Wonderful Wedding Weekend

We were so glad we could celebrate this special time with my cousin, Annie, and her new husband, Andy! She was a beautiful, happy bride. Carly kept asking for the camera so she could take pictures. The girls were super excited to get to pass out the programs AND the bubbles. Although the morning was rainy, the sun started streaming into the church right before the ceremony began. I think this couple has a very bright future in store!



While waiting for our shuttle bus from the economy parking lot to the airport, I felt like I should ask Myles for some cash, even though I didn't need any at the time. When he reached for his wallet, he realized he'd forgotten it in the car. When he went back for it in the car, he discovered he'd left the lights on! I was so grateful we figured this out before we left, not after.

We were able to sit by a young mom traveling with her baby to complete our family's 2 rows. This was entertaining for our girls and for the baby. It was nice to have such a win-win situation.

Other fun memories:

puzzles for the girls, which even the adults got really into
meatballs @ Bucca's the size of Macy's head
Daddy/Daughter song and dance
Uncle Mike's and Emily's toasts
bocce and bags
green beans and redheads
Chicago food
Brookfield Zoo
popcorn
dancin' the night away
Crackers
more good Chicago food
pulley at the park
finding Robyn's glasses
cake shakes
rakin' leaves
circular church
beautiful music
wedding trolley
swimming
meeting new friends and family
seeing old friends and family

Friends

We were so happy to have a visit from our friends who have moved out of state! Poor Ellie broke her leg while they were unloading their car at her cousins' house.

We were glad to finally get to meet Nathan!

Catherine and I became friends in college. We were so excited to have her move into our neighborhood after she got married. They stayed with Robyn and Carly when I went to the hospital to have Macy. We hope our geographical paths will cross again someday!

Spooktacular

"Boo-berry" pancake ghosts.

Add whipping cream for extra fun!

Pumpkin Patch 2

When Myles is the Chef...

Nothing is ordinary!

These are a Few of our Favorite Things

This simple activity of gathering leaves and making rubbings is so satisfying!

Macy's Shape Celebration

She thought it was pretty fun to take a field trip to the top of their building and see a trapezoid in the architecture across the way. She's really going to miss her old teachers and made puppets to give to her new ones.

Sisters

One of the girls took this picture and said it was them.

My cousin, Emily, was her sister Annie's Maid of Honor for her wedding. I loved in her speech how she talked about how her parents said they'd always be sisters, always have each other. Sure, they had typical sister tiffs as kids, but they always supported each other and continue to be good friends. This is something I want my daughters to have as well.

I remember my own parents telling me and my brothers as kids that friends would come and go throughout our lives, but we'd always have each other. This is good to remember when at times feelings can be hurt as adults. We all have our strengths and weaknesses. I'm just so glad we have each other, our siblings, parents, cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents, who hopefully love us no matter what.

Brothers

My bro. flew in for 2 friends' weddings. He borrowed a friend's car to drive an hour each way to stop by and see us during his busy, short stay. Macy was delighted to have him drop her off at preschool. Carly and Robyn thought it was a pretty cool surprise to have Uncle Mike be there when I picked them up from school.

Today, I was telling Macy how much I love my brothers.
Macy: Are you sad you don't have any sisters?
Me: Yeah, sometimes. I'm glad you have two sisters.
Macy: Maybe in a couple years I'll see if I get a brother, but if not, I'll still always have one.
Me: Really? Who's that?
Macy: Jesus.

This Magic Moment

Ahh, this is one of those moments I wish I could save forever, so taking a pic. of it is the next best option, I suppose. Robyn found a new chapter book at the library called Dessert First that she was excited to read with Carly. This really touched my heart since Robyn prefers to read to herself "because it's like a hundred times faster." It was hard to get upset that they weren't getting ready for school when I found them snuggling in bed with this book together instead. "Can we read just one more chapter?" they'd beg.

Oh, Sweet Macy, Sweet Macy Jane!

I thought this year would bring lots of wonderful one-on-one time with Macy. It has brought some, but not as much as I'd envisioned. She'd rather play with her friends than me. She misses her sisters, so she fights with me instead, I guess. One of my aunts reminded me recently that she's trying to become independent. I know that happens at two, but I'd forgotten that it happens about every two years after that. It's good that she's determined and independent. She's always my ray of sunshine. Even after I yell or lose my patience (again), she continually says how much she loves me with words and sign language.

Just a sampling: Mom, I love you...now and forever. I love you more than you could ever love me. I love you SO much I could cry because you know sometimes how when you're so happy, you cry? I love you lots and lots like hundreds and thousands of lots and lots. I love you to the moon...and back.

I think the Lord knew what He was talking about when he said we should become like little children. They're so loving, so forgiving. I'm blessed to have this girl!

