This past Monday, we had the distinct pleasure of having Adeline with us for the day. She has made quite an impression on Linus and he loves to say her name and point out her picture on the fridge. I must say that Miss Adeline is, by far, one of the most easy-going two year-olds I've ever met.
At six months his senior, Linus thinks she's pretty special.
Older woman.
I know.
In December, he was all about a younger woman, so we'll have to see how it all pans out.
It didn't take long for Linus to start what we've coined his "Feats of Strength and Speed" for Adeline. Whoever said that wanting to impress a girl was a learned quality? I think not.
To begin, Linus spent some time flexing his muscles. Please take note of the vocalizations.
Then, he tried to win Adeline's approval by saying her name.
Finally, Linus whizzed past Adeline with his amazing speed. If you listen closely, you will hear a proud papa's comment about his son.
As you can see, Adeline was really impressed.
Girl crazy at 20 months? Are you kidding me?
I think we're in for it.
Big time.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Bubbles
This past Sunday afternoon seemed the perfect day to break out the bubbles. We did it up right for a loooooong time. I had fun with the manual setting on our camera, as well. I took over 60 pictures! As you can see, I had a hard time choosing just a few to share.
Violet spent most of the time patiently getting the hang of the whole bubble blowing thing. Her perseverance is something I admire.
I know I'm partial, but could she be any cuter?
And this one too!
Linus' bubble blowing usually involved the eating of bubble solution. Yum.
Still at it.
Violet decided to join her to make it a lounging bubble party.
Linus decided to crash said party.
It was decided near the end of our bubble time that it might not be the best idea for Linus to "blow" bubbles in his Sunday best.
So off came the church shirt.
And the laundry fairy can attest to its stain-freeness.
It was the perfect way to top off Duncan's birthday weekend.
Man, I love my family!
Amelie and Linus spent most of the time chasing the bubbles that Daddy produced.
Violet spent most of the time patiently getting the hang of the whole bubble blowing thing. Her perseverance is something I admire.
I know I'm partial, but could she be any cuter?
And this one too!
Linus' bubble blowing usually involved the eating of bubble solution. Yum.
Still at it.
The most handsome blower of bubbles I know. Yes, even in the wife beater.
Amelie decided to lounge while she blew bubbles.
Amelie decided to lounge while she blew bubbles.
Violet decided to join her to make it a lounging bubble party.
Linus decided to crash said party.
It was decided near the end of our bubble time that it might not be the best idea for Linus to "blow" bubbles in his Sunday best.
So off came the church shirt.
And the laundry fairy can attest to its stain-freeness.
It was the perfect way to top off Duncan's birthday weekend.
Man, I love my family!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
On Mental Health (Part 1)
My mental health history is...interesting. I've recently made another marked improvement, probably in large part to a dosage increase of my medication, and have been considering how best, and how much, to share this part of my life here on Tulipa Murillo. This is a big reason as to why things have been so quiet around here. Other blog worthy things pale in comparison to this topic. I know there are more readers of whom I'm unaware. And since connecting my blog to Facebook, there are folks out there that I may not know too well that read the blog. So how vulnerable do I choose to be? I'm keenly aware, from personal experience, that we can take great comfort while learning of the struggles of others--by witnessing how others have worked out and made it through rough patches. And so I've decided to lay it all out. Raw and exposed. In hopes that my struggles will be a help, an encouragement, a blessing even, to others. So here goes.
First, for a little history. My junior year of college, the fall of 1996, I had what could be considered a bit of a breakdown. I continued to remain functional, got decent grades even, but was going out of my mind with irrational anxiety. While I was never suicidal, I totally understood Paul when he said, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." (Philippians1:21) Through meeting with a wonderful psychiatrist at the student health center, I was put on Paxil and encouraged to seek counseling. After about a month, the Paxil kicked in and I felt normal again. I really wondered if I would EVER feel normal again, hence the reason that I longed for the end of my life on earth. But the Paxil really seemed to do the trick. I remained on the medication for a year and then weaned off of it. It was clear, however, that within a few months, I was struggling again. The irrational thoughts and fears started again. I had a mini breakdown and went back on the Paxil.
And there I remained, at varying doses, save for a brief interlude on Prozac, for eight years. I was relatively healthy, would have small bouts with anxiety, but felt relatively well for years. I remained on Paxil, with the blessing of my ObGyn and my psychiatrist, through my pregnancies with Amelie and Violet.
