Mary's mushroom book

Mary was writing a book about a mushroom the week Sarah was born.  After we brought Sarah home, she modified the story to include a baby mushroom.  She is getting so good at spelling she only had to ask me how to spell a few words for this book.

"Mushroom Brings a Swimming Pool Home," by Mary

 There once was a mushroom who went to the store to get a swimming pool.

 Then the mushroom went in the car and went to the store (note the seatbelt; the two buttons are to make the car go and stop).  Then the mushroom went in the store and saw the swimming pool it wanted.

 Then the mushroom went home and had a baby and had a cake (the zero on the cake is a "zero candle" because the baby is zero).  Then the mushroom made a swimming pool for the baby.

 Then the mushroom made a picture.

 The end.  The end.  The end.

 Mary likes to put a "surprise picture" on the back cover.  It is always an object from the story.  Anna and I like to guess what it will be.

Family photo

This was our attempt at a family photo after church yesterday.  Sarah was sleeping and didn't want to look at the camera.  The kids liked watching for the flashing light on the camera's self-timer.

Baby pictures

Baby Sarah:

Baby Austin:

 Baby Anna:

 Baby Mary:

I think Anna and Sarah win the look-alike prize.

Welcome, Sarah Joy!

Announcing:

Sarah Joy Luke

Arrived Thursday, April 7th, at 8:18pm

7 pounds, 5 ounces

19 1/2 inches long

And most importantly... a GIRL!

(Not a boy as we had been told at the ultrasound)

We are so delighted she is here

 

 

First bath:

 

Getting footprints:

Admiring the new bundle with Grandma:

I had little Sarah all dressed in blue, ready to go home, when David came to the rescue with something pink from Grandma and Grandpa:

Look at these cheeks!

We are so happy to have this little angel in our family.

Mary's birthday at school

Mary got to celebrate her birthday at school today.  She brought party favors for her classmates.  They made her a birthday book and drew pictures of presents they would like to give her.

Mary has been writing books to read to her kindergarten class.  The star of her current book is a snake whose birthday coincides with her "school birthday."  She finished it and took it to school today:

"Snake is Going to Lagoon," By Mary

"Once there was a snake.  It was its birthday today and it made its birthday hat."

"It's going to Lagoon!  It went on the Ladybug Bop."

"Then the snake went on the Ferris Wheel.  Then the snake went on the boat."

"Then the snake went on the Dragonfly swings.  Then the snake went on the Dragon roller coaster."

"Then the snake went home and had a birthday party."

Happy birthday, Tyson and Mary! 03.03.11

Mary and her cousin Tyson had a little birthday celebration together at the beginning of the month. Tyson turned four, and Mary will be six tomorrow. The kids had so much fun together.

 

  

 

 

My little buddy

Last week, the kids got cabin fever and begged to go outside and play.  I bundled them up and let them play on the swing set one afternoon while I watched them through the window and made dinner.  After a little while, Austin came through the back door and ran to me, tracking mud all over the floor.  He was holding a sand toy filled with mud, snow, and wood chips.

"Here you go, Mama!" he announced.  "It's your birthday!"

I replied, "Thank you, little buddy!"

He said, "You're berry welcome, little Mama!" and ran back out the door.  I laughed the whole time I scrubbed up the floor.  I love having a little boy.