Look Who's 7!

Jacob turned 7 last Saturday, I can't believe it. He was little, I swear, just yesterday. He is getting to be such a big helper and it one of the best big brothers ever (most of the time). He is funny and sweet, and as always full of energy. He loves to laugh and to play. He loves dinosaurs (as most of you know) and can tell you anything you might want to know about them. If he doesn't know something he'll make it up, but he says it with such authority, and since you don't know much about it, you'll tend to believe him. Jacob is so smart and likes to teach his little sisters all about the dinosaurs. His only complaint right now is that he would like to have a little brother, well that's a wish that'll have to wait a little while at least. We love our boy!

Uneven Braids

These braids look so much cooler than regular braids and the bonus is that they don't take a second longer to make. Instead of dividing your hair into three equal parts, make the two outer sections very small and the middle section thick and braid as usual. Couldn't be easier. Stick in a couple of proper bows and voila, something different, but the same.

Easter Egg Hunt

Here are some pictures of the kids hunting for eggs at Grammy's. It was cold and the wind was a bit nippy, but who cares when there is candy to be found... Doesn't the one of Madalyn make you laugh? And then there's one of Annabelle that we took last week, just so you can see how much she's grown in the last 6 weeks. So cute.

What would happen if...

I was thinking the other day that I complain way too much, and that I should really cut back, but then what would I have to talk about?

These are a few of my favorite things...

It's been a rough week. We are still trying to figure out what to do with 4 children and it was spring break, which meant I had all four, all day, everyday and it was a trial. My respect for my mother and mother-in-law grows exponentially everyday. My kids have had a hard time adjusting to the new baby and schedule, etc. and each has their different ways of showing their displeasure at this upset in their daily life, mostly in regressing in areas that I have little patience for. So come Friday night I was in need of a little comfort. So I made chocolate chip cookies. There is something so comforting about gooey, warm chocolate chip cookies that they instantly relax me. It's probably not a healthy relationship to have, but it works for me. As I was making them with the heightened anticipation of taking that first bite I got to thinking of all the things that I run to for comfort, and here is my list of favorite comfort things, feel free to add your own.

1. My Husband - Greg has a knack for calming all my worries and woes. It's one of the reasons I go nuts when he is not here and why I love him so much.

2. My mother - Why does she have to live so far away?

3. My mother's homemade chicken noodle soup - This is so good when you're sick. It's perfect, not too salty, just the right amount of vegetables, and real chicken broth.

4. Jane Austen movies or books - It depends on the mood. That women was a genius.

5. A good hug from my kids - Madalyn is particularly good for these, as she's my snuggle bug.

6. Homemade Cinnamon Rolls - These work for two things, 1)kneading the dough gets out the frustrations of the day and takes the edge off 2)Eating them warm out of the oven with a drippy glaze makes everything all better.

7. Girl's Night Out - I love my husband even more because he makes sure (and on occasion has taken the initiative to plan them for me) that I have these regularly. I think that has been an issue this month, I have spent way too much time in the house in general.

8. A walk outside in my quiet neighborhood (especially in the spring)- Ahhh...fresh country air, as long as it doesn't smell like onions or cows, ahh...fresh country air. Otherwise just don't breath too deeply.

9. Chocolate ice cream - just plain chocolate ice cream, and yes even soft serve ice cream is acceptable. Greg laughs at that because he says people don't WANT soft serve ice cream, they settle for soft serve ice cream.

10. Friends - I love the friends I have. They make me laugh and laughter is the best medicine, or so they say.

Annabelle Nina

Baby #4 arrived last Tuesday, a little early but still healthy and strong. We named her Annabelle Nina (pronounced Ny-nuh). She was 6 lbs. 13 oz. and was 19 inches long. She is beautiful (what mother isn't going to say that?) and so far is a great baby. We've had Grandmas here for awhile though so I might change my mind when I am all on my own. We love her to pieces, as do her siblings, therefore she has to be held all the time for her own safety. She's going to get used to that and when my Mom leaves she's going to get a healthy dose of reality. But my Mom says you can't spoil a newborn. So here are some pictures of our new bundle of joy.

Flower Buns

This has to be one of my all time favorite do's. She looked so cute! And it isn't that complicated. Just make a zig-zag part from the front of her head to the crown and section off each part into ponytails. You can flip them or just leave them straight. I left my straight. Then part the remaining hair into two ponytails. Take each ponytail and split into 5 sections, each section will be a "petal" of your flower. Roll it up in your fingers (you made need a little wax if you have a lot of flyaways)and pin it so it makes loops but make sure to pin it securely (if you make an x with two bobby pins it keeps them in place pretty good) You can either roll up all the hair, or leave some dangling from the bottom. Personally I liked to have some dangling with pretty little curls. But whatever you like. Isn't it time for Spring yet? This hair do was from last spring and I think her hair is a little too long to do it now. I have seriously considered cutting about 5 inches off her hair just so I can do more with it.