August 19th - 21st

Hazel wrote a dance routine for Charlotte. She drew the moves and wrote "DAN!" at the end, which was pronounced, "Done."

It's Monday! I've been trying to get the house cleaned so that I can start in on some major nesting projects, but the whole getting the house clean first part is proving to be very difficult.

Who says you can't scrub the bugs off the front of the car in a tutu??

We were so proud of our hard work that we decided to go out for ice cream. And we ate very bite.

Some projects I have completed...I turned this cupboard into a pantry since I really want one:) I bought these beautiful Fido jars that make our snacks look fancy and nice and I'm pleased with out it turned out. I moved our plates and bowls into the hutch. 

When David and I were engaged, we registered at Bed, Bath, and Beyond and the first thing I went to  scan with our little scanners was china. David felt VERY strongly that we shouldn't waste our gift money on such a superfluous thing. We ended up putting our scanners down and coming back at a better time. He eventually won, and we bought a box of cheap dishes that we've used for the past seven years, with the hope that we'd buy real china one day in Portugal or something. Well, then I found these beautiful dishes for practically the same price as our seven-year old dishes in a box, and decided they were just as good as Portuguese china. At least semi-comparable. Thank you, IKEA.

My favorite go-to activity for toddlers.

We love our walks here in Ogden. This is our last week of summer together! I really enjoyed the swim lessons the girls have been taking over the past few weeks at Lorrin Farr. It was fun to see them progress and enjoy it and have some one on one with my babies. Eloise won't really let me do her hair anymore, except for the occasional pigtails that eventually get pulled out. She only wears swimsuits or princess dresses and is very fond of her princess panties. But overall, she is quite independent and plays well on her own. She likes to carry her favorite toys around with her everywhere, a trait that Edison is catching onto. And Edison loves shoes. That was one of the major challenges at swim lessons was keeping him from running off with someone's flip-flop which meant I had to find it's match.

The kids were playing in the backyard and Edison had such a full diaper that got wet, that we took it off. Then he was so darn cute that we just kept it off. Because, is there anything better than a baby tush??

Heading down the slide, commando style!

August 9 - 16--add pic from dentist

Somehow David convinced Hazel to let him try to pull out her dead tooth with pliers. Didn't work.

My mom came into town on Friday and we took the kids to the children's museum at Gateway. 

Do you see Edison's cheese?

Fun night at North Shore aquatic center. It was a party thrown by an insurance guy we used once and we actually won an ice cream maker!

Lately, Edison gives us this super cheesy grin whenever we tell him to smile!

New sand in the sandbox! After the neighbor's cat defiled it.

Just a few days left of summer.

The front room is coming right along and I'm loving it.

Goofballs. P.S. Hazel told me the other night that she wants to be a horseback rider, a singer, and a surfer when she grows up.

On Wednesday, I took the girls to the dentist, which was good timing for Hazel's dead tooth. He actually advised that we leave it alone and let it fall out on its own, which I think Hazel was a little bummed about because she thought he might pull it out for her. Eloise bravely jumped into the seat and was wonderful all during her cleaning! She did fine sitting next to me while her sisters had their teeth cleaned (Edison was napping at home--thank goodness). And then, as sometimes happens, all HELL broke loose. Eloise started swinging her goodie bag at her sisters and wouldn't stop after several warnings so I had to take it away. And when Ellie loses it, there's almost nothing I can do to bring her back. Luckily, all the cleanings were done and we were just waiting to meet with the actual dentist, so I left Hazel and Charlotte there by the dentist chair and took Ellie, who was kicking and screaming at the top of her lungs, outside. It was there that she kicked off her shoes and peed her pants, which made me feel so sad (genuinely) for her because I know she didn't do it on purpose like Hazel used to. I stayed out there with her, trying everything to calm her and wondering what on earth I was going to do. Finally, I picked her up and carried her into the bathroom and tried to clean her up, which was close to impossible since she was pushing me away. I carried her back to where the girls were and spoke quickly to the dentist, who was so very understanding, about the girls' teeth. One of the assistants even tried to help with Eloise while the dentist peeked quickly at her teeth ("since her mouth is open anyway because she's screaming" he said). Then we left. Wow.

Wednesday night we took Charlotte on her hard-earned date for filling out her CTR shield! She chose a movie and a treat, so we saw Monster's University and she chose popcorn and a soda, with some encouragement from her Dad. And she tooted during one of the quietest parts of the movie. 

She made sure to save some popcorn for her sister.

Taping her mouth closed to "Dr. Haze" can hear her heartbeat better.

Look at that face.

August 1 - 8

Working on selling this couch. Thus the need for a fort.

I took all four kids to IKEA so I could get some new frames for my new walls! They were all really good until the end when Edison LOST IT and I was pushing a cart full of stuff and Hazel was pushing the other cart with Eloise in it.What an adventure. There was an older couple watching us in the food court and on our way out he asked about their ages and I told him, commenting that this one in my belly was for sure the last. To my surprise he said, "Well it doesn't have to be. We had seven!" 

Love that.

Also, on my way out, Hazel and I were struggling with both carts and a kind man who had just arrived with his wife and daughter offered to walk me all the way out to check-out. He insisted. I was so grateful for his help!

My view as I used the restroom.

Those jeans.

Our girls were never this excited about seeing a truck!

Still sticking out that tongue for pictures.

Lots of one-on-one with these two while the girls are at swim lessons.

Ice cream at Farr's Fresh just hours before Dad gets home from Scout Camp!

Can you tell he's tired?