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We were given a sandbox and a play house by a friend and it's made our backyard adventures so much more fun!
 
Austin: First, how cute is he in his little Jake underwear? He loves to fill up containers and dump them through his fingers. 


 
Allyson: She would spend all of her time in the sandbox. She likes to sit down in sand and just play.



Aubrey: It wouldn't be back yard fun unless there were dirt pies for sale!



"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014."

 

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Last week was Spy Camp at church for Aubrey. She had an amazing time. While Aubrey was at Spy Training the littles and I had some fun, playing at the park, library and outside fun.
Her best friend, accepted Jesus into her heart, we celebrated with cupcakes and a little bit of playing at the park.
On the last day, I took these of the kids in the church lobby. Look at all of those adorable smiles!!

DIY Pain Cream with Essentials Oils

I know I'm probably late to the party, but I've just discovered the whole world of essential oils! In the past I've used lavender for calming Austin before bed and tea tree oil in his diaper wipe solution but that's it. Enter Heather and her Young Living Oils...

She mentioned to me that lavender had a ton of other uses, including clearing up eczema. I tried it on a patch that was behind Allyson's knee and it looked better in no time. I was sold.

I ordered an amazing kit from Young Living that came with 10 everyday essential oils and a diffuser. We LOVE them and have started to use them daily. And the diffuser, AMAZING. We use it daily, Conrad loves to have Peace and Calming going.

Besides diffusing and applying them directly onto your skin, you can mix them with others and make some pretty amazing things.

One of the first things I made for Conrad was a pain cream.




1/4 Coconut Oil, whipped
10 drop each of Valor, Peppermint & PanAway

Whip coconut oil in mixer {or hand mixer} until it doubles. It took about 5 minutes.
Add to a glass container. Add in oils. Stir and store in a cool place.

Easy peasy, friends.

Conrad uses this cream multiple times a day, especially after his physical therapy, he said it take the ache away. I love the way it smells, so amazing. Another bonus, it's natural. I love that it's not harmful for my family.

Have you discovered the fabulous world of essential oils? What's your favorite?

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Aubrey: This girl's heart is so big. She loves helping out and encouraging her siblings. She's sliding down the slide with Allyson, even if it's the baby slide.


Allyson: Conquering her fear of bridges.


Austin: Learning to go down the slide by himself.

Jake & Spidey

This boy is such a fun addition to our family! He is wired so differently than his sisters. He's a different kind of crazy. He will take of running and head straight for the couch, crash right into it and burst into giggles. Then do it again. He like to have lego sword fights with Daddy, build lego towers and loves to take his Jake sword where ever the next adventure brings him.

He's developed a love for Spider Man. How lucky are we do have gotten a pair of light up Spiderman shoes in a bag of hand me downs, it was destiny! It makes his Daddy a little bit sad that he doesn't like Batman, but there's still time for him to come around to that.

   

When the girls met their favorite, Queen Elsa, Austin got to meet Spiderman. Austin was amazed. Spiderman did some flips and Austin's eye were just glued to him. When we were able to meet him, Austin just kept saying, "Hi, Spiderman. Hi." 

I love being a mom to a little boy!

4th of July Recap

We were up bright and early to start our Fourth of July celebration.

First on our list was the Fourth of July parade. This is our 5th year coming the the parade!
This year we brought our niece along, she loved it!

The kids weren't interested in taking a picture with their mom, too much stuff going on.


The kids had a blast waving to everyone, screaming for candy, devouring the candy and just being kids.

    

I mean look, a lollipop for each hand, does it get any better???


We headed over to spend the afternoon with Conrad's family. The kids went and swam around in the kiddie pool. We had pizza and they asked about a million times if it was dark enough to start the fireworks.
    

Austin wasnt' too sure about the fireworks. He stayed up near the garage for awhile. I think it was the noise that was bothering him. He was asking me to hold him and cover his ears.

The girls, however, LOVED it. They also loved these wands we scored from the dollar section.

Target for the win!



He finally came out an enjoyed the fireworks display. He did like seeing the illegal ones in the sky. There were a ton this year!



