Bye-Bye Bunny

Posted by Kiersten

Last Friday, I left work for the weekend and began to get ready for out of town company. A couple of hours later, I received a text message from Libby asking if I remembered where Yates’s bunny was. I immediately knew it was in my car, and I rushed it back over to the Wilson’s house because it was bed time and Yates HAD to have his bunny. The boy has not slept without that thing in his mouth in at least a year! I walked in their door and said, “FAIL for the nanny! I can’t believe I took his bunny home with me!”

Bunny in my car on the way back to Yates

This week has been one for the books…or the blog. Fitz and Mac are now on antibiotics for sinus infections, and Yates and Mimi are taking medicine for strep throat. Then yesterday, we officially lost the bunny. It’s really gone. We’ve looked everywhere and we aren’t sure if it was lost in the house or on a walk. I even called the neighborhood security men to see if it was turned in.

Sorry, Yatesy…it happened on my watch. I am so proud of you for sleeping without it last night and during your nap today! I love you sweet boy.

Yates and his bunny the day before it was lost

Making Memories

Posted by Kiersten

I recently saw a sign that said, “Please excuse the mess, the children are making memories.” Here are some pictures that have been taken in the midst of the mess!

This was one of my favorite activities of the last week...and we need some dress-up clothes for boys! Fitz is blurred in the front in a glitzy purple dress of Grey's, Mimi is dressed as Cinderella, and Yates is standing in the back, donning the bottom half of an Ariel costume.

Fitz dressed as Snow White and playing with the LeapPad.

Mimi dressed as Snow White and playing with the LeapPad.

I took this picture of Fitz after he threw a bunch of toys in anger and yelled, "NO!" at Mimi and me. He really wanted the toy that Mimi had. You can see some of the rage in his eyes and in his pursed lips.

A winner, right? This is Mac right before his play-date with his cousin, Kemmons. He is such a big kid! He stood on the front porch holding his bag and it looked like he was headed off to school.

Mimi is so full of personality. Here she is on Grey's bike with her lovie of course.

Mimi and Yates hanging out.

Fitz sat in my lap for much of the morning!

Yates taking his turn on Grey's bike...bunny in tow. Notice the way he's cutting his eyes!

Mac, Yates, Mimi, Fitz, Grey, and cousin Boyd

I hope you’ll watch these short videos as well!

Walking in the park…Fitz and Mac playing together: http://youtu.be/rIQrPTLliYc

Dancing in the car: http://youtu.be/uwn6vI4vIN8

Jumping Back…

Posted by Kiersten

These pictures are a month old, but still too cute to not post. Expect updated pictures soon!

Yates and Mimi were adjusting to skipping their morning nap…as you can see from the pictures. The first is of Yates sitting in my lap at the doctor’s office. He sat just like that for over an hour! The second is what I found when I walked into the playroom at 10 a.m. I opened the door and Grey ran up to me with her finger over her mouth saying, “Shhh!!!” and pointing at Mimi. After we woke Mimi up, we painted Grey in the bathtub!

Fitz has a very contagious smile and loves to swing really high! When I push him, I will go so high that I run under the swing, and he thinks it’s hysterical.

Here is Mimi making a silly face. I put her in the same wagon as Mac, and for the first minute or two, Mac kept his arm around Mimi and they were looking at each other and talking. I tried to get a picture of that, but this is what I came away with!

This last picture is just for Ghee, to show that Otis does have playmates. Mac threw the ball for him about 20 times this afternoon. They both loved it. 

Photo of the Week

Posted by Kiersten

Trends

Sheer joy!

Posted by Libby

We’ve been trying to be more intentional about taking pictures the last week.  As I loaded them onto my computer yesterday…I noticed two very obvious trends.  Trend one-my kids would be naked all the time if I allowed.  Literally, I don’t think I have all my kids even unloaded from the car before Grey has stripped down to be “naked jaybird”  and is dancing around the house.  Trend two-we’ve been doing lots of cooking and tons of eating lately.  My recent conviction to have a house of “real food” has created quite a bit more work for Kiersten and me, thankfully Grey helps!  Here are some classic shots. (edited down, of course)

Only one naked jaybird in this shot, but is it not priceless?

Mimi is such a riot. I think she brought the boys the hats to put on.

Our favorite cooking buddy

Homemade frozen yogurt push pops...next time- outside!

You will never see the kids wearing bibs. They can remove any kind ever created. As a result....at least two loads of laundry a day..maybe I should just combine the nakedness with the eating?

Mac climbed right on up into the chair and helped himself. You can see he didn't even bother to move the chair out..

I've started calling Yates "little squirrel" because he is always grabbing handfuls of food and then carrying it around in his fists forever.

hooray for summer fruit season approaching!

Not only do bibs not work...bowls don't either.

We brought out the party hats on the babies' 18 month birthday last week...and they dug for m&ms in the dirt- chocolate and dirt- two favorite things!

Cleaning up- the five have already spent countless hours playing in the spicket, naked of course.

It doesn't get much better than this.

Fitz!