And then a few key things occurred. The first thing was that I found out I was pregnant in January of 2007. Another thing was our change in health insurance so I could be at a different, closer-to-home, hospital for any future pregnancies. Anyone who was around for my pregnancy with Linus knows what a blessing that was! But with an insurance change came doctor changes too. Also, there were new findings in terms of using Paxil, and SSRIs in general, during pregnancy. There had always been a slight risk of a non-fatal heart defect. But now there was a known risk of pulmonary hypertension. This risk, while also slight, could cause the need for a heart and lung transplant for the baby. This was something that nobody, not my new ObGyn, my new psychiatrist, nor Duncan and I, wanted to play around with. Remaining on Paxil no longer seemed worth it.
Thus we began the process of weaning off of the Paxil. Even though I was already pregnant, the risk was present if I continued taking Paxil beyond the twentieth week of pregnancy. Since I was nearing week twenty, it was crucial, in everyone's mind, that I get the Paxil out of my system. So we began a quick, too quick, weaning process. Like two weeks quick. I tanked emotionally. I was a complete wreck. The main source (for me, there's always a main source) of my anxiety was Violet's (very minor) tear duct surgery. It involved general anesthesia and I was CONVINCED that she would have an adverse reaction and die. I was envisioning life without her. Her funeral. Morbid, I know. But this is what irrational anxiety does to someone!
I found comfort in (and still refer to it often) Psalm 139:16. "...in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them." In other words, all of us have a certain number of days here on earth that was determined before we were even born. There is nothing that anyone can do to change that!
Unintentional, yet very important tanget:
This doesn't mean that death is easy or that it should be taken lightly. In fact, we weren't created to die. Death is a result of sin (Genesis 3:19, Romans 6:23) Therefore it is bad and hard and a curse. We all die, obviously. And this is because we are all under the curse of death, due to sin, because of the Fall. (Genesis 3) However also in Romans 6:23 it's stated that "the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." This eternal life doesn't mean that our earthly, physical bodies will live forever. Rather that our souls can live forever if we have a saving faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)
THROUGH JESUS is how we gain eternal life.
Not by doing good works.
Not by being nice.
Not by "being good."
THROUGH JESUS.
End of unintentional, yet very important tanget.
So, back to my story. I should also add that my new psychiatrist put me on Wellbutrin. This is a more depression-specific med and therefore didn't do much to touch my anxiety. It was my only option, however, because of the risks involved with SSRIs. Depression has been a struggle of mine over the years as well, but it's always been secondary to the anxiety.
Violet made it through the surgery without a hitch. I was relieved, but still had a sense of something looming over me. I was then able to focus my anxiety on my pregnancy. And was it ever anxiety-enducing! I was diagnosed with complete placenta previa, with a high risk of placenta accreta (due to my two previous c-section deliveries) at 27 weeks. This remained the focus of my anxiety until Linus was born. It was plenty, I tell you! If you really want to know all of the details, or if you need a refresher, you can read parts I, II, III and IV of my account of pregnancy with and delivery of Linus. It's compelling stuff, I tell you!
I guess this has become a series, because I've certainly written enough for one post. In a future post, I'll share about the main source of my anxiety over the last year and half or so. You can hardly wait, I'll bet!
First, for a little history. My junior year of college, the fall of 1996, I had what could be considered a bit of a breakdown. I continued to remain functional, got decent grades even, but was going out of my mind with irrational anxiety. While I was never suicidal, I totally understood Paul when he said, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." (Philippians1:21) Through meeting with a wonderful psychiatrist at the student health center, I was put on Paxil and encouraged to seek counseling. After about a month, the Paxil kicked in and I felt normal again. I really wondered if I would EVER feel normal again, hence the reason that I longed for the end of my life on earth. But the Paxil really seemed to do the trick. I remained on the medication for a year and then weaned off of it. It was clear, however, that within a few months, I was struggling again. The irrational thoughts and fears started again. I had a mini breakdown and went back on the Paxil.
And there I remained, at varying doses, save for a brief interlude on Prozac, for eight years. I was relatively healthy, would have small bouts with anxiety, but felt relatively well for years. I remained on Paxil, with the blessing of my ObGyn and my psychiatrist, through my pregnancies with Amelie and Violet.
