Who has cute clothes?

Lydia has cute clothes. Sometimes I feel like there are not enough days in the season to wear all of her cute clothes...or enough days that we're going to be out and about and have those cute clothes noticed. You can't wear an outfit like this around the house. Sometimes I just have to be sure and take a few photos so somebody besides me can see what she's wearing. I'm not bragging about her wardrobe, mind you. Because guess how many of her cute clothes I have purchased for her? Zero. Well, maybe a few of the newborn things that Emma wore. But by and large she has always been dressed by the generosity of her aunts, uncles, and grandmas. Mostly she is lucky enough to sport the super cuteness that Claire has outgrown (whenever I see old photos of Claire when she was two I have to keep saying, "Hey! I love that sweater, Lydia just wore it the other day." For that matter, Ben and Josh's clothes are 99% handed down from Langfords and Sextons so I go through the same routine when looking at photos of their boys in younger days). And Lydia is lucky enough to have all these relatives that love to get new cute little clothes for cute little girls' birthdays and whatnot. Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who keeps my kids looking good. It really is a blessing to not have to shop much for clothes for four kids. This little number was from Lisa for turning two. I know...it's cute.

This is something I love about the cold weather.

Cozy. Toasty.

The pajamaed kids enjoy our first fire of the season (while Emma also enjoys her daily nebulizer routine).

Finally

After living here for 8 months, and having the curtains in our possession for at least 6 of those months, we finally treated some of our windows.

Miraculous Fluke

Yesterday Lydia did something wonderful. Right before her bath she peed on the potty. I know it was a total fluke, lucky timing, but man was it exciting. She got a sucker in the bathtub to celebrate. Since then she has multiple time announced she needed to go potty but so far no repeats. Who knows, though? Maybe she'll be that kid who potty trains herself. And maybe baby Afton will be that baby that sleeps through the night from day one. Maybe.

Emma: Personal Trainer

For some reason Emma and Ben decided that she should make up an exercise regime for him. (Maybe it's just natural, considering the praise she got for her buff arms seen here.) Pretty intense stuff. My favorite move is "Hold foot to head". I'll have to have her show me that one.

Do your kids ever look so darn cute right before church that you make them pose for a bunch of photos?

Mine do.

Weekend birthday parties

Emma went to a school friend's party on Saturday, who was the recipient of a monogrammed apron:

And look how cute I folded it up:


We also celebrated Claire's upcoming birthday and she got (you guessed it) a shirred top:

With matching headband!

Ta da!

A decision

Thanks for the cute onesies, Cally. You took a chance with this one, but it turns out we'll be able to use it.

Dear Target Pharmacy,

I don't know quite how to say this, so I'll just go ahead and say it. I think we need to spend a little time away from each other. I love you, you're my favorite pharmacy, but I need a break. I wasn't prepared for the intensity of our relationship. Things have been moving a bit too fast for me lately, it's becoming overwhelming. I need to have my own time and my own space, it can't always be about us together. Please know you haven't done anything wrong. I'm not mad at you. This is my problem, and maybe a little distance will help me sort it out so that we can try again to have a good relationship in the future.

I feel like you're getting a little bit too close to my family as well. I know I'm the one who always comes to see you, but I've noticed over the past two weeks you've had an interest in nearly every single one of us! I appreciate that you're trying to help, I really do. Without you Scott would still have bronchitis, Emma and I would still have pneumonia, and Josh would still have his double ear infection. You're special like that. You've given us not only medicines to heal our bodies but you've healed our hearts as well. Oh why is this so difficult, Target Pharmacy?? It can't be like it was, just an occasional visit for prenatal vitamins. We've been through too much now, and we may have ruined our friendship as a price. But I don't want to say goodbye forever. Please, just give me some time. I think things will work out just fine if I can just have some distance for a little while. Thank you for understanding.

xo, Lori

Scott and Lori Plus Four and a Half

I should really have my own reality tv show. Do you ever watch this one?

Jon and Kate Plus Eight

Me too. I like it. But every time I watch I can't help but think our life is at least as entertaining as theirs. Especially if people were throwing free trips and adventures at us every time we turn around. So send over a camera crew and watch as we earn enough royalties for Scott to quit his day job and I graciously accept Willy Wonka's invitation for our family to come run the candy factory for the day.

Don't forget the pumpkins...

Emma

Ben

Josh

Not pictured: Lydia (just imagine one of those tiny little pumpkins scribbled on with a pen)

And while we're at it, here's some of the photos we took Friday night (with the new costumes):

I didn't take very many good ones, for a few more look here.