Fourth Annual Pumpkin Carving

The NICU sisters met up for their annual pumpkin carving. Hard to believe that we have been schleppin' pumpkin guts with the Anstines for four years. Although the first year brought some much needed lighthearted laughs, year four was much more profound Three years ago, the girls were still fighting it out in their isolettes and now look at them. Talking to each other, loving each other and delighting in each other's presence. Of course, trying to carve pumpkins with five kids rolling around isn't as organized or focused as it once was but who really cares when you are in the presence of miracles. Truly they are!

Here are some picsI asked Adeline what kind of pumpkin she wanted and she responded with, "A Happy Birthday pumpkin." I was puzzled at first but as she kept pulling the pumpkin toward her to look inside I realized she wanted a pumpkin with a candle in it. So cute. She told me what shape she wanted the eyes and nose and told me that she wanted three teeth. I thought that was great communicating. Once we were done and lit her pumpkin, she kept leaning into the mouth to try and blow out the candle. This girl is too funny.

Earlier that day, we had gutted the pumpkins. Savannah wanted to roast the seeds (which I still have sitting in the fridge because I don't know how). She and Lila extracted the seeds and Lila kept trying to eat the guts which really made me want to puke. Surprisingly, Adeline felt left out. I didn't thing she would want to participate so I didn't ask. I guess I was wrong.

I Bake. . .

Therefore I don't blog!








This has been a week of baking. Three kids spread over four classes keeps a mommy busy.

Lila helped me make the cupcakes. It was just the two of us while the other girls were in school. She was so grown up - so enjoyable. Skipping my spinning class to bake with my little girl proved to be worth its weight in gold.

Later that same day, Savannah came home from school and said, "Nobody has a Mommy that bakes as well as my Mommy. You have such good ideas. Everything is so cute." Needless to say the boost of confidence was nice after multiple batches of cookies, frosting and cupcakes. She really is so sweet.

On a baking note, well not really because we didn't make the gingerbread, the girls had a great time constructing their spooky gingerbread house. Adeline worked hard to pick up the pieces and place them on the frosting while Lila Grace gave her jaw muscles a workout on the most likely old and hard candy. A test of my inner strength as my mind was repeating, "Look at this mess, look at this mess." Luckily, my heart helped me to focus and delight in the sibling fun.

Sucking out the frosting and giving Lila ideas.

Halloween. . . Three Parades in One Day

First up. . . Savannah the Hamburger


Her class paraded through the school and the Quaker retirement home.

Next up. . . Lila Grace or "New Barbie." Named after the new Barbie video Savannah was given for her birthday. We only watch it in the car witch makes for a very captive audience. Both girls saw this hand-me-down costume of Savannah's and thought it was a Barbie dress.Practicing her Prom Queen wave

Lila's class paraded through the church sanctuary for all the parents.

Last in the line up is Adeline the Hippie. Her costume was a surprise. All classes in her preschool made their costumes and they were spectacular. It was so fun to wonder what she was going to be. I think she has some John Lennon in her. . .

Adeline's school participated in a wonderful carnival (I didn't get to see it because I was at the other parades) and then paraded through the parking lot for the parents. Here is a clip of her class singing..

"It Was Nannah!"

As we were driving home tonight, all of us in the car, we hear a rather loud rumbling deep in Lila's car seat. We start to giggle and then Daddy asks, "Lila, did you gas?" Yup, we call it gas because I couldn't bring myself to say, "Toot." Lila growls, letting us know that she is a bit embarrassed and wants the attention taken off of her.

Two minutes later, another rumble but even louder this time. Immediately, it is followed by, "It was Nannah." Alex and I almost fall out of our seats after hearing this and seeing Lila's finger pointed at her sister. I guess Lila thought that we were laughing because Savannah wasn't an appropriate person to blame it on so she held up Bunny and said, "It was Bunny, it was Bunny."

We typically encourage the girls to say excuse me after such rumblings and try to not make a big deal out of it. How on earth does a three year old already know to blame an innocent bystander????? I guess it takes a certain type of three year old. . .

Piano Lessons

Savannah just completed her first piano book. I am very pleased with her progress. Most of all, I love that she loves her lessons. Here she is playing one of the last songs. She did pretty well considering she knew I was filming her.

