Four Going on Fourteen

It's been awhile since you've gotten to see our little guy in action.  He goes through phases with his sounds and this one cracked me up.  Oh, in the background you'll see Brutus.  Any takers?  We were notified Monday that we would not be allowed to renew our lease (which is up in two weeks) unless we no longer had a rottweiler.  What's a little more stress, right?  It helps when you've got kiddos like this where God reminds us to find joy in the little things.  Specifically in 21 pound, blue-eyed little things.

Friday I took Phoebe and Maverick to Chick-fil-a before heading to see GGMa in the hospital.  I appreciate playlands at fast food restaurants and despise them all at the same time.  Some little punk kid made fun of a handicapped little boy, slobbered all over Maverick and then proceeded to drink Phoebe's lemonade not once but twice.  But Phoebe had a grand time climbing up and sliding down and this little one (while not being mauled by said punk) had a great time practicing his walk.

We're still hard at the home search, unfortunately, it seems so is everyone else in Indiana!  We picked 9 homes to look at on Saturday - two had pending offers and two were accepted, leaving us with a lousy 5 to go see.  One was on a lake with a gorgeous view, but the house needed a complete re-do.  Another house we saw was great, gorgeous two-story stone fireplace, but you walk down into the basement and there's standing water and mold beginning to grow on the walls.  It just wasn't our day.  Here are my boys waiting patiently in a neighborhood gazebo while our realtor went back to the last house to get his card (it wasn't his day either!).

We had a party to go to later in the afternoon and ran a few errands in between house hunting and the party.  Now that Maverick has begun to walk a bit, we've been shopping for shoes!  Here he is rocking Ryan's go-to shoe.

Phoebe's friend, Julia had a party - a spa party (which is exactly what we're having for Phoebe and her friend Maria, the very next weekend).  They had a blast getting pampered!

Phoebe chose green eye shadow!

Her adorable friend Ansley.

Getting her hair did.

Julia, Phoebe, Hadley & Gillian.

It was near impossible to get a decent shot of the whole group but they're four, I guess it's expected.

Sunday after church we made a quick run to Sam's Club before another birthday party.  Phoebe enjoyed sitting next to Maverick in the cart.  He - not so much!

 I can hear her saying, "Ah, poor buddy..."

The next party was spent mostly outdoors.  They had a pinata, sack races, eggs filled with confetti and our shy little girl participated in about half the events.  It was a challenge to keep them out of their playroom inside.  It really made Ryan and I miss all the stuff we have in storage - the same "stuff" they were playing with at their house.

On Monday, we woke up with a four year old in the house! 

We'd wrapped a few gifts for her to open on her actual birthday and she opened them before we left for school that morning.  She got her very own princess fishing pole and a couple of movies.

And 700 more stickers!!!

After work we headed to her restaurant of choice, Cracker Barrel!  As we drove there, she informed me her other favorite restaurants were Texas Roadhouse, Steak 'N Shake and Le Peep's (because they make pancakes in the shape of Mickey Mouse!).

YiaYia and Papou joined us for the festivies and we celebrated with cake.

Maverick had actually had a fever Sunday night and woke with one Monday morning.  Since he'd just finished his antibiotic for his ear infection, I took him to the pediatrician to make sure it had done its job.  Fortunately, he's just teething, but he's getting a few more teeth up front and the doctor said his gums are swollen where his molars are starting to come in. 

Showing off her "Dream Girl" ribbon that she wore all day long! 

We asked Phoebe a few questions (er, a lot) that we hope to ask in the years to come and see how her answers change and develop.

How old are you?  4

What is your favorite color?  Pink

What is your favorite fruit?  Strawberries

What is your favorite T.V. show?  "Videos" (aka America's Funniest Videos)

What is your favorite book?  Pinkalicious - Pink Around the Rink

Who is your best friend?  Hadley

What is your favorite game?  Bingo

What do you sleep with at night?  Roy, Nana Bunny & Taggie

What do you want to be when you grow up?  A princess and to get married

What is something Dad always says to you?  "Behave!"

What is your favorite story in the Bible?  Joseph getting swallowed by a dolphin

What are you really good at?  Walking

What is your favorite movie?  Tangled and Annie

What is your favorite animal?  Rhinoceros

What is your favorite snack?  Cheez-its

What is your favorite thing to do outside?  Swing

What is your favorite song?  "Do-Re-Mi"

There are a few more, but these were the ones we got before we lost focus...We're amazed our little girl is FOUR years old!  She's working on sharing with her little brother, listening (and obeying) and going to sleep on time - I just left her room (for the upteenth time - on this last visit she said, "Look at all the zeroes, Mommy!" - it was 10:00 and she was WIDE awake!).  She loves to help and sing and snuggle (especially if it means staying up later).  She's a bit on the shy side but loves to dance and run and wants to be friends with everyone she meets.  We love you so, Phoebe Rae!