Today:

I hate doing blogposts out of chronological order, but I had to put this one up right now.

The 'Controlling' part of me always wants to pick out my kids' outfits, especially on school days and church days... (So, they can choose on Saturdays, ok!?!). But the 'I want them to express themselves within reason' side of me LOVES when they choose whole outfit by themselves... This morning for church was a "Choose your own outfit" day for Ainsley. And as a friend working in the nursery commented, "She's kind of channeling Rainbow Brite from the mid-80's". Although there are a few differences, the overall thought is right on!


Complete with the Silly Bandz (OBNOXIOUS jelly bracelets that are back in style. they were a gift...i DID NOT BUY them...), adorable leggings, and a dress-that-is-really-too-short-but-throw-on-some-leggings-and-you'll-get-another-6-months-out-of-it! woohoo for having little girls! You can't pull that one off with a boy... I also love the last-years-jeans-are-now-capris trick!


Then, of course, is Ainsley's go-to face for pictures:

And the best part is the Bed-Head she was sporting after naptime! This kid has crazy hair and I have no idea what to do with it right now...

First day of school

Kind of the 'first day', at least. Elise goes to preschool 5 days/week. Ainsley goes one day only. I bought them a matching outfit (yay for CLEARANCE rack at Gymboree!!!), which is so not 'us'... but this fabric was so cute and they both loved it. Anyway, it was Elise's 5th day of school or something, but the first day for Ainsley. They both ADORE their teachers and seem to be doing well. Here's how the 2 minute photo session went:

"ok, girls. Smile. It's the first day of school together!!"

"Really. Elise. I know you're not a Morning Person, but try to fake it, ok!?" she HATES waking up...


"I'll give you both a lollipop if you just smile for a COUPLE QUICK seconds."
Whatever works somedays, right?!


Then I threw Mitchell in just b/c they all looked so darn cute. =)
...hmmm... this picture may resurface on a Christmas card...pretend you never saw it. =)

oh yeah, we went on 'vacation'...

We went to SC for a long weekend to visit friends and just 'get away' for a little bit. We learned that weekend (3 weeks ago now...oops) that we can't really call it a 'vacation' for a few years. Kids were pretty horrible in the car on the 8 hour drive there, sleeping situation was less than ideal, etc...and we probably won't do a trip like that for another year or so. BUT, it was AMAZING to catch up with some friends that are so, so dear to us. Unfortunately, we didn't take nearly enough pictures... OF COURSE. Here are a few:

On Saturday, one of Elise's buddies had her 5th Birthday party at our FAVORITE location in the city...the wonderful, wonderful, Children's museum... all three kids (and both parents) enjoyed it!
Adam and Elise enjoyed a quiet 'rest time' together on Saturday afternoon...I think that's the only "vacation-y" thing we actually did!

Elise and her best, best buddy spent TONS of time together and this is really the only picture we took! The girls decorated cupcakes for a Labor Day cookout. It was cute. Elise was on CLOUD NINE to be back around Kristina again. It was precious to watch...


The girls also had their FIRST SLEEPOVER!!!!!!! We had Kristina come over to "our" house (really our wonderful friend who was out of town- their house...) for the night. Kristina was perfect and went right to sleep. Elise dozed pretty quickly, but AINSLEY (really no surprise for anyone who knows her!!!) was giggly, mischievous, and overall T.R.O.U.B.L.E. That kid was awake until almost 11pm. really!!? She's never been awake past 9 before... so, she was awake the next morning and and 'faking it' while the other two were still snoozing... it was cute. =)

Birthday messes...

After an email from my dad, I thought to go through old iPhoto files to actually compare the pictures we have of each kid on their first birthday. Turns out, Mitchell was DEFINITELY the messiest. Elise, who loves to get messy and muddy now, didn't make a mess AT ALL at her first birthday in Japan. Ainsley is ok with messes SOMEDAYS, but seemed to enjoy her first bday with a cute pink cake. And Mitchell CLEARLY had the greatest hair as he celebrated his big first birthday! All were adorable and it's always fun to reminisce a little...


Elise

Ainsley

Mitchell

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MITCHELL!

