{brand new}

Dear Old Washer & Dryer,

Thank you for all your MANY years of faithful service. You got me through a lot of rough nights, and always kept us in nice, clean clothes. You worked hard every day, and I will never forget you. I hope you can now rest in peace--you earned it!

Sincerely,

Me

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Dear New Washer & Dryer,

Welcome to our home, I am so excited to have you! You have some big shoes to fill, but I know you're up to the task. I looked long and hard before deciding to bring you home with us, and now that you're here, I couldn't be happier. Good luck--you will be very busy, but very appreciated.

Sincerely,

Me

{lucky}

I woke up this morning to the sum streaming through our windows. It seemed later than usual, but I hadn't heard a peep from anyone. I looked at the clock and it said 8:45am. 8:45am???

I haven't slept that late since...well...I can't even remember when. I turned up the baby monitor on my nightstand, and still nothing. I turned to Rick, and he was as baffled as I was. I was just getting ready to get up and make sure everyone was okay when Ryan walked in.

He had this grin on his face--you know-- the kind when they have done something they are proud of. He came over to the bedside, and in one breath said, "I got the babies up, changed their diapers, got them dressed, fed them breakfast, made pancakes for the girls, and cleaned up. Now everyone is downstairs watching a movie."

He was so proud he was about to burst, and so was I. He did a fantastic job--everything was under control. That's a lot of work for anyone, much less an 11 year old boy. He is going to be a great dad someday, and I'm one lucky mama.

Later, Emma was telling me all about what Ryan had done, and she told me how lucky she was. Then she said, "But you weren't so lucky, Mom".

Little does she know.

{a little bit of everything}

There has been lots going on around our house this past week, but they are all little bits of stuff that make up our life. Here's what's been going on...

1. I had a garage sale this past weekend, with my good friend. It's our second year, and we have decided it will definitely be a tradition. Seriously, I haven't found a downside yet. It keeps my house uncluttered, I make more money than donating it and claiming it on my taxes, and I get to sit and talk for two days straight. See?? I love it!

2. It's garden time! Rick is the gardener in our family (thank goodness--it is not my forte)), and our kids really enjoy spending time outside with him gardening. We planted peppers(red, yellow, orange, purple), onions, multiple varieties of tomatoes, peas, snap peas, three different kinds of potatoes, strawberries, zucchini, parsley, and cilantro. We also have raspberry bushes lining our backyard, hooray! Summer brings a lot of good things, but one of of my favorites is grilling all these yummy vegetables.

(I know. They are not matching. I was gone. :))

3. I think I need to teach Emma to read. She has been obsessed with books, reading, and letters since she was tiny, and now she is into "reading" Ryan's chapter books. She begs to borrow his Magic Tree House books from a few years ago, and she will lay on the couch turning page by page. So, if any of you have any great methods, please let me know!



5. My babies are 9 months! Please, someone stop the months from going by so fast!

Henry: 7 teeth, crawling, pulling up in his crib, hates baby food, loves table food, SUPER active--is everywhere, happy baby! He is also huge! At his 9 month well check, he was at the 97th-100th percentile across the board--height, weight, and head. He is also 5 pounds heavier and 4 inches taller than Jack Jack.

Jack: 2 teeth, crawling, likes baby food, gags on table food, happy to be in one place, and has such a sweet demeanor. At his well check, he was between the 25th-35th percentile. He is my smallest baby yet, and Henry is my biggest. It's so funny that they were born at the same time!

Playing with their cars...

This scene is a common one at our house. With Henry being so much bigger than Jack, he has no problem just crawling right over the top of him. Little turkey.

Is there anything sweeter? I don't think so. Those little feet I just want to squish!

Henry is pulling up in his crib! We had to lower his crib mattress, but have left Jack's where it is.

Jack Sprat

Henry B.

{and there were three in the bed}

We have a little visitor every morning around 3:00am. She is 43 inches tall, and has short strawberry blond hair. She climbs into bed, steps over me, and snuggles her little self right in between us. Her name is Kate.

This has been happening for about a year now, and I'm sure there are more than a few child psychologists that would shudder at the thought of us letting it continue. However, I just can't let myself bring it to an end quite yet, and here's why.

1. I am a SUPER heavy sleeper. As in I slept through an earthquake. As in I don't always hear my alarm ring (my dad woke me up all through high school, and now Rick does). As in most of the time I have NO idea that she is even in my bed until I'm waking up for the day. I think she knows that.

2. Admittedly, it's partly pure laziness on my part. If I do hear or feel her come into bed, I have absolutely zero desire to get out of my comfy bed to take her back to her room. We have a big bed--there's room for all of us.

3. I love snuggling my kids. I know they won't want to forever, so there is a big part of me that wants to let her come in until she gradually grows out of it.

Potential downside to this plan? It could be 2017 before that happens.

But for now, we'll keep the nightlight on.