Day 2,962

The Days are Getting More Normal

Ballet in the morning while Bubba schools. 

Lizard killing in the afternoon while sissies nap. 

Gymnastics in the evening while Mama rests. 

Laundry destroying at night while Mama and Grandma laugh and sigh. 



Sleeping together at bed time for the last time in their shared big bed. All in a day’s work!

Day 2,903

The Two Word Photos

Snail fort. 

Ballet class. 

FIRST TOOTH!



Best friends. 

Day 2,458

The Best for Last

Last day at ballet for a while and it was her best dance class yet! 

Before leaving on Wednesday, Daddy had to tie up some loose ends, which saw two pretty ballerinas stompin around a mechanic shop. 



All of this happening while Molly broke out in a heat rash. C’monnnn. Cut the kid a break please!!

Day 2,448

The Laceration

Yesterday started off a day just like any other. 

You know, typical stuff that happens with four under six, a newborn, and homeschooling. 

While reading with Bearett, I heard a child suddenly screaming in pain. I figured it was an overreaction (as it often times is), so I slowly walked into the living room to find my little ballerina laying on the ground with blood gushing out of her pretty face. Her tights slipped on a mat and her chin caught her fall. Solo. 

A trip 4.5 hour to the ER and six stitches later, and Amelia is doing much better. 

See.

Because ice cream can fix most anything. 

Including being wrapped up in a pillowcase and a sheet and held down by two nurses while a doctor stuck needles in your face. 

Good job Big Sis. You were so brave and you’re so easy to love. 



A few hours later and we were back to normal. Almost like nothing ever happened.

 Someone get me some chocolate. 

Day 2,438

The Only Success

Fail. 

Fail. 

Fail. 



Success. 

Maybe the only thing praiseworthy about yesterday - Molly’s sturdy head lift. It was one of those days for this Mama. 

Day 2,433

The Rarest Four-Year-Old

She loves unicorns maybe because they’re just like her. Rare. Set apart. Special. Unique. Beautiful. Gentle. Colorful. Fun. 

And that just about sums up our Amelia. I would add to that list: clever, kindhearted, thoughtful, smart, shy, and emotional, but I can’t say for sure a unicorn  can be attributed these. 

She makes everyone around her smile, especially those who know her best. 

She’s a lover. A hugger. An excuse-maker. A ballet dancer. 

She loves church and swimming and makeup and ice cream and babies and reading and legos and shopping and learning and coloring and going on walks. She loves riding her bike, getting dirty in the mud, planting flowers, playing with her siblings, gymnastics, cooking, doing the dishes, bubbles, gum, ballet tutus, and gold ballet shoes. She’s tough. She’s brave. She’s a really thoughtful friend. 

And one day, hopefully they’ll be the best of friends. 

I’m crazy in love with my dearest Amelia and am beyond thankful the Lord blessed me so richly by choosing me to be her mama. She adds so much joy to my life and has taught me more than maybe she’ll ever know. I love you, Sis!! Happy birthday my Love!

We had a small birthday celebration at the park yesterday with our friends from church. She wanted a “unicorn park birthday,” but with me having just had a baby and with Adam being gone, planning a party seemed daunting. So we kept it simple and it was perfect. Once Daddy got home later in the afternoon, after having pitched in his second outing of spring training, she got to open her presents, which she patiently waited for all day long. And I’m pretty sure it was worth every ounce of her self control because:

THIS. 

Auntie Kim strikes again! 

A pink-filled box of her favorite critters!

The girl was just about as happy as a person can be!

You win, Auntie Kim. 

(And I lose because now my house is strewn with shredded cardboard, loose stickers, capless markers, clothing tags, and the like...but who’s keeping track? Right? Right.)

Thank you for such a thoughtful and creative gift box! Seeing her face light up is one of my favorite things in life and I’m grateful for another chance to see the smile stretch across her beautiful face!

:)



Love you forever, my tiny little ballet dancer. You make me so happy. 

Day 2,431

The Second Ballerina

The self-restraint is real. 

It took every bit of Ella Mae’s effort not to run out and join her sister yesterday. The lure of the hula hoops and stuffed snakes (the ballerinas jump over these to practice their leaps) were at an all time high. 

Ultimately, the temptation was too great. 

And now we have TWO ballerinas. 



And one day, I’ll wager a bet that we’ll have THREE ballerinas and one big, burly, manly - but sweet - brother at their sides, cheering them (quietly) on. 

Day 2,424

The Adorable Accident

Nap time has never looked so adorable. 

Bedtime either!! 

In other news:

Amelia LOVES ballet. 

And she’s turning out to be pretty good at it too! 



Almost as good as Mommy is at scratching baby faces (-insert bawling cry face emoji here-)!

Day 2,403

The Man We Love to Love

Waiting for Dada. 

Dancing for Dada. 

Kicking for Dada. 



Building with Dada. 

We sure love you. 

And we love all the sweet moments we get to spend with you in the offseason. What a blessing it’s been. 

Day 2,396

The Ballerina

This is how Bearett feels about being woken up from his nap. It’s also how he feels about going to Sissy’s ballet. So we gave him a break this time and let him wake up and play baseball at the park with Daddy instead. 

Which meant: girl date! 

Ella Mae was incredibly excited to accompany Amelia to ballet and shouted her name nearly the entire class time. “SISSY! SISSY!” Enough times that actually, Amelia ran over and hugged and kissed her between hula hoop jumps! I have the best girls!

And the best hula jumper!

She’s learning quickly and loving her time in class. 

Her first running leap jump! Good job Millie!

We’ve still got a lot to work on, but she’s quite focused and listens closely to instruction, so it’ll be exciting to see her progression over the next two months at what she’ll be able to do by the time season begins! Go Sis!

“Mom, it’s my turn now, right? Please?”