Pippi Mania

Madelyn is totally, utterly, and completely IN LOVE with Pippi Longstocking. It started with the movie and has evolved into a full-blown OBSESSION with all things Pippi. She constantly quotes the movie and asks to watch it at least 20 times every day. Whenever we pass a Wendy's, she starts clapping and screaming because all she sees is a red-haired girl with braids that stick out ...so it must be Pippi, right? The only way I can get her to not fight me when it's time to do her hair is to tell her that I'm doing it like Pippi's. I then proceed to style it in some similar fashion. As long as she can feel her hair bunched together on each side, she is satisfied. I keep thinking this infatuation will blow over, but it's been three months now and she sure isn't slowing down! Thank goodness Lauren Child (LOVE her!) is coming out with a newly illustrated Pippi book in October. That DVD (and this family!) may finally get a short vacation!

Mmmm... Bargains

As I was out running some errands today, I noticed some cute things on the sidewalk outside of Pier 1. I decided to stop and check it out- which I rarely do since I usually have the girls with me and Pier 1 is one of those stores that is not very kid-friendly. The people who work at our local store are so kind, but there is just so much within the kids' reach that is ultra-breakable. Each venture inside is like an elite military operation. Thankfully, the risk turned out to be well worth it as Pier 1 was having a massive sale on their entire kids line. Everything was at least 50% off, but almost everything was 75%. SO great! I scored a paper lantern for $3 and the hanging kit for $2.50. I got lamps for the girls' beds for around $6 each. Wooden footstools were $10- I paid a fortune for the same one at Pottery Barn! I also got a HUGE shelf with pegs in it for $17 and boards with big silver clips on them to hang artwork that cost $6 or something. They had some great wooden pretend food, which I already own, but thought I would mention because it's so stinking cute and super cheap. They also had a great children's table for around $20. There were different colored chairs to go with it that cost about the same and came in sets of two. I could go on and on. I really like Pier 1's children's line and I especially like their children's line ON SALE. Just had to pass it on. Happy shopping! :)

The Gobbles

Ryen hates to get anything above her shoulders wet. That strong little preference has made bath times a disaster around here for the past four years- let me tell you! I decided to get creative and so I bought her swimming goggles, hoping they would help her get used to putting her face in the water. Success! She loves them! She calls them her "gobbles" and wears them everywhere. And when I say everywhere, I mean EVERYWHERE. Let me just say, we have gotten some VERY strange looks at the grocery store. Man, does she look silly! I know that most people would never allow their child to wear goggles in public, but she loves them so much and feels so confident about them. Since she is so young and her freedom with things like this isn't hurting anyone, I feel it's important to support her. It's a beautiful thing to watch Ryen's sense of self and her confidence soar as a direct result. Maybe I should get myself some gobbles.

Invisible Rozlyn

This isn't the first time Ryen has had an imaginary friend. A while ago, she partnered up with a sweet little invisible pal she lovingly named Lucy. This time, it is Rozlyn. Of course, Roz isn't actually imaginary at all- she is Ryen's cousin. Ry had so much fun with her at our family reunion that it's no wonder she wanted to prolong their adventures. What a creative way to do it! Whenever we go anywhere in the car, she refuses to let me leave the driveway until invisible Roz is safely buckled up in the middle seat. She sometimes fights with Madelyn, who seems to LOVE getting Ryen riled up over swatting at an invisible person. No matter how much Ryen insists, it's hard to justify giving Maddie a time-out for injuring an imaginary cousin. My counsel to Ryen is always relayed to invisible Roz in whispers and, inevitably, answered the same way. Yesterday, we went to visit a friend of mine and ended up taking her two children out for pizza and ice cream. When Ryen realized her actual friend was going to have to sit where her pretend cousin was, she promptly picked up invisible Roz and chucked her out the window. (I got a pretty good laugh over watching that one!) When we dropped the kids off at their home again and headed back to ours, Ryen realized she forgot to escort Rozlyn back into the car and was devastated that she had been left behind. I had to think fast so I told her I helped Roz back into the car while Ryen was saying her good-bye's. Her response? "I hope you put her seatbelt on."

My World

100% Ryen

Ryen, Ryen, Ryen. If she were any more "Ryen" I think she would explode. She is such a special and unique little lady- full of kindness and pizazz. I love her for the hysterical things that zip out of her mouth. Her magnificent triumphs and disasters endear her to my heart. She fills my life with color and laughter and love. What a precious gift she is to me and to the world. I love my silly little princess.

Sweet Maddie

I love these pictures of Madelyn. I love the way they capture her sweet and silly little personality. She is growing up so fast! What a joy it is to be on the receiving end of one of her gigantic hugs and kisses. Oh, how I cherish my sweet Madelyn.

Happy Birthday Uncle Drew

Hey, if it were my birthday, I'd celebrate it by frolicking in a meadow too. :)
Giant luvs, my boy.

Uncle Sterling

On our way to MI, we got to drop in on Sonny's brother, Sterling, who is serving his mission in West Virginia. We're so proud of him and the amazing things he is doing. The girls LOVE their Uncle Ster!

Cousins

It was so neat to see my children interacting with their cousins. They get to see each other so rarely, but I hope the seeds that they are planting now will grow into beautiful friendships.

There & Back

My name is Megan and I am a pictureholic.

I never thought I would say this, but it's true. I have too many pictures. WAY too many pictures. I keep getting the urge to blog something about our recent trip to Michigan, but each time I look at the hundreds (and hundreds!) of pictures clogging up my computer, I just feel too overwhelmed. There are too many!!! My children and nieces and nephews are too cute!!! We had too much fun!!! Michigan is too beautiful!!! I'm just going to have to post them all online in one humongous beast of an album. In the meantime, here's a sneak peek...

Sand Dunes & Maple Trees

We are still in Michigan. Just didn't want anyone thinking we were abducted or something. We'll be home this weekend so gear up for some serious posts and pictures. Smooches from the great lake state!