Bronwyn Turns 2

 Bronwyn is our 2nd October baby.  Going back to when we had leaves on the trees, here's a few pictures of her birthday celebration.

 She is picking out a pumpkin pancake from the big pile flipped by her brothers and sisters for her pancake feast.

 Breakfast for dinner makes Bronwyn happy!  Actually, I think we were singing the birthday song to her.  She loved it.

 This was her first time to open gifts when she knew what she was doing.  But she still required a lot of help.

 She needed some explanation and demonstration to see that this was a flashlight with several functions.

 Now she understands.

 Yum, yum fruit snacks.

 More explanation and assistance.

 Bronwyn's sisters picked out a set of plastic horses for her because she can comb their hair and take them in the bathtub.

 "Here's the comb..."

 Finishing with dessert, of course.  We made blooming roasted apples from a recipe shared on Pinterest.

She knows how to celebrate!

Some More Towels

 Here are the two requested pictures that I didn't include.  We went to the pool yesterday so I was sure to get a couple quick shots.  Bron loves, loves her towel.  She knows it's hers.  :)

Elijah spent about half of the time at the pool wrapped up in his towel because he got himself nice and cold during the first half of our time there.  Sorry, Mom, that you can't see the diver because he's standing in front of it.  But isn't that towel just the right size for him?

Early Morning

This is just a picture I happened to take and Amelia happened to yawn in the middle of it.  :)  Obviously she wasn't fully awake yet, but Bronwyn is enjoying the book nonetheless and taking bites of banana while waiting for yawns.  Good morning!  Start of a new day!

That's Our Girl

 

(As in, that's everyone's favorite little family member at the moment.) Can you see why?  There's a little bit of sunshine in those cheeks, smile and eyes!  She's enjoying her first summer as a walker and talker.  The world is so amazing!

Memorial Day Fun

 Picnic!  We spent the afternoon/evening at the home of a friend on Memorial Day this year.  There were several other friends there as well and it was a great time of fellowship and food.  The food was pretty wiped out by the time I took this picture!

 The older kids spent some time filling water balloons so that all the kids could have a water balloon fight.

 The water balloon fight was great fun.  No one was disappointed. Well, at least not ultimately.

 Sam smashed one on Will's back.

Bronwyn popped one in her hands.

 Big kids playing on the playset.

 Cutie-Pie baby in the swing.  :)

  She saved one secretly.  I wonder what she did with it?

Chatting and hanging-out.

Lady Bronwyn is making her rounds, in turn, to visit the chickens, the toys, the playset and the food.

   Our friends made an amazing ice cream cake for dessert.  It was gigantic and super-delicious.

 It was the perfect dessert for all of these kiddos.

 Still playing after sunset...

 One of the dogs came out to see everybody.

He even got a kiss from Bron.  A fun, fun time and a tired, tired bunch of dirty kids I brought home with me.  Yippee!

Kisses In The Tub

Bonnets

 Two reasons for these pictures:  1)We actually got Bronwyn to keep a hat on!  She's old enough to be desirous of being like her sisters and so she wore it and left it on.  2) I haven't had the camera out at all.  I needed some kind of update to put on here!

 I was glad too, to get the opportunity to take a picture of the "pocket."  Thank you, Shannon, for thinking of us!  The girls have had such fun with this this week.  Another mother passed this Colonial Williamsburg pocket on to us from her girls.  It ties around the waist and was worn by ladies in colonial times underneath their dress, where they could reach it through a slit in the dress.   It is astonishing how many things you can carry in it.

Amelia had a small story book in there that Bronwyn is enjoying and a small notebook and pencil for spare-time drawing or writing.  :-)

I love these spring days where we are able to be inside and outside all throughout the day with doors open.  So nice.

Random Bits of Life

 Having teenage sons is awesome. 

 They never tire of making faces in mirrors.  :)

 Miss 6-years-old made a hat when she was learning letter "H."  She came up with this on her own with just the suggestion of using a paper plate and some paper.  Pretty cute.

 She says that it has tulips and dandelions.

 My sunny-faced 5 year old.

 Ahhh...sweet repose.

 Friday night entertainment: calamari!  (Peter got some squid for a great price and thought the kids would enjoy frying it.)

 Seriously?  You're going to eat those tentacles?  Oh, yes.

 Peter made a beer batter and this was delicious. 

 In a move of desperation (sort of) I put the little one in one side of the sink so that I could get some dishes done.  That worked out nicely for both of us.

Then I couldn't resist the picture taking opportunity.  Water is so wonderful, isn't it?  She's just captivated with it.