HaPpY HaLf - BiRtHdAy!!!

Don't you just want to eat her up?!?!

Believe it or not, this little chubba-lubba can actually lift that belly and those chubby cheeks off of the ground and get up on her hand and knees. Unfortunately, she can only scoot backwards so far. She loves all the new tastes that she gets to try out now that we are giving her solid foods. Her big sisters are her favorite people in the world, but she usually flashes a shy smile to just about anyone who will stop and tell her how cute she is. We are so blessed by Valerie's sweet temperament and go-with-the-flow attitude!

Happy Halloween

It's a good thing that our girls have a loving Grandma Mouser who has a gift for sewing. I was not inspired to make or buy extravagant costumes this year for Halloween. We were going to reuse some old costumes and call it good. Last Saturday, we received a package in the mail with two BEAUTIFUL princess dresses. (The pictures do them no justice at all! You should see the detail.) Carolyn made a gorgeous Belle dress for Sierra complete with a hooded cape. An enchanted rose came with her ensemble. Ally got the perfect Snow White dress and cape. A red hair ribbon and plastic apple completed her outfit perfectly. The looked SOOO CUTE! Thanks Grandma Mouser.

Sweet, sweet, sweet Snow White.

As we were getting ready, Sierra asked, "Mom, do you have time to dye my hair brown?"

Um...no.

Checking on the flames inside their jack-o-lanterns.

Cutest little pumpkin in town!

Cousin Annie came to buzz around the neighborhood with us!

Linder Farms 2009

We decided to take advantage of the lovely change in the weather yesterday and make our annual trip to Linder Farms after dinner. It was perfect! There were very few people out, the rain had done away with all the dust, the evening was gorgeous and the girls had a blast. Sierra and Ally took full advantage of their tokens! Valerie just had fun watching everyone else. (Have I told you what a content little baby she is?!) We came home with two small pumpkins and three tired little girls.

Kid's maze.

Hay ride!

Waiting for the big girls in the bounce house.

I wanna jump too, Mom!

Holding on for dear life.

An old pro on the barrel train.

Each girl found her own "perfect" pumpkin.

Not a great picture - but, oh, so true to life.

Ally being her own quirky self.

Sierra being a little mother.

Valerie just smiling as her head is being squished!

Sand Dunes

Do you ever feel like you are constantly trying to climb a sand dune in life? You take one step forward and then sink almost right back to where you started. Well, that's kinda how I've been feeling lately. I barely have the dishwasher loaded from one meal and it's time to cook the next. I wash one load of laundry and by the time it's dry, I have another pile of dirty clothes. I clean up the playroom only to find crumbs all over the kitchen floor. I am weary of making "to do" lists because I am adding more items than I am crossing off. (Hence the pathetic lack of posts lately. Sorry. ) I'm not looking for advice or consolation....just a good verse or two to get my eyes focused back in the right place. What Scriptures motivate you to keep climbing?!

The Tooth Fairy's First Visit

That's right, folks! The tooth fairy will be making her first landing at the Mouser home tonight. After three weeks of wiggling, Sierra's first tooth finally popped out...with a little help from Mommy. Sierra was so excited that she was literally shaking. The girls have been uncommonly quiet since we tucked them into bed, but I'm not convinced yet. :) Of course, Sierra would pick tonight to lose her tooth. We just got back from a Target run and Marc used his last two singles to buy popcorn and a Coke on the way out. The lucky girl is going to get a FIVER!!! (And that's only because I wouldn't let Marc give her a twenty. Can we say "sugar daddy"?)

Growing Up

Little Miss Chunky-Monkey is growing up way too fast! Here are Valerie's latest accomplishments:

She likes to "play" with her toys now.

(Love that grin!)

Her sisters can keep her entertained for a long time.

She gobbles up her rice cereal.

AND....

(Sorry about the lame mommy commentary in the background. I'm a nerd.)

09-09-09

1. Struggled through reading Zechariah 1-6 in the early hours this morning, but am enjoying the chronological approach to reading through the Bible this year.

2. Remembered that school started 20 minutes later today for Sierra and got her there on time with 23 individual applesauce containers (and spoons!) for her Kindergarten class snack.

3. Picked up a couple of check registers at the bank on my way home. (Does anyone else still use those things?! I can't quit the habit. I record EVERY transaction by hand.)

4. Finished a hand-written letter to my good friend and roommate from college. It's been a long time since I wrote out a 4 page letter. She sent me one a couple of weeks ago and it made my day. Try it!

5. Watched a little Disney Princess Sing Along and did a stamp/ink pad activity with Ally.

6. Cleaned up a blow-out from Valerie's diaper after picking Sierra up from school. So bad that I had to wash the whole car seat. Ew.

7. Am wasting precious nap minutes writing this silly post - but the title is cool, eh?

8. Need to come up with a good chicken recipe for dinner. Chicken soft tacos sound good - but the girls don't eat them. :(

9. Looking forward to Youth Group and AWANA this evening. I hope that Ally and Sierra both enjoy their new groups.

And now for the good stuff....

Yes, we did spend Labor Day Weekend at the cabin.

(How did you guess?!)

Everyone was there. SO FUN!

Grandpa took the three "big" girls to get some treats in town in his pick-up. Brave man!

Uncle Chuck gave the girls thrilling rides on the motorcycle.

Grandpa, Sierra and Ally spent the night in a tent. Ally said that she never wanted to leaver her purple sleeping bag!

I L*O*V*E this face!

Valerie and Daddy on the beach at the cabin.