Might as Well

The day after Edith's birthday, we moved! If you're going to possibly overdo it after major surgery, when you've been given instructions not to lift anything over 8 pounds for 8 weeks, no housework, etc… you might as well really go for it, right? I was pretty proud of myself, actually. I didn't lift anything. For real. And for those of you who know me, you know what an amazing thing that is. I just pointed. A lot. I kept the grunting to a minimum, though. 

My amazing family and friends made it possible for it all to happen. Rophone and my girls really stepped up and took on a huge amount of work. It's pretty crazy to attempt a move when we did, but the perfect house for our family came up and we didn't want to hesitate and possibly lose the chance to live there. Luckily, most of our stuff was already boxed up and in storage and just needed to be hauled to the new place. 

Big insisted that I take his photo so that it looks like he's driving the truck. Way to keep your eyes on the road, Big!

The house is perfect for us, just like I thought it would be. It's light and bright, I love that everyone has their own room, the yard is fantastic with a perfect basketball court for Big, and everyone feels comfortable. Like we're at home. Edith is so comfortable here that she doesn't feel like she needs to be where I am all the time anymore-- she plays in all parts of the house, and spends hours entertaining herself. Hours at a time. Really. It's so fantastic.

One of the best parts? It's super close to the elementary and middle schools so we can just send the kids out the door in the morning instead of having to climb in the car. The only kid we have to drive is Pen. On some mornings it means we're cutting out 3 driving trips! That's huge! It means that Edith and I can spend our mornings relaxing and drinking hot cocoa in our jammies instead of sitting in the car. 

Much better. 

Even a move doesn't keep us from making our trips to the library. 

Our new driveway is perfect for Edith to practice riding the scooter she got for her birthday. So much fun.

I uncovered a floor drawing pad that used to be Pen's when I was unpacking our stuff. Edith has spent hours and hours drawing and coloring in it. She has been loving having me draw houses and then she'll color them in. When I started adding doghouses in the yard it became even more fun. 

I really love it when she draws "humans". Edith never calls them people, it's always humans. "Hey, Mom, do you like my human?" It cracks me up. I was wearing an apron with a person on it the other day and Edith said, "Your apron has a human on it." It's almost like she's not a human…

I love that this human she drew has eyebrows and nostrils. 

I should have taken a picture of the human she drew that had dots all over its face. I told her that the dots were cute and she responded, "They're not dots, they're zits." Maybe not so cute, I guess. This three-eyed, spiked penguin is awesome, though. 

Yesterday was St. Patrick's Day and the leprechauns were up to some tricks. Silly leprechauns. 

Edith was so happy to have something new-to-her in green that she could wear to avoid being pinched. I love that we bought this skort 10 years ago for Ginger and, even after being worn by cousins, it has made its way back to Edith. It's so fun to see Edith looking cute in the same things worn by her sisters. It's still adorable and so is the girl wearing it.

I was pretty happy that for the first time in years I actually had something green to wear. Hooray for not being pinched!

The Cutest 4 Year Old in Town

A few days shy of 3 weeks post-surgery, Edith turned four. There was no way I was going to let it hinder the celebration, though. Turning 4 is huge! She may be our fifth kid to do it, but this is Edith's first and only time. It's special! You can tell what a big deal it is just by looking at the smile on her face. 

Edith spent the day with Rophone while I set to work to make it look like a party. The balloons Rophone picked out were perfect. 

Edith was so happy that her Grandma and Grandpa Gorilla were able to come help her celebrate (but I forgot to take pictures with them, of course). I fixed the same chicken burrito dinner we had for Ginger's birthday because when Edith tasted it she announced that it would be her birthday dinner, too. It was really nummy. Again. :)

Edith loved the gifts she received (the scooter was a hit), but I think she was even more excited to get to the cake. She loves cake.

Happy, Happy Birthday, Edith! We love you so much!

Back On the Horse

Hey, I'm back! I had some surgery, and it's amazing how when you don't feel that great things like typing up blog posts don't sound that appealing. Either I'm feeling better, or the guilt and stress of how far behind I'm getting is bothering me. Ha!

First I'll start with a few photos I took of Ginger on her longboard. I took these a few days after her birthday, so she's even better on it now, but she sure does love it. 

We made another trip to the library-- such a perfect time to document Edith's style. So, here's another installment in my Library Attire photo series:

I could tell that Bud was nervous about the fact that Rophone would be helping him make his Valentine's box this year, since my surgery would make me unable to do it and we usually work on it together. So, the night before my surgery, I set about throwing together a Valentine's box idea for Bud to possibly use. I knew he would most likely be appalled by what I quickly assembled, and hoped that it would make him more excited (and relieved) to be working with his dad on the project.

I was in surgery when Bud saw my creation, but apparently I was spot on in judging his reaction. Put a "shirt" on it and I would totally use it. I think it rocks. Total personality! Bud was way more happy with what he and his dad came up with as an alternate. 

It won the award for "most colorful". Fitting. I wonder what my box would have won? Probably the "best hair" award. 

I was pretty down and out after my surgery, but I managed to get a little video of Edith on her balance bike (she's awesome at it!) and I captured this picture of Edith and Rophone doing a little clothing design together. 

Daddy-daughter designing is just about the cutest. They had so much fun together during the two weeks Rophone took off work after my surgery. I think we could get used to having him around all the time if it were possible. Everything's better with Rophone.