Dinner

This afternoon I was in a pretty unfriendly mood. The girls and I had many, many errands to run, the sun was beginning to set, we hadn't eaten dinner and I began this huge pity party for myself because all I wanted to do was go out to eat with the girls and Chad was working and I can't take them out because of their allergies and the last few times Julianna's lips have swollen even after we quality controlled the food, spoke to the kitchen manager and to this day don't have a clue as to why she had a reaction and I just became very angry we couldn't get some pizza. RIGHT NOW! (Breath). Then I made an executive decision. At out last stop, I fed them some turkey meat at the deli counter, some crackers in aisle 4, and soymilk aisle 15. So there. We ate out.

Once we got home, I fixed something more appropriate and we sat at the table. When I went to the kitchen for seconds I turned to watch my two little girls exchanging in a most delightful and quirky and heartwarming conversation:

Jules: (leaning over and in a serious voice): "Ava."

Ava: (looks up)

Jules: "I need you to make me a promise."

Ava: "Nope."

Jules: "Ava. I am talking to you. I am your sister and you will listen to me now."

Ava: "Shoes."

Jules: "Ava. When mommy gives us a cookie later you need to share half with me. Half of your cookie."

Ava: "ookee."

Jules: "You will get to be a princess if you share your cookie with me."

Ava: (begins to eat again)

Jules: "Do this with your head if you said yes." (nods her head)

Ava: (nods her head because she does everything Julianna does)

Ava: (the nodding causes Ava to BURP loudly and unexpectedly)

Jules: (throwing her head back and laughing) "Ava! You are a burping girl today! You are so sil-wee!"

Ava: (realizing she has done something funny, laughs heartily at herself and attempts to make a second burping noise)

Jules: "Oh Ava. You are my sister and you like to burp. I love you everyday." (then reaches for some of Ava's food on Ava's plate because Jules finished her food twenty minutes earlier, Ava screams, Julianna's hand retracts, both girls are calm, and quiet rests on the little house)

I laughed to myself and in that moment, I was truly thankful I wasn't sitting in a loud restaurant waiting for food to be delivered to my table. I thanked God for my blessings and the trials which have and will make me stronger. I thanked God my children have food to eat, can feed themselves, and I am here in our home making it for them. It was that simple.

This Evening

Care-free summer evenings

Too busy to stop and pose for mom. : )

Pirate Jules

Can't keep shoes on this kid for very long. ; )

The batter swings and the summer flies...

Our house one summer evening

Ava's room

Art for Ava

(made by yours truly with inspiration from the designers at Pottery Barn)

Julianna's Beachy Room

Art for Jules made by moi (again, with inspiration from the designers at Pottery Barn)

Where the magic happens (hee-hee)

Dining Room

Living Room

(we've moved love seats in since)

My peeps

Having lunch in the backyard one day

Julianna's new favorite thing...copying words : )

"Wuhpunzel"

Painting with friends over

The girls' new place to eat. A little table (by the window) next to the big table. : )

Ready for a picnic and trip to the park with friends

Today, my sister is gathering school supplies, organizing folders, lesson planning, and consulting her yearly planner. She will welcome new students into her classroom on Thursday. Is it that time already?

Above and below are photos from the summer (that flew by) which I have neglected to post while we were caught up in all those lovely summer activities.

(Note to self: sneak in a few more outings to the pool before Friday night football games start. : )

7th Heaven

Nightime stroll

Lainey climbing at the museum

Ava and Lainey sharing puzzles

Grandma and Grandpa and Nikki and Lainey were our seventh visitors for the summer. The girls loved all the extra attention from the family. We took lots of walks, swims, trips to the musuem, park, and thoroughly enjoyed our time together. : )

Custer's Last Stand

Uncle Dicky's Birthday (June 25th)

"Lobsker Tail"

Gramma mesmerizes children (of all ages)

Uncle Dicky playing with the girls

Gramma J and Ava, telling stories

Papa and his granddaughters

A new nightgown from Gramma J

Playing at the mall

I bet June 25th passed by and you didn't even realize it was Custer's Last Stand. Did you? : ) This date in history has been engrained in my memory since I was a toddler. It's because it's my Uncle Dicky's birthday and he'll remind you of the date and it's significance periodically. : )



We were lucky enough to have Gramma and Dicky visit us on his birthday this year. We went all out with a banner, balloons, NFL football magazines, Star Wars and comic strip heros... All his favorites including a lobster (which he calls "lobsker"). This is a treat my grandma allows him just once a year. : )