Out of the Blue

Sometimes I just laugh at the things that come out of my children's mouths. Today was no exception. We were in the driveway and Renee was riding her bike. She came up along side of my chair and told me she was going to park her bike right there. Then she flashed me a big smile. I told her, "I love you so much." Her response: drum roll please........"I'm John's girl!" No "I love you too, Mommy". John wasn't even at our house. She hasn't seen him since church on Sunday. Whatever happened to out of sight, out of mind??

Renee is now sleeping in a big girl bed. We set up the new bed (actually an antique bed from the Faros) but left her crib up, in case she decided against it at bedtime. But she was so excited about the new bed. Around 7:30 she told me she was so tired and wanted to go to bed. So she went upstairs and put on her own jammies. She loves her Cinderella jammies! Of course, when it was really bedtime a little later, she didn't go right to sleep but that's another story. But she did sleep in the new bed. On Monday Daddy took down the crib, much to her displeasure. She kept telling me, "He made a mess in my woom." She didn't care that the crib was gone; she just didn't like the disorganization of the dismantling process. Hmmm, where did she get THAT from?

Kaitlyn and I had a nice little songtime together. Renee wanted to listen to Steve Green on the CD player (Hide 'Em in Your Heart scripture songs) but Kaitlyn suggested that I play the piano and they could sing along to the piano instead. So that is exactly what we did. I've borrowed a book of the music from a friend and Kaitlyn sang her little heart out!

Dirk needed to get some video footage of the stained glass window at church for a wedding video he's working on. He took the girls with him and taped them singing and dancing on the platform, holding the microphones. I know what you're thinking John. Those girls have too much church, right?

Ode to Benjamin

Yesterday was also Ben's high school graduation. So in honor of our next door neighbor and nephew/cousin, this one is for you Ben.

I have watched you grow up, from the day you were born. In fact, I held you when you were barely an hour old. I have spent many fun times with you: numerous trips to the lake and Florida, Family Camp, babysitting you and your siblings and sharing a bedroom with you for 4 months before Dirk and I got married. I think of you whenever Kaitlyn watches Arthur. :)You have been mistaken for my son quite a few times, most recently when you went to Florida with the girls and I a year ago. I would be proud to be your mom anytime. Thanks for always making us laugh. We love you Benjamin.

Happy Birthday

I'm back. We were having some difficulty with the digital camera and I know the main reason anyone reads this blog is to see pics of the girls.

Yesterday was Dirk's birthday. We had a VERY leisurely day, including a family snuggle in our bed for a good hour. Kaitlyn is very much into gift-giving these days. She was sooo excited about the Father's Day gift she made for Dirk and also his father. She was equally excited for his birthday. She wanted him to open his presents after he woke up. Enjoy the pictures.

Megan Brown and Best Friend

I have 2 stories to share tonight, one from each of the girls.

We were going to a birthday party in Spencerport today and on the way we were talking about who else lives there, etc. I reminded Kaitlyn that Megan Brown lives there but she'll be moving after she gets married. (Kaitlyn loves to call people by their first and last names: Megan Brown, Carrie Morgan, John Keller)

K: Who is she marrying?
B: A guy named Matt George.
K: So her name will be Megan George. I'll just call her Megan Curious George. Then she just started giggling.

Renee has been such a mommy's girl lately. Oh surprise! Today she wanted to sit on my lap at breakfast and when I told her she needed to sit on her own chair she protested. "Mommy, you're my best friend." I think I will remind her of this in 10 years when she thinks she's too cool to be seen with me.

Renee's Loose

I don't have any fun pictures to post but thought I would ramble on about what we've been up to. I went to the Women of Faith conference this past weekend. It was wonderful. I don't remember the last time I laughed so hard. The comedian, Anita Renfroe, was hilarious, as were the regular speakers. The messages were great and the music was too. Nicole C. Mullen has some serious muscles!

Renee can now escape from her crib. She was in time-out on Monday and refused to sit on the "time-out step" so I put her in her bed. A few seconds later I heard a little pitter patter on the floor and there she was. I finally had to put one of those doorknob covers on the inside of her room to keep her in there. This morning she got herself up and came up to my room to snuggle with me. I loved it!! She was content to snuggle with me for a good 15 minutes. But then she didn't want me to leave her and wanted to take a shower too. So, she had her first shower. I'm hoping she didn't enjoy it too much because I don't really want to shower with her everyday. Her favorite thing to say is "You're booty booty." in this little sing-song voice. (We call it nudety booty.)

I started selling Tastefully Simple gourmet food in April and had 2 parties this week. They both were good parties and well worth my time and effort. The girls don't like me leaving but that's part of why I'm doing it. :)

Weekend Update

For some reason, our camera is telling me there are no pictures on the card. I know there are....I put them there myself. But for some reason, they're gone. Technology stinks sometimes! I had some cute ones of the cousins and roasting marshmallows.

We had a great weekend at the lake. The girls were so excited to be back in the trailer and the cottage. Kaitlyn woke up in the night one night; couldn't find her bunny. When I easily located him she said, "You can always find Bunny for me Mommy. Thanks." I was a little worried about Renee settling down and sharing a room with Kaitlyn but they did great. In the mornings Kaitlyn never woke her up. Just us.

On Sunday the Ziegler cousins came. The 3 youngest boys and my 2 girls had a great time together!! They played really well and shared so nicely. The Ziegler's had a campfire that night and Kaitlyn was upset with me because I made her go to bed. Mean Mommy!! We had had our campfire the night before but that didn't count I guess. Another time she got upset with me because she wanted to play newcome. Don't even ask me what it is, other than a game that the older kids love to play on the volleyball court. When I told her she couldn't go, she copped an attitude and said, "Mom, did you forget I'm 4 1/2?" My response: "I'm well aware of how old you are but you're still not playing." Take that!

We didn't even try to put Renee down for any naps so she was one tired girl. On the way home Monday night they both were sleeping by 7:50. Kaitlyn woke up briefly when we carried her in but Renee slept 'til we woke her Tuesday at 8:45 and then took a nap in the afternoon!

That about covers our weekend. We had a little rain in the night early Sunday morning. (Enough that it woke Kaitlyn up and she spent the rest of the night in our bed.)

Classic Renee

I wanted to post some pictures from our Memorial Day weekend but am having trouble downloading them from the camera. So I decided to post a classic Renee shot. I know some of my faithful readers haven't seen this one. It was taken when we were in Florida. Big sister thought she was doing a good deed by giving her some markers and a coloring book. This is the result. Praise the Lord for washable markers!! And nothing got on Grandma's walls!