It's crazy to think how much our Fourth of Julys have changed. Before kids, we still spent it with Conrad's family, but we spent the afternoon grazing on food waiting for the sun to set. Dinner was relaxing and we took our time eating. We played card games.

Now, parades fill our morning, swimming in the afternoon, they ask how much longer every 10 minutes, glow sticks and cuddling the scared little ones. It's not so slow Fourth of Julys of the past but I like these ones just as much. I know these moments aren't going to last forever and I treasure them.


I am so proud to live here in the United States. I'm thankful that I get to enjoy the many freedoms of our great country. I'm thankful for those who fought for and those who protect our freedoms.

Blessed is the nation whose God is  the Lord,
the people he chose for his inheritance.
Psalm 33:12

God Bless America!

How did you celebrate Fourth of July? If you posted a Fourth of July Recap be sure to leave the link in the comments, I don't want to miss it!

A new believer

Earlier this year, Aubrey made a decision to ask Jesus into her life. This makes my mama heart so very happy. She said that she knew that she wanted to spend forever in heaven, and she asked Jesus to be with her. I wish I could have been there with her, hear those words from heart. We've prayed, a few more times, asking Jesus again, just to be sure. Oh the mind of a seven year old. 

I did want to document this very big moment. We took a few pictures at church, what better place. We prayed and thanked Jesus for His unfailing love. Then we headed off to the playground to celebrate! 

Be still my heart. 


But to all who did receive him, 
who believed in his name, 
he gave the right to become children of God
John 1:12 

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Aubrey: We started reading Meet Kristen. Aubrey and I snuggled up in her bed, just like Kristen and Ma did on the ship, as Aubrey pointed out.  We are really looking forward to follow along on Kristen's journey. 

Allyson: We enjoy reading Gigi books. If you haven't read any Gigi books you really should. It's similar to Fancy Nancy but Gigi is one of God's Little Princesses, and let me tell you, I enjoy these books just as much as Allyson. 

Austin: This boy loves all things trucks! 

Meeting Queen Elsa

Last weekend we went to a little celebration of a local newsletter/FB page celebrating it's 2nd birthday,  Modesto Macaroni Kid. They post info, local events, giveaways, if you are local you should check them out. They had vendors there, face painting and characters, we went to see the princesses. I was corrected by Aubrey that we were in fact going to see Queen Elsa, not Princesses Elsa. Excuse me! 

I made the mistake of telling the girls the night before and you can believe those girls had a hard time falling asleep that night. Giggles. Squeals. Screaming whispers. Sweet sister stuff. 

When the princesses walked in, all the girls in the building took off running to Elsa! It was the funniest thing. 

How darling is this? Tink asked if they wanted to pose like she does. 

The characters moved to an area outside. It was kind of a free for all. You just stood in line for your character but there were some people that just let their kids walk up to them. Just a little disorganized.

Allyson asked me if she could go see Rapuntzel by herself. Ally's day was made, or so I thought. 

You were able to get a tiara and the princesses crown you a princess. Rapuntzel counted down til crowning and cheered with the crowd, Tinkerbell sprinkled pixie dust on you and Queen Elsa crowned you a Royal Princess! Now, their day was made. 

Look at those smiles! After her crowning Aubrey told me that now that she was an official princess, I had to get her whatever she wanted. I laughed and she told me that it's true. I quickly busted that bubble. Mean mom, I know. It's been almost a week and Aubrey is still wearing that tiara. 

Oh, to be a little kid again. What fun! 

The little girl who isn't so little anymore

I really don't know when it exactly happened but my baby girl isn't so baby. 

Last night she asked to make herself and peanut butter sandwich. An Allyson Favorite! 

She grabbed the peanut butter and bread and got started. She did sneak in a bite of peanut butter while I was grabbing my camera. 

She did a wonderful job, I was actually impressed. She didn't make much of a mess and even helped clean up. It's bittersweet, watching her grow more independent but that means she's needing me less often. 

My little peanut isn't so little anymore.