Playgroup Girlfriends

Tonight almost all of the original playgroup girls gathered at Melissa's house for fellowship and catching up with one another. Melissa made adorable blue cupcakes to celebrate Baby Risinger's upcoming arrival, and they each gave me some diapers and small gifts as well. It was so fun to see everyone - it has been awhile since I had seen some of them.

While we no longer get together for play groups with our oldest kids (all around 6 years old), we still try and meet for a girl's night about once a month. I hope we can continue to do that even as our lives and kids take us in different directions.

Thank you to Melissa, Beth, Amy, Kathryn, Shannon, Jill (and Brandi - not pictured) for celebrating with me tonight and bringing in some much loved laughter and camaraderie into my life as we move through motherhood together.

Alivia is SIX!

Alivia's Birthday was January 9th. Here is my letter to her:

Alivia:

My sweet, caring child. You love writing notes to friends and sending them in the mail. With the money you collect each week for chores, you always think about buying gifts for friends and family when you have money left over.

I have loved homeschooling you this year. Getting to know the way you learn has taught me so much about you (and me!). You are so similar to me in that you get frustrated easily when you cannot understand something immediately or do not do something perfectly. You are tentative in new situations and like to make sure you understand what is going on before jumping in.

You are so excited about your new baby brother who will be born in a month. You were thrilled the other night when you put your hand on my belly and the baby kicked!

You lead your brothers in a positive, caring, loving way and are such a good Mommy's helper. Your willingness to help out around the house is appreciated so much.

I love you,

Mommy

And now the interview:

Q: What is your favorite color?

A: Turquoise

Q: What is your favorite food?

A: cous cous and noodles

Q: What is your favorite book?

A: Marie Grace (American Girl Book)

Q: What do you want to be when you grow up?

A: A Mommy, a cheerleader and a worker (for Daddy’s company)

Q: What is your favorite toy?

A: My Fur Real Dog

Q: What is your favorite thing to do?

A: Play with my Fur Real Dog

Q: What is your favorite memory from this year?

A: Having a play date with Aubrey

Q: What is your favorite thing about kindergarten?

A: That my teacher is so nice (Mrs. Foulkrod)

Q: What is your favorite TV show?

A: Arthur

Q: Who are your favorite friends?

A: Aubrey, Avery, Samuel and Jane Ann

Will is FOUR!

Will's Birthday was December 5th, but I wanted to write a special note to him.

Will,

My precious boy. You are quickly changing physically and getting taller and thinner. You are still as verbal as ever and amaze me with your vocabulary and quick wit. You love telling jokes like "Why did the chicken cross the road?" Because "He wanted to jump over the moon!"

You are a bit tentative with new situations and still trying to grow into your body a bit, but right now you love riding your electric Jeep in the front yard and can drive it amazingly well.

You have learned how to annoy your sister (repeating what she says, stealing things from her) but most of the time you follow her lead and learn along side her.

You have a special relationship with Grandpa (who is also the 2nd child to an older sister and younger brother) and have gone on several outings with just him to the ranch which you love.

You are jealous of Mommy and Daddy's attention to any other children besides the ones in our family and can have wild mood swings between gleeful laughter and somber sadness complete with dramatic facial expressions to go alongside these changing emotions.

As I continue to get to know you, you make me laugh and my heart smile. I love you sweet child!

Love,

Mom

And not to forget a tradition, the annual Birthday Interview:

Q: What is your favorite color?

A: Green

Q: What is your favorite food?

A: Strawberries and macaroni

Q: What is your favorite book?

A: Dump Trucks

Q: What do you want to be when you grow up?

A: A veterinarian, a firefighter and a worker and a Daddy

Q: What is your favorite toy?

A: My backhoe

Q: What is your favorite thing to do?

A: Make stuff

Q: What is your favorite memory from this year?

A: I like the lake

Q: What is your favorite thing about preschool?

A: That I can make stuff there

Q: What is your favorite TV show?

A: Clifford the Big Red Dog and Third and Bird

Q: Who are your favorite friends?

A: Henry Baumhover, Paige, Josh and Drew (cousins), and Jack (Dugan)

Alivia's 6th Birthday

We all had a blast at Alivia's 6th Birthday Party at the Build a Bear at Lakeline Mall. Alivia was over the moon to have her best friends come share the day with her. It was a small party which made it even more special. After they made their bears, we headed up to the Food Court for a cookie cake and milk. Happy 6th Birthday, Alivia!

Attendees included: Avery and Paige, Samuel and Jane Ann Skaggs, Katherine Dugan and Will. Unfortunately, Aubrey Baumhover could not make it. :-(

Avery and Paige were a bit late because Mimi and Grandpa took them to the Build a Bear at Barton Creek Mall - Oops!!!

How Do I Compare? 36 weeks Preggo

Everyone has been asking me how I compare size-wise with this pregnancy. I honestly have no idea. I think I was smaller when pregnant with Alivia just basing on the clothes that I wore up until the end, but I really think the last three have been about the same. I tend to gain the same amount of weight (about 35 pounds) no matter how big the babies are. These pictures are all at about 36 weeks along.

Pregnant with Baby Cuatro - 36 weeks

Pregnant with Alivia around 36 weeks - she was a week early and was 6 lbs 9 oz

Pregnant with Will at 36 weeks - he was a week late and was 9 lbs 8 oz (whew!)

Pregnant with John around 36 weeks - he was right on time and was 8 lbs 7 oz

Visit to the American Girl Doll Store in Dallas

To celebrate both Avery and Alivia's birthdays, Mimi has started a tradition where we head to the American Girl Doll Store in Dallas and spend the night at the Westin Hotel. It was so fun! Mimi, thanks for such a special time.

Along the way we stopped for a lunch and a sundae

Mama T had been with us for Christmas, so we met Uncle James 1/2 way so she could return to Fort Worth

Upon arrival, we checked into the Westin and then went to the AG store so Alivia could buy Marie-Grace, the doll she had been wanting for some time.

Mimi treated all the girls to high tea in the AG Tea Room

The girls were thrilled to eat with their dolls (and Mimi!)

With our oldest daughters

Alivia tucking in Julie and Marie-Grace for the night back at the hotel

With the special AG Package, they deliver beds for the dolls and cupcakes and milk for the girls

Waiting in line to get the dolls hair done (notice Mimi has her credit card out and ready!)

One last picture after the dolls got their hair done upstairs in the doll salon

Alivia with Marie Grace

Christmas Day

Alivia and Will set out their dolls, Julie, Rebecca and Jack to wait for Santa

Leaving cookies for Santa and an apple for the reindeer

Santa's loot

Trying out the new rocking horse

One of Alivia's favorite gifts, a Lollaloopsy doll from Nana and Pop Pop

John was excited about Will's electric ATV

Jesus' Birthday coffee cake

Trying out Alivia's Easy Bake Oven (those were the smallest cupcakes I had ever seen!)

Our little Easy Bake Oven cook, Alivia

Will slept in until past 8 am on Christmas Day - I think it was a combo of him not feeling well and not really understanding the whole Santa thing yet. After we had Santa at our house, we headed over to Mimi and Grandpa's and met Emily and Peyton and their clan. We had loads of more presents and brunch. Then we headed home for a rest and returned for a fabulous beef tenderloin dinner. Yummy!