Happy Number 3 Ava Bee!

A Plumb Party is always a fun party.  Ava's 3rd birthday party was a backyard splash party!  The weather held out just long enough for all the little ones to enjoy the pool and for the dinner to be served.  Then there was a mad dash to get everyone and everything inside before the down pour.  

Ava and Kate had fun playing in the pool.

I think the playing went so well because Ava had a ball and Kate had a ball... no one had to share!

Ruth took this picture of Alice, I LOVE IT! 

I had to take a picture of Darby, unfortunately the fact that her diaper was ready to explode didn't translate that well to print.

Kate on the dinosaur and Monique's kids on the slide.

Alice is 5 Months Old!

Bright eyed sweet girl.  Alice you are so alert and aware of everything around you.  You love to watch your sister.  You love toys - Sophie the giraffe most especially.  You love jumping and dancing in the jolly jumper.  You are desperate to move.  When you are put down you roll immediately onto your tummy and you start trying to go - you kick your legs and wave your arms.  Sometimes it looks like you're trying to swim and other times you grind your face into the floor as you desperately try to kick yourself forward.  That's usually when tummy time ends and you get picked up.  You love being carried in the bjorn.  You are a happy little lark most of the time.  When you are sad you are very very sad and sometimes it's hard to cheer you up - thankfully this is happening less and less and mostly just at bed time.  Your smile makes my heart sing with joy.  Sweet Alice!

Kate Elizabeth as Humpty Dumpty

Kate Elizabeth sat on a wall.

Kate Elizabeth had a great fall.

Along came a horse.

 He said, "Get off your back,

 return to the wall, and finish your snack!"

Matchy Matchy

Shawn  bought these adorable dresses for the girlies.  One of these days I'm going to get pictures before church or at church when they are less rumpled.  And perhaps I'll even brush Kate's hair, or remember to put the cute headband on Alice's head.  And then perhaps we'll even get them to both smile at the camera while looking at the camera in the same frame.  Oh the dreams I have!

Visiting Dad

I'm excited for the day when we go visit Mom and Dad a.k.a. Grandma and Grandpa and THEIR new apartment.  I'm looking forward to the day that we don't have to work around visiting hours at a hospital.  I'm looking forward to Mom not having to go to the hospital everyday.  But most of all I'm looking forward to the day that Dad leaves the hospital for good, he has been through so much.  I think I need to try to be there when he gets home to take pictures.  Dad is now at St. John's Rehabilitation Hospital.  We're not sure when he's going to be released but he's getting therapy almost everyday and he's getting stronger.  We had a nice visit today.

Jolly Jumper Time

Alice LOVES the jolly jumper.

 And so does Kate!

Cooper Time! (And his mama too of course!)

I wish that - pause, I wish a lot of things but this wish is this, that I could have all my dear friends closer.  Then it wouldn't take almost five months for Shawn and Cooper to meet Alice.  Heck, then it wouldn't take forever between visits period!  Shawn took a day off from work and she spent it us.  We had a fun day with our crazy kids!

Shawn and Alice

 Cooper and Kate jumping and playing on the bed.

 Alice with a rather large flower atop her noggin.

 Kate sporting an adorable headband but as I never put them on her she found it quite distressing and wouldn't even look up for a photo.

 Cutie Alice all smiles!

I love my girls.

I love my girls.  Some days it's stinkin' hard being a Mom.  Some days I feel like an absolute failure.  Some days I feel sorry that Alice and Kate are stuck with me for a Mom.  But other days I just love my girls, hanging out, exploring, learning, screaming, hugging, kissing, rolling on the floor, singing, and just being.  Kate and Alice, thank you for being my daughters; for making me a Mom.