Dirt = Cake = Singing = Pictures = Memories

I think one of the toughest things about having three little ones age 3 and under is just that...

there are 3 of them!

Ok. and two of them are a year old and have to be carried everywhere!

Don't get me wrong for one second here. I know how tremendously blessed I am. I would not trade this season of my life for anything. But i'd be lying if I didn't say that it's utterly and completely exhausting at times.

Addie was an only child for 2 years. (I know. Many oldest children are. I'm just pointing it out).

She not only had my undivided attention, she had her Daddy's and RieRie's and Papa Ray's and Gramma's and Grandpa's and Nana's and really any other adult she was around.

Spoiled? Maybe a little, but it was just part of being the first child and the first grandchild on one side of the family for a year and on the other side for two years!

I wish that I could say that I spend quality one on one time with Addie for an extended period each morning while the twins nap. But the reality of that is that it's impossible. Impossible because I need to eat breakfast before 11am and maybe dress and shower? I need to at least start the laundry and load the dishwasher if for any reason so we can have clean things. I might need to pick up around here every once in a while too. But on a good day, I have enough energy (and motivation) to get it all (or some of it at least) done super fast and spend some of that one on one quality time with my big girl. On other days, I just ditch it all and go play with her! 

Last week, we headed outside in the cool of the morning to play. We played hopscotch and I pushed her in the swing. We laughed and of course...it all ended in the dirt! I think it's her favorite place to play.

In addition to loving the dirt, she loves making cakes or cupcakes or tea or ice cream cones (with sand/dirt/sticks) and singing Happy Birthday!

Finn even jumped into help protect her!

She had worked super hard to make these sticks stand up in the dirt on her cake! And it was time for ME to sing happy birthday to her. I asked her if I could take pictures while I sang (I can't multi-task like I used to; but the lighting was gorgeous, and I was determine to do this!). I was practically laying on the ground and got my camera settings straight BEFORE I started singing. ISO. Aperture. Exposure. Done. 

Happy Birthday to you.

Happy Birthday to you.

Happy Birthday dear Addie.

Happy Birthday to you!

I am beyond thankful for this time I have with our girls. God continues to teach me daily (hourly? minutely (is that a word?)!) about patience and gratefulness and the importance of raising our girls to be Godly women.

And none of that can be done without spending quality time with Him and with each of them! The laundry and dishes can and will wait. It's no longer about me feeling like I've accomplished something on the daily checklist. It's about investing in these precious lives God has blessed us with!

I Thessalonians 5:16-22

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.

Addie's Spring Program

Last week, ok really, the week before, Addie's mother's morning out had a spring program.

Over 60 children. Over 60 young 3 year old children. All on risers. On a stage.

No one ran off the stage. Only one or two cried. No one fell off the risers. And only one or two yell-sang instead of singing voice sang.

I'd say that's pretty impressive!

Ms. Deborah (Addie's teacher last year) offered to let the little girls stay with her in the baby room so Paul and I could watch the program. I took pictures and he took video, neither of which we'd have been able to do while holding a child. So thankful!

I told Addie beforehand that I would be taking pictures...but not of her. Just of her friends. All I can say is that it worked. And there was not a single picture I got that didn't have a friend in it either! So I was truthful. I just cropped them all out to post here. :)

As they walked up on stage and sat down, I could feel myself fighting back a few tears. She looked so big. Too big. So independent. I'd have it no other way. I am so proud of her. As time has gone by, we have loved every most new phases and stages, but there will always be that part of me that will miss those days gone by.

They said the Pledge of Allegiance and sang Red, White, and Blue (which you may remember from here).

Addie pretty much started out like this. Can we say deer in headlights?

They sang: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, the Wise Man Built His House Upon the Rock, If You're Happy and You Know It, Eency Weency Spider, Jesus Loves Me, John 3:16, and the ABC's Song.

She actually sang and did the motions too!

But my favorite has to be Bringing Home a Baby Bumble Bee:

I'm bringing home a baby bumblebee.
Wont my mommy be so proud of me?
I'm bringing home a baby bumblebee.
Ouch! It stung me!

I'm squishing up my baby bumblebee.
Wont my mommy be so proud of me?
I'm squishing up my baby bumblebee.
Eew! It's yucky!

I'm wiping off my baby bumblebee.
Wont my mommy be so proud of me?
I'm wiping off my baby bumblebee.
Now my mommy won't be mad at me!

See her bumblebee in her hands?

And then they sang God Our Father, which is actually a blessing, for their last song. It was so sweet!

Afterwards, they had a party! Addie was clearly ready to get to the party, but I at least got one picture with her and Daddy! (she's holding up 3 fingers because she is 3 years old, just in case you missed that :)

We (Paul) did manage to get most of it on video. Unfortunately, it cut off right as they were starting the Bubblebee song! It's pretty long (almost 10 minutes), but I'm posting it for the grandparents and Nana (and of course whoever else wants to watch it ;)

This school year has marked a lot of milestones for our girl. Lots of growing up. Lots of transitions and change. Her teachers loved her through it all, and for that, we will be eternally grateful to them!

Next year, she'll be in real preschool! Slow down big girl, slow down!