Bathtime blues

An old friend of mine recently asked me to describe your relationship. My answer....."They love each other, but they don't act like it most of the time". Through this blog I can paint a very pretty picture when I write to you, but our days are rarely that. Most days are filled with bickering,whining, fussing, competing, and lots of tears. I know it's normal, but oh, how it can drain me!!! Sometimes, if I don't laugh, I would just sit down and cry.
Tonight was one of those times. It was bath night. Here is how it went.
Laughter...pretending with your mermaids. Things seem pleasant. I step out for a few minutes.
Then, I hear, "It's mine." "No, it's mine. I had it first!" "Quit, Caroline! You weren't playing with it." "But I had it first!" I hear water splashing over the tub..and I winced.....hear it comes.... "Aahhhh. (tears) Mommy!!!! Mommy!!" I go in and see you two pulling a doll back and forth. "Mommy, She just took the doll away from me." "I did not. She wasn't even playing with it...(crying). She pulled my hair." I try to mediate. Caitlyn you get upset and say with sass , "I just want to wash my hair and body and get out of here!" (I'm thinking, great! Let's get it done.) Caroline then pipes in..."No! I want to go first. You told me I could go first, Mommy!"
Typically, niether of you want to EVER go first...you fight not to! This is when I began to laugh...if it's not one thing, it's the other. So...after months of threatening to split you up at bath times, I really think it is time finally follow through!!!

Springtime, a window and creativity

Springtime is here!!!! It is so nice seeing the dark colors of winter change to the vibrant colors of spring. It makes me realize, once again, our God is a God of resurrection!!!
We kicked the springtime off on a cold morning with your spring program, Caroline. It was called "This is the day!" Here you are singing "This little light of mine......" with your class.

Your class with Miss Anna. We'll laugh at these bows one day, I'm sure!!!

Your two favorite friends in your class...Paisley and Jackson.

We had a big reason to celebrate this week. Caitlyn, after many weeks of wiggling your tooth back and forth, it popped out after biting into a hard, cold ice cream sandwhich. You cried (so did mommy) from lots of emotion. We call it your window...just the beginning of many big girl changes!!!

A friend of yours at school is on crutches. You have been fascinated with them. When that happens, your little creative mind goes to work. You, Daddy and Caroline went outside (at your leading) to look for sticks to make your own crutches. You have been hobbling around the house all weekend!!! Who knows? Maybe it's good practice for a future injury.....

Sweet 'n Sassy!

You are finally healthy, so we decided to reschedule your party for an afternoon this week, in hopes all the girls could come. We were successful..all eight were able to make it. Several months ago, we begin talking about your party and gave you a choice of two places. You made your decision and didn't look back. A "Sweet 'n Sassy Princess Party!" was the choice!!! Your first friend to arrive...Bailee. Caroline, you were every bit as excited about this party as Caitlyn has been!!!

The only little prince among us............Josue' is growing so quickly!!! He just kicked his little legs and couldn't decide who to focus on...a little overstimulation, I think!

Dresses were chosen..............

Two of my favorite beauties..........

Hair was done...........

Nails and make-up to complete the look!

One excited birthday princess!!!!

You LOVED your hair and wanted me to take a picture...the picture doesn't do it justice...what they do with hair there is amazing!!!! I should take lessons..........

In "princess school", learning princess etiquette.

The kingdom princesses all together!!!

Princesses Mercer, Bailee, Claire, Caitlyn, Jordan, Anna Kate, Macy, Caroline and Mariana.

Caitlyn, I am again amazed at how you can possibly be this old. Where has six years gone? Daddy and I are so proud of you. You are learning so much....so fast. Some of our favorite things about you now are the way you want to do the "right" thing (especially at school), how much your friends mean to you, your creativity with your artwork and your "designer" clothes, your love of dance and all things "girl", your love of pickles, animals, and swimming. You are still very much a daddy's girl. You are a natural leader in your class and are so friendly and talkative to everyone. You continue to be very persistent and set in your ways. I am positive this will serve you well as the years go on...even though it can make for some challenging moments at home. God is working in your heart in ways we cannot even see, and for that I am so thankful. I am reminded that HE is your ultimate parent....we just have you on loan for a little while.

We love you so much. NOTHING will ever change that.

An unusual birthday

Good morning, love. Here you are waking up on the morning of your 6th birthday...with a 102 temperature!!! You had already been home for two days with a fever and it lasted all week. We had to keep you home and cancel your friend party. I was so proud of you, though. You were so understanding...maybe you just felt too bad to fuss! We tried to make it fun anyway and just had to go with the flow and make new plans, which turned out to be wonderful. Isn't that how life is when we can learn to just let things come as they will (I'm speaking to me, here!).

New spring slippers (and some for little sis, too!)

You kept talking all week about taking the dogs on a walk (this is something we rarely ever do...but should!!). So, later that day, Daddy got home early and you seemed to have perked up a bit. It was a windy, but warm day, so we took advantage and went to Granny White park. I was reminded again HOW MUCH I treasure family outings with just the four of us. Life feels most rich during these moments.

