Odds and Ends of September

Jake caught on camera a particularly accessorized right foot belonging to...

 the little lady in the sunglasses.

Don't underestimate this girl. She may have just mastered running in a straight line in August, but the girl can probably run faster in my heels than I can. Also do not be fooled by the big girl panties. She remains un-pottytrained as of now.

In looking over September's pictures, I was struck by how many pics I have of Jake with the girls. This is significant because he continues to be up to his neck writing, working til all hours on his dissertation. But he has done a magnificent job of still being a present and involved daddy.

Often the treat for finishing your dinner is getting to go climb up on Daddy. This is a pretty common sight.

A lip balm eater raided my bathroom. Can you see the teethmarks? This is pretty disgusting to me, texturally speaking. I can't imagine intentionally eating lip balm. Apparently between Joy and I, that makes one of us.

Abby Jane and I discovered that Joy is old enough to learn how to play Crazy 8's. That was pretty amazing to me. I think kids are underestimated all the time. (Don't you wear fancy silk dresses when you play Crazy 8's?)

Labor Day

Yup, it's October and I'm backing up to Labor Day. But it was a fun weekend, so here's a bit more of what we did, other that watch football.

 "Wait for us, Daddy!"

 What happens when you get too many cooks in the kitchen... and one of them is Joy...

 Denver was born to a very special friend of mine!

 We hit the pool for one last hurrah with Grammy!

 This lady had a big, big summer of swimming, and she already can't wait for next year!

First Auburn game

On opening Saturday, we went up to Mimi and Bop Bop's to watch the game and spend the night. The girls love Mimi and Bop Bop's, and they wasted no time getting out their favorite things.

I wanted a group pic of the girls in their cute Auburn dresses that they've been asking to wear for a month.  But of course they also needed their necklaces, American flags, and maybe some bowls.  But at least we got a good Waaaar Eagle out of them!!

Then it was time to watch the game. I think their expressions are perhaps appropriate. BUT they, like us, love Auburn unconditionally... 

  Bedtime stories with Bop Bop.

War Eagle everyone! There's always next Saturday! :)

Disclosure

My sister tells me sometimes that the stories I put on our blog make me seem like some kind of supermom. She can say that knowing well enough that (a) it's not true, and (b) it's not a title I want or aim for. She also knew me when my legs came up to my elbows, I wore my white basketball hightops with plaid shorts and a collared polo shirt that coordinated with the bands in my braces. So, you know, she's not disillusioned or anything.

So here's a little tidbit for anyone who reads this blog and thinks like my big sister, minus the awesome awkward stage visual. 

Last week, I decided I'm done with wiping a certain kind of bathrooming from my four-year-old's bottom. She's old enough to not need help with that.  So I told her that if she would take care of that entire process by herself, flush, wash hands, etc., then I would give her a marshmallow. Or if I only have minis, which was the case, then like 10 mini marshmallows.

B-R-I-B-E-R-Y at its finest, ladies and gentlemen. There was probably a day when I was a new mom that I might have judged myself if I had heard about someone doing that. Not so much anymore.

Her learning curve was suddenly about at the speed of light, thank you very much, marshmallow inventor. Four-year-old bottom-wiping? No mas. Cue Hallelujah Chorus.

There's lots more where stories like that come from, but I thought I'd pass that one out for tonight. Enjoy.

Oldest Best Friend Weekend '12

At the end of August, my three oldest best friends came in town with their families for about 36 hours of goodness. I've known Betsy and Katie since I was four, and Whit rolled in town when we were 10. These are those friends who know me better than I know myself, and no statement requires a backstory or explanation because they already know the entirety of who I am. I have discovered that not being known really makes me sad- as in if someone misinterprets or doesn't understand or fully grasp the significance of something I say or do or experience because they don't know me well enough, it really makes me sad. And it's all these girls' faults, because I know what it is for a girlfriend to truly know you.  I would say we'll be friends til we're old ladies with gray hair, but my hair stylist tells me I'm already 50% there if it weren't for her genius with that which is artificial. So let's just say these girls will be buddies of mine for the long haul.

Here are our two sets of twins.

 Meet Jackson, world's happiest baby and the newest addition to our collection.

 World's happiest baby with beautiful mama.

 Carlton needed a little time to himself. All the other two-year-olds are girls.

 One of the said other two-year-olds, Isabella, big sis to World's Happiest Baby.

 Isabella also goes by "Boo", and Bella Boo and Blythey Boo had a sweet little connection! (Blythe's extra junk in her trunk was a tutu. In case you wondered.)

 Impromptu hand holding...

Four 30-year-olds, three 4-year-olds, four 2-year-olds, one 1-year-old (who also took her first steps that weekend!!!!), and one 4-month-old!

The Boos having dinner. Their mamas spent many, MANY an hour by the pool. I slightly blame my skin cancer tendencies on my laying out as often and with as little sunscreen as Bella's mama, who has an entirely different skin type than me. But that's another story for another time. We had some good times in the sun, I'll tell you that. :)

Beyond thankful for these friends, and so refreshed and blessed by even a short time with these amazing women!!

Simple Perspective

My girls know that my dad, their Grandaddy Elliott, is in heaven. Their understanding is obviously gauged for their age. For instance, Abby Jane asks every now and then something like, "Why did Grandaddy Elliott die? Why couldn't the doctors make him better?" The twins simply know he died, he's not here anymore, he's in heaven with Jesus. When they verbalize that, though, something about it is just refreshing and perspective giving. Every so often, Blythe will ask about it. Sweet Blythe's voice, for those of you who haven't heard it in person, is a couple of octaves higher than most of her peers. She also can't say her "r's" very clearly yet, so with that in mind, listen to her sweet simple question/statement she typically says.

Blythe: "Mama, is yo [your] daddy in heaven?"
Me: "Yes he is. He's with Jesus."
Blythe: "Oh. My daddy is at wook [work]."

I love that. I love her understanding of the concept that my daddy exists and he IS someplace, he's just not here. Just like her daddy exists and is someplace, even when he's not right with her. I love that simple understanding of heaven as a real place, just like Daddy's work is a real place. It's such an honor as a parent to get to watch the progression of a spiritual life, beginning with sweet little two year olds  speak of heaven as comfortably and casually as if it's a place down the street.

First day of school

Abby Jane was SO excited for this day to come! I was a little sad- I have LOVED having her around over the summer, so it was going to be a big adjustment to have her gone. But she was excited enough for all of us!

 Daddy came to help see us off!

Once she hit that hallway, there was no looking back... or waiting up for shorter little sister legs trying to keep up behind her. My mom commented that even her hair is in motion here- the girl was tunnel-visioned for her new class!

 Quick kiss for Daddy...

 then she was off and engaged without a single glance back!

 Blythe and Joy had a little scone date with Mama and Daddy before Jake had to get into the office.

 Before we knew it, it was time to pick Abby Jane back up! Here is her little tree with all her new classmates' names on it- first craft of the year- and the snack bucket to bring back the next school day! As usual, swinging during recess was her favorite part of the day, but she also already was talking about various new friends she enjoyed. It's official- school has begun!