Apple Picking

These pictures are worth posting because they demonstrate how far Adeline has come in the sensory department. Last year, Adeline would arch her back and refuse to reach in for an apple. This year, we brought a stroller because we thought she wouldn't dare get out and walk on the long grass or desire to pick an apple. Little did we know. . .





I should note that we had a fantastic time and were thrilled that Charlotte and family invited us along.

Mountain Clips

A few very short clips of the girls' first attempt at bowling. Lila Grace was pretty good at flinging the ball down the lane. Adeline didn't quiet have the finger strength to hold it independently - almost though. Savannah thought it was a blast but instead of watching her bowl, I included snowflake catching instead.

Our Stay at the Little Red House

First stop, The Crayola Factory
Lila demonstrates cutting skills that I didn't know she had.
Our family in water color

Something The Belle would never do a year ago.
Leaf hunting
Finger painting back at the house
S'mores in the snow
There was lots of it for Lila to nibble on

The bunk bed provided hours of fun. As you can see, we had a hard time making it out of our PJ's. (Has she really gotten to the age where I have to worry about pictures in undies??)
The girls were in awe of the TV going nonstop. We very rarely turn it on in our house so the girls thought it was a real treat to watch it when they pleased.

Bushkill Falls, the girls did a great job hiking out

60 degrees, the snow is gone, and the view made it hard to leave.

This morning, Lila Grace woke up in a groggy state (the girls really slept in at the cabin) and said, "Red house Mommy??" We all would have rather been lounging in our PJ's instead of getting up at 7:00 a.m. and heading to school

Daddy's Home. . . For Good

After two long years apart, Alex has given up his in TX to work from HOME. Although Hitachi has been a tremendous blessing, we decided the distance was taking too much of a toll on our family. Much to our surprise, our good friend in North Carolina who has recently gone into business for himself, asked Alex if he would like to buy into the company and become a partner. After much consideration, we recognize that working for oneself has many inherent risks, Alex quit his job in TX and has become a consultant working from home. Alex has been moonlighting with his friend for almost a year now and we both feel as though the pipeline is strong - it better be, there are seven children riding on this partnership.

We are excited to start this new chapter in our lives. In fact, things have already changed. We just spent four days in the Poconos (shh, the kids played hookie for this) relaxing and trying to wrap our heads around the fact that we don't have to count down the days until Daddy's next departure.

I have never had the pleasure of help in the mornings. Even when Alex worked locally, he was well on his way to work by the time the rest of us were waking up. I have had to plan (like I can do this) to be sick when Alex is at home. Over the past two years, each doctor appointment, grocery store trip, and errand has been done with all three of my girls with the exception of the few times Alex has been here or friends have helped out. To have two sets of hands to start our day and end our day is a fantastic change. In the end, our goal isn't money, the best house, nicest car, or fanciest vacations. Our success will be measured by the family time we are able to provide for our kids. I would say we got off to a pretty good start these last four days!! I think we all feel whole again.

Hippotherapy Anniversary

It has been one year since Adeline started Hippotherapy. It is a combination of speech and physical therapy and we both love it. She was the smallest client they had taken on but boy how she has grown. I walked in last night to observe through the window and looked away since the child on the horse riding past was too big to be mine. It was her, and I was shocked. Adeline was sitting up tall and strong. A year ago, she was hunched over and breathing fast. I am so proud.

We grew carrots this year and never picked them out of our garden. I decided we should take them to feed the horse (Lila stayed back with Daddy.) The wiggly leaves were sure to give Adeline a challenge. To my surprise, you put that girl in a barn and she can do things I would swear she couldn't. She put her helmet away, up high and oddly stacked, and went right to the feeding bucket. She had no fear of the large horse walking by her and wasn't put off by the wiggly carrot. Adeline stuffed it in the bowl and headed right toward Chloe. The last time I saw her do this, she needed a lot of physical support. Feeding the horse out of the bowl requires strength because the horse pushes down rather hard on the bowl. You can see her little muscles working and white fingertips squeezing the bucket tight. What a big girl.

On a speech note, Miss Heather is currently reevaluating The Belle. It takes multiple sessions to complete the tests but so far so good. She has made so much progress. I am anxious to hear where she falls!!