Selling Birthdays

Now that Bitty Baby is the popular toy in the house Carter is always wanting to play with it too. Hannah is doing a great job of sharing, but she keeping telling Carter, "When you sell your birthday you can have a bitty too." or "You have to sell your birthday Carter." It took me a little while to figure out, but here is the translation, 'Carter, you can get a Bitty Baby when we celebrate your birthday.' I love how her little mind works even if the words are a little off.

Bitty Love

I have to say that Hannah is in love with her Bitty. I think we have to change her clothes 10 times in the day. Someone always has to hold her. Hannah was so cute when she said, "Carter can you please feed Bitty her milk so I can go pay some bills on the computer?"
Although my favorite part of having Bitty around she that Hannah is always making everyone whisper so they don't wake the baby. It is so wonderful since she is the loud mouth of the bunch. Anyway welcome to the family Bitty.

The Pink Box

This morning we decided to start celebrating Hannah's Birthday! We have a super busy week and I knew she would want to spend a little extra time with her gift before school and Awana started.

Carter was very willing to help Hannah.

It's BITTY!

And yes I did find the 'pink box'. For those of you who don't know the story the day I went to order Hannah the doll and starter chest they were sold out and discontinued. This is the one thing that Hannah talks about nonstop so I knew I had to find one. I tried the store in New York and no luck. So finally I gave in and bought the thing on eBay. I paid way more then I should have, but she got her pink box and she was tickled.

I am going to be 4!

Red. Yellow. Blue.

So the other day I had to run over to Staples. While I was there all the school supplies are front and center so Hannah and Carter was EVERYTHING! So we decided we would try out some paints.

The kids love painting! We have actually done it almost everyday since we went to Staples. I actually really love that the kids will paint while I am cooking dinner. The sit and paint and talk to me while I paint. Hannah loves to paint polka dots. Cater likes to use different brush techniques.

I will have to post some of the art work soon!! Right now I am finding cute frames and decorating their room. They love it!

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Church @ Home

I know we have been missing in action. We have had three sick kiddos. Hannah and Sarah Jane have had temperatures of 103 and ear infections. Carter has an ear infection. All three kiddos have this horrible cold. So we have been laying low.

Anyway last Sunday we weren't able to go to church with all the sick kids so we had church at home. We prayed, sang and did a Bible lesson. We did the story of Dorcas, which is in Acts 9:36-42. Here was the emphasize of our lesson: Dorcas was known for doing good, helping the poor, and making clothes for other people. She demonstrated love by serving and helping others. So after the lesson we made clothes, which basically was just cutting some holes in old pillow cases and drawing designs on the clothes that reminded us of the story. After we talked about everything the kids went down to the toy room and picked out toys they wanted to give to the poor children. We stressed that we don't give away the things we don't want. We give way the things that we love. So they each picked out toys and we took them to goodwill.

So their were some funny parts too:

1. when I started reading the lesson Hannah starts to giggle and says "Dorcas is a really silly name." To which Brian replies "yes. It is a silly name." So now I am feeling like we are supposed to be honoring the Lord not laughing at Bible names so at an attempt to "fix" this situation I talked about how God gave us each different and special names. I am giving Brian the look so of course he chimes in and tries to help. All right truth be told... I really wanted to laugh.

2. After everything was over I asked Hannah what she had learned in our lesson today. Hannah replied, "I learned that Dorcas was a nice lady that helped naked people by making them purple clothes."

Hiking Hannah

Colletti Fun

We were so excited that Jen, Hudson, and Andrew drove out to hang out with us. Hannah has actually been counting down the days on her calendar until Hudson arrived.

We had lots of fun. We went downtown to meet Brian for lunch and take a quick tour of the capital. Above you can see our very official guide Carter.

We went to the ETown fair of course.

This was actually the highlight of Jen's trip. wink.

Hudson and Andrew loved Chocolate World. Andrew kept saying hello to everyone/cow.

Jen and I also had a girls night out. We just had so much fun!! I hope they will return soon!!

Lake Tobias

Last week we went out to Lake Tobias and had a BLAST. I could not believe how close the animals were.

Carter was just amazed to see the animals. I thought he might be shy, but he loved looking at the animals. Now, in the petting zoo it was a different story when the goats would charge at Carter he would throw his crackers up in the air and run for shelter, which was usually up Momma's leg.

It was a big group which made it so fun. Joelle and Lauren were also along for the ride, but they missed this photo. I guess someone had to take a photo. Thank you Joelle.

Carter and Hannah loved the Safari. Carter didn't want to feed them but he would throw the crackers at the heads of the animals. I could NOT believe the things we got to see. Now my kids are going to hate the Zoo because they can't pet any of the animals.

Momma and Carter

At the end of this long day the kids were ready for a good rest. Although Hannah had a sleepover that night with Catlin and Lindsay. Thanks for taking us out there Tiffany we had a great time.

You will not believe these PHOTOS just click here.

Splish Splash

We had a blast at the end of the summer MOPS pool party. Thank you to the Rutt Family for opening your home to us. It was a blast!!

Prince Charming

We had a blast the other night! Brian and I took the kids out for dinner. They did a great job so they got to bring home some 'pink cake'. It was a strawberry pound cake with an extra kick of something. The kids were so happy and silly that it was contagious. It started with Hannah dancing with her Prince Charming (a.k.a. Carter). Then they moved to multiple games of Simon Says. It ended with them crawling with Sarah Jane. We were all laughing so hard I could hardly hold the camera still.

Pink Cake

Dancing with Prince Charming

Playing the Sarah Jane Game.

For even MORE PHOTOS click here.

Radio Flyer Fun

We had a fun play date with Owen. It was our very first play date in underpants. Way to go Carter!

Carter and Owen took a ride.

Hannah followed with her baby Avalyn.

The Box

So I was doing the laundry when I heard Sarah Jane cracking up. This is what I found.

How did she get in the box? Hannah responds so sweetly, "Well Momma she crawled in and I pushed the box up so she couldn't get out."
Did I mention the other day I walked in the room and Hannah was holding SJ's legs. "What are you doing Hannah?" I asked sharply. To which Hannah so innocently replies, "I am just trying to control her Momma."

Now Carter decides to join in with the fun.

He thought he was super cool chilling in the box.

Hannah discovered even another use for the box. I just love to watch and listen to the kids use their imagination. It is amazing the stories they create with their daily play.

P.S. I was planning on putting the box in the trash, but the kiddos pulled it out. I am so glad they did it kept them busy for most of the day.

Sticks and Stones

We had a wonderful family day on the hiking trail. The kids did a lot of walking and Dad even found them sticks. Brian was trying to teach them how to use the 'walking sticks'. Below is Carter trying to put the stick in front of him and then walk to the stick. Doesn't that look like what he is doing? Most of the time they just pulled the sticks behind them which was really fun because on our trip back we got to follow the stick trail. We even left drawings to find on our walk back. Hannah thought it was really awesome.

walking with Dad

Kiddos

Carter waved to every passing bicycle.

Overall we had a great time. Hannah did take a fall and get some 'blood'. I love how Hannah describes it, "Look, I got blood. That is an ouch, Carter"

Later that night Brian took Hannah and Carter over to the Hilsher Camp Grounds. Hannah walked in the door and yelled, "Momma we had a BLAST!" I just love to watch them grow.