Roasting marshmellows

We did this twice and decided we needed a real firepit to roast those marshmallows on.

Kael begged about a month into school for me to cut his hair really short like Dad's... So, we did. And once again, it'll grow back.

The hair cut I hoped would never happen,,,

Elara and Eden somehow found some scizzors in a drawer and had a great time... I'm not 100% sure who cut Elara's, but both girls had some hair cut. I cried. A lot. I know it would grow back, I know it happens a lot (I did it myself just like this except I was 5ish), BUT when it takes your kid years to grow hair it's a hard thing to finally accept. But, accept it's fate I did. I found long lovely blonde locks outside a day later and cried again. That same day I discovered Eden had taken a chunk off her right side by her ear... Thankfully it can be hidden because if Eden lost her long locks I might have passed out. I had short hair for so long in my life I just love my girls long hair and they actually do too, they just really really like cutting things...

This too has passed and surprising has grown out a little and I can still get some piggy tails in her hair. I took a ton of pictures because I need it for memories sake in case this happens again that it's ok and this too shall pass.

So proud of herself...

The top was FINALLY growing out long enough for pig tails. Now it's an 80's mullet.

 I wanted so badly to take her to a salon, but it just wasn't worth it. I trimmed up the back so the mullet wouldn't show up so bad, and gave her bangs, even though it's against everything I have ever wanted. The bangs are starting to grow out and I can start to pin them back again 2 months later.

A side swipe with a barrett and WALA, a cute girl again. And lots of hair spray!

And if the stinker wasn't causing enough trouble she has taken it up to color all over my walls whenever she finds a pen or marker...

Elara's 2nd Birthday

This silly girl turned 2 and on the day we were celebrating on Derek's day off all 3 kids decided it was a good time to be sick. It was so sad. Elara still managed to have a fun day with some help of some medicine and fun shows. She wanted cupcakes for her birthday and we just took it easy. The kids got to help decorate with balloons and streamers and had fun with that and they all loved helping to decorate the cupcakes with frosting. Poor kids didn't even attempt to eat the cupcakes that day. At least they had fun and we all sure love our fun, happy, smiley 2 year old Elara. She loved her balloon we got her and everyone of her presents was perfect for her. She got a Clifford the dog book and a big stuffed Clifford dog, she got a dog purse like Eden's which she calls "Bows", and some new fairy wings. The girl was so happy and had a great day relaxing being sick but enjoying her presents and day.

 All 3 were so sick, but so excited for cupcakes.

They were funfetti and we made all kinds of different colors.

 Eden's dog purse Sparkle and Elara's dog purse Bows. Elara was so excited to get one just like Eden's.

She got sparkling candles and loved her cupcake. They got to eat the cupcakes for several days later, who doesn't love celebrating for days?!

Elara's favorite color is orange, but they didn't have orange balloons or decorations so we went with pink. BUT, the girl sure loves orange everything. It's so cute!

I felt bad for not doing more, but in the end the girl had a great day.

 We drugged all the kids and went out for dinner anyway because her favorite food here in Texas is tacos, beans, and enchiladas!!! And, it made us all happy to get out of the sicko house. We are happy to share our germs with the world. Building a stronger immune system for the world right?

Happy 2nd Birthday sweet Elara!

Mom, Dad, Kael, Eden, and Odin all love you so much! You bring so much joy to our family. Your laugh and smile is infectious and makes everyone around you smile and to be happy. You love your brother and sister. Your best friend is Odin. The two of you can play together all day. You love cottage cheese for breakfast and will eat just about anything we make. You love kissing Mom on the cheek. And sometimes you wipe it off and say, "ew ew ew". You are the silliest girl. You talk nonstop. Sometimes I understand you and sometimes I don't. You can tell you and Eden are sisters even though you don't look very much alike. You girls stay up late talking and playing and fighting at night. You are friendly towards everyone you meet. You love nursery, it was a little scary for you at first, but you quickly warmed up and now when we tell you we are going to church and nursery you say, "Nursery, Yay!!!!" You love having Mom all to yourself in the morning while the big kids go to school. You love waving goodbye to Kael and Eden on the bus and saying goodbye. You love going for walks with Mom. You love getting into anything and everything especially my cupboards. You like going on the potty, but refuse to do it consistently and would rather have a diaper. 

You are simply a joy. Everyone who sees you loves you instantly, probably because you love others instantly. We all love you Elara. Keep your sweet spirit always. 

Happy 2nd Birthday!

Love, Mom and Dad and the family

San Antonio Zoo

We finally were able to go to the San Antonio Zoo in September on a Saturday Derek had off. We fell in love and bought passes.

Don't let the kids grumpy faces fool you, they had a blast, it was just on the way out of the zoo and they didn't want to leave yet.

 After the zoo we went to a favorite restaurant called "The Cove". They have grass fed bison burgers that are the most delicious burgers you have EVER tasted. Oh man, now I want one.

They have a play ground for the kids to play on and they love it there. It's also awesome they have a McDonald's across the street to buy the kids cheap .89 cent hamburgers and we can be cheap.

September Wrestling kids and Wasp Hives

These 3 are best friends and love having each other.

Nothing better than Dad time.

 There are 8 in there! We had them sprayed and then the wind knocked them down. Finally don't have wasps flying in our faces at our front door.

The rest of August - Plus first day of school

August was filled with play dates, meet the teacher, getting ready for school, doctor well visits and enjoying a couple of Dad's days off. The kids eagerly looked forward for school to start and I was anxious for the newness of it all. The kids are awesome though and I shouldn't have worried.

 The girls have taken to playing in their huge closet. They love hiding under blankets in there and putting all the dolls in there and just having a hiding place.

Eden insisted on a picture with Dad.

The girls had several tea parties over the summer. It is a favorite and we are now having friend tea parties.

On Derek's day off we decided to brave the heat and set out to explore. We went to the Cibolo Nature Park, which is NOT in Cibolo but in Boerne an hour drive away. It was so fun though. It had short hikes and a fun tree house and this amazing stream for the kids to explore. We will definitely be going back on another day off now that it has cooled off.

The first day of school photos! Oh I love these kiddos so much!

 Teacher: Mrs. Brown

 Teacher: Ms. Merchun

We made another family theme this year and had a feast to celebrate the Sunday night before school started Monday morning. We introduced it to the kids. Our new theme this year is "Be a good example". It came from a scripture in the New Testament John 13:15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

We have always been really good about evening family prayer and scriptures with the kids. It has just always been a part of bedtime routine. We are all about routine in our home and I need my Mommy time after 8 pm so it has always worked for us. What we have not been very good about is a morning family prayer and scripture. Starting in October after watching General Conference for the church we came out with the impression that morning family prayer and scripture was needed for our family and more service. We immediately started this practice and it is LIFE CHANGING! It is always great to end your day in thanks to God, but the reality is we can ask Him for help throughout the day and we can start our day inviting Him to be with us, and the change I noticed is that we are protected, loved, guided and can feel the spirit more in our home since starting this practice! It takes us 5 minutes before getting on the school bus. 5 minutes!  It is amazing to me that 5 minutes a day has changed our lives so much. I promise if you as a family take on this 5 minutes a day morning challenge your lives will change too. Heavenly Father will bless your life for remembering to keep Him in it.

In other news, I was shocked to hear Eden's answer that morning for what she wanted to be when she grew up. I knew she loved dancing, but I didn't know she knew what a ballerina was. So, I asked her what it was, and she told me (like she always does), "MOMMY, a ballerina is a beautiful dancer and she dances like THIS"! Complete with a twirl on her toes.

School wears a girl out. This is how I found her after lunch on the first day home from school.