A date with Macy

A Fun Find

This was one of those books we randomly pulled off the library shelves that turned out to be a real treasure for all ages. Art Up Close by Claire d'Harcourt is pretty much an I Spy book with real paintings.

The BIGGEST Cucumber We Ever Did See!

Grown by my ninety-something-year-old great Uncle Max.

Evidence of a Job Well Done

Robyn: Mom, I took a picture of my pile while you were in the shower so you could see it.

What DID we do before digital cameras?

Great Grandmas are Great!

Where is Pinky?

Here I am, here I am.

Farewell

Myles' parents have chosen to serve a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and have arrived in Panama.

Before leaving, they spoke to their Mission President who told them they had 2 options:
Option #1 live in the big city in a nice place and be able to speak English.
Option #2 live in the country in a much less modern place, should we say, and speak Spanish.

They chose #2, which wasn't a surprise to anyone who knows them. They are excited to teach people about the Gospel, give music lessons, teach English, and help the people find employment.

We enjoyed a wonderful weekend with them and a lot of family before they entered the Mission Training Center, where we enjoyed a picnic dinner with them one evening.

If you're interested in reading about their adventures, you can click on the "Notes from Panama" blog on my blog list on the right-hand side of my blog.

Rest Home

On the first day of preschool when Macy was building with blocks, she didn't make a house or a castle. She made a rest home. This is a place we visited with Grammy. At first, we didn't know the people and weren't quite sure what to do. But, before long, we felt right at home. I watched a woman who never said a word, start singing along with us to an old song she knew. I watched a nurse get teary eyed. I watched our girls "dance" with the "grandmas." Our girls started asking when we could go again.

Since reading Still Alice by Lisa Genova, I feel an even greater love for these people who have lived wonderful lives and are now prisoners to their aging bodies.

Macy put it well when she said, "Mom, that lady is SO old, but she used to be four someday just like me."

Fall Leaves and Swimming Suits

Before Myles' parents left on their mission, we got to show them our new favorite hiking spot. It was fun to have the leaves just beginning to change and still have it be warm enough for swimming suits!

We got to enjoy the same spot today with friends, and the colors were even more brilliant.

I don't like how it's getting darker earlier or waking up to a windshield needing be be scraped, but the sunny afternoons feel like such a gift, like summer not wanting to say goodbye quite yet.

Homecoming Parade

It was fun to celebrate with friends. Someone wasn't following one of the horses at the very beginning, so it was quite entertaining to watch performers either trying to dodge the mess or walking straight through oblivion.

Snowy

Macy was super excited to have her turn to bring her class pet home for the weekend. (There's a tarantular, too, as she calls it, but we haven't signed up for him, yet).

She had fun sharing him with her sisters and cousins.

I've decided that rabbits definitely need to be outside pets. They are cute, but oh so smelly and messy. This was a great way to have a test run.

Since I started writing this post, Snowy died. (Luckily, not at our house). I'm glad we got to have him before that happened. I guess he was pretty old.

Myles took the opportunity to have a good family discussion about life and death.

The new bunny is very cute. It'll be interesting to see what the kids decide to name him. I've heard some pretty creative suggestions.

Where a Kid Can be a Kid!

Macy would live at preschool if we let her. It really is a dream world. There are so many fun hands-on activities and wonderful teachers, I'd like to stay and play!

You would've thought we landed on the moon the day we saw one of her preschool friends at the grocery store. It's fun to see her learning and being so social and sensitive.

The other day, she told me, "One of my girls, you know, at preschool, is allergic to flour. It's SO sad. We had blueberry muffins, and she couldn't eat the blueberries! She's not even allergic to blueberries, just the flour, so she had to eat crackers with none flour. I'm so sad for her."

When we were going to have a different one of her friends from preschool over to play and have lunch, I asked her if she knew if he was allergic to anything. "Yeah, Mom. Germs, yep, he's allergic to germs."

Beware!

Petting Zoo

This Petting Zoo at the school carnival had nothing exotic: kittens, bunnies, chickens, a goat. But, it was sure worth the 2 tickets!

Sisters

One minute they're yelling at each other about who gets to sit where, the next they're giggling their heads off. I'm glad they have each other. I had fun with my brothers growing up, and didn't feel left out. Somehow, it's surprising to miss not having a sister more as an adult. I'm grateful for my cousins, friends and sis-in-laws who help fill that void. I hope these girls keep holding onto each other, regardless of what the future holds.

Sittin' Pretty

Carly was so proud to ride a horse all by herself at her school carnival. I was glad it was worth the wait.

Following in Aunt Emily's Footsteps

Robyn and Carly were both super excited to run a mile on the big track. Macy, Myles and I were excited to be cheerleaders.

Carly's inherited the fun Rockin' Red Robins Face.