Sad Day

Eloise, our sweet little kitten passed away this morning.  Eloise was super thin and we brought her in to the vet first thing yesterday because I was worried about her. She was in bad shape (and younger than we were told) I spent all day yesterday giving her droppers of water and giving her fingertips of meat baby food.  It was a houseful of tears this morning. 



Thankfully we already had a busy day planned and it helped to get everyone out of the house and busy.  

Watching a blacksmith at the Scottish Festival

Face Painting cheers anyone up

Bagpipes!

After the Scottish Festival we headed to the next town for their annual homeschool curriculum sale.  I had been putting money aside for a while and I'm glad I did!  So much great stuff!   We got there later then I meant, but it worked out great because people were starting to discount their books. 

Afterwards we went to the park for everyone to run around and play. 

Fiona making her mad face.

My beautiful butterfly - I mean Claire

Silly Fiona

It's Batman!

Best Big Sister

Best big sister ever.  Declan fell asleep on Claire today.  :)

New Kitten!

Meet ???? - okay we haven't officially decided her name yet. Our current finalists are Narnia, Eloise, Lucy, Emma or Sally. She is super friendly and the kids all adore her already.

These Kids Crack Me Up

Overheard today....

Claire (age 9): Chandler, let's go inside where it's shade.

Chandler (age 6): Yes! Shade is my queen.

Celebrating my Grandma!

 

 
It's the *cough* anniversary of my grandmother's 29th birthday. My grandma filled my childhood with tea parties, crafts, flowers, yard sales, dress up clothes, and sweets that were snuck behind my hippie mom's back. Essentially the perfect grandma. I am so blessed that my children get to have memories of their great-grandma in some of the same ways.

My sister was in town from out of state and we all came to celebrate this special lady.  Nothing better then family dinners!  

 

Homeschool Day at the Lake

We got to head to the lake with our homeschool co-op.  Everyone had so much fun!

Declan and I hung out under the tree while the big kids played in the water and sand.

Chandler

Fiona

Claire

Look at those unsocialized homeschoolers!

Fun in the sand!

After everybody started going home the five of us went for a little hike around the lake.  There is a nice clear trail with little creeks and waterfalls.  One of the kids favorite hikes!  

Ducks!

On part of the trail. 

I love these days with my children, I know they are going to flit by!

Claire is 9!

It's Claire's 9th Birthday!  How is that possible?  Wasn't she just born?  And already on her last year of single digits ....  She had her first friend party this year - a pool party!  She thought it was perfect.

 Opening her present from us first thing in the morning.

 Wearing her new shirt and coloring in her new book.

 Sushi!  Her favorite!

 Daddy with his girl

 Claire's Birthday Cake!

Ready for friends to arrive!

Chandler, Claire and Fiona

 Declan's 1st time in a pool!

 Fiona LOVES the water!

 Friends playing

 Blowing out candles

 Cake time!

 Fiona says, "Yum!"

 Happy Birthday Girl!

Opening some presents

One last dip in the pool before it's time to go!

Peace

It's a quiet evening at home and I wanted to record it. 

 Declan sitting on the floor and playing with anything in reach. 

 Claire looking at magazines on our window bench.

Daddy falling asleep on the couch while snuggling Fiona.  Chandler is curled up near his legs on the other side of the couch.

This is peace and calm and happiness. 

This is family.

10 months!

10 months old! 

Our Little Lady

We went to the park today and I was just struck by how beautiful Fiona is.  She is such a little lady and ball of spitfire all rolled into one.  She can keep up with her big siblings, but loves a cuddle.  She plays mama with her dolls and loves on her baby brother but loves playing with Chandler's cars.  She is turning into the most interesting little person.