treasure

Keandre, as he fell asleep in my arms while
fighting a high fever this week:

"Mommy, I love being your treasure."

Be still my heart.

Do you know you are the Lord's treasure?  Oh, how I hope that changes our lives the way our deep and sacrificial (human) love for our children changes their lives.

Under the Weather

Sometimes, even with a healthy lifestyle and good nutrition, you get hit with illness.  It seems like half the people we know have the flu right now!  We've been under the weather this week, too.  It can take a while to get through a household of 8 people.  Fevers, nausea, achy body, coughing fits, we've seen it all.  We're not too bad off, for the most part, just a lot of resting, napping together, and extra TV time.  Andy and I were hit first, so at least we can take care of the others now.

We learned that while under the weather, you might decide to try out a baby bottle for the first time ever - and like it!  Daddy enjoyed the snuggle time.  (Can you believe how long her hair is getting?)

And you might start sleeping in unusual places.

Your big sister, too.

Then one brother....

and another.

There are downed children and comfort items everywhere we look.  Poor sweeties.  It hit little Isaac today, so Anna-Lise is the only one to escape the bug so far.  (We're rooting for you, Anna! :)

Keandre has been sleeping around the clock for 2 days now, but as of tonight, his fever is finally dropping.

These two snuggled up and watched Curious George 2 next to me while I napped.  This is the life, right?  (Ha...Lucas would disagree!)

We haven't had the flu in 3+ years.  At least we got it over with early this season, right?

What do you do to build your family's immunity during the winter sick season? 
(blog post on that soon)

We Voted!

 Brooklyn dropped my ballot off for me. 

She loves her Daddy time!

That evening, we invited our neighbor friends, Anna-Lise & Isaac, and my parents to Rubio's for their special Election Day fish taco deal.  Yum!

Baby Bunnies

We decided to let our rabbits breed again, in hopes of ending up with a couple female bunnies we can tame better than the last set.  Since they run free in our backyard, we weren't aware of them having a litter until Andy was working out back and discovered four baby bunnies hopping around on the patio.  The kids are, of course, overjoyed!  We put them in a hutch so we can tame them.  They are getting plenty of love and attention from our kids and the neighbor friends.  Nichole and Leslie are pretty much inseparable lately, and Lucas and Chez are playing a lot, too!

First Day of School, 2012

Remember the old days, when school started after Labor Day instead of the end of July?  We're still on that schedule.  Since this blog is part family scrapbook, I've included the obligatory 'first day' photo.  Lucas is in 4th grade, Nichole is in 2nd, and Keandre is officially a Kindergartener.  No backpacks or school supplies to purchase for their Montessori school -- they keep it nice and simple. :)

Nichole celebrated her 8th birthday on the first day of school.  The class sang her a special song while she held a globe and walked around the 'sun' (a candle) eight times. 

The kids are excited to be back in school with their friends.  Andy and I are glad they're back in school, too. ;)  Really, though....we are blessed to know our children are together and have caring and motivated teachers. 

Summer Fun

In August, we made a last-minute trip to CA to visit family.  You know the kids are growing up when you arrive more refreshed instead of completely exhausted, and actually enjoy yourself while there. :)

Andy and his parents took the kids to La Jolla for a day
while I enjoyed a little R & R.

 

Then Andy and I headed back out to La Jolla for a date night, complete with a walk on the beach under a full moon.  Wish we could do that more often!

 A little cousin time and a birthday celebration
rounded out the week.

And we can't forget the caterpillars.  Classic Lucas.

We finished out the week with a trip to see Auntie Elise and cousins Claire and Kyndra on the way home.  We'll definitely be heading back to that river.  Maybe we'll visit Elise and the girls while we're at it. ;)

Summer fun!

It's great to be five!

    

Keandre is a big fan of Bill Cosby's 'Little Bill'. If you are familiar with the show, you'll recognize the saying, "It's great to be five!"  March 10th was Keandre's big day, and he shouted it with pride. :) 

His breakfast of choice was a plateful of hash browns.  Can you see his excitement?

Keandre asked for an easy-going party at a local park.  He requested that everyone wear his favorite color, green, and that we serve only foods that are safe for him to eat.  I gave all the parents a heads-up that this party would be a little unusual....

It worked out great!  The kids all had great attitudes about the food.  We called it an 'eat like me' party, and served fresh-sliced apples, rice cakes, roasted garbanzo beans, and green beans. 

There were meaningful conversations amongst the parents and kids about how these are foods that are safe for Keandre, and that he can't eat most of the foods that they eat.  Empathy grew. :)

 Face painting was the highlight of the party.  My creative sisters-in-law came up with some great ideas, and the kids were all impressed.

Artan and Lucas contributed to the animal theme that caught on well with the boys.  (Most of the girls were princesses.)

Dessert was rice crispies made with homemade marshmellows. Keandre ate at least five of them, and wants me to make them again soon.

We all went home tired and happy.  Our little tiger declared the day a huge success! :)

the little girls

   

I just ran across this picture from a couple months ago.  I think we'll have to frame this one for Granny & Papa!  The girls were having a cousin playdate while the older kiddos were away at school.  I can't wait to see the memories these girls create over the years.  They are such characters!  Madeline and Brooklyn are 3 weeks apart, and Khiana is almost 12 months older.