Bush Whackers

Our new house has some interesting landscaping.  I believe it's called "low maintenance" landscaping.  Here's a nice picture of part of the backyard.

 Lovely, isn't it?  So, the good news is that as soon as we get these spiney mushroom bushes out, we have a blank canvas to work with.  So, sometimes I send Aidan down to "whack a bush."  He does a pretty bang up job at it.

 And sometimes everybody gets in on the action.

Now, ideas for a wonderful, functional, fun backyard anyone?

Moving Right Along

Moving with a 6 week old baby is an adventure.  Even if your baby is as sweet and relaxed as our Heidi is, I do not recommend it under any circumstances.  It was insane!  Gordon and I were often commenting on how only one of us could be productive at a time so that when our girl was awake she got the attention she needed.

Here are a couple of pictures from the moving days. . .

 Here is Heidi in her favorite spot.  Sometimes when she's in her favorite spot she likes to barf a little bit on dad's shirt.  She usually saves it up all day and doesn't get mom (she rarely spits!), and then gets dad right as he comes in for a snuggle.  It's a special talent she has. . .  Gordon just loves it!

Ready, Aim, Fire!

Grandma Came!

About a week before the move, Grandma Ann came to town!  She discovered that Heidi loves to lay on her tummy on our laps, and Heidi spent many a playtime and naptime that way with Grandma.  We miss you Grandma!  Thanks for coming to stay with us!

Dead computer!

I regret to say our computer has all but bit the dust. Until we are back up and running I'll be posting from my IPod.

Here's a little Heidi to hold you over!

Rumor has it. . .

We're home!  This is where I live now.  It feels like home already.  We've been so busy getting ready and then moving, I haven't had a moment to post.  I will get back to that next week. . .

So Gordon met the next door neighbor this evening.  After meeting Aidan, she said, "Oh, I thought I had heard that your wife was pregnant."  And Gordon explained that I WAS pregnant and we now have an 8 week old baby.  "Oh!  So it was true!  How funny, I also heard a rumor that you had a 3 year old.  Rumors fly around!"  So Gordon explained that it was also true, we have an Emilee.  "So, the rumors about the 10 year old as well?"  Yep, also true.  Jaw dropping. . .  We've got a 5 year old to round that out as well!

Sometimes it's so funny to watch people's reactions when they realize that people have this many children these days (and seemingly on purpose - gasp!).  And when I'm out by myself and people ask me if Heidi is my first baby.  It's such a fun moment when I get to say, "Nope!  My 5th!"

Ah, the simple pleasures in life. . . 

See you next week with all the updates!

Ethan and Adelle

No, Ethan does not have a new girlfriend named Adelle.  In fact, he has objections to this song because it is "lovey dovey."  But, I had to share.

Ethan's new piano teacher has taught him so much in the past couple of months.  He is big on theory, and not only playing the notes on the page and memorizing, but learning chords, playing by ear, technique, etc.  He has pushed Ethan quite hard and Ethan has responded well.  Here is a little video I took of his practice this morning.  This is a song from Adelle's album that his teacher challenged him to transcribe and create a "lead sheet" for.  This goes way beyond my skills.  I didn't know what a "lead sheet" was until now.  He struggled at first, but the past week or so he's taken off with this and really enjoyed the process.  Enjoy. . .

Hangin' with Heidi

Sometimes in the evenings after the big kids have gone to bed, Gordon and I get to spend just a few minutes with our Heidi girl all by herself.  It feels a little reminiscent of 10 years ago when we had just one little person.  She continues to be the sweetest little baby around.  We love her!