Update minus pictures

So, I broke my camera. And, it was not even quite a year old. Sad. . . I will spare you the deets, but, it was all my fault. So, until I can go and buy a new camera, there are no pictures. Sorry. Here's a little update for ya.

-Taylee lost her first tooth. It had been wigglin' for awhile, and she was so excited for it to fall out. She was eating an ice cream cone, of all things, and it got really loose, and she pulled it out, all by herself. There was a little blood, which she even got on her shirt. But, she didn't freak out at all. She loved it, and was so proud! What a big girl! She looks so cute with a gap in her bottom teeth. The tooth fairy graciously gave her $2.00, which she was absolutely thrilled about. She's growing up so fast.

-Tay and Rohne attended their first Day Camp last week. It was my good friend's daughter who put it on, and it was just out of their house. Pretty low key, but, they loved every minute. They also started swimming lessons this week. It's a little hard to get all the kids ready, and out the door by 8:30 in the morning, but, they're really enjoying it. We have had a severe shortage of warm weather this summer, hence, not very much outdoor swimming. At least this is giving them their fill.

-Tristan is sleeping through the night!!! (Pretty much, mostly, one time doesn't count, right?) All I know, is that I am finally feeling like I can read before bed, and I don't go to him nearly as much. It took a year, but, at least he's there, right? Hooray! Because he is sleeping more at night, he now thinks that he only needs one nap. This is a little exhausting for Mommy, because he is still so young, and definitely needs that second nap still. He now has upper and lower molars, and one I-tooth has pushed through, with the other close behind. I will be so glad to have teething done! It makes for a grouchy baby.

-Nothing new for the parents, unfortunately. Jake's working, and I'm working at home. I can't wait to go see Eclipse tonight at midnight with the girls!! I'm gonna need some major caffiene so I can stay awake though. And, I'm not looking forward to tomorrow, after such a long night. It better be worth it, that's all I can say!

Ballet Recital

Tay's Ballet Recital was today. She was so cute, and wonderful, I just cried through the whole thing. It's so wonderful watching her do something that she absolutes loves, and excels at. She tends to be a very shy, partly withdrawn little girl in group situations. But, when she is performing in front of people, she lights up, and comes to life. She is never even nervous before she goes on, or while she's out there. Watching her today just reaffirmed the fact, that I will be keeping her in dance classes.
Here's her little group of friends she did Ballet with. It was nice to have all our girls in the same class. We could carpool together, and they grew to become great friends.

Um, who can say DIVA?
I love my Ballerina girl! Good job, Tay, we love you so much!

We have a Preschool Graduate!

So, Tay's done with preschool. It was kind of a rocky year. I have always gone back and forth about preschool. I've never thought that kids really need it. And, it's so so expensive here to enroll your kids. My stance has always been that there's no better place for children to learn than in the comfort of their own homes, with a loving parent teaching them. However, Mr. Fussypants threw off my groove a little bit, and I found myself spending less and less time teaching Tay at home. We got lucky that there was a move-out, so space opened up in a neighborhood preschool, and I enrolled her. I haven't always agreed with the teacher, but, I think she genuinely cares about the children, and, we've had a pretty positive experience. I'm glad it's done though. I'm ready for a more laid-back schedule, before I enter into the world of PTA, school lunches, yellow buses, and everything else that comes with the public school system. I am going to cherish these 3 months of summer, that's for sure!!

Tay, and her teacher, Miss Tammy

Tay, and her cousin, Samantha, leaving Graduation.
3 cute girlies

Tay, and her friend, Syd. They had lots of fun together in school together this year.

I took this picture mainly to show Tay's gorgeous hair. It took me a good 30-45 minutes to curl all of her hair in ringlets. It looked so pretty though. She loved it. We called her Shirley Temple, Goldilocks, and Alice in Wonderland throughout the night. That girl loves any excuse to dress up.

She was so happy, and beaming all night. Always our little performer.

Sorry this is a 3 minute video. I just had to show how cute it was. All the kids did such a great job, and I was so stinkin' proud of my girly. Enjoy!

Oh, Summer, Where Art Thou? And, a few random things

First of all, it has been raining and raining and raining around here. It is NOT FUN!! My little guy has been really sick. Really bad croup, fever, diarrhea, all the works. And, he was sleeping so good. . . This is the first way bad sickness he has ever had, and it has made him one grouchy baby. In the picture above, he had a fever of 101, (up to 103 when we got home) but we still went to the pool. The older kids were too stir crazy, Jake was gone, and I HAD to get them out of the house.Tay's friends had a wonderful Fairy Party for their 6th Birthdays. Taylee had been waiting for it, staring at the invitation for weeks. She had picked out her fairy outfit well in advance, and couldn't wait to wear it out. The party was so beautiful, and fabulous. She can't wait for her birthday now, and asks all the time if it's August yet.

Last Saturday, we did have a gorgeous day, and headed to our first outing at the Maple Hills Pool. (Thanks to my great sister-in-law for inviting us). It was a big step for the kids, because every other year, they have just played in the little baby pool. But, this time they played in the kid's end with all the other kids. They had so much fun. It was a great 2 hours!

Here's Samantha demonstrating to them how she puts her whole face underwater. She was gettin' a little annoyed with them when they wouldn't follow her instructions. . . They both start swimming lessons again in a couple weeks. Maybe after that, they'll be able to do it.

And, to top it off, when I went to Church on Sunday, I came back to my baby, with a "Shiner." I couldn't get it very good on camera. But, if you look closely, it's swollen and purple underneath is right eye. He bumped his face on the high chair, and the little kid's table. I'm sure there will be many more in his future, if he's at all like his big bro.

Here's another sort of good picture of it. This is what he does when I try to take his picture lately. His "Cheese" I guess you could call it.

We have Tay's Ballet Recital, and Preschool Graduation this week. After that, we're pretty much released for the summer. Still counting down the days until the Hamblin Family Reunion, 10 year Anniversary, and Mr. FussyPants's 1st Birthday! Please send sunshine vibes our way. We really need them!

I Love It. . .

--When the theme song to "Gilmore Girls" comes on, and the baby turns to watch. He has heard it since he was in the womb. Still my favorite show ever.

--When my kids play with each other for 3 hours straight. And, the baby's sleeping. It's heaven.

--That preschool is almost over. Being out the door in the morning by 8:50 A.M. 3 days a week was getting old. Bring on Kindergarten, and the big yellow school bus.

--That I can finally, finally fit into my pre-pregnancy jeans. All but one pair. Still workin' on my waist, but, I'm seeing results, and it feels good. LTL is Awesome! If you want to know more about LTL, let me know.

--That it has rained and rained for 500 days straight. Gotta love Seattle in the Spring! (Yeah Right)

--That Jake can set his own schedule. It's so nice to have him around when I need him. Hooray for running your own business!!

--That I've been married 10 years next month to a wonderful man. We're gonna do something awesome for our Anniversary. Just wait for the details.

--That my baby is almost a year old. I know, it's sad he's growing up. But, I seriously wondered when I had my 3rd child, if I would ever survive a year. I did. He's so so so cute, and fun, and I love him to death.

--(Another sarcastic one) That I can't run anymore. I was supposed to do the Rock 'N Roll Half Marathon here on June 26th, but, I really injured my hip a couple months ago. Still can't run without limping for days afterwards. It sucks getting old. I am once again discovering my love for Aerobics though, thanks to my gym membership.

--That my sister's here. It's so nice to feel some family love every day. And, she cleans my house for me, and watches my kids whenever I want her to. She's the best!

--That's all! I just really needed to update the blog.