Bubbles

OK, so this toy DID come from the Target summer toy aisle, but I thought a bubble machine would be really fun, especially since EB likes bubbles but has no idea how to make them. AA really liked standing among all the bubbles, and this was promising to be a fun morning diversion until big brother came out 10 minutes into it and broke the machine. Who would think it's a good idea to pick up a bubble machine and shake it over his head?

Random Stuff

~ My local church friends will appreciate this: Upon arrival at the Sleep Inn last weekend, AA says, "hey Mom! This hotel looks like a church!" :)

~ Who needs the summer toy aisle at Target when you have a cut-up diaper box and a hill?

~ Every girl needs a girlfriend to share the summer with.

~ Awww - they're getting married in 8 days!

The Mood Switch

I really think she has one. AA can turn her moods on and off in an instant. On Saturday she did one last fitting for her flower girl dress, and this time she got to try on the head piece. She did like the pretty flowers in her hair, but once she put her gorgeous dress on she went into one of her super funks. I'm not sure when I have seen her so frowny. We wanted to get a few pictures of her in her dress, especially my mom, and AA just would not smile. I just kept snapping the frowny pictures, because I know it's often pointless to try to get smiles from her when she's in a mood. Within seconds of everyone stopping pictures, she started smiling - it was such an act! Here's the instant change:

Someone's Going to Get This!

I'm really big into recycling - our bins are overflowing by Monday night and our trash can is usually fairly empty. I've switched mostly to "green" soaps, detergents, and cleaners. I'm looking into using sustainable resources for our basement project. But the product I found yesterday absolutely takes the cake - or pie - or patty - whatever. Paper made from elephant poo! I just started laughing when I saw it in the UVa bookstore. Maybe it's because I live with preschoolers and the things I now find funny are quite childish, but I had to come home and look up this company. This company makes stationary products from dried elephant dung, and it was actually very nice paper. I think it would make the perfect little gift - maybe for someone who teaches young children. Anyway, cracked me up so I had to pass it along - well I guess the elephants do that. Sorry, sorry, sorry... ;)

9 Years

Today we celebrate our 9 year wedding anniversary. The closer we march to 10, the harder it is to believe that these years have already flown by! I guess you can't really know just who you are marrying when you are first starting out, because many of the things that start to shape and define you haven't happened yet. I count myself blessed to be married to a man who is shaping up very well! He is a good provider, approaching his work with persistence and integrity; he's a loving father, interested and involved in everything we do; my true best friend, knowing what I'm thinking before I sometimes know myself and encouraging me to find happiness in everything I do. He's my champion, my constant source of optimism and humor, my never ending conversation, my rock, my relief, someone to dream with who knows our true Foundation. Looking at our own children grow quickly before our very eyes, it seems a little crazy to us that we were engaged at 18, but God is not crazy and He knew we were meant to be. He will always be my high school sweetheart and for all we have been through together and all that life has waiting for us still, he will always be my one true love. Happy Anniversary Geof!

Sticking with it

I've decided to stick with this blog as our family blog because I just really like it! So no change of virtual address anytime soon. I have gone ahead and started a new blog for photography (beaskneesphotos.wordpress.com), but for now this will remain our online fishbowl.

I put together a collage of EB's growth over the past 12 months:

Happy 1st Birthday EB!

We had the big party a couple weeks ago, but today EB is officially 1 year old! Happy birthday to you, our baby girl! One year ago it was hard to imagine what our family would be like with a third child, and now we can't imagine it without you! What a blessing you have been and will continue to be. You've learned so many things this first year - how to smile and laugh, how to sit and stand, how to say Dada and hey and car and ball, how to wave bye-bye, how to drink from a straw, how to climb the stairs, how to settle to sleep, how to stack blocks, how to eat a whole banana, how to beg for a bath, how to make marks with crayons, and on and on and on. We're excited to watch the next years unfold for you as you continue to grow and learn. We are so thankful to be your parents - mommy doesn't just love you to pieces, she loves you 10,000 pieces! Happy birthday big girl!

Playing with birthday presents (big sister opened everything for her)

Make a wish (tightly restrained!)

the cake was a hit! she ate 2 pieces

OH, and MY birthday gift from EB this morning was when she crawled to me, reached her arms up for me to pick her up and said "ma ma" for the first time!