Sleeping babies- April 20 to 23.

We had family pictures taken at Jervey Meadows.  

And we couldn't have had a nicer day for it.

Or a more willing group of girls.

It was supposed to be a photo shoot of Beatrice with a few family shots, but it mostly turned into the June and Georgie show.

And June's pet bird.  (Poor kid.  This is as close to a real pet as they will ever get.)

It was so nice out, we decided to go out for Cookout (our bribe to the kids) and then we headed to the dock park.

Summer is coming!

And so is the wind!

I really was having a good hair day.

Poor Bea.  The big kids and mama all had a round of antibiotics for strep throat.  Then dad came down with strep throat on a trip to Chicago.  Bea was the last to fall with a nasty sinus infection.  It required some serious cuddling.

Later, she tried to keep up with Georgie at the park.  (I mean, look at those dusty knees.)  And she did for a little while, but the ride home did her in.  

Mama got her out of the car and into bed and Bea slept for another 3.5 hours.  

Georgie tried to pretend that she was asleep as well.

But the giggles got her.

I'm not sure, but this could be the first bottle/sippy sup Bea ever drank from.  IN ALMOST 13 months.  That's one happy mama right there.

But this is not a happy Bea.  In fact she was a little terrified of the backless benches on this picnic table Grams and PawPaw sent Bea for her birthday.

In this picture, the girls are especially happy about the log they flipped over in the back yard.  

"Mom! We found mosquito war-va and earf-worms!"

Can you tell that Georgie thinks June is the greatest?

June's friend Helen has a new little sister.  Mama is never one to miss a chance to hug a baby, so she took Miss Debbie some food and hugged on sweet Elizabeth for a while. 

It sure is nice to have a baby that is too small to wiggle too much.

Unless this wiggle worm, who Papa caught waking up in a great mood.

I dare you not to be happy finding this sweet face in your room.

Strep throat, princesses and bad hair- April 14-19.

Early in the week, Henry, June, Georgie and mama were all diagnosed with strep throat.  There was lots of sleeping and even more slushies.  

In spite of our sickness, we had a nice week so that inspired mama to write this post on Facebook.

Things for which I am thankful today: 

- Neighbors who take my kids to school so I don't have to drag other sleeping children out of the house when Brandon is out of town. 

- Schools and the University that really made the Special Olympics a big deal for everyone.

- Grade schoolers who grow plants from seed in yogurt containers so I don't have to.

-People who spend their time organizing and volunteering at events to show preschoolers a good time.

- Great, accessible parks within walking distance of fast food joints for quick playdates.

- Being able to call friends for ingredients so you don't have to make a trip to the store.

- Having kids old enough to send to the neighbor's house in the rain and after dark to fetch said ingredients.

- Friends who feed you and all your kids just so we can hang out. 

-Impromptu sleepovers.

I love our little town!

As the lone healthy kid, Beatrice was also a big fan of the slushie trend.  She's also a fan of this honey straw that our doctor gave her now that she's one and can fight off botulism.

Whenever one of us felt especially bad, we looked at Henry's latest school photo.  It's a shame growing hair out is so painful.  Especially because this is the nicest smile Henry has ever had in a school picture.  I think this was at the time of us really fighting Henry about regular hair brushing and wearing a swim cap to practice.

June and Georgie have been getting along great lately.  And are huge hams.

And 4 is so great on Georgie.  Every day, she picks bouquets of purple flowers for me from the back yard.

Sweet Georgie. 

Henry and Katie were allowed to stay up late to watch episodes of Dr. Who.  I got a picture of them after they fell asleep.

Pretty cute.

On Saturday, Georgie's preschool held a Safety Day that included princesses- obviously.  One of our  jobs was to help Elsa get ready and take her outside.   

Georgie was very happy to bring Elsa out by herself.

Can you tell she loved it?

The girls, plus our neighbor Ella, who came to help out with the little people while I worked the bake sale.

And back at home, Bea was up to her usual shenanigans.  Onions and beer cans.  (What a veritable smorgasbord of Miller Lite.  We must be rich.)

Busted.

To keep her out of the onions and liquor, mama tried to put Bea up on her shoulders.

But mostly just got her hair pulled.

Mama has declared 2015 the year to pull her old denim shirt out for regular use again.  And has she ever.  She's quite happy with having her 1992 shirt back in rotation.

Papa's not so sure.

Happy birthday, Bea!- April 13th.

Our sweet Beatrice turned one.  She really is a joy to have around.  From a cool, calm baby to a funny, happy one-year-old, she fits perfectly into this crazy family.  Probably because every one of us absolutely adores her so she gets whatever she wants.

Including ice cream sandwich birthday cake.

Good to the last drop/

Now for the posing.  

Can you tell she's used to having her picture taken?

And finally a quick bath in the sink.  (Yes, she's sucking on the washcloth.  She loves that.)

Botanical Gardens- April 12.

Bea really likes to site at the piano and play with Papa.  

I love this outfit.  From the striped bottom to the waist ruffle to the bee wings attached.  It's completely ridiculous.

Next we'll train her to turn pages.

Grandma and Grandpa Seibert are in town, so we took them on a walk in the botanical garden.  

Georgie and Grandma looked at plants.

June and Georgie tried to lift this step up.  (They failed.)

Georgie bummed a ride from Grandpa.

We met some very friendly geese who are used to getting food from people.

But soonafter lost interest in us when they realized we brought no snacks.

Here's a sweet picture of my girls.  Looking clean and with no hair in their eyes.  That's a first.

I love this picture.  June looks like she's up to something that will ultimately get Georgie in trouble.  Georgie also realizes this and knows she's still going to go along with it.   You can also see Georgie's lip scar very well.

Goofy selfies.

Finally, here's a video the gym daycare took of Bea.  Those water bottles are so pesky!