And then a few key things occurred. The first thing was that I found out I was pregnant in January of 2007. Another thing was our change in health insurance so I could be at a different, closer-to-home, hospital for any future pregnancies. Anyone who was around for my pregnancy with Linus knows what a blessing that was! But with an insurance change came doctor changes too. Also, there were new findings in terms of using Paxil, and SSRIs in general, during pregnancy. There had always been a slight risk of a non-fatal heart defect. But now there was a known risk of pulmonary hypertension. This risk, while also slight, could cause the need for a heart and lung transplant for the baby. This was something that nobody, not my new ObGyn, my new psychiatrist, nor Duncan and I, wanted to play around with. Remaining on Paxil no longer seemed worth it.
Thus we began the process of weaning off of the Paxil. Even though I was already pregnant, the risk was present if I continued taking Paxil beyond the twentieth week of pregnancy. Since I was nearing week twenty, it was crucial, in everyone's mind, that I get the Paxil out of my system. So we began a quick, too quick, weaning process. Like two weeks quick. I tanked emotionally. I was a complete wreck. The main source (for me, there's always a main source) of my anxiety was Violet's (very minor) tear duct surgery. It involved general anesthesia and I was CONVINCED that she would have an adverse reaction and die. I was envisioning life without her. Her funeral. Morbid, I know. But this is what irrational anxiety does to someone!
I found comfort in (and still refer to it often) Psalm 139:16. "...in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them." In other words, all of us have a certain number of days here on earth that was determined before we were even born. There is nothing that anyone can do to change that!
Unintentional, yet very important tanget:
This doesn't mean that death is easy or that it should be taken lightly. In fact, we weren't created to die. Death is a result of sin (Genesis 3:19, Romans 6:23) Therefore it is bad and hard and a curse. We all die, obviously. And this is because we are all under the curse of death, due to sin, because of the Fall. (Genesis 3) However also in Romans 6:23 it's stated that "the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." This eternal life doesn't mean that our earthly, physical bodies will live forever. Rather that our souls can live forever if we have a saving faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)
THROUGH JESUS is how we gain eternal life.
Not by doing good works.
Not by being nice.
Not by "being good."
THROUGH JESUS.
End of unintentional, yet very important tanget.
So, back to my story. I should also add that my new psychiatrist put me on Wellbutrin. This is a more depression-specific med and therefore didn't do much to touch my anxiety. It was my only option, however, because of the risks involved with SSRIs. Depression has been a struggle of mine over the years as well, but it's always been secondary to the anxiety.
Violet made it through the surgery without a hitch. I was relieved, but still had a sense of something looming over me. I was then able to focus my anxiety on my pregnancy. And was it ever anxiety-enducing! I was diagnosed with complete placenta previa, with a high risk of placenta accreta (due to my two previous c-section deliveries) at 27 weeks. This remained the focus of my anxiety until Linus was born. It was plenty, I tell you! If you really want to know all of the details, or if you need a refresher, you can read parts I, II, III and IV of my account of pregnancy with and delivery of Linus. It's compelling stuff, I tell you!
I guess this has become a series, because I've certainly written enough for one post. In a future post, I'll share about the main source of my anxiety over the last year and half or so. You can hardly wait, I'll bet!
Monday, April 27, 2009
Duncan's Birthday
This past Saturday was Duncan's 35th birthday. Two nights before, I surprised him with a dinner out with friends. It was a blast!
As for his actual birthday? What he really wanted was to spend it as a family.
The girls and I went out when they woke up (anytime after 6am these days) to get bagels. When we got home, we did what we always do on a birthday morning in our house: opened presents!
Amelie's present was the biggest surprise. She told me she wanted to make Daddy a baseball stadium. So she and I worked together to create this baseball game, complete with bases, players, a bat, and a ball. Quite ingenious, I'd say!
Duncan and the girls gave it a try while I got breakfast ready.
Then we headed to Quiet Waters Park for the morning.
We found a tiny little beach near the boat rental area.
I think Linus could have stayed there all day.
Good thing we're going to the beach in the middle of May!
Violet ate her lunch leaning up against a tree.
After lunch, we did a tad bit of grocery shopping and headed home. In the afternoon, Duncan and Amelie went to the bike shop to buy one of Duncan's presents. I had scoped it out, but Duncan needed to choose the rack and panniers he wanted for his bike. These should make biking to work much easier!
Later on, we had a dinner of meatloaf, french fries, asparagus and strawberries. And of course we had German chocolate cake for dessert--with homemade frosting! I'll never buy the canned stuff again!!
