moving on...

it's a little bit bitter-sweet, but it's time to move on. i will no longer be updating here on blogger, but you can continue to follow our family as well as a bit of a blend with business over at the new blog at:

http://www.jessicasvobodaphotography.com/blog

Going to the Dentist

Though Brody has been to the dentist's office for a few visits while his older sisters received their exams, this week he actually got to have his turn at sitting in the chair for his very first cleaning. And can I just say how fortunate I am to have children that truly LOVE getting their teeth cleaned?

In an effort to speed things up this time, we were scheduled to see two separate hygienists simultaneously. The girls were in one room, while Brody and I were in the other. So apparently Cassidy's hygienist asked her kindly if she would please stop sucking her thumb (not right then and there obviously while she was sitting in the chair...but you know...long term). Cassidy's reply was "okay". Meanwhile, back in our own examining room, I had no idea what was going on next door until I heard Ella blurt out, "yeah right...she'll never stop sucking her thumb." Poor Cassidy.

On to the pictures...

In the waiting room...Cassidy and Brody looking through pictures they were taking while waiting to be called in. And yes, that is Fancy Nancy sitting there in the chair. Apparently she needed her teeth cleaned too.



Happy as a clam...









The spit cup. Something about telling a kid they can actually spit...in public...in front of a real live person...you should have seen Brody's eyes bug right out.



Had to include these last two. Our dentist is the one I have been going to since I was a child. That is so neat to me. He isn't necessarily considered a "pediatric" dentist, but he is certainly a family man and I love that.

Brody loved those little black binoculars attached to Dr. Long's glasses. I think we might have to get him a pair next Christmas.

Week in review...or at least a little bit of it anyway...

A few from this week...

Joey...I LOVE that I didn't end up cutting his hair. Sometimes it can get a little out of control, but man does it look cute on him...



The kids love it when it is their turn for date night with Daddy. Daddy bought Brody some new sunglasses on their most recent adventure together...



Ella...



...Finally lost her most recent loose tooth. That makes a total of four for this big girl. Oh...and I should probably add...Ella is now saving up her money (her four quarters delivered by the tooth fairy included) to adopt another brother and another sister. Preferably twins she says...



Ella is reading...wait, I think I said that many times before. But oh, for a mother, listening to your child read...not much really compares...

Her favorite series...





Cassidy is beginning to read too...more on the early emergent level...but has learned to automatically identify enough sight words that she can sit and read us a book. We signed her up for kindergarten this week. Had to wipe my tears just thinking about her going in the fall!



Littlest Pet Shops...yes, I know...a little bit random. But these things are taking over our home. The girls have a little display set up in our front living room...where they perform Littlest Pet Shop Wedding Ceremonies and everything.



Daddy may not be too happy to see this next picture, but here is just a glimpse of some of the fun us girls get to have with the boys when Daddy is away.



This little guy...up at the crack of dawn...helping himself to a slice of last night's pizza. Isn't he a hoot?!!!

my.little.joe

Between all of us, he probably received about a million hugs and kisses before he went to bed tonight. He just sat there and smiled...and even gave us a few giggles...having no idea that tomorrow when he wakes up, he will be undergoing surgery to remove a tiny cyst from his ubberly cute little ear.

I am worried for our little guy. I know this procedure is considered "minor", but like with all mommies, when it comes to your own kids, nothing is ever really minor.

my.little.joe.

Happy Birthday Ella

She spent her special day yesterday being sick...we all did...all of us girls anyway. What a way to spend her birthday. Praying we can make it up to her this weekend.

And in honor of a special man who shares the same special day...

Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you.
Dr. Seuss

Love you Gabriella Renee!









A BIG thank you goes out to my sweet friend Andrea...for her time and talents that went into making Ella's Birthday hat and poncho. You can view her work at:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/123littlebirds

Photo-a-day: Day 24-27

Day 24: Dinner guest



Day 25:
She hasn't let me take her picture since before valentine's day...at least not close-up anyway. She had quite the shiner there for a little while...one of her many battle wounds from rough housing with her siblings. Thank God it is healing...



She found this bead on the floor just after I snapped the last image and told me she wanted me to take a picture of it. I had to smile and just remind myself to be thankful she wasn't sticking it up her nose...as she unfortunately has been known to do in the past. But do not fear, this bead was a clean bead. That last one she had up her nose now has a new home in a specimen jar sitting on top of her dresser upstairs. Gosh, does she ever make me laugh.



Math Activities:

Breaking out the piggy banks...

Counting:



Sorting:



Adding:



Day 26:



Day 27:

This little guy has had a rough go of it the past two days. Sick with a stomach bug. It is just wiping him right out.



Game time. Thought I would set up my tripod and set the timer on my camera to actually get a picture of the kids and I playing a board game before Joseph woke up from his nap. Hunter thought it important that he not be excluded...

Photo-a-day: Day 22-23

Day 22:

So I have a bit of a cold and yesterday barely made it through the day. I got the kids down for naps in the afternoon and finally got to sit down myself for a little bit. Hunter was his typical self laying at my feet and I realized I hadn't gotton in my photo for the day. I figured he was the perfect subject since I didn't even have to get up to take his picture. And lucky me, my camera bag just happened to be resting on the table next to me.



Day 23:
The girls are learning new words everyday and it is awesome to watch their love for reading grow. We created these knowledge boxes last week to store the words they "know" and help give them ownership over their literacy development.
Cassidy practicing her sight words...



We have so many memories of that piano in my Grandmother's house and now I am blessed to create new memories with it in my own home. I love to listen to the kids playing their own little melodies everytime they walk by it.

Photo-a-day: Days 18-21

Day 18:

Ella at play...


...with her favorite of all things...


Day 19:

TIME TO PAINT!!!










Nanas give the best T-shirts!...


LUNCH...


Helping Daddy.


Day 20:

One of the many reasons I am behind in my sharing of these images from my photo-a-day challenge. Yes, I know it was probably silly of me to wait nearly two years after completing grad school to take my final state teaching exams. But honestly, at the time, my mind was so anxious to get back into "mommy" mode and before I knew it, time had gotton away from me.



Day 21: Playing the wii...on the new T.V.

Don't they seem like they get along so well???


...until...well...Cassidy lost and...need I say more?

Photo-a-day: Day 16-17

Day 16:
The kids helped me bake a cake in honor of their father's 31st birthday. They are quite the little helpers.
Happy Birthday Patrick!



Day 17:
He tells me every day, "I wub you berry much, Mommy!"