Off to the races...

We spent Saturday evening at the local hot air balloon races! I know our kids had never seen a hot air balloon in real life and I know it's been years since I even last saw one. So when we actually got close enough to spot them...well there was a lot of excitement in our car. There was so much anticipation and I loved that the kids got to see the balloons all up close as they were being inflated. We stayed for a few hours, let the kids jump in the bounce house and get a balloon animal. Thank you to the kind gentleman who gave us his leftover tickets!

Lest you think...

we always look like this...

The truth is...

today...

we're looking more like this....

Today is day #3 of VBS and we're showing every bit of it over here. The kids are tired from their busy mornings and Sara is still fighting her nasty ear infection. Thank goodness for warm weather, sprinklers and popsicles! Where would I be without you?

Oh my heavens...

I'm in love with these photos and the moment they captured. Met up with some friends today at the park to play. So we played, and played and played.

I think Sara's hands are evident of the fun she had exploring...and then eating!

I just love summer.

I love...

these two...

Today...

we had fun outside in our very warm weather and I got some good shots of this little one...

So proud...

of this little one.

She is gaining so much physical strength these days it's incredible and very fun to watch. But that's not why I'm proud. Well, it is but that's not why I'm posting.

After all were in bed, Ella Jane came downstairs telling me she was scared. This is not uncommon and I told her she needed to be back upstairs in her bed. Later on when I went upstairs to check on her I heard music coming from her room.

Music? That little stinker.

Except that she'd fallen asleep. To the Backyardigans. Specifically, to a song that mentions Iowa. The big kids each have their favorites (and I do too actually; they're a catchy group of young singers) and for whatever reason this one was Ella Jane's.

But the reason I felt my pride overflow was because just this afternoon I noticed she was able to set up her music by herself. Like, push play, and REPEAT all by herself! This has always been a bit challenging for her but today she got it and when I went up to check on her, she'd self soothed. Even at age 3, she self soothed. In the form of her favorite song. Did I mention I was proud of her? My little girl was sacked out with W-IOWA (name of the song) playing over and over and over.

And the physical attributes mentioned earlier? Let me just touch on that. Ella Jane has become my runner. As you know we walk to and from school everyday. This afternoon she was putting her tennis shoes on (vs. sandles) and she told me "you know what that means don't you?" That you're going to be a runner? "yup!"

I might as well start wearing my running shoes so that I can keep up. It's not uncommon for me to hear her say "c'mon mom, let's run!" She has strong little legs. I know they'll take her far.

Life as usual...

It's just business as usual around here...umbrella forts in the rain...

Princess time outside...

Bubbles in...

Bubbles out...

Pretty much a lot of outside time, now that our weather has decided to turn the corner into spring!

Sara has decided she'd like to walk more than crawl so whenever she does decide to crawl, I stop for a moment and try to memorize the scene of what's going on. She loves to try and get away from me, usually when I'm changing her diaper, so many times she can be found crawling away at lightning speed followed by constant squeeling on her part. It's so cute to be a part of.

Matthew's world has really opened up with his new love of reading and creating. The other day after his class had field tripped to a dairy farm he came home and made a book about the different animals he saw. I'm in awe of his creatvity.

Preschool is winding down for Ella Jane and Kindergarten will end for Matthew in just a few short weeks. Then we'll be back to all three all day. We've got a few things planned and I'm looking forward to the rhythm of summer. I love spending our days OUTside!

It was today...

that I knew our lives were about to embark on a brand new journey.

It was today that I labored like a champ and then held my baby girl at 2:20pm.

It was today that I snapped one of my favorite pictures of the kids. (All three of them)

It was today that I enjoyed apple pie at midnight thanks to the well stocked fridge for new mothers. It was also today that I contemplated doing it all over again (with baby #4) so I could have another reason to stay overnight in the hospital and have apple pie at midnight.

It was one year ago today that our sweet Sara Christine was born!

And it is today that we will celebrate her special day. The big kids are excited of course and my heart is overflowing with joy as I think back on her birth and look at all she has accomplished this year. It has been a full one for each of us in this family of five and we look forward to many more.

Happy Birthday baby girl.