Fairy Princesses

The girls have enjoyed putting on performances a lot lately. This day they did a fairy princess play. Aren't they so cute?

Soccer

The girls took a soccer clinic this summer at the Y. When I signed them up, I thought that Stella would really love it & that Jordan would play along. To our surprise, Stella wasn't into it all that much, but Jordan LOVED it. She quickly became the star of the group! She scored several goals during their games and even understood defending the goal really well. We were surprised to see just how scrappy our little girly-girl could be out on the field. Jamie & I decided that we'd better learn to like soccer pretty quickly, as Jordan's already asking when she can take lessons again!

Prima Ballerina

Jordan's first ballet recital was on Saturday. She did a wonderful job & loved being a real ballerina!

Sweetest Girl in the World

So, our dogs have a habit of chewing on any plastic toys that get left out on the porch. Unfortunately, the other day it was "Baby Jo," Jordan's very first (and very special) baby doll. Jordan wasn't the one who left it out, so I was worried about how she was going to react when she learned Baby Jo's fate. Her sister promptly claimed responsibility for the crime and apologized, and Jordan immediately forgave her. She told me later that she did feel a little tear on her cheek about it, but she knew Stella didn't mean for it to happen. I gave her the choice of throwing her away or keeping her. Jordan decided that she would like to keep her, but asked if maybe we could find some socks and mittens for her. It ended up being a great teaching opportunity about how people are still valuable even if they are different. But we were so impressed with how she handled it without any coaching or prompting. She's a really sweet girl.

Earth Day

Yesterday for Earth Day we spent the afternoon outside celebrating God's creation. The kids spent time looking around for different "creatures," and watching clouds. I enjoyed celebrating nature, but also the three lovely creatures that God's put on his Earth, under my care.

Painting

The babies & I spent the afternoon painting the other day. We had a lot of fun with it.

Leprechans!

We had a dance party at preschool yesterday for St. Patrick's Day. These guys had a lot of fun!

(see Stella dancing in the background?)

i love our monkeys

catching up

Stella has really enjoyed playing on the computer lately. Daddy made the kids a nice little desk area in the playroom, just their size.

Jordan's valentines

Jordan making valentines

Mommy playing with the camera
Davis showing off his new ability to stand. He's also been taking a few steps here & there. Lots of people have been telling me lately how much he looks like Jamie. Usually I don't see it, but I thought he did look like his Daddy in this photo.

HOPE for Haiti

So, if you read this blog, by now you know that I love Wild Olive Tees. They are fun, fresh, and oh-so-soft. I'm really not the "Christian t-shirt" kind of girl...but these have me at hello. And the folks over at Wild Olive are always doing something to help others, but right now they've got a new T out to benefit those in need after the recent Haitian earthquake...and they are donating 100% of their profit to an organization called Eyes Wide Open. They are hoping to raise a lot of money to help through this. And, I know you've probably already given, but the need in Haiti is so immense! And if you buy this shirt, you're also going to get a lovely T-shirt that has a message of hope, TRUE hope. So, if you're interested, head on over to http://www.wildolivetees.com/. And share this with your friends who might be interested.

lovely day

It's official...I'm now a terrible blogger. Are any of you even out there anymore, waiting for new pictures of our sweet monkeys?

At any rate, today was a delicious January day. Warm enough & carolina blue skies. I sent the girls out for the whole afternoon. They had a blast.

Pretty pretty princess

a few birthday pics

thanks for the wagon, NaiNai & YeYe!

D likes his new books a lot! And his sisters like his ugly doll...

we got a surprise visit from Dexter! :)

mama loves her boy!

One already

('scuse the messy face!)

Yesterday, our little guy turned ONE. We celebrated with some family, but he unfortunately got croup the night before, so we had to uninvite his little pals. :( He's feeling better now.

At one, Davis is jabbering a lot. He signs more, eat & all done. He says "what's that?," "night night," "banana," something that means Stella, "nononono," "tickle," "thank you." He waves bye-bye & plays patty cake & peek-a-boo. He's pulling up & cruising & will walk with two hands held. Davis also loves to push around his walker wagon. He's a very fast crawler, too! His favorite things are the remote and anyone's cell phone. And the computer. He's probably gonna be a techie. ;) He loves to eat bananas and apples, rice chex, and yogurt. He loves to use a spoon by himself. He enjoys baths, but detests getting changed or dressed. Davis goes to preschool a few mornings a week & really loves his teacher, Ms. Amy. He's also enjoyed having his YeYe & NaiNai around more lately & loves to be with them. He has so much fun with his sisters, too. But, he drops everyone like hot rocks when his Daddy gets home!

Davis is a really happy guy. What people ask us most is if he's always so smiley. He generally is. He seems to really enjoy people's company. He's also very curious & seems to like to try to figure things out. He's so affectionate & always ants to be held. He loves a good laugh. I think he's going to be the kind of guy who is everyone's buddy. He seems really laid back & flexible. We love this little guy!