Homemaker in Training

James had a jacket that needed some mending.  He asked Monkey if she thought she could take care of that for him.  Her face beamed as she went and got my sewing basket.  She was proud to be able to help her Daddy.  

Monkey's First Backpacking Trip

James and Monkey went on their first backpacking trip last week.  She, well...they both, have been looking forward to this trip since last year.  They went to Red River Gorge and hiked to Grey's Arch.

He's such a good Daddy!



Monkey hiking with her monkey, Lollipop, in tow.


Monkey with Grey's Arch in the background.  She is a strong hiker.  Her Daddy said she only stopped twice on the hike in.


Their home away from home for the night :)


She even sat the table.  Monkey chose spaghetti for their dinner.


Best Daddy ever!  He is planning to take Lulu on the next trip.  Lil wants to go as well...but he may just take her to the campground for a night.


And no trip to the Gorge is complete without stopping by Miguel's!

They had a really great trip, just the two of them!

Conquering the Monkey Bars

Monkey has officially conquered the monkey bars!  She is so proud of herself.

This was Monkey's first attempt.  Right after this shot she crashed to the ground.


But that did not stop her.  Monkey was right back up there for a second go.


She's working hard...holding on tight.


Almost there...


Sweet victory!!!

Happy Birthday Monkey

Monkey is 7 today!  My babies keep growing and growing.  Her birthday starts the two month spread of all five of our birthdays.

She was excited because she got the day off school.  We ran errands and went to the dentist.  Two fillings is probably not the best birthday present she ever received !  She is used to them unfortunately.  Monkey chose chicken pot pie for her birthday meal.  Her daddy brought her home a little cake for us to enjoy after dinner.  She is having her party tomorrow night with all her friends.  I will update about the party with pictures sometime this weekend. 

Happy birthday sweet girl!  I love you!!!

How They Sleep

When James and I were heading to bed the other night, we checked in on the girls on our way.  As you know, all of our girls share a room.  They have bunkbeds.  Lulu and Monkey takes turns sleeping on the bottom bunk with Lil.  So as we checked in on them this is what we found.

X marks the spot!

Six Today!!!

Happy Birthday Monkey!!!!!!!!!

I cannot believe she is already six.  I know we, as parents, say that every year.  But time passes by so quickly when you add children to your family.  It seemed like my first nine months of being pregnant with Lulu took forever.  Now my 'middler' is six.  She was my longest labor...36 1/2 hours.  I would do it all over again to have her sweet spirit in our home. 

For those of you that know her personally, you know that Monkey is very determined.  She has a mind of her own.  Sometimes this is good for her and other times not so good.  But when I look at her I see a strong lady for God developing.  She knows what she believes, what she wants and often times how she is going to get it.  I can see God using her in mighty ways as she grows older and more mature.  She fears very few things.  She does not give up easily.  She is also a protector.  I remember a year ago when a girl bigger than her that she did not know took something away from Lil.  Monkey put her hands on her hips and in her best mother tone said, "You don't take things from my baby sister!".   She even told her twice....

Monkey is also my child that you can find strolling around the house singing praise songs to her Lord that she herself has made up for Him.  I know that Jesus smiles every time Monkey sings to Him.  She loves her family, loves her church and is quick to let us know.

So today is her day.  She woke up this morning and sang, "Yeah...no school today, no school today!"  Lulu and I even did her chores for her.  She was very excited about that too.  In a little while we will start her cake.  She wants to make it.  Tonight our family is coming over to celebrate with her.  In a couple weeks her and Lulu are having a big party with their friends to celebrate both of their birthdays.  I will put some pictures up of that.  We are renting a jumping castle with a slide.  It should be lots of fun!

Lord I thank you for every day you have given me with Monkey.  I thank you that when she was born she was healthy.  You have always provided for her and I know you always will.  Thank you for choosing me to be her mother.  Even on the hard days I give you thanks.  She is yours and you have only lent her to me.  Help me to raise her for you.  Help me to know how to teach her, what and when.  Help me Lord to model for her a godly wife and mother.  Help me to love her with unconditional love.  She is a blessing and help me to treat her as such.  In Jesus' name,  Amen.

Lulu and Monkey Experimenting with Smileys

These are Lulu's favorites:

             

These are Monkey's favorites:

                 

They saw the smiley on my last post and wanted to know how I got that on there.  So there you have it, their favorites!

The Graduation Celebration

At the end of the year our Co-Op has a Spring Program.  Each class does a presentation to showcase something they have learned throughtout the year.  Lulu and Monkey both sang with their classes. 

We also have a Kindergarten Graduation.  Lulu did this last year.  This year was Monkey's turn.  She looked so beautiful!

She was very proud in her cap and gown.  So were Mom and Dad!

 

Lulu even played the xylophone!

After the Spring Program, we try to do something special.  This year we decided at the last minute to head to Cincinnati Saturday afternoon.  We stopped in at the Cincinnati Children's Museum and then went to a hotel.  The girls love staying in a hotel.  Then Sunday we spent the day at the Cincinnati Zoo.  I'm not sure who let these animals out of their cages.

At the end of the day when our feet were exhausted we took one final look at the animals, by way of train.