One-on-One

Posted by Libby

Dear Grey and Mimi, Mac, Yates and Fitz,

I wish you knew how much I loved you. I wish you knew how much I pray for you all throughout the day.  Lately I have really been praying a lot  because I feel like I just can’t get enough one on one time with each of you, and it makes me sad.  You are each so different from one another and I wish there was time in the days to focus on each of you and absorb your overflowing personalities.  Grey, we have had the most time one on one with you- and the joy you bring into this house is without limit.  I am so proud of the big sister you are and even more importantly, the little girl that you are.  You love to laugh and wrestle; play doctor and princess; cook and clean; run laps outside and look for worms.  You are so many of my favorite things all bundled up in your little body that I am daily in awe that you were created within me; and honored that I get to watch and help you grow.  Sweet Mimi, you are our laid back snuggler.  You are the only child that will actually sit in my lap and stay there and get cozy with me.  Of course, this is quickly interrupted by a pushy brother to which you often respond with a quick bite and massive tears ensue.  You are so easy, but that fierce edge sneaks out more and more and I know this will be a fabulous quality as you grow.  Mac-Attack, you are a bulldozer.  You just make everyone smile because you are such a BOY!  You run through the house snatching toys from unsuspecting siblings and you climb on, push over, and wrestle anything you can possibly find.  I am suspecting you to be the leader of the pack and I am thankful for your little body bursting with confidence.  My wild man, Yates.  You are becoming more independent of me, which is bittersweet.  While you no longer need to be on my hip every minute, you still seem to have a delicate personality that needs a little more time and space than the others.  You are beginning to make up for your small size with some serious body slamming to your siblings…they don’t like it much, but I know you need to define your space.  You are our more serious one, but when you laugh- it is loud and wild and I love it!  Little buddy, Fitz, you are so passionate and your heart is so big.  You are quick to laugh and cry.  I  love your sweet spirit and how it seems you were born to love.  You marvel at so many things..I love to watch you watch everything around you and see your eyes sparkle with delight.  I’m not sure what an “old soul” is, but I think you are one.  I am thankful that the Lord has shown us how unique you each are and I do pray that we can love on you just how you need and steal those alone moments with each of you.

As often as I struggle with the lack of time for one on one moments- for me with you- I am, at the same time, reminded of the gift God has given you with each other.  The relationship I have with your Aunt Sus has taught me that there is nothing in the world as wonderful as having your sibling be your best friend.  When I dwell on this, I trust that where the singular time is missing, the multiple time far outweighs anything I could give to each of you.

All my love.

Mac requires the least amount of sleep so we get more time with just him. I love these moments.

Another moment. Mac Attack in effect.

Sometimes we have to remind ourselves that having siblings is a blessing..especially when they are collaborating schemes!

One of our favorite times...wrestle time.

Yates and Fitz..wrestling in the stroller.

Just Chillin

Watching you all together, what a miracle!

My favorite times each week are when we are just together as a family. This may have been McLean's most favorite time recently- all five kids eating Central BBQ!

My Big Backyard

Posted by Kiersten

The Memphis Botanic Gardens has a great exhibit called My Big Backyard. We went Friday and the kids love exploring. Mac worked really hard in the sandbox. Mimi was much more cautious and enjoyed sitting and talking to me. Yates enjoyed running up and down the hill (not pictured) and not falling down! Fitz was brave on the slide.

My Funny Valentines

Posted by Kiersten

This Valentine’s Day I had the best date ever at Baskin Robbins. Mimi and Mac took me out and treated me to laughs while they enjoyed their cones of ice cream. They both ate their entire scoops of chocolate chip ice cream AND the cones. Mimi took about twice as long to eat hers as Mac did, which meant that Mac got to have a couple of bites of hers. Sneaking bites and sharing food used to go smoothly, but today she got a little mad at that injustice! Here are pictures of my funny, adorable, and dearly loved Valentines.

Mimi & Mac taking their first bites

Sweet Mimi

Mac contemplating that bite

Mimi savoring every bite

Mac finishing off his cone

A little love

Posted by Kiersten

Here are some happy babies dancing to the Bodeans. It is hard to believe that this was on the way to the doctor because Yates (the one who is doing some crazy dancing) had an ear infection. I am so thankful for music!

http://youtu.be/PKE7x03U-GI 

Sometimes I still can’t believe there are four of them…

Posted by Kiersten

Fitz, Mimi, Mac, & Yates in Mimi's bed after a nap. No they did not all sleep in Mimi's bed.

Fitz, Yates, Mac, & Mimi

I really like our stroller shadows.

Mimi is in front in this picture. Usually with the quad stroller, the goal is to put the heaviest children in the front because the stroller is back-heavy, but sometimes I let Mimi ride in front. I know she loved it...look at how intently she is staring into the distance! Yates of course has his bunny. That thing goes with him everywhere....in the potty, down the slide, to the park, to restaurants, to sleep. It IS his velveteen rabbit. Fitz is in his favorite spot, which is right above the wheels because he can reach down and touch the wheels with his fingers while they spin. Remember, he's observant...and he's the only one with a huge grin on his face!! If you bring out the camera, sometimes he will just automatically smile. Mac is happy (though he doesn't look it in this picture) because he is the closest to me. Ha! It was a great walk.