Half a decade of Lillian!

October 19th -Five years ago today Elliott meet Lillian.





 I still remember him very very carefully rolling in her bassinet in my hospital room with Steven's help.  He got over the fact that we did not name her Apple Gigi quickly and has always been sweet to his little sister.  Lucky for me he was not intrested in holding her or touching her, just saying hi to her and showing her his toys.
 Five years ago yesterday she entered this world a week late but we forgave her.  She was by far my favorite delivery.

On the night before Lillian's party I was so excited I couldn't sleep.  No kidding.  I had spent a lot of time getting things I knew she would love and I was looking forward to her reaction. Also we were having the party at 5 pm so I knew I had a lot to do.

Of course when I finally found myself in a deep sleep Lillian woke me up a little before 6 begging me to take her shopping Grocery shopping and get her birthday donut.   We hit up the store in our PJs and bought a few more items needed for the party.  Plus the donut which she devoured on the way home.  We live two minute away from the store. She was hungry then not hungry and full of sugar...



She did not disappoint me at all.  Every detail of her party which we took out and got ready for throughout the day was magical to her.  "Oh I love it, Mommy thank you so so much.",  "Ohhhhh so beautiful, I'm so excited for my birthday."

I kept her gifts hidden and let her open one after breakfast.  She opened Lois and Keith's present first, loved the outfit and had to put it on immediately.   All before 7:15 am.

 Next I pulled out Olaf's tea set.  A gift I picked out for Lillian because I knew she would love it.  It was made a little cheaper than I had hoped but she doesn't care.  The kids had a tea party right away.

At 8:30 we began to get ready for Soccer.  Not Lillian's favorite.... so we decided to get it out of the way on her birthday and go to the 9 o'clock club.  She did not want to participate at all.  We played just her and I for a little while and Steven got her to play with the team for a few minutes.

Then we headed home cleaned up the back yard and by noon I was ready for a nap.  I got one and during so one kid walked off with ipad which had the alarm clock I had set.  Woke up.  Elliott had his soccer game, Steven took Lillian and left me home to get ready.  Got Jackson down for a nap.  Started to decorate, cook, clean etc.

Lillian was brilliant this year and instead of inviting a lot of girls her age asked for her to friends who are sisters to come.  We invited their family and another family over for dinner.  It made for a wonderful relaxing party with our friends and hers.

Lillian is such a sweet, caring, loving, thoughtful, spunky, energetic princess.  I am so grateful to be able to be her mother.  I know she will not be held back by the challenges she faces on this earth.
She is so excited to grow up, go to high school (I add college and a mission also) and get married in the Temple.  Love you, Lillian!

Jackson's first day of School.... Play school

With five other mom's in my church group we have set up a play school group.  We have no formal lesson plans, just play and enjoy the kids for one week a month.  It's been delightful.  Jackson was sick the first week and the second week we hosted it.... so here he is the third week getting ready to go to his friends house.

Our Jackson has a giant heart and is a great comforter.  He has a wicked sense of humor and loves to say 'snugglememommy.'  Because of all the classes and courses we have taken to help Lillian develop language, Jackson has been a sponge and is talking better than a lot of 4 year olds.   He keeps me company in the mornings as I try to put things in order.  We make sure to have time for his friends to come over, go swimming or visit a park together.  He is also in love with his Lighning Mcqueen shoes. They are the first shoes I have bought him as he's been living in handme downs from Elliott.  He wears them daily, talks about them constantly, and shows everyone.  It's pretty cute.  

summer-September.

Lillian's Great Aunt and Uncle took her to buy a flower on the way home from school the other week.  Each morning she bounds outside to water it, just a little bit.

Lillian and Elliott get out of school at the same time.  Great right? No their schools are 25 minutes apart.  When I planned on Lillian taking the bus, Nana cried and cried.  So each week we sit down with our team and plan the carpooling to get everyone where they need to be.  

Sunday Photos!

Lillian's Queen Elsa's frozen face

Steven has been traveling most of September and we have defiantly missed him.  

Sunday Photo!

 Nothing like homegrown carrots.

 They make great Little sister repellent.

My youngest kids are into Hot Coco right now.   The 80 degree weather doesn't sway their loyalty to the beverage.  I water it down so much it is more like flavored water than hot coco but they do not mind.

With school starting I have started to get into a better grove of having the house not totally destroyed and actually taking time for things I want to do... drilling sea glass, marathon blogging (like tonight), and visiting with my friends.   I am a huge fan of down time and had to switch it from the afternoon to morning with all the activities going on after school.

soccer - Elliott

Last years soccer team was intense for Elliott they practiced sometimes three times a week.  This year is totally the opposite.  Once a week on Friday evenings.  Elliott blossomed at defense last year.  This year he plays all over and loves it.  Elliott is very very coachable.   He scored a goal and was so nonchalant about it I wasn't sure it was him.  He is not much of a goal score, more of a supportive team player, which we love.  He's maybe scored 4 goals in 4 years of soccer.  

  

Its also been so hot here, in the 80 and 90 (we normally have 75 degrees year round)  Poor kids are melting out there.