Almost 2 weeks ago Mitchell turned 1. ONE!? Really!? I feel like he should still be about 6 months old...but he's not, and we love him so much!! He's is sweet, cuddly, and goofy. That makes a great combination. Although he's not really saying any words yet, he 'talks' all the time. Actually, it's SCREAMING. He's a loud stinker. He has the greatest 'old man hair' that gets comments from EVERYONE! We LOVE his webby toes- and that his feet smell like his Uncle Paul's feet after 2-a-days in high school football. I know it won't be cute later, but the smelly feet is adorable right now. He loves playing hide-and-seek, especially with big sister Elise! He will squeal like a teenage girl when he sees a dog. He sleeps GREAT (13 hours over night + 3 hour daytime nap....THANK YOU, Buddy!!!!), eats well, and is soooo tolerant of his sisters and the overall chaos in our house. We're so thankful for him and love that God placed him in our family one year (and a couple weeks...fine, I'm late again on a blog...) ago!

He loves his Thomas trains from Nana...


...and here comes the cake!....


...oops! Did I throw something off my tray onto the floor!?! sorry...
He ate a TON of cake and then we headed up to the bath.


The birthday boy had a fun day, was completely spoiled with tons of hugs,kisses, and phone calls! The girls had a lot of fun wrapping gifts, decorating the cake, and playing with their favorite little one year old. It was a great, great day.

GREATEST NEPHEW EVER!!!!!

Ok, so he's also our only nephew, but WE LOVE HIM!!!!!!! About 2 1/2 weeks ago, my younger brother Paul and his wife Jen welcomed their first child, Evan Thomas, in to this world! I'm pretty embarrassed that it took me 2 1/2 weeks to put up a post about the cutest baby ever...SORRY P,J, and e!!!!!!

For some reason, I haven't saved all the pictures they sent, so here are a couple from the hospital and this last 2 weeks at home. He is beautiful and we CANNOT wait to meet him!!!!!!! I'm hoping to take a trip up to visit them in a month or so, but I'm not telling Elise because she will be DESTROYED that she doesn't get to see him as soon as I do. Even Ainsley, who rarely thinks of anyone but herself, was pretending yesterday with her favorite baby doll " Dis is Baby Evan...i feed him milkie, change his poopy diapey, and sing him songs. I wuv him." Awesome.

The new mom and dad are doing well, adjusting to the fact that some babies cry A LOT, they don't read the same books about "sleeping/eating/being perfect" that we do, and that it really stinks to not get enough sleep. AND... they're doing a great job! Jen may be one of the toughest women I know...and I know a LOT of quality, hard-core mommies out there... She's amazing.

If you know them and want to check out their blog, it's martinschicago.blogspot.com.



i think this is my favorite picture of him so far....I just want to smell him! And touch him and kiss him...ok, I sound a little creepy now.

G.L.O.W...here comes Elise!

Anyone who 'gets' the title should be embarrassed. I wrote it and am even kind of humiliated, but I just couldn't stop myself...

Last weekend (a full week ago, I'm a little behind again blogging!), some friends came over for an impromptu hangout/cookout. Their two little boys are 4 and 1, and PERFECTLY adorable. I secretly encourage Elise to have a little crush on Jackson. He's only about 6 months younger than her, and he's so precious. They had a TON of fun playing in our playroom together!

Side note: Adam and Elise wrestle/play a lot. Elise LOVES playing rough and can handle a good deal of rough-housing... so, Jackson probably wasn't prepared for a girl who could hold her own wrestling with a very rambunctious boy! They both giggled a lot and the only blood drawn was a total accident. =)
I'm pretty sure, while I was taking THIS NEXT shot, Jackson said, "It's ok, she can stay there...". What!?! Alan, you'd better keep an eye on that boy! ....On second thought, look at that gleam in Elise's eye! Adam, we need to keep an eye on OUR kid!




Mitchell and Chase 'played' together a little bit, too. Mitchell SO needs some boys around to teach him how to play with something other than baby dolls, toy kitchens, dress-up jewelry, and strollers... Chase was educating him on balls, throwing stuff, and yelling. It was great. Ainsley just kind of hung out and played with the big kids a little, the little boys sometimes, and spent time on her own hiding/hoarding other kids' stuff.


I mean, REALLY!?! Could you find a sweeter little face!?!