Summer Begins

Mostly we have been spending our time finishing up soccer for Jeffrey and Arabelle, starting baseball for Jeffrey and Arabelle, and completing swimming lessons for all three kids.  Although those activities are what has been keeping us busy, I managed not to get any pictures of them.

Arabelle said she wanted to wear this dress for "Earth Day" because of all the flags.

I got lots of pictures of Charlotte in this "Ice Cream Social" dress, but I thought she looked too cute.

And then she got sad, inexplicably:

Fat Little Smiler:

Arabelle didn't want to take a picture b/c she said the shirt made her look like an angel:

Charlotte needed her picture taken as well:

I had not planned for Charlotte to take swimming lessons because she is very afraid of the water.  In fact she throws a giant fit every time I make her take a bath and wash her hair.  The first day just Jeffrey and Arabelle were signed up for lessons, and Charlotte was sad and said she wanted to do it.  I didn't believe her, but I signed up her up, and lo and behold, the next day she got in the water and was quite cooperative.  I could tell she was scared, but I realized how brave she could be when it was something that she wanted to do:

I must note that Rowan looks like Winston Churchill here, but i will spare you the Winston Churchill pic:

Little Survivor got his blood drawn:

Arabelle:  I'm going to marry Valin but......I kind of have a crush on Pac Man.

I nagged  Arabelle all day to put away her clothes and finally she got started and then one minute later lay on the floor exhausted from all the hard work and she said, "But mommy, I wasn't born to clean!"

I wanted to explain a little bit to the kids about Rowan's hearing since he would be going to so many doctors' visits and I wanted them to be prepared for his hearing aids.  Jeffrey seemed pretty upset by it and said he was sad that Baby Rowan couldn't hear well.  Then he perked up a bit and said, "but at least he can smile!"

End of Schoolyear

I found this puppet theater at the thrift store, and it was so nostalgic that I had to buy it.

at least it is educational...

Arabelle's end of schoolyear gift she made for Valin

Rowan at 3 months.

One of Charlotte's "guys"

Arabelle's Pre-school Graduation

They grow up too fast...
(Arabelle saw me posting this pic and she said, "Isn't it pretty how I was sitting?")

Little Peanut

Jeffrey's "End of School" gift for his teacher, Mrs. Carmichael.  She is from Louisiana, so I thought she would appreciate teh beignet mix.  Jeffrey drew some good Skylander's guys on the card.

Rowan at 2.5 Months and More Spring

 Jeffrey's school had a "masquerade ball".  I've been to a similar event and knew it would be crowded and loud, so I left Rowan at home with John and took the three older kids.  The PTA puts on the event in the school gym.  They put out hula hoops and balloons and there is  a DJ that does clean versions of popular songs.  Our friends the Macalusos provide free family photos.  I expect the point is for them to advertise, but I'm doubting that it is very successful.

The kids had a really good time--Charlotte mostly liked the balloons.  There was a little "dance contest" and Arabelle really got into it.  She was quite creative, using shiny gold streamers that had fallen from the decorations.  Unfortunately I don't think the person picking the winners could really see her.

This particular outfit of Rowan's features an attached chicken toy.

The kids think it is hilarious to lay on the floor by Rowan and pretend to be a baby.

"Hipster Rowan"  I got this cute outfit at my baby shower.

Charlotte has recently grown into some exciting outfits left to her by her older sister Arabelle.  It is kind of freaky how they have the exact same taste in clothing since they were/are both so picky as 3 year olds in what they wear.  Maybe all 3 year old girls just love similar clothes.   It's also funny because when Charlotte puts on the clothes, Arabelle sees them and gets jealous but she doesn't remember that she actually wore them, she just knows she loves them.

Arabelle and Valin--the boy she's going to marry.

 Arabelle and some classmates.  Arabelle is a leader in the classroom and quite popular.

All 4 of my kids wore these jammies, and i love how they give them cute little frog legs.

Tummy Time (Rowan hates it so it usually only lasts a few seconds):