June- Eating, biking, and swimming

Today was an answer to prayer- though it didn't appear to start that way. This morning the car was loaded up with towels and bathing suits to play in the fountains at the mall and a huge list for Target. We were meeting friends for lunch and didn't plan on being home until nap time. I loaded up the kids and went to start the car and no go. Dead battery. Grace actually started to cry she was so disappointed. I was too. Mostly because I am so sleep deprived that I worried that a day at home would push me over the edge and "nice" mommy would become "mean" mommy at the drop of a pin. So I prayed that God would give me the strength to handle the car issue as well as make sure the kids had a fun and loving day at home. So allow me to share. First, God provided the perfect backdrop of an 84 degree day and a nice breeze. My little Leah tried both green beans and sweet peas today. I think the picture below says it all. Needless to say she had apples for lunch. But other than her taste aversion to green veggies she just had a wonderful day. Slept great, happy, and played well all day. It always helps that Grace and Isaac love to entertain her too.


Next was Isaac. We spent lots of time together taking the car to the shop and throwing rocks in the pond. But while Leah was napping and Grace was at the neighbors we were in the backyard having a popsicle. He said, "Mommy, we can hurt Leah if we hit her. She will die." (He is really into the word "die" lately) I was a little concerned at this comment...so I waited. Then he said, "But we do not hurt Leah; we love Leah; I take care of Leah. God takes care of Leah and so does Jesus. I love you Mommy." This is the second man to melt my heart. Nothing brings more joy to a mother than hearing your children talk of God's love for them. I pray he will always know that love.

Finally my big girl. She has really turned a corner in the last couple of weeks. Her spoiled attitude is gone and it disappeared as soon as preschool ended...hmmmm. Anyway, when I tuck her in at night she loves to talk until 8:30- or until the big hand is on the 6. She picks the topic and tonight is was getting married. So we talked a little about cute boys and "love." She said kissing is gross unless you are married (phew!) and that Joseph (our neighbor) is the cutest boy and she is going to marry him. He is very cute and I would be thrilled for Grace to marry him though I think 4 and 7 is a little young to make that decision. We talked about the big party ie reception and the beautiful dress. It was our first real talk about boys and love and I felt privileged to be included. I hope I am always so trusted.

So onto the really BIG NEWS...Grace is training wheel free! About 3 weeks ago we took them off. She had been asking for weeks so we did it one evening and tried to help her- but she wanted no help. Took her about a week and a half of practice in the grass and she had the skill mastered. At the ripe old age of 4 she rides a two-wheeler and is quite proud. As she should be. Isaac loves to ride with his sister and made sure I took a picture of him too. Actually, his balance is tremendous- Sid and I think that he could ride with two wheels too- but he is convinced that he has to be 4 yrs old before he could even consider the idea. The big event for the weekend was Sid's big bike race...'TourdeCure' as seen on above jersey. He rode 103 miles on Saturday to Pinehurst and 81 miles home on Sunday. He was slightly worn out when he got home on Sunday. :-)

It was really hot- in the 90's- both days- so I was glad to see lots of rest stops and hydrating.

And so thankfully Nana came in for the weekend to help with my paparazzi.

We took the kids to the pool on Saturday and everyone was worn out. Not too worn out to make Margaritas, though.

Oh yes- this is my 4 month old who can sit up. Seriously. She is almost 4 1/2 months old and by next week I think she will be completely up- crazy baby.