Our Hero

We love you, Happy Father's Day!

Birthday Girl

It has been a fun day of celebrating nine year-old Maren! 

We planned a surprise party for the birthday girl.  She was so delighted to have some of her friends over for lunch, crafts and birthday cake.

Maren loves to decoupage.  Using scrapbook paper, modge podge and the first letter of each of their names,  the girls designed a cute bedroom decoration to take home.

Happy Birthday marvelous Maren!

It's designed for babies, but...

First Month

Baby Charlotte's first month has flown by!  She has graced us with sweet smiles and is becoming more alert every day.  She loves to be held and sleeps very well on her tummy.  This tiny one has brought our family a bundle of baby joy.

Caroline decided this month would be the perfect time to potty-train (as if caring for a newborn was not enough for me)!  She is thrilled to wear princess panties and promptly puts them on by herself when she wakes each morning.  Thanks to a jar of jelly beans and stickers, she's becoming a pro on the potty.  Other rewards follow successful trips to the bathroom, such as the privilege of wearing a princess crown and hearing the Giles family rendition of, "You're a Super-Duper Pooper!"

 Princess Potty

Caroline's latest obsession is her "rainbow" twirl dress.  Her number one wardrobe requirement is that it must twirl.  I have purchased four of these dresses in similar colors.  Her favorite continues to be the brightly colored dress she is wearing in this picture.  At the end of the day when it's time for pajamas she brings me the dress and requests that I wash it so that she can wear it again the next day.  The following morning she greets me with the question, "Rainbow dress all done?"  It's a happy day when the dress has been washed and is ready to be worn and twirled in once again.

The older children are a great help to me.  Maren has become a second mother.  She constantly comes to my rescue and has earned the nickname of "Lifesaver."  Charlotte adores her and finds comfort and security in her arms.

Goodbye to Another School Year

Today Nathan and Maren will say goodbye to another school year.  For Nathan it will be a final goodbye to Elementary School.  Yesterday we attended his fifth grade graduation and awards ceremony.  He was one of the few presented with the Physical Fitness Achievement Award for accomplishments in his physical education class. His classmates voted him the Most Artistic Boy.  His drawings of comical, silly characters have filled volumes of notebooks.  He is especially known for his frog illustrations.

I discovered this drawing a few days ago in one of his sketch books.  I believe this picture perfectly illustrates the most important life lesson learned in the fifth grade.  

Maren's favorite third grade memories include serving on the student council and as a library assistant.  She was thrilled to wear a fashionable pair of flip-flops instead of sneakers for the last day of school.

Our Summer days will be filled with time at home, day camps, activities with friends, a trip to Yellowstone National Park and visits from family.  How wonderful it will be to have helpful Nathan and Maren around to hold Charlotte and entertain Caroline!  I am looking forward to slower mornings, swim season and more family together-time.     

This post would not be complete without a picture of Caroline and Charlotte.  Baby Charlotte has discovered how nice it is to be held.  This past week she has chosen to celebrate the end of the school year with a few all-night parties.  We are loving the sweetness she has added to our home and are very grateful to have four children who fill the house with noise, laughter and lots of love.