Nighttime Zoo

We spent the evening and a better part of the night with our long time friends The Chadwicks at Nighttime Zoo. It was fantastic to be able to hangout with them since their move to Indiana.  The kids instantly bonded even though they hadn't seen each other for almost a year.  Olivia immediately took to Alex.  She constantly tried to hold his hand.  He was so sweet as he held her hand although he wanted to be with his older brother Will and Kaleb wrestling around.  

We saw many of the different animals in a different setting at night.  The lion was our favorite as he was up and very actively walking around looking for his mate.  We walked around a lot, caught up on each others lives and just had a fantastic time being with our dear friends.  

The Fruit of Our Labor

After getting settled in from our weekend mini vacation we enjoyed the fruit of our labor.  Olivia, Kaleb and I have delicious home made peach pie.  The kids love to cook and especially like to help when the reward is warm, sweet, delicious peach pie.  

The Great American Melodrama and Goodbye Breakfast

Saturday evening we attended the Great American Melodrama. We watched a real entertaining show called Butch Cassidy and The Sunburnt Kid a parody of the Wild West.  It was so much fun to get to cheer for the heroes and boo and hiss for the vi lain while eating popcorn and drinks during the show.  At the end of the show they featured Vaudeville as well.  It was amazing that all three kids (Nathaniel slept through most of the show) sat through both shows very well.  Olivia and Kaleb were both totally fascinated.  It was so fun to watch the show and know that our talented Nana outfitted each and every one of the costumes in the show.  

Sunday morning we had breakfast with Nana, Auntie Jillian and Mike.  We enjoyed good food and conversation but unfortunately it was time to say good bye. It was very hard for us to leave after having such a great time!  As we were driving the kids and I were talking about how we need to see more of you.  And how hard it is to live away from our amazing and fun family.  We love you guys and want you to be closer.  

Avila Farm

We spent Saturday at Avila Farm getting our farming on.  We feed the goats and cows.  Olivia and Nathaniel really enjoyed being face to face with the goats.  Kaleb really enjoyed feeding the cow lettuce right to its mouth, Olivia was a bit hesitant.  It must have been the long, scary tongue but daddy helped her through it.  

We then savored some farm goodness Nana and I got corn and I ruined it by putting too much hot sauce on it.  Our lips were burning!  Kaleb, Olivia, and JJ got delicious home churned ice cream. It helped cool our mouths.  And it was devine.  

 Then we headed over for a tractor ride to pick peaches and triple crown berries. It was so much fun to have the children experience the farm and see that fruit comes from a tree. They also learned when the fruit was ripe.  Nathaniel even got to drive the tractor.  He loved it!  We had so much fun spending time together with Nana enjoying nature.  We left the farm with hand picked peaches and berries, honey, and a pie to enjoy with Nana.

Having a Girl

Before I write this post I need to make sure that it's clear to everyone but especially to you Kaleb that all of my children mean the world to me!  Each one has a unique and very special place in my heart.  You Kaleb my first born son, you were the one that introduced me to motherhood, I was a mother in training, and every little milestone was my first, first.  And Nathaniel is our last baby so of course that makes him super special too.  With him I know I have to savor every little moment because I will never have the moments back and forever he will be the baby in the family.  Having said that, I still want to write my very special feelings that I have for my little girl, my only girl, my sweet, precious Olivia.  

Darling child having you means so much to me because you are my only girl.  You brought pink into my life of blues and greens.  You were the oldest preemie and biggest of my babies a huge 2 pounds and 11 oz and 15 inches long.  You were breathing on your own and only needed to get rid of jaundice, and feed and grow.  I got to hold you within 24 hours of your birth. And It was amazing! I was able to kangaroo care for you for hours on end and you loved it immediately.  Medically your challenges were so small compared to the boys.  My worries for you were so much less thus I got to enjoy the journey without having much concern for your health.  And frankly, it's easier to relate to you.

Having you in my life means having special girl time.  I'm able to do so many of the things I enjoyed in my own childhood, or even now still enjoy as an adult:

I love having our special "spa time" in the bathroom doing our nails, and hair together.

I love playing dolls, barbies and tea parties and dress up with you.

From the beginning I have love dressing you up in the cutest clothes and always tried to include accessories.

And to this day, I think this has has influenced your style.  

You picked this outfit out complete from head to toe!

You are pure sweetness

and joy

a bundle of laughs

and pure love.  

I am super blessed and delighted to have you in my life my sweet, adorable and most lovable little girl!