My Baby is not a Baby!

Look at this angel! Well, maybe I shouldn't say that. Abby would correct me. "I'm not an angel (princess, sweetie, baby, insert whatever cuteness rolls off my tongue). I'm a girl."

My little Abigail Helen turned 3. Even though it was really hard for her to put up three fingers, she still turned three. She hasn't been in diapers for a year and can get in and out of the car without help. Such a BIG girl!! There isn't anything "baby" left in her- except the daily "sippy cup with Daddy's chocolate milk" and her love of snuggling.

Abby is a sweetheart. She loves her sister Lauren and her friends Gab, Brooke, cousin Sam, Olivia, Asher, Lulu and anyone who will pretend to be a kitty with her. She loves the color pink. Her favorite show to watch is Dora or Max and Ruby or Olivia- depending on the day. If she is really good, she gets to watch a show with a sippy of chocolate milk! Abby likes to play pretend shop, house, zoo-- whatever. She wants to be the mommy. She loves dolls, strollers, and Polly Pockets.

Lauren and Abby love to play together. Sometimes they are both kittens; other times Lauren is the owner. Or sometimes they are store owners. Lauren pretty much dictates what they do but Abby usually thinks it's great. They have a super-dramatic relationship filled with giggles, tears, hits, slaps, screams, tattling, and giggles again.

Abigail is quite shy at first. You might think she is timid, hugging my thigh and whining in her high squeaky voice. But she warms up quickly and dives into anything and everything. She is definately a fourth child. She seems socially more advanced than her siblings. She potty trained a year ago. She understands timeout and can fake cry to get her sister in trouble, too. She can manipulate her dad with a smile.

Abigail is a very wise brown-noser. She will be the first to report that she wasn't fighting, making a mess, being naughty. If another child is in trouble, Abby will say, "I'm being obedient." And smile sweetly. Or, "I don't pee my bed, " if someone had an accident. She has Steve wrapped around her finger. I don't know how to tell him that she is not always perfect.

Abby LOVES to do ballet. She sets up the "Bella Dancerella" mat and barre and asks me to put on the DVD. She works very hard to do what Bella does and I work very hard to ignore the obnoxious DVD (if you have this, you know what I'm talking about). She takes dance from Miss Lisa and ADORES her. She loves everything about class and continues to dance once she gets home.

She also likes to sing. We used to sing a simple goodnight song to Lauren until she got too big for it and then it became Abby's song. After prayers each night, Abby breaks into her song and the rest of us join her. She's gotten sillier lately as she points to everyone and sings their name. The song is "Good Night Ladies" from Music Man and we just insert each name.

I often feel guilty. If I look back on the past few years of photos, Abby has an extra chunk in her portfolio. She nicely poses and is willing to let me practice my photography on her- so it's not my fault! I also have more one-on-one time with her than the other kiddos because they were so close together in age. We get lots of quiet, shopping, special mom time.

But I think it will even out because.... don't be shocked or upset.... I didn't do a big birthday party. There are perks as mentioned about birth order and for child #1 and #2 and even #3, those perks included a big birthday party each year with an elaborate cake and 15 plus friends and chaos. Child #4 gets a tired mom who really thought she would do a party when they returned from Utah but, well, didn't. (Not to mention that I'm actually blogging this in September! I'm always two steps behind- or more)

Grandma Bender was here for her birthday so we did a sweet family party. I usually really take pride in their birthday cakes but this year-- not so much. We were leaving the next day for Utah and I had been running last minute errands and packing and then it dawned on me-- I need a cake!!!! So the cake was hastily done up with Grandma's help. Despite my disappointment in myself, Abby loved the Barbie cake.

She received a Barbie Cash Register with working microphone and scanner from mom and dad, a pair of white sandals from Mommer and Grandpa Lund- very cute! and a trip to Build-a-Bear from Grandma and Grandpa Bender.

Abigail Helen is such a blessing to our family. She is sugar and spice and everything nice and we love her!

Lazy Days at Possum Kingdom Ranch

We went up to Possum Kingdom Ranch with Steve's sister, Jen and her two little ones. Abby and Sam loved playing together! The men weren't with us so we ate a lot of PB&J and scouted out deer on the Gator. Zach drew a picture for the Ranch office and everyone played in the arcade, ate sno-cones, and swam. Pretty sweet!

