Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are?

In just the past couple of weeks...

My sister and her family came to our house to spend the night with ALL three kids so John and I could have a night away.  My sister got up with Olivia at night, included Emmy in cousin play and kept the other kids entertained.  Wow.

My friend Kendra dropped off dinner AND some adorable hats she made for my girls...just because.

My friend Foula came by to give me ingredients to make cookies that I love...just because.

My friend Kate and her darling daughter have come to watch Olivia while I take Em to therapy. 

Emmy's speech therapist took time out of her busy day to call and rave about Emmy using her Tobii at school. 

Olivia started pulling up on everything, chatting up a storm and 'reading' books...amazing.

My friend Megan and her daughter Lauren (in Emmy's class) invited Em over for a playdate.

Ava helped Emmy out of bed and then held her hand by the stairs and yelled, "Ummm, excuse me, will somebody help my little sister down the stairs?"

My husband, well the list is too long.  He surprises me everyday with his dedication to our family.

I am feeling like one lucky girl.

And I'm especially lucky I get to hear Ava and Emmy giggle everytime I read their favorite part...

"Be grateful you’re not in the forest in France
Where the average young person just hasn’t a chance
To escape from the perilous pants eating plants
But your pants are safe, you’re a fortunate guy
You ought to be shouting how lucky am I”
― Dr. Seuss, Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are?

Winter

Our winter can be summed up in one word...SICK.  Up until about the second week in February, someone in our house was down and out.

It started the first night of Christmas break.  I went and got Panera for dinner and we all happily celebrated the beginning of break.  That was the beginning of the end.  That night Ava recited her famous line...'I think I ate too much dinner'.  This is code for...'Mom, Dad, you will be cleaning up puke tonight.' 

It was the flu, complete with five full days of high fevers for all.  But I am happy to report that after some viruses here and there, we are all healthy now.

We had plans to go to my parent's house for Christmas but since Ava was sick, we stayed home.  We have never spent Christmas at our house so I was a little unprepared.  We ran out and got some stockings and a couple of extras.  Other than some sickos, we had a great time just the five of us.

And since we finally got some snow, we've been cruising around the neighborhood on our sleds...

 Emmy kind of looks like Ralphie from A Christmas Story, right?

 

Catching Up

I never got around to posting many pictures in October and November so I wanted to share a few.  Ok, maybe more than just a few...

We had TWO Rapunzels!  Emmy told us she wanted to be a princess for Halloween.  Ava had already decided she wanted to be Rapunzel.  We started going through every type of princess we could think of.  "Do you want to be Ariel?"  NO "Do you want to be Cinderella?" NO.  Finally Ava said, "Ask her if she wants to be Rapunzel."  The reply was a huge smile and a million taps to the YES card.  She was very happy we finally figured it out. 

Sweet Olivia didn't have a choice...she got an oldy but goody.

 We took a trip to the pumpkin patch.  Right after I snapped this picture, chaos erupted.  I knew I was pushing it when I wanted a picture of all three at the END of our trip.

 Thanksgiving at Mimi and Grandpa Foster's house

And a special visit with Grandma and Grandpa Erck

Our families came together for Olivia's baptism the Sunday after Thanksgiving...



John was really brave juggling a flailing Emmy and an open flame!

  

Olivia with her awesome godparents, Uncle Kyle and Aunt Marie