Kellen is 5!

Dear Kellen,
You are 5 already! You are growing so quickly it is hard for me to believe. You have waited impatiently for this birthday. You've been asking about it and planning for it since your last birthday. I offered that we could invite cousin Nolan for your birthday weekend instead of a birthday party. Somehow we have ended up having both for you!! You don't forget about things that you really want!

You are interested in most things that Dad is. You talk lots about hunting, bows, guns. You also are obsessed with transformers and Star Wars lego. Your friends are very important to you and you always insist that you need a playmate. You do play really well with your sister also. Lanelle listens to you when you tell her what to do when playing transformers or guns - she loves you so much! You are sweet with her when she gets hurt and give her hugs and kisses.

Sometimes you don't listen well. I guess its hard when you have so many of your own ideas, which you always seem to be full of! But, when it comes down to it, you are really good and listen quite well (even though some incentives have to be stated - like no bedtime stories or no computer time!) You are learning to think of others and their feelings more often, but sometimes it takes lots of direction. I love when I see you be kind to someone else!

I made your favorite breakfast, pumpkin pancakes, for your birthday! You said it was the best birthday ever. Having your cousins was super exciting!

The day after your birthday, you had your friends over for a party. You had said you wanted a firetruck cake - again! But, you were easily persuaded otherwise when I suggested a moose! Luckily Auntie Jenn gave you an animal cookie cutter set, which included a moose and squirrel, so my job was made a lot easier!

Kyle, Carsen, Ben, Ivan, Jake and Logan!! You were so excited for your friends to come and you all played so nicely! I was glad you liked my games and thought it was fun you had some of your own ideas about the party. You suggested the "Who Am I" game and you wanted to play spin the bottle to decide whose present you would open.

What a great birthday you had! We love you so much!

i like friends.

I usually try to keep just family pics up here. I feel like I don't have permission to put others pictures and stories out there, but I was struck again by this moment when I was sorting pictures and can't resist sharing.

I love good friends. Where would I be without? I would hate to imagine. I love people who think of others. I was thrilled when a wonderful friend brought over her children and some "jewels" (frozen ice cubes with food coloring) to have a backyard jewel hunt with my kids. It was great for them to get outside and have playmates. It was great for me to know we were thought of during this time of adjustment. I know how great acts of kindness feel when they come our way. I would like to be more thoughtful (and creative) in showing acts of kindness to friends. Thanks Holly!

Outside!

The big success of the day - Lanelle, Neve, and I walked to the school to pick up Kellen this afternoon! It was so beautiful out. I was going to say it was warm, but I guess that depends on your standards. It wasn't super cold at least finally. So, I dressed up Neve, put her in the sling and pulled Lanelle in the sled. It felt so good to be out for a walk! Such a little thing, but its probably changed my perspective on the week ahead!

These pictures were taken last week when it was super cold. The kids insisted the -30 windchill wasn't cold and played in the driveway and front yard. Lanelle got stuck in the snow, but by the time I went back inside and got on some boots she'd figured her way out and was quite proud of herself for it!

Precious Moments

I really love watching Kellen be a big brother to baby Neve. He is so gentle and concerned. He is really interested in her and asks lots of questions. One topic of interest is what the baby's voice will be like. He often mentions wanting to know her voice.

I captured this moment of finding him reading a transfomer book to her and explaining who's who.

Cuddling Neve or looking at her sweet face usually gives me perspective at how precious this time is (even though I can't seem to get much accomplished and sometimes get frustrated trying to deal with the needs of 3 demanding kids at once!) Watching Kellen "take care of" his sister also reminds me to take notice of these precious moments. I look forward to knowing her voice too, but I am really enjoying this little babe and don't want time to go too quickly.

photo by Kellen

Lanelle's 3!

Dear Lanelle,

You are 3! You are growing up so quickly. You are so full of personality and always making us laugh. You are so independant and demanding - which I noted about you when you were turning 1. You love to play rough and tough play with your brother. Transformers, guns, and trucks. Lately you are expressing your girly side more - you've been wanting to wear skirts, playing dress up, and wanting to do ballet. You love to color, do puzzles, and make up imaginative stories that often involve your favority character - Toothless. You love to talk and to talk VERY loudly. You like to be heard! On your birthday, you chose your outfit after pulling out all your skirts looking for one that was long enough. You wouldn't let me do your hair though. You hate getting your hair brushed. I loved the poses you did for me:You picked out a sprinkle cake mix for your birthday. We mixed it up together and made this fun creation. You LOVE marshmallows and were so excited to help cut them up and make flowers.

You were so excited for your party. You wanted your cousins - Arwen, Ivan, Dominique, and Emora. You decided to put on your caterpillar costume while you were playing and did not want to take it off! You had so much fun and were so happy with your special day! We are so thankful for you and for each day of your life! It is so beautiful to watch you grow.

Giveaway at Inspired Mama!

I tried to order the book, One Thousand Gifts the other week when I saw it on In(courage) but ran into issues getting it delivered to Canada. Here's my second chance at Inspired Mama - which is a wonderful blog to check out for mamas!

Adjustments

I've been wanting to document for myself about how we are adjusting to being a family of 5. I just never seem to find the time or know exactly what I want to say. Depends on the day or the minute.

Yesterday I felt like supermom and thought how easy this adjustment is going. By 10 a.m. I had showered, we were all dressed, beds made, breakfast was cleaned up, meals for the day planned, baby was bathed and sleeping again, I was reading books with the big kids, and I even had planned our week of Kids of Integrity activities. I went to bed last night with a clean house. Today, at 11:30 a.m. I was still not showered or dressed, the kids were not dressed, they had been playing computer/watching movies with barely any supervision, I had changed diapers too many times and Neve was on her third outfit of the day, been nursing/rocking/bouncing constantly, had no idea what was for lunch, was starting to feel frustrated because nothing was working out, and I finally showered while listening to baby cry.

So, I will try to accept whatever way the day goes, while I figure out how to manage all the needs in front of me. I have asked the kids a few times when I am tending to babe and both of them are fussing at me for something. "Hey, how many moms are in the room? How many kids? That's right only 1 mom for 3 kids, so you have to be patient." Kellen especially gets it and either quits fussing or will even make an effort to help. Which is nice, and also makes me feel bad for him that he is always waiting the longest for attention.

One more complaint before I move on to the positive - I miss this... the freedom to just get dressed up and get outside. I feel cooped up and miss being able to walk down with Lanelle in the sled to pick up Kellen from pre-K or to go the library and coffee shop.

But -

• Neve has the sweetest face and her brief little smiles make me melt
• Kellen is amazing to watch and listen to with his littlest sister. I have been delighted with the way he wants to talk to her, read to her, cuddle her...
• It just feels right to be at this point, loving these 3 kids
• I know how fast it goes. I may totally miss out on x-country skiing this season, but there are many more winters to come.
• Spring is not far away, and everything will be easier by then.
• I am so thankful for this time to be at home with my lovely 3!