It was a wonderful day celebrating the most amazing man I know. Here's to many more, my love!Thursday, April 02, 2009
A Peek at Things to Come
This was taken a few weeks ago on a warm afternoon. It made me SO EXCITED for this summer! Linus LOVES being outside as do his sisters.
Enjoy!
I look forward to a lot of digging and running and playing and laughing!
I look forward to water and sand and bubbles and fireflies!
I look forward to Ritas dripping all over the place and sticky kids.
I look forward to going to the pool and dirty feet and Crocs every day and mosquito bites!
Err, ok, so I took it a little too far with the last one.
I'm just so excited for warmer weather! And I'm looking forward to all of the memory-making we'll do in our backyard. Can hardly wait, I tell ya! I look forward to water and sand and bubbles and fireflies!
I look forward to Ritas dripping all over the place and sticky kids.
I look forward to going to the pool and dirty feet and Crocs every day and mosquito bites!
Err, ok, so I took it a little too far with the last one.
Enjoy!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Baby Stellan
No.
Have I even left her a comment?
Not that I can remember.
But her story impacted me greatly last summer when I stumbled upon it. As I woke today, wondering how her sweet baby was this morning, I just knew I had to share her story with others.
You can read Baby Stellan's story here.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Ode to Spring
Oh, you, temperatures in the upper thirties.
Did you really think you'd keep us away from the park on the first full day of Spring?
You must think again.
Because you never had a snowball's chance in...
...well, ok. So maybe that's not the best metaphor in this case.Happy Spring!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Mommy and Baby
Linus hasn't really attempted saying his sisters' names too much. In general, he calls Amelie "Mommy..."
He's started to call Duncan "Daddy,"(as opposed to "Mommy") and every older-looking man is "Bompa." Trucks are "Dootdoot" and can be defined as any vehicle larger than a car. He has several new words each day, which is so fun to discover.After having three birthdays within four weeks in our family, he's also become an expert singer of "Happyyy-you!" He especially likes to serenade his sisters at bedtime. (They all share a room, you know=).) Here's a little clip of him singing his best song. He's quite obsessed with seeing himself after he's had his video or picture taken, which is why you hear him say "I see." Also, this video was taken after Linus' bath, while his sisters were in the bath, hence the lack of glasses. (And the pictures above were taken right after naps, which is the reason for no glasses. He still wears them. Really.)
Monday, March 09, 2009
First Cooking Lesson
Yesterday, Linus decided, after months of playing with our play food in our play kitchen, that he'd try his hand at being a chef. His debut creation? He helped me mix the cheese sauce for our shells and cheese. I think he was pleased with the end result. He ate his sisters under the table. Then again, that's not really unusual these days for our growing boy:).
Sunday, March 01, 2009
A Half-Birthday Dilemma
There once was boy,
Born on August 29,
Right before a leap year.
He had a half birthday,
He turned six months,
Only 'cause it was a leap year.
In August he turned one,
It was so much fun!
But as February rolled 'round,
No 29th could be found,
'Cause it wasn't a leap year.
Is he 18 months today?
Or was it yesterday?
Or does 17 months he stay?
Until the day of March 29?
When 19 months he'll be,
Most definitely,
And to an end will be all this fuss.
Mrs. Rohal, can you help us?
Born on August 29,
Right before a leap year.
He had a half birthday,
He turned six months,
Only 'cause it was a leap year.
In August he turned one,
It was so much fun!
But as February rolled 'round,
No 29th could be found,
'Cause it wasn't a leap year.
Is he 18 months today?
Or was it yesterday?
Or does 17 months he stay?
Until the day of March 29?
When 19 months he'll be,
Most definitely,
And to an end will be all this fuss.
Mrs. Rohal, can you help us?
Monday, February 23, 2009
5,4,3,2,1
Duncan and I moved here back in August of 2001. The first Sunday we were official residents of my hometown, we attended Reformed Presbyterian Church of Bowie and we never looked back. It has been such a joy to be a part of this body of believers in Christ and to be under such solid teaching!
Soon after we started attending, we began to get to know the other married couple, Megan and Rob, who were about our age and didn't have any children. (I really think they were the only ones in the exact same season of life as us, hence the words the other married couple.) We hung out some, yet we were all quite busy working and/or going to grad school. The summer of 2003, we discovered we were both expecting our first babies at around the same time. It was an exciting time and a blessing to go through that experience with our friends. We got to know each other better as we compared our experiences and discussed what baby gear we were choosing. Megan and I even shared a church-held baby shower.
