This was 5 min into the playground this morning.

This was 5 min into the playground this morning.

Finding leaf flags

Finding leaf flags

We got outside for a bit...yay!

We got outside for a bit...yay!

'Take a picture of me!'

"Take a picture of me!"

Rj wanted snuggles too.

Rj wanted snuggles too.

<3

<3

The snuggle bugs have found eachother...Pip keeps coming back for more.

The snuggle bugs have found eachother...Pip keeps coming back for more.

Date! Wohoo!

Date! Wohoo!

T.r.o.u.b.l.e. climbed up On couch..found tissues...having a blast emptying the

T.r.o.u.b.l.e. climbed up On couch..found tissues...having a blast emptying the box. <3

Transferred to the couch

Transferred to the couch

<3 some one fell asleep with Daddy.

<3 some one fell asleep with Daddy.

<3 obviously this only lasts a minute or 2 at a time (when aj isnt 'reading' to

<3 obviously this only lasts a minute or 2 at a time (when aj isnt "reading" to her) but soo sweet

She got to wear cool sunglasses on the ride home.

She got to wear cool sunglasses on the ride home.

She did such a great job!

She did such a great job!

RJ getting her eyes measured at the eye doctor yesterday.

RJ getting her eyes measured at the eye doctor yesterday.

Love those happy eyes.

Love those happy eyes.

Pip is such a snuggle bug. <3 she had her head resting on pj before i grabbed th

Pip is such a snuggle bug. <3 she had her head resting on pj before i grabbed the camera

<3

<3

I cleaned up the toy closet and pulled out some of the books i was storing in th

I cleaned up the toy closet and pulled out some of the books i was storing in there...aj and pj are in book heaven.

Sissy snuggles. <3 she climbed up in ajs lap.

Sissy snuggles. <3 she climbed up in ajs lap.

<3

<3

Forever my snuggle bug.

Forever my snuggle bug.

Snuggling in the big bed this morning her baby had ben snuggling on top of her b

Snuggling in the big bed this morning her baby had ben snuggling on top of her before aj was hugging her. <3

From yesterday. <3

From yesterday. <3

Tonight at church. <3

Tonight at church. <3

She was sooo funny pushing her bike around...anytime her sisters touched it she'

She was sooo funny pushing her bike around...anytime her sisters touched it she's swat at them and turn to me and screech. Not good manners but sooooo cute.

Piper was snuggling on AJ for a good 5 minutes.

Piper was snuggling on AJ for a good 5 minutes.

She spent a bit of time down on her belly scribbling this was when she noticed t

She spent a bit of time down on her belly scribbling this was when she noticed the camera and sat up to pose.

My valentine flowers from rj.

My valentine flowers from rj.

The best we could do...enjoying the break from the bitter weather

The best we could do...enjoying the break from the bitter weather

This was her first drawing today...so cool to see her process and scrap the draw

This was her first drawing today...so cool to see her process and scrap the drawing when the arms/hands looked weird.

'Princess Amity' by AJ <3 she used so many parts to her body - it's the first ti'

"Princess Amity" by AJ <3 she used so many parts to her body - it's the first time a persons arms didnt come out of their head!

Another drawing

Another drawing

A drawing rj made me -d3

A drawing rj made me -d3

The girls found these mermaid dolls at the learning store this morning...we said

The girls found these mermaid dolls at the learning store this morning...we said they would have to do jobs to earn the money for them...this is their chart- when the mermaid is covered in ocean they've reached their goal.

Busy Town and laundry sorting...Can you see Pip walking around with ryans shirt

Busy Town and laundry sorting...Can you see Pip walking around with ryans shirt over her head? She has also dumped a basket twice...

From earlier today- she asked to take a silly picture

From earlier today- she asked to take a silly picture

So proud the girls cut out and decorated all of those hearts *completely* on the

So proud the girls cut out and decorated all of those hearts *completely* on their own. Amazed at how big and skilled they are becoming.

The best part of Valentines Day is decorating for it. :)

The best part of Valentines Day is decorating for it. :)

She did this completely herself too! And then ducked behind while i snapped the

She did this completely herself too! And then ducked behind while i snapped the photo. <3

Except for signing her name- AJ did this *completely* on her own...cutting out t

Except for signing her name- AJ did this *completely* on her own...cutting out the heart too!! WOW!

