Excuse This House....

Some houses try to hide the fact
That children shelter there,

Ours boasts it quite openly,

The signs are everywhere.

For smears are on the windows,

Little smudges are on the doors.

I should apologize, I guess,

For toys strewn on the floor.

But I sat down with my children

And we played and laughed and read.

And if the doorbell doesn't shine,

Their eyes will shine instead.

For when at times I'm forced to choose

The one job or the other,

I'd like to cook and clean and scrub,

But first I'll be a mother.

Author Unknown

Happy Birthday Kira!!!

Today, my first baby is six years old! WOW! I have a 6 year old!! It really seems like just yesterday we were celebrating her being born and looking at our itty bitty baby with amazement that she was here. It's safe to say that our celebrating quicky turned to fear and many tears as we learned she needed surgery but we also learned in those 1st few days what a fighter she was....and to this day, she has shown us that everyday.

Itty Bitty Kira after her TEF/EA repair

An impressive 9 days later and ready to come home!

1st Christmas

Already attached to her blankie

$5 Clifford who is still dearly loved

Just cuz she's cute!

Buddy Sammy...2 peas in a pod

Many hard therapy sessions

Experiencing freedom and independence with her 1st wheelchair

Having fun in OT

She loves her Daddy

Always has been an animal lover

Big sister Kira

Too cute to be a fierce lion

Just a small number of her "friends!"

Turning 3!

More therapy but look at her go!

Getting stronger everyday

Celebrating the 1st time she stood by herself...look at that excitement!

The patient being the dr!

Princess!

A long hospital stay but look at those balloons

Silly times

So much fun!

Many teary eyes in the church watching her be a flower girl

Ditching her walker at preschool!!!  Exciting day!  Never looked back!

1st Christmas progam at almost 4 years old....huge accomplishment that again left Mommy and Daddy with tears in our eyes!

And once again, a big sister...meeting Eva for the 1st time!

Going to her 1st baseball game with Daddy and having a blast!!

OH.MY.GOSH!  I have a elementary school student...she's done AMAZING this year!

But school really wears her out!

A successful trip to see Santa...as long as he didn't get too close!

A 2nd church Xmas program,...and yes, it's the same dress from last year!

And now this big sister to a brother and a sister, who loves to read and be silly is SIX!  How in the world did that happen???

I couldn't be more proud of my girl!  She amazes me every day...some days are harder than others but she never gives up.  She is willing to try new things and give it her best!  I love my girl!

Wordless Wednesday

"You're pretty. Can I have 2?"

Yesterday morning I took Dylan and Eva to Hy-Vee to pick up a few groceries.  Dylan has loves to go to Hy-Vee for 2 reasons: 1) the car carts and 2) the cookie.  He knows that if he's good, we'll go to the bakery and he'll get the free cookie they give the kids.

We made our way back to the bakery and when the lady brought out the container of cookies, I said, "Pick one!"  Dylan looked at the container for minute, then looked at the lady and said,

 "You're pretty.  Can I have 2?"

I think my jaw hit the ground....NO idea where he got that one at all.

The lady started laughing and said, "You just made my day.  Pick 2!"

Seriously, where does he come up with this stuff?

Hi!

So I've been thinking for a few days now that Eva is trying to say hi when she waves or you say it to her...but I wasn't sure!

Well, we have our first official word!!...confirmed by her therapist who was surprised to be greeted with a wave and HI when she walked in the door!!...especially since Eva usually cries when she sees Katie!!

HI!! with the cutest little wave ever!

And I just need to add that she is the first kiddo of ours to have a "normal" first word...Kira's was pretty and Dylan's was bubble (for Eema, I might add...Mommy missed his first word!)

I'm excited but does this mean that she's growing up????

Kira was in a mood. Not a good mood. A bad mood.....

That is what Kira told me today!  And she wasn't lying one bit.  What made her saying that really funny to me is that she loves the Judy Moody book series and the title of one of the books is just that....just replace Kira with Judy and there's the title.  Kira Moody was her name today.

I thought that Kira was feeling better but I think she overdid it this morning being rowdy with Dylan and let's just say she threw one heck of a fit....one that had Dylan and Eva crying before it was over!  I hope that a nap does her some good because Kira is welcome to be in a mood.  A good mood would be welcomed!!!

Dylan loves Eva.....Eva loves Dylan!

I was surprised that I actually got this video tonight because usually the minute Dylan figures out that I'm "making a movie" he stops what he's doing and wants to watch!  I LOVE watching Dylan and Eva's relationship grow....he sure loves his "sweet girl!"