A Little Space in the Universe

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Summer catch up

Yeah, not summer...these are Easter egg hunt pictures that I took and never posted.

Squinty baby eyes...

The evidence of our first ever efforts to color eggs.

This actually happened in the summer.

Evan had a school board retreat in Flagstaff. We stayed at Little America while he went to meetings. I didn't take many pictures, but this made me laugh so hard I was crying, so I thought I'd share.

Outside the truck stop diner there is this dinosaur that someone engineered so well, it is nearly impossible for kids to climb on it, as kids would generally do. Amelia and Dylan went at it from every angle but they couldn't seem to get on top.

Simon hovered at the tail. I think he figured that if the older two were having so much trouble, he probably would too.

Finally, I stopped laugh-crying and gave them a boost.

Liam's expression indicates what he thought of the whole thing.

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Catch up...once again

I am so far behind, so I'll just start where I am. Simon had his 5th birthday party on a rainy Friday last May. We had to move it indoors last minute. It was chaotic to make the change, but I think the parents were grateful for the contained, dry play space.

This kid is such an awesome little guy! He's as spunky and sensitive at 5 as ever, and he can't get enough Legos, dinosaurs, Hot Wheels tracks, etc.

One of Simon's favorite gifts was this Darth Vader voice changer.

His indoor party was a blast, apparently. (That's what all the kids said, anyway.)

It was certainly better than the soggy mess that our outdoor plans would have become.

Birthday morning presents!

Crazy-eyed happiness spurred by the Roboraptor.

Here's Liam with Evan...He is growing like a little weed, is by fair our blondest child, and is such a little doll. He refuses a pacifier and so resorts to happy screeches, screams, and squeals when it's time to be quiet.

I'm not actually sure what prompted this bed head and pajamas photo session, but there was not one picture in the several that I took where all the kids were looking at the camera.

So, I chose one where no one was looking at the camera.

Amelia turned 12 in June. She had a day-on-the-boat birthday bash. The girls came back tired, waterlogged, a little sunburned, and full of crazy-fun stories of near drowning/spraining/starving experiences. Well, that was mostly Amelia. No shortage of drama here.

Her actual birthday was not quite as exciting, but still happy.

In August school started: 7th grade for Amelia, 3rd for Dylan, and Kindergarten for Simon.

A week later, Liam turned one.

His birthday was a quiet affair with grandparents and cupcakes. He didn't quite know what to do with his birthday treat. I think he may have touched the frosting and then tasted his finger.

That was about it.

He had a lot of help opening his presents and he especially loved the bath toys Amelia chose for him. Here he is soapy, elated and double-chinned.

This darling dude gives us a run for our money. We sleep less, mop more, and constantly re-shelve, re-stack, re-pack, and put away.* But we love him all the same!

*In fact, this is typical...

I think he was trying to put a magnet into the Wii, after he had pulled out a row of DVDs. At least he was practicing standing...

Or there's always a Sharpie to find...

Thursday, March 5, 2015

I am not dead, I swear

I didn't fall of the edge of the universe, I just had a baby. This fourth one is kicking my butt. Little Liam is a doll and nearly 7 months old now, and life is sort of settling down.

Here's a recap of what I missed:

Amelia and Brooklyn (her cousin). They had a sleep over---I don't know when, but the pictures are darling.

One of Evan's backyard camp outs in the spring...Translate: I sleep in the house and sometimes Evan sneaks in for a movie before he goes back out with our sleeping angels.

Bubbles in the backyard...

This happens every year, so I actually know when this was.

Amelia turned...wait for it.....

11 (yikes.)

in June

We celebrated at Skateland. It was loud and neon shiny and humid and loud. The kids were encouraged to scream the "Happy Birthday" song. I thought it was way over the top.

Amelia thought it was awesome.

We hit Carlsbad and Legoland in July. I took no pictures except at Legoland.

Dylan and Simon played indoor soccer. Amelia didn't want to without a friend.

(She later regretted this decision.)

Simon actually took a class rather than play on a team because he was too young.

He's making plans to be "the fastest" on his team this summer.

What else says the end of the summer than Target clearance racks? Go matching tie-dye!

School started in August. Amelia started sixth grade and Dylan second.

I was HUGE and weeks away from my due date.

Then Liam showed up nearly two weeks early on August 11, 2014. He weighed 6 lbs. 11 oz.

It was by far the easiest delivery I have ever had. I don't think I even broke a sweat. Seriously.

Then, within the fatigue and delirium of a new baby, Simon started Pre-K a few weeks later.

Our fall was muddled with three kids in three different schools, all starting and ending at different times and NO SLEEP. Thank heaven for awesome friends and family who chipped in to help.

We would not have survived without them.

And a month later, Dylan turned 8.

He was baptized on September 7th, his birthday. We gathered at our house to celebrate afterward and then a few weeks later Dylan went bowling with some buds for his birthday party. I honestly don't even know if I took a picture at the party. None have turned up, so I'm thinking "No."