I need to go get more valentine stuff..i suspect this will be our craft of choic

I need to go get more valentine stuff..i suspect this will be our craft of choice for the next week.

Lol Pip seems to be contemplating what to write on her valentine.

Lol Pip seems to be contemplating what to write on her valentine.

She cut out this heart herself!

She cut out this heart herself!

She picked this out

She picked this out

Dress up <3

Dress up <3

We built indoor houses today...dinigroom table is also a house

We built indoor houses today...dinigroom table is also a house

Lol PJs face is priceless...rj changed her diaper.

Lol PJs face is priceless...rj changed her diaper.

Reflections...

I was reflecting on how much the girls are growing and changing...How I can almost see that "light at the end of the tunnel" everyone talks about when you're in the thick of babies and toddlers and all the work that goes into simple things like...keeping them alive.

I was thinking about how much easier some thing have become, and how much harder other things are. How I am catching glimpses of the big kids they will all too soon become. How fast and busy the days are and how time flies.

I was reflecting on how much we've grown as parents, what each child teaches us about ourselves and how wonderful it is to be growing a long with our kids.

I was reflecting on the sweetness of a 1 year old. How wonderful this this new stage of the walking, and the trying new words. Of watching new "bad" behaviors that would have worried me with Roo, but now make me giggle because I know she is cute...And she will learn and grow. How incredible life must be through her eyes, the awe and curiosity in a cup of water is to her or two bowls that nest together.

It has been so amazing to see a new depth of determination come out in her. To see the set in her brow as she sees some thing and intends to *do* it.

Some times the "doing" ends with screaming and disappointment when she is stopped- especially if it is her sisters telling her "no" (heaven forbid!). Or the hilarious moment when she realizes she is going to be stopped and tries to do whatever she is doing faster in her clumsy and frenzied way. Some times making a nervous sound, some times laughing with glee as she races away. 

She was such a a peaceful and wise little newborn..Early on we saw her determination to catch up with her sisters. And her silly personality- we laugh and laugh as she (seriously!) cracks jokes. We are amazed at her skills and all the new things she tries to do! It has always been so interesting to see how our babies change and grow...But this third time has brought more perspective.


And today, some reflections...I was remembering Roo...Tiny littleRoo..

Roo 7mos

She was a fussy and intense baby...But she grew to be a pretty laid back and compliant toddler,  her sweet light spirit, always with a project or an idea...I mean, apart from a lot of whining with molars coming in (just keeping it real) she was happy and genuinely desired to please.

Roo working on a project...

Spring 2011

And physically! So agile and determined to learn new things. From learning to draw the best little faces and people she could at age 2, mastering the monkey bars and hula hoop at age 3, to learning to ride a two wheeler at age 4. She always has some thing she is trying to conquer! She is athletic, artistic, and loves to learn new things and push herself physically.  Her determination has since come out more in her personality and she can hold her own when she wants some thing!
It has been amazing to watch her grow and see the pride she feels in each new accomplishment. 

She was Friendly's age here- crazy!!

Friendly, ooh sweet friendly... Her birth should have been our first clue, she was going to do things on her time table- but when she dove in WATCH OUT!

Friendly 13mos

Spring 2012

Friendly struggled well into toddler hood with fussines and belly pain (until we changed her diet). How she has blossomed since we made those changes!!! The preschooler she has become has been delightful! But toddlerhood, wow- shocker!!!

October 2012

After our "ready to please...Take it as we go" Roo Girl, Friendly's determination to do things her way, to do, do, DO and go, go, GO. Her ferocious desire to connect and be with us, and her ability to command attention and get stuff done was a bit of an adjustment! She has taught us a lot...And made us laugh! We've enjoyed her colorful (and wacky) outfit selections. Her silly ideas, and her sweet little songs and stories. It has been incredible to see her change and grow. It has been really fun the last few weeks to see her  new love to snuggle up with a stack of books and "read" to Pip, or to draw us beautiful pictures   and to hear her adorable songs...

Feb 2013

"I like to travel on the sea...I don't have any places I would like to be... So I don't like to travel under the sea...Because I always travel every travel. Oh I like to travel where the lions roar...I like to do all those things! I like to travel l with you. I will traaaaavel with youuuuuu... I really like to do any thing..." (from last Thursday)

It has been so incredible to watch them grow. 

October 2010

September 2011

March 2012

Feb 2013

And to spend our days together, watching them learn and play.

by Roo

 It's been an honor...And a JOY...