A few moments of peace

Times like these make this mom's heart happy. All three kids busily engaged in play AND not fighting! Yesterday the girls had Joel playing dolls (they had baby dolls and he had a panda bear), and today he had them playing trains.

We love the wooden train tracks and wooden Thomas trains, by the way. Joel's got a decent-sized collection now between garage sale finds and gifts. It's provided hours of entertainment. I love that it's so durable. Little sister can step on the track, and it doesn't break, which also means it'll still be around for little brother (still yet to be named) when he's old enough to play.

Park and Picnic

We met some friends at a nearby park one day this week and enjoyed the nice spring weather for a couple hours. The kids had a great time running around playing while Christine and I got to chat (such a treat!). It's nice not having to worry about the kids quite so much at places like this. Aubrey still hovers on the edge of danger sometimes, but Joel and Kari are pretty independent at the park now. I don't think Kari and Ellie ever stopped moving (they're old pros now that they're in kindergarten you know), and Joel surprised me with his improved playground skills. He didn't need assistance very often. Kari taught him how to pump his legs on the swings, so now he doesn't need my help with that either. He even made friends with a big kid who gave him some climbing pointers.

Spring break

Greg's having to work some long hours this week, but the kids and I are enjoying Kari's time off of school. We've had some lazier mornings, some later nights, and done some fun things. Last weekend we worked in the garden (still weed-free!) and the kids helped me plant peas, carrots, and onions in the ground and pumpkins, cucumbers, and different onions in smaller containers to start inside. Kari is especially into gardening and spaced the seeds EXACTLY the way I instructed her. Joel got the job done quickly without quite as much interest, and thanks to exuberant gardener Aubrey, our carrots are going to be all over the place and not in neat, tidy rows.

We don't see many messy photos like this of Aubrey anymore because, for one, she's older, but also because she just doesn't eat much these days. I had to document the fact that two nights ago she actually ate her tostada dinner and LIKED it (see it all over her face?)! I left the shredded chhese a little too close to her spot and realized it too late, but I was so happy she was eating, I didn't mind cleaning up the big mess when she was done.
The kids have spent quite a bit of time playing outside in the sandbox and on the swings in the backyard, but today it's windy and wet, so they're doing inside things. Aubrey wasn't supposed to be in this one, but just as I was pushing the button, she stuck her head in. :) Funny girl. Can you tell she's feeling better?

He's here!

After a couple days of waiting for news, last night I was able to go meet our newest nephew, Russell. I had the privilege of holding the sweet little 7 lb 14oz bundle when he was just a few hours old. So glad he's finally here and that he's healthy. The kids are so excited meet their first Arnold cousin. Kari's ready to change diapers. :) Congratulations, Brian and Emily!

Poor Aubrey

After 12 days of a cold, some semi-sleepless nights, and an on again/off again fever, I finally took her in to the dr today and found out she has a double ear infection! She actually slept last night and hasn't complained about her ears hurting, but she also just hasn't been quite herself. Poor baby, if you were more cranky we would have taken you in sooner!

But now we have meds. Now she will finally get completely better. Now we'll finally go back to getting some sleep! Aubrey, your squeaky, hoarse little sick voice sure is cute, but I'm glad you'll have a normal, well voice again soon.

Play time

These two continue to be pretty good buddies. Aubrey is finally getting better (and we're finally getting some sleep) after being sick with a cold and intermittent fever all weekend. She and Joel had a good time making a house out of my kitchen this morning. Joel is training her well. He made her go get all the blocks from the other side of the room while he built the wall. She did it one at a time because, of course, she had to keep "Bunny" in her other hand.





Story time in their "house." Joel has memorized some of Kari's Biscuit books and likes to read them to Aubrey. Shortly after this they made their house into a home, and my kitchen had blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, books, and play food organized within.

It's a...

BOY!
Both Kari and Joel wanted us all to be "even," so they're happy our family will be balanced. Greg and I are happy about that, too, (we were both prepared for it to be a girl), but we're even more thankful that the baby appears to be healthy and growing nicely. Now for a name...

*I just started up a separate Baby Moffat #4 blog so there won't be any discussion of effacement, dilation, or appointment updates on our family blog. I get squeamish about those things sometimes (I don't like medical stuff), so I'll spare those of you who don't like it either.

From the weekend

Getting ready to sing "Happy Birthday" to Greg and enjoy his requested dessert, my great-grandma's German chocolate cheesecake. Very nice choice. Greg and I were able to go out to dinner while my parents watched the kids, which was great. We also were able to go out with Greg's parents after church today. Ironically enough, Greg chose the same restaurant Eric chose when they went out with them the day before. Weird twin thing!
Greg did a bunch of yard work this weekend (what a way to celebrate your birthday, huh?). He even weeded and rotatilled my garden!
We may have to refer to it as Greg's garden this year. Gardening and pregnancy are not very compatible for me, I've found. I tried to help and do some weeding last week and really paid for it that night and the next day. Our strategy is to start out well, work hard at keeping the weeds at bay early on, and then not have to do as much later. We'll see how it all turns out!

Today was Bible Bucks Store day in Sunday school. Joel and Kari have been saving their Bible Bucks (incentive program for memorizing verses and such) for the last two months in order to be able to purchase the items pictured here. They were pretty excited!

Joel and his sword and armor and
Kari with her new bag/purse

Update with no photos

We've been doing stuff this week, and I've wanted to blog, but I haven't taken any pictures, so I'll have to just do it with no photos.

Sunday I returned from a wonderful, relaxing weekend away with ladies from church. We heard the life stories of four women from church, and each one was so powerful. It was so encouraging to hear how God has been and is still working in each of their lives. We stayed at a hotel in the gorge (beautiful!), did some shopping, did NO cooking or cleaning, and had time for uninterrupted conversation, something that I find myself yearning for sometimes as a mom of young children. I came home to my family on Sunday feeling refreshed. I did, however, manage to get sick and am now battling a sinus infection. I have decided it was worth it, though. :)

Oh, and Greg and the kids did just fine without me. I think they had too much fun one night. Here's the video to prove it: http://vimeo.com/9810740

I registered Joel for preschool this week. At first he was excited when he heard it's going to be his turn to go to school, but then later he told me, "Maybe I don't want to go to preschool." Today he's back to wanting to go. We've got some time.

Kari didn't have school today, so this morning I took the kids to the Portland Children's Museum. They had such a good time. I'm glad we did it. Going in the middle of the week when they first open is so much better than going on the weekend! We pretty much had the place to ourselves--definitely the way to go. (Don't get me wrong, sharing is fine and good and all, but I have found that trying to share with too many strangers--bratty, pushy kids and unattentive moms--is no fun for me or the kids.) They were able to brush the alligator's massive teeth with the massive toothbrushes without any wait time. They shopped/cashiered freely in the neat and tidy grocery area, each able to have their own cart. The realistic, heavy fruit and veggies are pretty cool, I must admit. They played wherever they wanted in the water area and had the stage to themselves in the "theater." We did a little face-painting and played in the trees with the puppets. Aubrey wasn't so sure about animals popping out of holes in trees but eventually came around. We spent a while in the digging pit, and then it was time to go. The crowds were pouring in as we made our departure. Perfect timing.

The rest of our week is full of basketball practice, volunteering in Kari's class, worship team stuff (that's all Greg, not me), baby shower for Emily, basketball game (only two left), and Greg's birthday on Saturday. I like this kind of "busyness." Life is full but not too full. Good times.