Pink Tulle and Blue Bonnets

In Texas, everyone pauses for Bluebonnets. Each Spring they line the freeways and hills and you must get pictures sitting in the middle of them. I think it might be a Texas law or something. Anyway, despite the full sun messing with the camera exposure and shadows casting strangely across Abby's pale face, I ended up with a few shots that are keepers.

OK, I LOOOOOOOOVE this one!

This one, below, is delicious! She is such a poser.

Thanksgiving at the Ranch

You gotta love Thanksgiving in Texas. We spent it at Possum Kingdom with Steve's sisters, Jen and Mindy, and their families. The kids got to go on a boat ride around the lake. They got to wear special wet suits that their uncle Steve said only worked when you peed in them. Zach tried it out and agreed that he was much warmer! Brad and Zach drove four-wheelers by themselves for the first time and everyone shot big rifles at skeet for the first time.

Holy Heroes Batman!

For the past six years I have given way too much energy to costume searching. Even worse, I spend a great deal of time manipulating my children into being who I want them to be. Lauren and I watched many Youtube clips of Wonder Woman and her Lasso of Truth. "Look how cool her crown is. It is like a boomerang! Wow! She can change clothes super fast! Boy, you will be an awesome Wonder Woman!" "Zach, you don't want to be Ben Ten. Several of your friends are going to be Ben Ten. There really should only be one Ben Ten. And look, Superman has muscles!"

I'm really into themes. This year, Superheroes. Last year, Classic Halloween: witches, dracula, and a bat. 2006, Peter Pan. 2005, A Toy Story. 2004, Cave girl with dinosaurs. I think this is the last year of the themes. The boys refuse to be Wizard of Oz characters and I don't want them to need therapy later in life because of their controlling mother.

We had some friends over for our Mystery Dinner and then went Trick or Treating around the neighborhood.

All that and Lauren wouldn't wear her wrist bands and boots, and Abby's cape went missing for the photo. Shocker!

The Pumpkin Patch

I got to go to the Pumpkin Patch in Flower Mound twice this year. Once with Abigail and her little boyfriends Asher and Gabe, and then back with the whole family. Second trip both camera batteries were dead. Don't you LOVE this picture of my sweet thing Abby?

Shake Your Booty Y'all!

Could it be that after 6 years and 10 months of constant diapering (sometimes three little bums at the same time), that we may get a break? I don't want to get my hopes up but Abigail started potty training today. She caught on after just one drop in the potty. I didn't have to remind her to go potty. She would just call out, "I going pee pee" and would already be on the potty when I got to her. She even did a #2. Yep, that's right. Genius. I think I should clone her.

Of course, she only stays dry when she is naked... which could cause a problem when we go anywhere with a dress code. And she will only go on the potty chair. She screams when I suggest the humongous big people potty with the beautifully squishy Dora seat. I enjoy the Dora seat so I can't figure out why she wouldn't love it.

I rewarded Abby with M&Ms each time she went but her favorite reward was the Potty Dance with Mommy. She likes to boogie to sassy country music and shakes her naked behind. Quite the cute picture.

Those are band-aids on her arm: Scooby Doo and Fairies (our first-aid kit is now empty).

Tomorrow is another day and hopefully once again diaper free. Do you think it is ok to bring the potty chair to church?

What Is Your Role?

I just came across the photo from June, taken at the Science Museum in Dallas. It's really a study about how we all have our roles in life. It's important to find our niche so society as a whole can function properly. This tribal specimen clearly delineates their roles so that not everyone is ever happy all at once and not everyone is pitching a fit all at once. Their roles shift from time to time because, after all, eventually, everyone must be the "nose picker."

The Start of Something Big!

Here we go again. Another Fall, another year ahead in school. I'm sure I'm not old enough to have first graders. Brad and Zach are extremely enthusiastic about school. Lauren was a bit timid about it but got over it quickly. Abby was just thrilled that she was NOT going to school and got to hang out with mommy all day. When Lauren was Abby's age, she started preschool. She always wanted to go into the boys' classrooms and was confident to strike up a conversation with the teacher and other kiddos. When I took Lauren to school this year, Abby clung to me for dear life. I know she thought I might be dropping her off and she was going to fight me. It's nice to have some quiet time with my little baby.