The dogs seemed to walk US at first, but after several minutes, we all managed to come to a nice stroll. It was good exercise for all of us!

Your new "fancy" phone you bought with some of your birthday money. I see this becoming more and more normal in the next several years..............

Two days later, your fever finally broke and we celebrated with family.

Baskin Robbins cakes are a tradition in our family. This year, we found one we all LOVE! It is the fudge crunch ice cream cake. It has no actual "cake" in it at all--just the ice cream with a yummy cookie crunchy center. You don't like cake anyway, so it fit you perfectly!!!

My big girl....HOW CAN YOU BE 6 YEARS OLD?!!! Aunt Amy reminded me that in just two more sets of six years, you will be graduating high school. Oh, how my heart hurts thinking about it. Yet, I know it will feel right when the time comes....as it should.

Partners in crime!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bendaroos from Mammi and Big Daddy--- these things are so cool.. and keep you busy for hours!!!

This won the most practical gift award....PICKLES...your absolute favorite (and yes, we still eat them often for breakfast!!!!)

I was able to bring treats up to school today....can you guess what you wanted? The same thing you have asked for every year... Krispie Kream donuts!!! It just so happened that your class is studying Dr. Suess this week and Mrs. Adcox made green eggs and ham for snack, too. So, I guess you could say your class had a brunch today!

We look forward to celebrating more in a week or so.....at Sweet n Sassy!!! This birthday just gets to be enjoyed a lot longer than most.

I love you, my sweet, sweet girl. Your life has filled mine with more joy than I could have ever known possible.

Sick Season

Ugh...it's that time of year again....when sicknesses abound. I feel like we are one of hundreds struggling with strep. Caitlyn, you just got over it last week and my Carolina, you were diagnosed today and put on the not so yummy pink amoxicillin. This is the first time either of you have had strep. I remember getting it when I was a child and feeling terrible!! You both have been troopers and honestly, being sick always makes us rest. It forces us to and we do take advantage. Here's hoping and praying Daddy and I can stay well.... we have some important things to plan and get ready for.....isn't someone having a birthday this week!?

My happy Valentines!

What a sweet Valentines we had this year...filled with lots of my favorite people! It started Thursday at your school, Caroline, with a party. Here is the "Love Quilt" your class made. Each child drew a picture and answered the question..."What is love?" Your picture was of our family (the top yellow one) and it said "Love is Daddy, Mommy and Caitlyn." Thank you, baby.

Here you are with your handmade Valentine bag, waiting to pass out your cards and candy. Mercy, just when I thought we were done with the Christmas candy.....

That afternoon, after we picked up Caitlyn, we went to Mammi's house and made goodie bags for all the residents at Granny's assisted living center, Wellington Place. She was so excited to see us!

You girls really enjoyed handing these out and making the residents smile. What a precious sight to see!!!

Introducing yourself...several times!

Granny loved meeting our smallest Valentine, Josue'.

Speaking of the smallest...here you are, Caroline, loving on the smallest Herring Valentine. Cameron is now 10 months old and not so small anymore!! We went to see Aunt Bela, Lucas and Cameron on Friday morning for a fun Valentine playday.

It was another beautiful and sunny day. You and Lucas rode bikes for a good long time..he even taught you how to "crash" into his yard. It's good to have boyfriends!

Aunt Bela and I helped you two make Valentine cupcakes....the funnest part was eating them at the end!!!!!!!!!!

All smiles at Caitlyn's class party on Friday afternoon

Valentines Day itself was a quiet one around the house(which I treasure). Mr. Travis called to see if he could cook us supper. Of course, we accepted!!! He made us a wonderful Thai meal and was gracious enough to let you both help him. It was delicious.

At the table, we went around and said three things we loved. Caitlyn, your three things were swimming, pickles, and princesses. Caroline, your three were Paisley, "Lambie", and Coal. Thank you, girls, for being my Valentines every day of the year!!!!!!!!!!

Random Happenings

Here are just a few things that have been going on lately... Your first Vandy basketball game of the season....dressed and ready in your new outfits (with pom poms, of course)

As always, we have lots of guest appearances.....Ariel stayed for supper!

It was so warm this weekend, you girls played outside on Sunday for 3 hours....yes, that is shorts in February!!! You did a "play" for Daddy and I with your friend Rosella! She was soaking up the rays!

We have a toilet that is leaking (who knows for how long) and we had to cut a hole in the ceiling to check it out. Caroline, you were so interested. Daddy's little helper!

Caitlyn, you have been sick this week, so I kept you home for two days. Today, you felt a lot better and the two of you played SOOO well; probably one of the best days ever. I mean it...it was absolutely delightful. At one point, I came up to check on you and this is what I found....you had created your very own canopys. We've agreed to let you sleep with them like this for a few days. Oh, the memories.