Blood, Boy friends and Uncle Michael

Lexi had her 'I'm turning TEN checkup'.  Dr. Clifford ran a series of tests just as an overall health check and she is a-ok.  So grateful.  She was afraid to have her blood taken though.... Happy one moment, then the next, "Mommy, are you sure they really need my blood??"  Yes...  Sorry bunny.  "I'm scared!!!!  Okay, then tell them we want to know my blod-type - we are learning about that in Science...."

Here is Anderson so happy at Ballet.  He used to hate going to the girls ballet - he sat there pretty bored.  But now he gets to do Tae-Kwon-Do then come back to the waiting room and he plays with his new super best friend.  They are funny, an instant connection.  They play and play and lay on the floor together and talk.  It's hilarious - we need to invite him over for a playdate soon...

"Uncle Michael, push me.  But don't do it front of Mom, she will FREAK! "

Anderson COULD NOT be happier Uncle Michael is here.  He plays with him, listens to him, he made a Lego House,  talked Tae-Kwon-Do....  We are so glad he is here!

Mystery

It's hard for me to process that 10 years have gone by since she was born. Times like this I wish I was a writer so I could capture my feelings in words. But, in my own grammatically incorrect (haha), short and simple way, I love you Alexandra Elizabeth. Your Daddy loves you. Your brother and sister adore you. I'm grateful for the person you have become. If things drastically change, it's okay, because you have been a gift to so many people these last 10 years. What else can we ask for? The future is a mystery. I can't wait to discover it together with you.

To kick off the birthday celebration, Ainsley Grace wrote her the sweetest poem and colored her a beautiful picture (AG loves Alexandra so much. It seems she loves her as much as she loves me. It's very very deep and pure and very sweet.). Anyway, the picture/poem directed her to come downstairs to get her presents.

Once she arrived, she had a mystery to solve. WHERE did her presents go. ;-)




She found them all!



For her school birthday celebration, I brought Krispy Kreme doughnuts and hats! Very fun. The kids hovered around her and they played the birthday bear ("da, na, na, na, na, na, you say it's your birthday day... ). She loved it.

Happy 10th birthday you wonderful little girl. I love you.

Firsts

"Who here likes Taylor Swift?" is how we opened the conversation. "Well, get ready because you are going to your FIRST concert in 2 hours!" ;-) The girls were happy. Anderson asked, "Can we go to Justin Beiber's instead?" "No!" I say. He gave me attitude on and off until I bought him a glow stick. Then all of a sudden, he liked Taylor Swift. So, all's well that ends well. ;-) But, if JB makes it to Dallas, fer sure I'll be buying him a ticket. The concert was fantastic. She is so talented, beautiful and, apparently, 5'11"! Cool!


Got home after midnight.... Sleepy babies.


Whit sat up for the FIRST time in his bath this week! KAA-YUTE-TEEE-PIE!

And the biggest news of all!!! Anderson lost his FIRST tooth! His kissy big lip was in the way for all the pictures. So I had to take matters into my own hands to get that toothless snap. We have one elated little boy.....

Helpers, Skills and Royal Mail

I tell people all the time just how wonderful it is to have a baby with an 8 and 9 year old girl and a 5 year old little boy who was desperate for another boy in the family. To say I have help doesn't capture all that they do. We are a team and I can tell you, we get things done. All the while, laughing and having a great time. Yes, the kids fight. Yes, my house gets VERY messy and there is a general hum of noise at all times. But, all and all, things are so nice having such great helpers. All 3 of them are sooo good with the baby. I love my little helpers.


Ainsley Grace wrote me this note to help me remember to NOT pack their lunches that day since they were buying lunch. Last time they bought I had packed their lunch by accident. I love it that they have my back!


Here is Little Whittle helping me with Green Team. Sort of.... He stayed very busy in that box while I worked...


Here is Anderson "babysitting" while I ran and did stuff....


Here is the team hanging out waiting for a table for lunch. We pass the baby around like he is a doll.... It's very helpful.


These laborers are skilled! Check out these hula hoop skills - they play outside while waiting for carpool to show up!



After Ali and Kim visited, a couple weeks later we got a package from England. Alasdair and Kim sent the kids the most sour candy in the world. Apparently they had had a conversation with the kids telling them about the MOST sour candy that existed. Kim told them they had never had sour this sour. They NOW believe her.... The package sent via "Royal Mail" and Anderson kept asking, Mom, where is that King's Package???

Thank you Kim and Ali!!