This Little Piggy

Leah Margerum started a great company! Brian, the kids and myself love going to the Central Market. I love getting all the fresh veggies, fruits, breads and so much more. Well the other weekend I noticed a different stand, This Little Piggy which was started by Leah Margerum. She is committed to providing convenient, ready-to-serve infant and toddler foods with an emphasis on excellent nutrition and environmental sustainability.

Women making SJ favorite toy, the banana.

Not only does she have a great menu of baby and toddler food, but she has great resources and products. I bought a toy banana and grapes. I knew they were made of 100% organic cotton, which is important to me, but I also learned that they are made by Under the Nile. I know you've heard the saying It takes a village. Well it does take a village- 13 to be exact- that make Under the Nile's fruit and vegetable toy collection. Through teaching and education on making these toys, they supply villagers with daily fair trade work. This project is also responsible for providing health care and guidance for maintaining overall health. Under The Nile is empowering these communities to lead happier, healthier lives. Isn't that awesome to know that the sweet little toys that Sarah Jane LOVES are giving back?!

Zoo America

Today we went to the Zoo. We had a great time and it was a perfect day for the Zoo. The weather was sunny and cool. The kids did a GREAT job! Carter LOVED the bears. Hannah said "I do NOT like snakes because they are snakes."

I do have to admit that I was a little disappointed. I felt like a majority of the animals were things we can find in the yard... deer, elk, turkeys. I really wanted to find a monkey or an elephant maybe a giraffe.

Carter and Hannah check out the Elk.

"Turtle Momma, Turtle"

The 4 troopers.

Looking at the Bison.

FISH!

Happy Memorial Day

Fashion Diva

Hannah Grace loves to pick out her clothes and accessories . The other night we were hanging out with friends on the deck and out walks little Miss Hannah Grace. Hannah Grace now likes to primp in front of her little vanity. She fluffs her hair and sprays it (with H2O in a hairspray bottle). I love you my little starlet.

Sunshine

Thank you to the Hynum Family. We had so much fun at the Horse Farm. The kids always love to go see the horses and enjoy the out doors. We missed Brian as he was traveling this weekend, but we had a ton of fun enjoying the sunshine. As usual the kids had a blast in the golf cart. We packed a picnic lunch and stopped for ice cream on the way home. It was so much fun I can't wait to go raspberry picking.

Here is Hannah Grace on her approach. She loves to pretend she is riding a horse over the jumps.

Chris got out the hose and was spraying it up into the air. The kids thought this was so fun!

Carter and Sarah Jane taking a break.

Our Little Graduate

Today was a big day for little Miss Hannah Grace. She is now a graduate from the 3 year olds program. The program started with Miss Jenn sharing a quote from Hannah, "We are all the stars today." The program was much better than the Christmas program Hannah actually sang, danced and recited a Bible verse, I am wonderfully made Psalms 139:14.

Carter decided he needed a closer look at things. He watched most of the graduation through these manly binoculars.

Hannah Grace was so proud to get her very first diploma.

Hug from Miss Jenn.

One of Hannah's favorite graduation gifts was her purple pinwheel.

Afterwards we went out for a celebration lunch. We love you Hannah Grace and we are so proud of all that you accomplished this year. You are growing into such a lovely young lady.

Click HERE for more photos.

Little Ladies

I woke up this morning to a rainy, cold, and really very gloomy day. So while I was laying in bed the kids came running in and I decided that I would make it a special day for them. So I picked up Kacy and Jaelyn and we had a girl day. Carter just thought he was so cool hanging out with the ladies.

The girls played for a while in the playroom. They got out all the princess stuff and played really very well. The only problem I encountered was who got to play with Island Princess Barbie. So I set a timer and each girl had 2 minutes. It was like watching them play hot potato. One girl would watch the timer and the other 2 would watch the Barbie. Ding! They would pass her very quickly and say I am next after ____.
After playing we decided to have a very special tea party. I got down my tea cup collection and pressed the table linens. The girls were so excited. They had lemon tea (lemonade), finger sandwiches, macaroni, and little danishes for dessert. Carter loved being the butler. The girls would say excuse me butler Carter may I have some more tea please. He would say yes Ma'am and pour. He also got to answer the door.

They were such ladies and loved watching the Island Barbie movie. I just loved listening to the 3 girls sing every song. I guess maybe they have seen it before?

Thanks Kacy and Jaelyn for making this such a fun rainy day for Hannah Grace!

Dinner for 12

Tonight we had dinner with the Hilsher Family and it was a blast. We made enough food to feed an army. I think they will have to come over again tomorrow night just to help eat all this food. I just love watching all the kids run around together. Peyton riding the cozy coupe down the hill still makes me chuckle. Joyce I always love our chats.

Joyce made a dirt dessert for the kiddos and they all thought it was GREAT!

Carter couldn't eat enough he had some on the fork and some in his hand. I will let you all know that I had to bath the kids tonight!

Carter was so sweet when the Hilsher van was loading he stood at the door waiting to get in. As they started to drive away he started to cry "go, go, I go. No no bye" He just loves playing with the boys.

Hannah Grace has decided that she is in love with Isaac. I guess he is quite the man with multiple girlfriends. Hannah decided that she would like to invite Isaac to her birthday party because he would get her the most special present. (I hope it's not a football. wink wink.) I love that she sat at her vanity fluffing her hair and putting on all her "jewlies".

Flower Clutch

I just found these wooden clutch toys for Sarah Jane. I am so excited because the only toy she really loves is the wooden brio toy that has a bell inside that was mine as a baby. I recently left the toy over at Jen's house and now I have decided that I need to have a back up toy. I also need to get her another Little Giraffe blanky. I just love how soft they are and I love the polka-dot satin.

Happy Mother's Day

I had a wonderful Mother's Day. Brian made me breakfast and the kids showered me with cards and gifts. Hannah asked if I could give the card back to her because she really liked the crown on the front of the card she picked out for me.

After just a perfect morning we went to church for the baby dedication. Sarah Jane did a great job up on stage.

There is an old German saying that all good things come in threes. So it is no surprise that Sarah Jane is the third child. With the constant tutelage of her older siblings, she blissfully navigates the challenges of babyhood. Or is that blissful expression just an overwhelmed blank stare at the constant chaos? Whatever- she knows how to go with the flow wherever she goes.

The King is enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your Lord.
Psalms 45:11

Afterwards the kids took me to lunch and planned a big dinner to cook for me. I know there is steak and shrimp involved. I can't wait! Thank you for spoiling me today.

Thanks

Thank you Hostetter Family for a great night. The food was great. Jena I had so much fun on our road trip without kids. I think we really need to start to plan more kidless activities (trip to Philly/ Baltimore or even just the spa) before the men leave on this extreme camping trip. We need to take all we can get.

Anyway we are grateful for your friendship. Sunday we be a fun day and I am so glad that Avalyn and Sarah Jane will get to share the special day.

Congrats Hannah Grace

Last night Hannah Grace went to the Awana awards ceremony. Hannah got a certificate and a bear for completing her first book, which entailed 25 weeks of memorizing Bible verses. I am so proud of her. I even got to go up and accept an award for being a good coach/parent.

I just love that Hannah had to take her purse up to do the pledge and song.

Kallee, Kacy, & Jaelyn
Kallee was swinging her pig tails for part of the ceremony. The girls are so cute. I just love watching the different personalities emerge.

Hannah & Jaelyn
Afterwards we all got to enjoy Rita's Ice. Yum