Aloha!

My mom does a fun luau each year. Due to my Grandma's declining health, she decided to have it at my grandparent's home. She invited the nurses and aides who have been so kind to my grandma and grandpa. Grandma was in and out of consciousness in her bedroom but when I spoke with her, she recognized me. "Grandma, we are having the luau. Your sister Willy is here." "Well, how do I look?" "You look great. Mom did your hair and you have on your red floral housecoat-- very Hawaiian!" She asked for Grandpa. He came in and told her about the party. I think her memory had taken her back a few years because she suddenly said, "I told you not to have that damn party." It was pretty funny because Helen Farr doesn't talk like that!

Everyone must notice Lauren's hair because it is rare that she lets me do it. Take note--it probably won't happen again.

Sweet Abigail

Happy Birthday to my sweet baby girl. It's hard to let her grow up. She is such a snuggle bunny and lovey girl. There is something so dainty and girlie about her. Maybe it's her creamy skin or her blond curls. Maybe it's her high, sing-songy voice. She likes to stay up with mom and dad, cuddling and flirting until she falls asleep. Abby is a Daddy's girl, greeting him with hugs and kisses each time he comes home from work and sometimes stewing and pouting because Daddy is gone. She is extremely observant and wants to do everything the big kids do. Her favorite spot in the house is on the kitchen counter so she can watch everyone. Her brothers and sister have realized that Abby copies everything they do and say so they try to use manners and share. Good job, guys!

She received a Cabbage Patch swim baby and a Tinkerbell sleeping bag and tent. All of the other kids have sleeping bags so now she can sleep downstairs with them. When anyone mentions swimming, she runs to get her swimsuit, her "mermaid pants" (swim diaper) and the sunscreen. She likes to sing "Popcorn Popping" and a version of "I am a Child of God" that includes parts of "I am Like a Star". Abby loves all junk food and likes to sign "cracker" and "candy" in an attempt to look extra cute and up her chances of getting what she wants. It usually works.

Abby you are soooo loved by your mom and dad and family!
Abigail's middle name is Helen, named after my Grandma Voorhees. Abby and Grandma are both sweet natured. Abby should be honored to carry her name.

Happy Independence Day!

How amazing is this holiday! We got to watch fireworks on the 3rd of July-- one whole day before the 4th of July! Then we went to the ward pancake breakfast and the Coppell parade. (I had forgotten how hot it gets in Texas) The kids have grocery bags to collect all of the goods that came our way. We ended the day with more fireworks. I bought all of my favorites at a roadside stand in East Texas: Grand Flower Blooms, Snakes, Cones, and sparklers. The children thought that these fireworks were just as amazing as the Coppell ones!


We spent the rest of the day at the Houghton's swimming, eating, swimming, and swimming a bit more.

Red, White, and Blueberry!

We went blueberry picking in East Texas. Whitni Parker and Asher jumped in our car and we followed Jenn and Sam out to Edom. We arrived at this adorable, picturesque farm early in the morning on a perfect, slightly cloudy day. We picked for about 15 minutes- enjoying ourselves- when Lauren decided it was too hot and too hard to pick anymore and pretty much fell apart. But we did manage to get a pretty big bucket full. $40 in gas, a bag full of illegal fireworks from a roadside stand, and several large muffins made for pricey berries, but I would highly recommend the trip and plan to go next year.

Sweet Fairies

I coaxed my cute friend Whitni Parker to come over to help me take pics of the girls. She is a fun and creative photographer who has taken loads of pics of our family. I needed her help figuring out the manual setting on my camera. This was a collaborative effort- heavy on her part. Thank you, Whitni!

Pudding Anyone?

Abby enjoyed her pudding a little too much...

Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny

I feel like summer has officially arrived with our first visit to Possum Kingdom Lake with the Houghtons. We had a lazy day of swimming, Smore eating, four-wheeling, and boating. Brad and Zach got up on water skis for the first time. They all piloted a kayak. Zach made a detailed list of the things he wanted to do before he left and will make one for the next time he goes.