We're Headed. . .

here in about 5 minutes.

Spiritual enlightenment! Have a wonderful weekend, all.

(Picture with pioneerwoman's vintage action added.)

Meanie Face Bites the Dust

Perhaps you've not met our little Meanie Face? Well, I'm afraid that window of opportunity is now closed as she was recently found expired in her cage.
I think being a cantankerous wretch shortened her life span.

Though no tears were shed, the girls insisted on a respectful funeral. We buried her in a soup box under our pine tree, sprinkled blossoms over the spot. . .

. . .and spoke some words in memory-

Malan: I miss her pretty fur.

Jane: I miss how much I used to wish she was nice.

Now when the girls mention that they want another pet, I tell them to rub Olivia's head and that seems to temper the desire. Plus, she usually tries to bite them after a while, so she's filling the void left by Meanie Face's passing quite nicely.

Dates

We went on one. It included reading on a blanket in the grass. . .
(reading for fun is a rare treat for us)

 . . .and Greek take-out. So fine! More dates soon, please.

Speaking of dates, as I recall, it was a date that started all this:

Oh, and this:

Yepper. Baby wilson #4, here blowing nose bubbles for your enjoyment.

And here, blowing nose bubbles, sucking her thumb, and wearing her first skirt. We're nothing if not multi-taskers. And skirt wearers.

Speaking of dates, #4 will be making her appearance post-womb sometime around December 25th. We are pleased as punch.

Our Peach Jams Wear Skirts

Because most things at our house wear skirts.

Caleb says he feels like a Mennonite when he goes out with 3 girls and a wife in skirts and dresses, but I just can't bear to wear pants in the summer. Anyone with me? Plus, isn't Caleb a great Mennonite name?

The peach jam turned out to be inspiring. Please, if you live in the Brigham City vicinity, acquire a bushel and go wild. You could try this, or this, or this. The jam recipe I used is just the one on the box, you really can't go wrong. Freezer jam, of course. It's much too hot to hover over the stove today.

Yum

It is peach season, so I feel happy.

 My pickers are happy too.

 On our schedule tomorrow: make peach jam, eat peach jam.

That is all.

Please note: Jane's dress is indeed on backwards. I noticed it about 5 different times before I had the mental follow-through to ask her to turn it around. By then, I was done taking pictures. At times, my  awesomeness astounds me.

This is Why

Bed-dancing:

and beauty salon:

We're talking 45 minutes of hair brushing and fixing, my most favorite thing ever. Malan did my hairs while Jane told me her best jokes. Heaven.

This is why I had children, and this why I ordered girls.

Ready for a Change in the Weather

A record heat wave in the east may be to blame for recent strange behavior at our house.

Yesterday Jane introduced us to her first and brand new imaginary friend, "Smacky." Smacky's parents, coincidentally, are named "Ate" and "Aleb."

A tidbit of one of our conversations...

Me: "Jane, no hitting."
Jane: "It was Smacky."
Me: "Tell Smacky not to hit your sister, please."
Jane: "Smacky won't listen. Smacky is bad."

Smacky, as you can imagine, has been spending a good deal of time on the time-out stair, and Jane has been kind enough to keep him company there.


In other news, Olivia has been bringing me pairs of underwear from the girls dresser multiple times each day and begging for me to put them on her. Ready for potty training? Ha, wouldn't that be nice. But yesterday when I put them on over her diaper she went boneless, bawled, and tried to yank them off. Then I took them off and handed them back to her and she hit herself in the head with them repeatedly. When I got the message, she was very pleased indeed:

This girl refuses to wear her lovely headbands or sun hats for even ten seconds but these beauties lasted all afternoon. Maybe it's genetic.
Even the ever patient Malan reached her limit yesterday. After having several of her pieces of artwork scribbled on by captain underpants, she posted the following notice and refused audience with the offender for several hours:

We could really use a cold front and some rain around here.

I Temporarily Resurrect This Blog to Bring You...

Jane's birthday.

Jane is so very grand.

But her birthday morning was not. Her first gift of the day was waking up with the nasty virus I had over the weekend. I found her moaning in bed with teary eyes and a burning fever.
After getting her medicated and settled on the couch for the day she told me, in the most pitiful little voice, "All I want for my birthday is a towel to dry my tears."

Oh, man.

So we got her a tiny towel and situated ourselves near her on the couch for a day of book reading,PBS watching, and shaved ice eating. And thanks to a thoughtful Grandma Diane, Jane spent a happy hour or two singing along to her newly beloved musical Hallmark princess card. Hallmark, I could just kiss you. Grandma, I will. . .next time I see you.

After an outfit change or two, and a nap or two. . .

. . .Jane rallied, put on her new birthday dress from Grandma Michele, and tea-partied until dinner with her lovely new dishes.

Fading fast, but not too tired for cake.

Jane makes a wish. . .

Oh sweet Jane, we're so sorry you had to be sick today. But like you always do, you made the most of things and it was a beautiful, memorable day.

I know i tell you this so much, but you are so very special. You have such charm and charisma, so much determination. You are inquisitive and vivacious and loving and so very lovable. You are such a bright light in our family and I simply love you more than I can say.

Happy Birthday sweet girl.