A Little Late and a Few Extra

1. Eric's birthday was last week. He didn't get many desirable presents but the girls had fun wrapping the candy and hand painted little statues for him. They had a wonderful time celebrating his birthday. We spent a long weekend up at the lake and had a great time. We ate out a bun ch for his birthday "week" and even went out by ourselves one night!! One night we went to a restaurant up on cliff kind of. You had to park your boat, they pick you up in their boat and drive you to this little outdoor elevator thing. And up to the restaurant you go. One of the many b-day dinners. Hope you had a great birthday Eric. We love you so much.
2. While in Austin the girls were in the tub in Brenda and Alan's room and got a little rambunctious and accidentally hit the button that put the jets on. Well it looked like a water park in there! The water was shooting all over the bathroom, hitting the ceiling and soaking everything. I could not find the button to turn it off so I was screaming for Brenda and the girls are just screaming because they were scared. The bathroom ended up with 2" of water all over the floor. It was pretty funny when it was done. If only we had a video camera. 
3. Last week Eric brought me flowers. Not for anything special just because. It was so sweet of him. And I actually didn't even see them when I first walked in, oblivious sometimes when so much is going on, but he waited patiently until I noticed them. Thanks so much Eric. They were beautiful.
4. Livy is definitely the independent one. She wants to do everything on her own and doesn't want my help anymore. From opening stuff, climbing, dressing, just pretty much everything, etc. She loves using the public restrooms by herself too. She locks me out and I hear her clanking the little trash can around. How gross. She likes to clean all the stray toilet paper off the floor before she begins. Gross again. I do love her independence though. It is so awesome to watch it bloom. Even if it means extra germs, backwards clothes, and more messes. She's awesome.
5. All the kids have colds the past two weeks. And now Colt has an ear infection from it and Rachel has bronchitis. But at least they are pretty good while sick this time. Two things I didn't realize when I became a parent. How many messes you will clean up each day and how many times kids get sick, a lot!
6. Well I am sad to report that the stroller I ordered got here and has a weight limit that the kids already reached. It was different than the one listed online so I am bummed. It is not great quality or I would just keep it and say who cares about the weight limit but I don't want it ripping on me next week. So the search continues.
7. Earlier this week I posted about a hard day. I haven't posted one like that in a long time and it has not been because I have been trying to hide it but honestly because there haven't been many. I don't know why this week it got to me. But I am glad to report that things are good around here. We are hitting a good age with everyone!
8. Except for these baby voices the girls like to do now a days. They talk in these high "baby" voices which are not so fun to listen to. Hopefully those will go away soon.
9. Colt loves opening cabinets and drawers. He has played it a lot the past month but now just stands there without holding on and does it. He is getting so big and old! One of these days he will just start walking and then there will be no stopping him. He is just starting to stand up in the middle of the floor by himself without anything to hold.
10. Oh how I love little Rachel. But the sweet little smartie pants just will not let me get my hands on her curly head of hair. I can barely get a brush through it without tears, and there is always screaming when I brush it. It looks adorable in a ponytail or anything pulled off her face but she will not have it. She cries and rips anything out that I put in saying it hurts. Again I guess it is the independence. Sometimes I just want to put her hair up but I guess I will just have to live with it all crazy and up in her face. Not something to complain about but just jotting it down so she know why she always has her hair in her face in every picture!
11. The girls are so good with Colt now. They still cry when he takes their stuff but they have gotten better about just asking me to move him or giving him something else to play with. He is a punk and always tries to take what they are playing with. But the girls love him and always want to make him happy, make sure I know when he is awake and to go get him, like playing with him, and telling people about their baby brother.
12. Bonus: Mom, Dad, Hannah, Richie, and Erin + baby boy are all coming to visit us next week! Can't wait to see everyone!

Trying to get them to do a train, not quite successful.

The ghosts which have already been poped and ripped down by the girls!

Eric's 29th birthday!

Livy did her own lion makeup with my eyeliner.