Addie's Day

After Colten got in last night, the kids were exhausted but insisted on playing a little before bed.  They could barely hold their heads up but they just insisted on staying up for a few minutes anyhow. We didn't mind. I love watching them play.

Addie and Colten "pictochatting".

Colten finally gave it up and went to sleep on the sofa.

It was cooler than we expected this morning but the kids still wanted to play outside. Addie of course wanted to wear a dress but  I did at least talk her into wearing some tights with it. I was a little disappointed with the cooler weather (58 degrees when they went out) but then I read where Green Bay, Wisconsin had 17 inches of snow and the high was 29. Calgary's low tonight is 5. I can live with a nice balmy 58 degrees.  Thank you Lord for seeing fit to settle me in the South.

Right before lunch the kids had a great time playing Wii Dance! We all had a good laugh watching them.

After lunch, the weather warmed up considerably and the kids hit the trampoline. Ali had had enough of the little ones and the little ones had had enough of her, so she went and saddled up a horse.

Ali Grace riding Peaches

Ali Grace was a little too brave today and I had to slow her up a little. I think Peaches was in the mood for a steeplechase! 

Addie, Woody and Jessie getting ready to cut the cake!

Getting ready to blow out candles. ALL six of them!

Ali got quite a surprise after the party! Since last spring, her favorite trusty steed, Treasure, has been unrideable.  She foaled in April and we never got her back together after her "maternity leave". We tried a few times but she was absolutely uncontrollable. She threw Ali twice and I just could not allow Ali back on that horse no matter how much Ali loved her.  A month or so ago, Poppy asked her if she wanted another horse to ride. Ali replied that she really just wanted to ride Treasure again. I didn't get it. Honestly, Treasure is short, scrubby, and is colored in a way that makes her look as though she's had a mudbath every day for the past 2 years. But there's something sweet about her spirit and I think Ali Grace was drawn to that. I just didn't hold out much hope that Treasure could be ridden again. Enter Uncle Ernie. Ernie was determined to get that horse back together for Ali to ride again. He worked her extra hard today and put Ali back in the saddle (literally). Of course they did all this without me knowing it! Beth finally came over and told me that Ali was riding Treasure! 

We really had a great day.  The weather got a chilly start but really warmed up after lunch. The kids had a ball together Addie reminded us that her birthday isn't really until Tuesday so we can all continue to celebrate and shower her with gifts until then. Here's a few more priceless shots from today, courtesy of Aunt Beth.

Yes, we have chores. Even on your birthday! And even if you're wearing a zebra print dress!

Everyone was kung fu fighting!

Ali riding TREASURE!!

Splendid Saturdays

We were fortunate to have late morning ball games and so we slept in this morning. The girls jumped on the trampoline for awhile and I finally coaxed them inside to get dressed for the game.

Ali Grace and Libby before the game

 The girls played very well today. Especially Ali Grace! I am amazed at how much better she is now than when she started the season. She got a basket today but I was far more impressed with her rebounds and her new found aggressiveness! Go get it girl! She owes a lot of that to her coaches, especially Coach Jones who is a great motivator and role model for her. Ali got the "most Christ-like award" from Coach Jones for her sweet spirit. Addie got the sportsmanship award. I guess for not crossing her arms and poking her lips out this week??  I am so very grateful for what the girls have learned from this experience with Upward both about sports and about life. Many criticize Upward sports for its lack of relation to the real world since they don't keep score, the teams are intentionally ability balanced, and certain fairness rules are imposed like only being allowed to guard your assigned player. I see that argument, but look at the world. Is that really something we want our kids shoved into? I'd prefer a few more years of not keeping score personally.

We picked Addie's cake up at the bakery after the basketball game and I was so excited when I saw it! It was just darling! Addie decided to wait until tomorrow to cut the cake since Colten won't be here til later tonight. I couldn't resist getting a picture of it though!


The girls spent most of the afternoon venturing back and forth between the trampoline and the hot tub. What a life.

Now THAT is the life... laying on a blanket, eating an apple on the screened porch. :)

You know you live in the country when your grandma comes to visit.... ON HER HORSE!

This is Ali pouting today because Addie would not play with her. WHAT? Ten minutes ago you were telling her to scram!

The girls are looking forward to spending ALL day tomorrow with their cousin Colten.  Interesting pictures to come! 

A Day in the Country is Worth a Month in Town..

I love that quote. I really do. I don't mean to disparage people who live in town- especially around here where even "town" is pretty darn rural. But I'm so glad I live in the sticks. It's not for everyone, but it's an absolute paradise for me. I love this William Penn quote: "The country life is to be preferred, for there we see the works of God; but in the cities little else but the works of men."  Tis true indeed.

Mirage loved all over Addie

While Rhapsody and Cortina ignored us, preferring the sunshine and the hay to our treats.

This morning Ali informed me that her entire class had agreed to wear shorts today since the temperature was expected to push 80 degrees. I wasn't even sure if the girls had shorts that still fit!

Addie made quite a fashion statement with her shorts and sweater with a hood. Whatever. I've got bigger battles to fight! I thought the girls would enjoy a nice slow morning with a big breakfast since I was off today and they had school. Oh no! They hovered around Pete ready to go to school because they said they like to be there early to "socialize" in the library. Well then!

Since Addie's birthday get together sort of disintegrated what with Gran being in the hospital and Uncle David arriving on the red eye from Haiti tonight, we just decided to give Addie her trampoline today. Pete worked on putting it together while the girls were in school today.  I just watched him work.  I am blessed with a handy husband.

Pete reading the instructions! 

I think she likes it!

and so does her sister!

We just sort of ignored the part of the trampoline instructions that said "Made in Hong Kong: Caution this device could cause you to break your head".  No kidding. So far no one has broken their head.

We went across the road and had the best steak in Burke County for supper tonight.
My daddy is quite the grillmaster. The steaks were delicious.   The weather was so nice today I talked Pete into bringing the hot tub out of hibernation. The kids love playing in the hot tub, but I told them that the 60 degree well water might need a little time to heat up!

Addie's class is studying maps. Last night she said she needed to take a map to school. I was going to print a map of Burke County off the internet and put a star on Edmund Burke Academy's location but noooooo... that's not the Addie way. She insisted that Ms McDonald told her they could bring ANY map of ANY size. So, she wanted to take the canvas map of the USA off the playroom wall. I apologize Ms McDonald, but you can't give Addie those sort of parameters. Otherwise, you get a map of ANY size which might not fit through your classroom door. Love it.

Please say a special prayer for Gran tonight. She's still in the hospital and now probably won't be out until Monday. We all love you Granny and hope you're well soon!  I'd put more pictures on here for you to see while you're in the hospital but I'm about to lock my computer down! More pictures tomorrow!