of course.

They loved it.

He said, "That took half a day! I have no idea how your parent and Curt even got this thing up!"

But, when it gets too hot outside,

you just turn dad into the new playground.

And they all slept well that night.

Not Yet Son

Not for anybody for awhile.
This stuff has been stored.
Daddy has his normal life to-do list.
We're getting it back together.
We have one video to post from the homecoming soon, and then I think the newness will wear off and we'll be back to tales of exasperation.

All Smiles

Welcome Home

Queue The Wait On Hold Music

Today is the day.

Grandma and Grandpa's Birthday Gifts

My parents lovingly tucked away my third birthday gift forever ago--a wood cradle for my baby dolls--probably thinking how fun it would be to give to my daughter to play with on her third birthday.

Well, they had to have a duplicate made. So my story is that I have no idea which is the original, and I'm sticking to it.

Watch Elaine tolerate me finishing her song as if she were the boss allowing me to have my say before she went ahead and did whatever she was going to do anyway.

The second video turned out to be a little shocking really, which delighted her.

Thank you grandma and grandpa--they are perfect.

Shhhhhh...

Oh, I'm so glad you enjoyed your cake and gifts from grandma and grandpa on your birthday!

(nice job getting doing-in the icing first girl.)

I'll be bringing home your next gift tomorrow, and it is a big one.
I can't wait to see the surprise on your faces.

Happy Third Girls!

July 19, 2007.

What a hot day.

That didn't seem to matter much by early evening.

By your first birthday we were still stunned but more and more by what a wonderful addition you made to our family and less and less by the fact that we now had four kids 2 and under.

Second birthday?
Full swing mostly delightful antics.

Today.

Our amazement is at what wonderful girls we have.

Happy Birthday ladies.

Happy Birthday Alida!

Three years ago today girl.

Quiet and reserved we imagined.

That didn't last long.

And suddenly you were 1.

Nearly as quickly you were 2.

And 3 roared up on us.

Much like you my dear.

Happy Birthday sweetheart. We couldn't imagine this ride without you.

Happy Birthday Elaine!

There you were three years ago today.

My first little girl.

And before we knew it, you were 1.
We weren't sure where the time went, but we did know that we couldn't imagine a time when you weren't with us.



Very suddenly you were 2!

We were amazed.

And today you turn 3!

You've had a year of growing that has amazed me, and you have graduated from "baby" to "sister" in the boys' eyes. You love dresses and pink and princesses.

You are sugar and spice girl.

Happy Birthday sweetheart.

Closer Still

3:30 a.m.: text from Bangor, Maine
8:00 a.m.: phone call from Gulfport, MS--destination Camp Shelby.

Getting closer and closer. Wonder if he still has the 'stache. Forgot to ask.

Mommy, Watch This! This is going to be AWESOME!

Think I'll just close my eyes son.