Amelie came along on February 19th and William made his entrance into the world just 13 days later. Megan and I were both able to stay home with our babies and therefore were able to hang out even more.
In the Spring of 2006, after Violet was born and when Megan and Rob were expecting their second baby, our neighbors approached us and wondered if we knew of anyone that might be interested in buying their home. I remember the conversation when Duncan wondered aloud if Rob and Megan were considering moving to a bigger home since they were expecting a second child. They hadn't mentioned anything, but we figured we'd throw out the idea to them. One thing lead to another and they became our official next-door neighbors on September 29, 2006. How do I remember the exact date, you ask? I know because Lucy arrived a couple of weeks ahead of schedule, on October 1st--just two days after they moved in!
It's been so much fun to have neighbors that were friends first. Freighbors, I call them. We often play outside together, borrow ingredients that we forgot to pick up at the store, or go on Starbucks runs for one another.
When I ended up in the hospital the month before Linus was born, their being so close was invaluable. Our children are so comfortable with them and in their home which made a chaotic time more than palatable for the girls.
Last week, I had a realization, after Amelie turned 5. For just under two weeks, until William has his birthday, our 5 children are the ages of 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1. I couldn't resist the photo op! So, at Amelie's little birthday party, we snapped this photo.
Amelie-5, William-4, Violet-3, Lucy-2, and Linus-1
Soon after we started attending, we began to get to know the other married couple, Megan and Rob, who were about our age and didn't have any children. (I really think they were the only ones in the exact same season of life as us, hence the words the other married couple.) We hung out some, yet we were all quite busy working and/or going to grad school. The summer of 2003, we discovered we were both expecting our first babies at around the same time. It was an exciting time and a blessing to go through that experience with our friends. We got to know each other better as we compared our experiences and discussed what baby gear we were choosing. Megan and I even shared a church-held baby shower.
Amelie came along on February 19th and William made his entrance into the world just 13 days later. Megan and I were both able to stay home with our babies and therefore were able to hang out even more.
In the Spring of 2006, after Violet was born and when Megan and Rob were expecting their second baby, our neighbors approached us and wondered if we knew of anyone that might be interested in buying their home. I remember the conversation when Duncan wondered aloud if Rob and Megan were considering moving to a bigger home since they were expecting a second child. They hadn't mentioned anything, but we figured we'd throw out the idea to them. One thing lead to another and they became our official next-door neighbors on September 29, 2006. How do I remember the exact date, you ask? I know because Lucy arrived a couple of weeks ahead of schedule, on October 1st--just two days after they moved in!
It's been so much fun to have neighbors that were friends first. Freighbors, I call them. We often play outside together, borrow ingredients that we forgot to pick up at the store, or go on Starbucks runs for one another.
When I ended up in the hospital the month before Linus was born, their being so close was invaluable. Our children are so comfortable with them and in their home which made a chaotic time more than palatable for the girls.
Last week, I had a realization, after Amelie turned 5. For just under two weeks, until William has his birthday, our 5 children are the ages of 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1. I couldn't resist the photo op! So, at Amelie's little birthday party, we snapped this photo.
Amelie-5, William-4, Violet-3, Lucy-2, and Linus-1Sunday, February 22, 2009
Amelie turns 5!
Amelie turned 5 this past Thursday. I can't BELIEVE she's already 5! She is so grown up and so mature in so many ways. An amazing little girl, I tell ya!
Here she is just before opening her gifts. I love this picture because she looks very natural.
Even though Amelie doesn't usually go to school on Thursdays, she went because it was a field trip day. To the post office! (Amelie attends three days of a five day program. Her school is awesome and flexible like that.) She and I made alphabet sugar cookies for her classmates (and as favors for her "party" guests, as you'll see below). So, we brought those for a special snack before the field trip. In between dropping her off and being back at the school for the field trip, I dropped Violet and Linus off for a few hours of fun with Rock. (Thanks Fixes!!)
In the afternoon, the girls (dressed in their matching birthday dresses--thanks Ducky!) had fun playing with their new stuff. Violet even got to open a belated birthday gift. She (and everyone else) loves the ice cream set! (Thanks McDermotts!)
After a dinner of macaroni and cheese (the orange kind) and ham (leftover from Violet's birthday), we had ice cream cone sundaes with our personalized alphabet cookies.
Before bedtime, Amelie and Duncan built some stuff with her new Rocky Mountain Ranch Lincoln Log set. My girl LOVES Lincoln Logs which thrills her Daddy!
