The 4th!

We went to the Riverdale parade with Jeff's family, like we have every year we've been here. Then we went to his house for a little BBQ. 

strategizing

BBQ at Aunt Jeannie's the next day

stadium of Chan

I look at these cute pictures and it looks like a great time. But I think back on this day and can only remember feeling so frustrated. I ended the day by laying alone on the trampoline, watching fireworks and crying because I don't know what to do with Lila. She has had, and continues to have, a really hard time with deployments. Other people say that she is delightful and well behaved for them. But the moment I show up she is defiant. She starts to scream and tantrum and refuses to obey. I have exhausted all my ideas. It doesn't matter how firm or strict or consistent, or how patient, kind and loving I am. She seems to have serious beef with me. I guess I've come to accept that there won't be any magical solution to this situation. We're just doing our best to survive the day in the happiest way we can. I have always loved this holiday but it has come to mean something different to me as we have spent three of the last four alone due to military separations. It certainly makes it less enjoyable, but it has given me the chance to reflect deeply on these days on the price of freedom. When I am feeling so frazzled and frustrated it has been humbling to think of all the families who have paid the ultimate price for our liberties, and I feel a deeper gratitude.

ordinary moments from the backyard

 It's fun to watch kids in their element. It's beautiful to see those sibling relationships develop. It's gratifying to watch them do new things. Since these are the things Braden misses, these are for him.

Anabelle told me today that this game doesn't end

As of late, the girls have become a little consumed by an activity they have come to call "potions". What happens is, they draw really hard with sidewalk chalk, thus creating a dust. Someone then comes and sweeps the dust up into a seashell stolen from my personal collection. At this point, they turn on the water faucet that they can't turn off. They mix the water with the dust, creating a sort of paste. They then paint each others faces and hair with it. the mix several colors in different seashells using Popsicle sticks. The leader of the potion mixing (who of course is always always always always Anabelle), then instructs them on what colors she needs right then to make the perfect potion. Each potion is created with a purpose- I usually hear fainting potion being manufactured, but they do concoct others on occasion. They use and break all my shells, leave the front faucet on all night, cover their clothes and entire house (inside & out) in chalk, and have clumps of it their hair and eyebrows. It's a hot mess. I sort of love it. As they wake up in the morning, they hit the front porch and start working. My house could not look any tackier. But my kids are happy and that makes me happy. And I don't even want to have to mow around that stupid 'Yard of the Month' sign anyway. Because I'll probably mow the grass soon. Soonish. Sooner or later. Or later. Maybe I'll just wait for it to snow.  

Maisey raises her hand to ask a question to the potion boss. Surprise! Anabelle's in charge!

sixteen months stuff

Elise has become so funny in the last few days. Her interactions are becoming less like that of a baby and more like a communicating tiny human. Which is both a wee bit sad, and also highly entertaining and very enjoyable. Today she came in from the back yard and walked into the kitchen. I told her to go back and close the door. She turned around, walked back through the living room, closed the door, and then returned to the kitchen. Where I then rewarded her with chocolate cake. Just kidding. I was eating Maisey's leftover birthday cake for lunch (just the mousse filling out of the middle for protein), but I didn't give her any. I did clap for her though. She lays down when I tell her to so I can change her diaper. She even puts her legs up. She grabs her diaper to let me know it needs to be changed. She says"all done" when she wants to get down from her high chair. She says and signs "more" when eating. If I ask her a question and her answer is yes she nods yes with the goofiest smile. It's my absolute favorite. I ask her if she wants a snack 6 times a day just to see her nod wildly. I'm sure I won't regret that habit later. She kisses on demand, making the appropriate noise before ever making slimy snotty contact with you. She sings all day long. She loves to go outside. She loves frozen Go-gurts. If she spots a bird or a dog she squeals and chases it, and can say their name. She loves planes, and has seen a few of them in her day, but can't say that word yet. She says "Dad" when she hears the skype ring on my phone. She can fold her arms for prayer and puts her hand on her heart when she hears the national anthem. She loves for sisters to stand at her highchair so she can feed them. They like it too. When I get her from her bed she hands me her paci because she knows she only gets it for sleep. 

I sure like her. I'm so glad we're besties. 

doing the thing that the Reynolds do

...you know the thing. The thing where there is rumored to be one sibling joining another sibling for any given occasion or any given amount of time. And then the other siblings drop everything and gather to the said location as soon as possible so that they don't risk missing even one minute of fun or togetherness. It's a real thing. It is a powerful driving force in our lives. Sometimes it's a little crazy. Mostly, I love it. I only hope our kids will be as obsessed with love each other like they do. This was in January at MaShay's house. I know, that was a while ago. But it happened and it was good so let's go ahead and give it the blog post it deserves.