My helper

Ava reading to Jemma today.

Ava reading to Jack when he was Jemma's age.


Not only is she a great helper, she is a serious multi-tasker. Look at her push Jemma's swing and give Jack his drink while she reads. I don't know what I would do without her!

Happy monkeys

She loves his fuzzy head and he pretty much loves anyone who loves him!

Happy Birthday Hudson!

He's a cutie!

Super-cool racetrack cake.

Since we went to the party with three kids and no daddy, Jack received a special be-good lecture before we went in. Looks like Will got the same one. Don't worry, they still had fun.

These guys have fun, fun toys!

A 12-hour trip

Ed had a super early flight out on Monday morning so he decided to stay at an airport hotel Sunday night and I decided at the very last minute to go with him.

Ava stayed with her cousin (it was a school night after all) but the other two came and I have to say I love to travel with Jack--he is just good fun. When we walked in the hotel he kept saying, "I love this place....this is a super great hotel!" (it was an airport Ramada---convenient? yes, super great? no.) "I love this little fridge! Is this my bed? I love this bed!" You get the idea.

Jumping on the bed.

(Is this why hotel beds are so uncomfortable?)

Relaxing after some room service.


So happy to be out of the carseat!

All tucked in.

Five months old!

Jemma Jane is five months old and I cannot believe it. (I actually had to count this out several times!)

She is a little pumpkin who sleeps like me (ALOT), happily chows her pears and rice, chews on everything possible, and saves her best smiles for her brother and sister.

For two weeks straight, she was one grumpy little cookie and I saw more of this face than I ever want to see again.....

winding up.....

letting go.


But, as I reminded myself daily (hourly!), she is a baby which means all her stages (good and bad) won't last long and on Friday she started perking up and by today she is back to her sweet, sweet self.

Thank goodness.

Whew! We love that happy face!

He's a good little worker

And yes, these pictures are from today.

Poor Jack looked out the window this morning and said, "oh no, it's Christmas again and we didn't even get to go to the pool yet!"

I'm bored.

Because everyone else is doing this.

Two boys and their dog

watching basketball.

Jack had a rough afternoon and his daddy was home late but as soon as he walked in he got Jack's big hoop from the garage and they played a serious game of basketball and then settled in to watch some more on TV and he was a happy boy once again.

One thing I like about Jack is that he has a pretty hefty conscience and he always fesses up often long before I catch him but he has a funny ability to separate himself from his bad behavior. I will say, "hey, who ripped my magazine?" and Jack will say, with a bewildered look, "I think my hand did it." Or I will say, "how ya doing?" and he will say, "I'm good but my tummy is really hungry!"

And one more I hope I don't forget: every morning (and I mean every), as the water from his tub runs down the drain, he gets real close and says, "bye water, see you tomorrow!"

And one more sad one: he has finally learned to pronounce his "J"s, so no more "I'm Dack!" or "I love you Demma Dane". I knew he would grow up but this one makes me really sad!

Retro Friday

Hudson Stephen

This week, last year.

Ava as a flower girl in Katie's wedding, twirling.

This weekend, 2007.

With her handsome escort, Will.

Now we know

Ava got her report card yesterday and luckily these little flowers arrived just before she did and made a great reward for a job well done.

The other day she got in the car after school and said, "well, I feel pretty good about it." And I said, "about what?" And she says, "about school. I think I'm actually pretty smart."
Well, that's a relief.

Lookey here

Bottle-holding is a skill my kids learn early on....look at this tight little grip, this girl is hanging on and not letting go!

Nummy.

This girl loves her food.

(Ed always makes fun of me when I feed our babies because I open my mouth while they eat but I've tried not to and it's impossible--it's like opening your mouth when putting on mascara--it must be done.)

Back to school!

Ava wanted to celebrate her first day back with a picnic and while spring is slowly coming, it's not quite warm enough to do it outside, so she suggested we have one inside instead.

Happy Birthday Ed!

Happy Birthday to my favorite person in the whole world!

Ed spent most of his day right here, watching basketball, watching golf, and then watching some more basketball. Then Mexican dinner with friends and some more basketball later that night--that's the beauty of a March birthday!

Happy First Day of Spring!