Birth Date Dates

  I got the idea from two family friends of ours who both have five kids. When parents have more than one child, it is hard to find one on one time for each child on a regular basis.  To make sure that each child gets "Mommy/Daddy and me" time at least once each month, our friends do something special with each child on their birth date.  For example, Ellie's birthday is July 13th.  So each month on the 13th we do something special with Ellie.  Sometimes it is both Andrew and I, but usually it is just one of us. 
  We have only been doing this for 3 months now but all of the girls are so excited when their special day comes around.  This month things didn't go as I would have planned with Ellie's day but we made do with what time we were given.  Andrew was at work all day and wouldn't be back until late so Ellie had her special time in the morning with me...and Becca.  We drove down to the beach bridge to get donuts but the shop was closed.  Gah!  Instead we bought some hotcakes at McDonalds and drove back up to Holley By The Sea to feed the ducks.  Ellie has done this for all of her special days (feed the ducks, that is) and she isn't tired of it yet.  We all had a really good time together.

As soon as we parked the ducks started waddling our way.  Ellie was constantly telling them, "No ducks!  Don't take my food!" and "Sit. Sit. Sit!!"  There's a momma duck to Ellie's left that had a bunch of little ducklings around her.  They ended up crossing the street to stay away from the little people.  Smart choice.

 Ellie leading her orchestra of ducks.

 Becca enjoyed following the ducks but never tried to touch them.

 Ellie was excited to see the turtles come up out of the water towards her.  The ducks still wanted some food but Ellie was firm when telling them "No!" and "Sit!"

Please imagine Ellie using her high pitched baby voice when calling the turtle to her.  It was adorably amusing. 

 Ellie found another momma duck with just three ducklings.  She only ever got this close to them because the poor little ducklings were waddling as fast as they could to get away from Ellie that they were tripping over themselves.  I told Ellie to not chase them anymore and she practiced some serious self restraint and obeyed me.

 Walking along the edge of the pond made lots of turtles swim towards Ellie.

 The top turtle was super determined to get some food from Ellie.  He almost got all the way up to the top of the hill.

  We left hot and happy but ready for some cool down time.  

First Week of School

  School started last week and both Abby and Kate loved every day.  Their teachers are wonderful.  Kate is lucky enough to have two teachers AND she has her best friend from church in her class too.  Abby's teacher just happens to be her swim instructor from summer swim lessons, who all of our girls have favored over the other instructors.  She is extra sweet and patient with the children and so I was very relieved when finding out Abby was going to be her student this year in Kindergarten. 
  Don't mind the foggy picture.  We live in Florida and it is 99% humidity.  I didn't realize the humidity had fogged up my camera lens until it was too late.  

 Ellie was excited for Kate and Abby's first day of school and wished she could have gone to school with them.  

 We saw plenty of sad kiddos saying bye to their parents.  Not this one.  She was happy to be there even if she didn't know anyone, yet.

 Ellie and Becca have played out in the back yard a lot since school began.  I no longer have my little helpers around so I get to spend a lot more time out in the back yard too.  

 The hose is almost always brought out to play with.  Between the heat and the sand, the hose is hard to keep put away.

 Don't let Becca's face fool you, she LOVES playing in the water.  If she is sad inside, all I have to do is let her out back and 9.5/10 times she is happy immediately. 

 And then this happens.  

 First day of school pick up always takes forever.  Becca convinced me that she needed to be out of her car seat while we waited for her sisters. 

 Kate past her testing and earned her yellow belt last week.  I am so proud of her!  She did everything so well and all while the parents and other students were watching.  I know that was nerve wrecking for her but she pushed through and did an awesome job!

 The students were told to toss their old belt up in the air on the count of three.  Kate had the biggest grin on her face after tossing hers!

 Ellie, Becca, and I spent Friday morning at Grammy's pool.  Ellie is getting a little more clingy at the pool but Becca just jumps in without me.  When I hold onto her for too long she gets mad and lets me know she can float on her own. 

 Kate and Abby were thrilled to find not one, but two toads once they got home from school on Friday.  All four girls had fun playing with their amphibian friends. 

 And after 5 days of being at school, Kate is our first kid to get sick.  Didn't take long.  Saturday morning, Kate and Dad went to the doctor and Kate tested positive for strep throat.  Not the worse sickness to have.  She felt crummy for 24 hour and then was up and running around the house Sunday morning.  And then back to school today.  

  One week down, lots to go.