The Tree

When we moved in to our house, there was a humongous tree in our backyard.  As of last week, that tree is no more.  I was a bit sad to see it go, since it was a very old tree and one of the biggest in the area.  But the trunk had been damaged several years ago, the over-arching limbs were too close to the house, and now we get more morning sun shinning through (when it does!) during breakfast (not to mention that gone are the days of disgusting bird droppings all over the yard).  

The kids and I were mesmerized with the tree surgeons.  We spent most of our day watching the men from the windows, going from the upstairs to the downstairs and back again, trying to keep the best view.  

It took one day to bring the tree down and another to haul everything away.  Rooke took advantage of the workers taking a break and played in the sawdust as if it were fallen leaves!  The trunk is hidden in the shadow below.

Siblings

It started with Bridgette just laying on a blanket. 

Then Big Brother wanted to join her.  I will cherish this photo.

And sweet Gretchen didn't want to be left out . . . thus the Sibling photo shoot commenced:

Sip-N-See

My sweet friend, Courtney, offered to host a sip-n-see for Bridgette and I.  It was a lovely time of getting to show off our little girl and hang out with some great women.

Getting ready to make her appearance.

Courtney is a fantastic host.  She pulled out all the stops for our morning in her home.  You can be sure you'll be seeing some of the deliciousness that was served on my food blog!

I love living close enough to my mom that she can drive up for this sort of thing.  It was so special to have her there, celebrating Bridgette, helping with the big kids, and getting to meet some of my friends.  

I didn't get many pictures of all the ladies that came (I was too busy enjoying conversation!), but this is a shot of the women from our home group at church (including Courtney, the host, on the far right).  I am so grateful for the support I've received from these friends.  

Bridgette and her little friend, Hunter, who is five days older than her.

I know.  The Hair!  :)

Looking cute at a party all morning is hard work.

The Kids

Rooke wanted Gretchen to play with him in the living room . . .

"Are you finished with your snack yet?"

"Now are you finished?"

"NOW are you done?!"

I love the expression on Rooke's face.  

Gretchen's really into holding her baby sister.  

One Month

How is she already one month old????  I feel like I've known her forever and can't imagine our family without her.  She eats.  She sleeps.  She cries.  She cuddles.  

We love our little Bridgette.

At Home

Bridgette's birth came just before two weeks of spring break.  Without needing to get Rooke to preschool, and with the desire to slow down dramatically to give myself room for the 2-to-3 transition, we have been spending a lot more time at home.  It's been nice.  Here is some of what we've been doing . . . 

We read, and read, and read . . . one of my first outings with all three kids was to the library.

A thoughtful friend from church offered to come over one morning to hang out and help.  She brought some chocolate-making mold things, so she was an instant hit with the kids!

Read time on the top bunk - a special treat for Gretchen

We made oobleck!  Definitely something we'll do again.

Someone wasn't a fan of getting her hands messy at first.  

Bridgette tried out her play mat for the first time.

We made cheerio necklaces (thanks for the idea, Jess!)

Easter . . .

After dying eggs, the kids wanted to eat them!  Rooke was so curious to find out if the inside of his eggs were going to be colored also.  

These are the special few we saved after we stopped collecting and gave some away.  Fun, yes.  But completely impractical.  Maybe if we dyed eggs every week I could justify keeping the collection.

Little Bridgette took part in her own way.

Our neighborhood got together for a potluck lunch and egg hunt.  Rooke wasn't feeling well and opted to take a nap (a true sign that he was really sick!), but Gretchen got in on the fun and scored some good treats that she shared with her brother when he was feeling better.

We made "Easter cookies" on Saturday night and "sealed" the oven to wait until the next morning to open them.

The cookies were pretty much a total fail, but it was still a good way to talk about the Easter story again and the kids didn't mind eating their cookie with a spoon!

After church, we headed down to my parents' for the rest of the day.

It was raining, so we hid some eggs in the living room

We also celebrated KayeK's birthday, which was on the 9th!  Rooke was totally into being a part of her opening cards and presents.