Jennifer

Someone has been watching Daniel closely! Same soft teddy blanket and thumb to suck!

Nathan still dotes on his baby sister. It's so cute to watch them together. The other kids spoil her too!

She's sure getting big! I always notice in the car seat first--maybe 'cause it's so heavy!

Chewing on her foot. She's thinking-Just wait 'til I can crawl and get my hands on those little things laying around!

Mom, are you gonna get me outta here?

Jennifer's new favorite zone is the exersaucer. She just loves it. Not only can she grab at things easier and manipulate toys better--she can also turn, rock and kick (almost bounce). It's so much easier to watch everything that's going on if you have a 360 take on it all!

Hard at play

What a blessing it is when the children play together well!

They can learn a lot from each other--and besides it's so nice to hear happy chatter!

And silly stories of what they're doing...if I stop and inquire.

Twins

Nathan says: "Mom, Jennifer and I are twins. We were born on the same day and we're both babies!"

"You're sure a lot bigger than your twin, Nathan", says I.
"That's cause I grew faster!"

Secrets of Cookie making

Cookies made with helpers taste better. The more fingers, the tastier!

An added bonus of having helpers is that cleaning up that messy dough left over is willingly taken care of!

When shaping cookies, the bigger the cookie, the better. If a whole row melts into one giant cookie it will be the best one of the batch!
The kids want to know what a cookie the size of a cookie sheet would taste like!

Who knew that cookie making to perfection required so many helpers?

Too much love

Some days I'm sure Jennifer thinks she has too many brothers.


Jennifer thinks "That's better, stay where I can keep an eye on you!"


"Ahh...space!"


Quality discussion.

Pics

Water and waiting

While by the ocean, Melanie collected sea shells to sell at the sea shore. But first she has to wash them (and maybe polish them too).

Daniel likes to provide support and advice. He'll make a great manager one day. ;

Wherever there is water, Daniel is there too!

As we found out, even the ocean on a cold windy day is not without attractions!

Some people like cold. Or will brave it for any good reason.

"IMe--"What are you doing Matthew?"
"I'm waiting outside for Daddy!"
Me--"He's not coming for more than half an hour!"
"That's okay. I just heard his tr... so he'll be here any minute!"

Home again

Home again
Home again
Jiggety Jig.

(Yes, I read more kid books than adult literature...)

We had an nice holiday and stayed an extra day for the birthday man. He loved his multiple birthday cards.

The kids were surprised that he didn't get a card with his gifts from other people. ;)


The kids enjoyed games and cuddles. I didn't take any pictures of Jennifer all trip, so I'll have to ask for some from our hosts!


We drove home all in one day, as opposed to the usual two day with a stop over--since the weather was fantastic! So as a reward/apology to the kids for the half hour grump/cry/scream (jennifer was the scream) we took them to a wave pool.

All went well 'til a crocodile mat knocked out Nathan's sideways remaining front tooth. It hadn't even been wiggly yet--so it was a bit premature. It was a somewhat messy and traumatizing business. But now Nathan is quite pleased with the results. Now that the mess is behind him, and he still found money under his pillow, despite the fact that his tooth may still be at the bottom of the pool!
Ain't he handsome!