Amelie had a "friend" birthday party when she turned three. It was my idea. She really did not enjoy it as I would have liked her to. Therefore, I've sworn off those types of parties until my kids initiate them. When I asked both girls who they would like to invite over to their birthdays, they both had the identical answer of our neighbors and Bowie Grandma and Grandpa (my parents who are local). This was who they both had last year, as well. I figure that one day they'll want to have a house full of school friends attend their birthday parties, so I'll enjoy the simplicity of their desires for now.
The next question asked of the girls was what food they wanted. Amelie really doesn't like dinner. She endures it. However, the girl LOVES all things breakfast. So she jumped on my suggestion of having a breakfast party the Saturday after her birthday.
She really wanted baked oatmeal with milk and juice with no water or vitamin C. (Every morning we all get a glass of diluted juice with Vitamin C crystals mixed in for an immunity boost. It's rather sour and even though everyone has gotten used to it, they still prefer plain juice.) We added scrambled eggs, bacon, and bulla-- Swedish coffee rolls made by my mom. All of this was followed by cake and ice cream, of course.
And last, but not least, here are the personalized alphabet cookies we gave to all of our guests as they left. (Again, give those neck muscles a stretch!)
Amelie is 5 and SUCH a blessing to Duncan and I. I've been surprised lately at how I speak to her in such a grown up way. It's going to quickly! Lord, please help me to appreciate each and every day and all that it holds!
Here she is just before opening her gifts. I love this picture because she looks very natural.
Even though Amelie doesn't usually go to school on Thursdays, she went because it was a field trip day. To the post office! (Amelie attends three days of a five day program. Her school is awesome and flexible like that.) She and I made alphabet sugar cookies for her classmates (and as favors for her "party" guests, as you'll see below). So, we brought those for a special snack before the field trip. In between dropping her off and being back at the school for the field trip, I dropped Violet and Linus off for a few hours of fun with Rock. (Thanks Fixes!!)
In the afternoon, the girls (dressed in their matching birthday dresses--thanks Ducky!) had fun playing with their new stuff. Violet even got to open a belated birthday gift. She (and everyone else) loves the ice cream set! (Thanks McDermotts!)
After a dinner of macaroni and cheese (the orange kind) and ham (leftover from Violet's birthday), we had ice cream cone sundaes with our personalized alphabet cookies.
Before bedtime, Amelie and Duncan built some stuff with her new Rocky Mountain Ranch Lincoln Log set. My girl LOVES Lincoln Logs which thrills her Daddy!
Amelie had a "friend" birthday party when she turned three. It was my idea. She really did not enjoy it as I would have liked her to. Therefore, I've sworn off those types of parties until my kids initiate them. When I asked both girls who they would like to invite over to their birthdays, they both had the identical answer of our neighbors and Bowie Grandma and Grandpa (my parents who are local). This was who they both had last year, as well. I figure that one day they'll want to have a house full of school friends attend their birthday parties, so I'll enjoy the simplicity of their desires for now.
The next question asked of the girls was what food they wanted. Amelie really doesn't like dinner. She endures it. However, the girl LOVES all things breakfast. So she jumped on my suggestion of having a breakfast party the Saturday after her birthday.
She really wanted baked oatmeal with milk and juice with no water or vitamin C. (Every morning we all get a glass of diluted juice with Vitamin C crystals mixed in for an immunity boost. It's rather sour and even though everyone has gotten used to it, they still prefer plain juice.) We added scrambled eggs, bacon, and bulla-- Swedish coffee rolls made by my mom. All of this was followed by cake and ice cream, of course.
Since Amelie has become a fan of Reading Rainbow (yay for LeVar Burton!) she decided on a rainbow cake.
(Tried as I may, I can't get this picture the right way. So please exercise your neck for a minute.)
(Tried as I may, I can't get this picture the right way. So please exercise your neck for a minute.)
Amelie seemed pleased with the result.
This is a cute shot with Amelie and her best bud William before present opening. They aren't even two weeks apart, but check out that height difference! I think he's leaning a bit.
And last, but not least, here are the personalized alphabet cookies we gave to all of our guests as they left. (Again, give those neck muscles a stretch!)
Amelie is 5 and SUCH a blessing to Duncan and I. I've been surprised lately at how I speak to her in such a grown up way. It's going to quickly! Lord, please help me to appreciate each and every day and all that it holds!
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