{no joke}

Meredith loves to make up jokes.  She probably tries at least 4-5 per week.  Some of them are pretty good, and they always make sense.

Amelia {who loves to be the center of attention} likes to get in on the action as well, but it doesn't quite pan out the way that she'd like.  She often embarrasses Claire in the process.

From Amelia:
What did the dishwasher say to the fish washer?

Play me a song on the fiddle!

Claire {whispers}: It's only funny because it doesn't make any sense.

{DIY doll bunkbeds}

Meredith absolutely loves playing dolls with Amelia.  They play almost daily and have an entire doll world forming back in their bedroom.  They have an entire story line that involves a queen and horses and all kinds of fun stuff.  

So, I told Josh that bunk beds for her dolls would be a great birthday gift.  I found this post on Pinterest, and I knew that my hubby could get this gift moving in the right direction.  

Needless to say, Josh won Father-of-the-Year.  

I whipped up some mattresses and pillows, and Claire sewed the blankets.  They're not completely coordinated since I just used fabric that I had on hand, but I think they turned out pretty cute!

We made them reversible so that she could have a pretty side or a fun side, and she could make them the same or different.  They were a huge hit!!

 

{happy birthday meredith}

Meredith celebrated her 8th birthday on February 16.  She requested a "Chirp" cake from Peep and the Big Wide World.  Chirp doesn't seem too difficult on the surface, but believe me, trying to turn frosting that color of red isn't the easiest thing to do.  Wilton color paste is my new best friend.  Other than that...pretty easy cake.

Meredith chose to invite the H family over for cake and ice cream.  It was an absolutely lovely time.  Poor little Edison looks like he wasn't welcome in the same group picture as the girls.  He was a real trooper. :)  

Ellie is the little girl who is sitting right next to Olivia...they have the exact same birthday!  How fun is that?!  They used to look even more alike than they do now, so their sisters all call them "the twins".  We love these friends! 

At 8 years old, Meredith...

-loves to draw {currently whales}

-is learning how to sew

-loves to read

-wears her hair in a pony tail each and every day

-refuses to wear jeans or anything constricting

-makes her own lunch everyday 

-loves babies {complete understatement}

-saves all her money

-enjoys playing dolls with Amelia almost daily

This year for her birthday, she asked Grandma/Grandpa and Aunt Jill/Uncle Andrew for gymnastics lessons.  She starts tomorrow and couldn't be more excited about them.  I reminded her that she wouldn't get as many presents as usual.  She replied, "Well, that's okay because I just can't think of anything that I need."  Is she 8 or 38?!  Seriously, sometimes she's wise beyond her years!

Meredith,

We love you.  We continue to love your creativity and loving spirit.  You have a great imagination, and I absolutely love the way you go on and on and on when you talk to yourself in the mirror. :)  {I suppose in a house with 6 people, that girl in the mirror pays the best attention to you without interrupting!}  You're a really great kiddo and our favorite Meredith in the whole wide world!  

{practice what you preach}

Stay tuned to this blog.  I realized it's been almost an entire month since I've blogged, but trust me, I'm going to be catching up in the very near future.  You may feel like you're drowning in blog posts.

Yesterday, I started teaching a middle school/high school class at our homeschool co-op, so I've been working diligently on that.  I can't remember giving anything up for Lent in the past, but this year I decided to join the bandwagon and sacrifice.  And I guess I followed the "Go big or go home" mindset. I pretty much gave up facebook {although, I've had to go on for a few things here and there}.  The absence of fb in my life has been lovely, and I truly have had more time to work on my to-dos.  

The second half of my Lent pledge was to give up desserts.  This has not been lovely and has truly been a challenge.  I was drooling over the chocolate chip cookie bars I made last Friday for some company, and when I put the extras in the freezer, it was all I could do to not devour the crumbs that were calling my name from the pan.  

Anyway, all this to say that we've been super busy, and I'm in borderline despair over the lack sweetness in my life.  

So, I leave you with a little conversation between Amelia and me this morning...

Background info:  Amelia is a huge exaggerator.  I'm constantly correcting her words to be more appropriate to her situation.  She says things like, "But that's going to take 14 years!!" Really, it's a week.  

Claire and Meredith were reading "Goodnight Moon" to Olivia, and I was working in the kitchen and reciting it along with them.  

Meredith:  Wow, Mom...have you read this book before?!

Me: I read it like a million times to both of you when you were Olivia's age.

Amelia {said in the most perfect "mom" tone}: Several times, Mom.  Say "several times".  I don't think you've read it a million times...and you always say that to me.  

Being put in your place by your 4 year old is one of the most humbling experiences. :) 

{b.i.f. eighteen}

I've been catching Olivia opening the bottom slide out inserts in our kitchen cabinets with her feet.  

Someone around here has been setting a bad example for her.

It might be me.

{practical joke}

Tonight, I do believe, the very first non-parent-led practical joke was carried out in our home.  Claire and I were in a deep educational discussion shortly before bed.  I sent Amelia and Meredith back to their room for a bit so that Claire and I could finish our conversation.

Claire headed back to her room while I read to Meredith and Amelia.  Claire obviously didn't get into her bed {top bunk} before I was finished reading to the girls.

We all headed back to their room and chatted for a bit before they climbed in bed.  Claire began to climb her ladder, turned around, and said, "Who did this?!!  Who got in my bed?!!"

I had no clue what was happening.  I looked over at Meredith, and she had the biggest grin on her face!  It was hilarious.  I said, "I don't know what happened to your bed, but Meredith looks awfully guilty!"  We all laughed.

I checked out the bed, and there were Duplo blocks scattered all across Claire's bed.  Nothing major, but Meredith and Amelia were laughing so hard.  They were so proud of themselves.

{natural instincts}

Tonight while I was washing the pots and pans after dinner {this in itself is shocking, I know},  Olivia pulled out several bowls and measuring cups from the lazy susan.  She placed them in a nice neat line on the edge of the counter.

She chose the smallest one, sat on the floor, wrapped it in a dishtowel, and then proceeded to rock it and sing it a sweet little song.  The tune and the words were made up entirely by her and unrecognizable to us.  This did nothing but make it ridiculously adorable.