At Home on the Prairie: September 2009

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Everett's Third Birthday!

Last year, Everett had two spectacular birthday parties. This year, with all the excitement surrounding a new sister, a new house, and a new school, we opted for a quieter type of celebration.

I blew up about one hundred balloons, made cupcakes for school and a cake for home and arranged a Friday playdate with Jackson.

The cupcakes were from a box, the icing was from a tub, and the decorations were store-bought. But, all-in-all the end results were cute and edible!

I would have preferred different decorations but the local grocery offered these or pink princess candies.

The birthday boy eating his birthday breakfast!

I promise that this wasn't manufactured! He really had a 3 in his cereal!

More balloons!

And more!

Everett created the soon to be classic, "balloons in a laundry basket" game. Not sure if I understand the rules, but I think it involves keeping lots of balloons in the basket.

More fun than a barrell of monkeys, and less messy too.

Far less complicated than last year.

And she sleeps.

My kiddos.

This was as close as we could get to all smiles. Missy was just not having it.

Really, she is usually a happy girl!

I love that these two will grow up together.

I think Everett was explaining the instructions to Jackson.

"I love you man!"

Jackson was quite impressed with Beatrice.

Very sweet!

Our happy boys. I built them matching airplanes which they raced through the house. Thank goodness for more space.

Flying so high.

My silly birthday boy.

Sweet kisses.

Baby girl wakes up for the evening's festivities.

And then goes back to sleep.

Everett now requests that I take his picture. And usually gets really close to the camera.

Look at that face, what kind of mischief is he planning don't you wonder?

Both babies with their suckers. Thank goodness for the pacifier. Or as Evie calls it "the fire."

Such great day! I am so blessed to be his mommy. And someday soon she will know what an amazing brother she has.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Beatrice at Three Weeks

Officially, Missy was 3 weeks on Sunday. These pictures are brand new though, all taken today. She is definitely growing every day.

Forgive all the sleeping baby pictures. She does it so well though! Except when she doesn't...

Such a happy girl and so alert when she is awake!

She can look at you with the most bemused expression. Sometimes she looks so much older than she is, I half expect her to talk.

She does the crossed-eyes baby faces all the time, so funny.

She looks most like her brother when her eyes are closed.

Look at that smirk. She cracks us up with her faces.

Jury is still out on her eyes. But they will undoubtably be dark.

This year we celebrated Labor Day weekend with a birthday party on a beautiful late summer Kansas day. The drive into the big town was breathtaking. The sunflowers, goldenrod, and tall grasses are so pretty.

For me there is no sky that compares to the wide open blue of our prairies.

The party was held at my aunt and uncle's house. They have a backyard that invites relaxation and pleasant conversations.

We always bring lots of fun toys out for Evie to play with. This time Joseph seemed to have as much fun as Evie with the Duplo train tracks.

Boys and trains, not many things are sweeter.

The birthday girl and her boyfriend. I can't believe how old we are all getting.

My Oma. So lovely and elegant.

I hardly held Bea all afternoon. It was such a wonderful treat to see Joni and meet her girlfriend Peanut! We can't wait for them to move back in this direction. Bea was so content to cuddle and be snuggled.