Samantha

Oh, our dear bossy eldest daughter :) 29 lbs of intense, emotional feelings! Our sweet Sammi is very careful and gentle with Jessie, loving to follow the older girls, and nurture the younger ones. She loves her 'teachers', loves to do things right, and loves things clean. She's figured out how to get Emma in trouble, and observes and analyzes new situations before jumping in. She's a little slower to speak, but more deliberate with her word choices. Always the first one to grab Emma by the neck and take her down. We love our stubborn, serious, sensitive Sammi.

Overheard from Sammi this week:

• When I get bigger, my nose will get bigger, and fit glasses!
• Emma, you sit here, right now.... right NOW Emma, or you will get a spanking!
• 'My do it'
• Nice van! (yes, that would be ours)
• Oh, Jessie... go to sleep, little one! You need to grow bigger...
• Emma.... stay there... I'm tackle you! Stay THERE... Don't run, Emma...

Emma

Overheard from Emma just this week:

• "Sammi. You need to share right now. If you don't share, mommy will take it away! Give it to me right now!"


• "Mom, I want a babysitter" . "Oh yeah? Who do you want to babysit?" "Emily." Sorry, hun, you're stuck with us today.
  
• "My turn to be the hippo!"


• "Uh, oh, Sammi's in trouble now!"


• "I don't need sleep. Only Sammi needs sleep."


• "Sammi, cough into your elbow!"

Emma is a joy and a delight, weighing in at 28 lbs and 32 months of pure imp. She is a fearless climber, from the heights of her playground to her dresser. She loves to read, is quick to giggle, talks a ton, is first infront of the camera and initiates daily 'tackle' sessions. She's her own pied piper, not needing to hang out with the crowd, but okay with doing her own thing. She loves Sammi and Jessie to bits, and always makes sure things are fair. I love her independent, feisty spirit, contagious giggle and loving little hands!

Rain

And it's another day of this...

Joy and perseverence

These precious years. They are precious, and yet at times they can also be grueling. There are challenges amidst the joy of the toddler tempests. We've been gone three out of four weeks in May, and three out of three kids are teething, so tempers are short, tears close to the surface, transitions to toddler beds, and lets throw in VBS week while we're at it :) And yet, when I look at this picture, I am so thankful. Thankful that God has given Sammi, Emma and Jessie to me for this time, for this season, for my sanctification, for me to cuddle, discipline, train and love. And while there are days when I'm counting down the minutes until 'Daddy' is home, I wouldn't trade it for the world.
One of the joys -
me: so, what did you learn at VBS last night?
Emma: hold rope
me: yes, you got to hold the rope when you walked to your classroom. Anything else?
Sammi: colour
Me: Yup, you coloured too. What story did the man tell you?
Emma: Don't eat fruit!

Ahh, yes.... the story of Adam and Eve. Just a good reminder to me that what I'm saying is not necessarily what they are hearing :)

Prayers

Okay, Sammi and Emma... it's time to pray. Would you like to pray?
Emma: "Lord bless this food, and thank you for strawberries mumble mumble and parks with ducks mumble mumble and clouds mumble mumble"
Sammi:" and clouds with airplanes in them!"
Emma: "AMEN!!!"
Amen, dear girls, Amen. All wonderful things given to us by a generous Father. Thank you for reminding me.

What's a girl to do?

We got home from Ontario Saturday evening, and found out that the tub still wasn't usable. The girls, however, desperately needed it. So... in Emma goes. Sammi "me too?" Emma "yes, Sammi! Come! Please!" So despite the knees up to their chins, they rather enjoyed this adventure. And smelled much better because of it!

The easiest way to fresh

Yesterday I picked up this

which actually contained these

which will produce this

and when mixed with these

will produce all sorts of wonderful things.

On the other hand, maybe this

is easier :)