Pwease!!

Dear Kids,

It's a calm, restful (rare) Sunday evening. We are about to enter one of the busiest weeks Daddy has the entire year. You haven't seen much of him during the week anyway for awhile now, but now he'll be pretty much non-existant for a bit.

I can tell he's aware of that as he spends the entire afternoon playing Wii with you guys, then basketball, using holding-Sis as his handicap to make it fair. Things quiet down in the playroom and I can sense there's some negotiation (pleading) going on. I then hear, "PWEEEEESE!" There is a stunned silence and then Daddy, Jonah, and Marcus start cracking up laughing.

Apparently Kariah had employed a new tactic to get what she wants including stamping her feet wildly. It was quickly named the "Kariah Please Dance" and both boys started in on it. And moments later this is what came towards me......

What strength!! What endurance!!! What.....balance?

I wish you could hear it because this was the best part of the whole night. Kariah threw her head back and screamed "Wheee Hooooo!"

Don't ever, ever, EVER doubt how much your Daddy loves you. And you don't even have to say pweese.

And Then There Were.....How Many????

That's a whole lot of grandkids. 14 in fact. With one more on the way. So far.

(sorry Mr. Photographer, I had to adjust the colors on this one, it was driving me batty)

Dear chick-a-dees,

Last month Aunt Tara and family joined the rest of us for a crazy, fun-filled weekend. The powers that be (read: Aunt Jaime) realized it would be a prime opportunity to take some new family pictures. She even made it easy for the rest of us and told us exactly what colors to dress you little dumplings in. She then picked the photographer, a great location and hosted the huge event with dinner afterwards for bribery. It all worked swimmingly.

What a huge, wonderful family you guys get to be a part of. You are so, so blessed.

Da Boiday of Da Jedi

A Long Time Ago

In a Galaxy....fairly close

A young Jedi turned 6.

Obi Wan Kenobi joined him in the sacred ceremony of

creating his own balloon light saber.

And that of his padawan peers.

The young Jedis partook of pizza-like sustenance.


And returned to Obi Wan once all of their light sabers popped.


But what good is a story without the presence of eeevilllll......

Darth Vader appeared and called out Obi Wan to an infamous battle.

The young Jedis looked on, concerned for shorter Obi Wan.

Struggle he did. But the Light is always stronger than the Dark Side.

Younglings found refuge with their Daddies and Uncles.

Once the battle was over, and Darth Vader decided he wanted to be nice, the Jedi's celebrated with the infamous Water Balloon Launching.

The Force is strong with that one.

It was time to celebrate. Candles and Donuts. What more could a young Jedi ask for?

Even the female Padawans had an enjoyable time.

Especially this one.

It was then time for the traditional parachute toss.

Obi Wan finished his sojourn with much face painting.

And the Young Jedi was happy.

Whatchu lookin' at?

I'm outta here!!

Dear Mommy,

That's it!! I've had it! I'm sick of this place. I'm sick of stinky boys. I'm sick of watching you fold laundry. I'm sick of going to the same park every day, who does that?! I'm sick of trying to choke down that nasty food you call vegetables. You and I both know you're going to give in and give me cholocate milk. So, let's just cut to the chase, shall we?

And Mom, it's slightly pathetic that you watch "18 Kids and Counting..." just to make your life look better. And don't get me started on "Project Runway", you in your maternity clothes that look like circus tents. How am I supposed to develop a sense of style when I have that to look at every day??

What? You mean I really have to stay here? You even upgraded the garage door opener so I can't go running into the driveway when I hear Daddy coming home. Where is the fun in staying inside to greet him?

Just this once, Mommy please? Then I'll be a good girl forever, I promise.

Love,

Kariah

PS. Kariah, right after I took these pictures I decided the door was too close to the chair for you to get out, so I was in the kitchen when I heard your squeal of from out front. Sorry I didn't get a picture of that too.

Is this a problem, Mommy?

Dear Markie,

You've had a hard Spring Break. It started off fun, with a cousins sleepover and fun at Bounce U. But by that night you and Jonah were throwing up and other fun stuff. Jonah recovered in a day or two but for you, it's been a bit longer. We had to rescheduled your birthday party, you've spent way more time laying on the couch than is good for a beautiful Spring Break.

At one point, you got in a warm bath. Sissy thought it looked so good, she jumped in with you fully diapered and clothed. Even that didn't get a smile out of you.

Maybe the birthday party today will. Pictures to come.....

Hold You

Dear Riah,

It's been a long week. Every day, sometime starting at 4 pm, sometimes (when I'm really lucky) starting at 9 am, you have disintegrated into a pile of mush. You scream "Hold You!!" which translates into "pick me up and hold me and love me and don't let me go or I will cry".

And the baby in my tummy is leaving my back weak and my patience short. So we sit on the couch, you with thumb in mouth and blankie in hand. And I hold you.

Whether this is molars moving in, a tummy issue, a phase, it matters not. The timing is truly impeccable since it has coincided with some of Daddy's busiest times EVER. Last night it was midnight before I threw in the towel and went to sleep alone. And exhausted from a day full of "Hold You".

So today, I made you a hat during your nap time. So that there would be evidence. That I love you, because given my attitude during the last week, one might doubt. And I took you to the park. And I helped you to find your smile again. Documented.

Because baby, I Hold You.

ps. you went in for a weight check and more shots yesterday. Since October you have gained one pound for a grand total of 21.6, fully clothed. With shoes. Still on the growth chart though at third percentile. So doc is happy.

I warn you now. If this baby comes out anywhere close to normal sized, you're in trouble. Big trouble. Little sisters can get.....pesky.