Sunny Days and park plays February 18-23

Lately the kids have been taking pictures on my cell phone.  I have so many cute gems of them.  Like this one of Everett wearing my glasses.  

Brother Moe invited us to the park to play.  Edgar sat in the swing for the first time.  He wasn't too sure about it but warmed up to the swing.  

Tuesday I drove to Tacoma for my last (possibly my first) orthodontic appointment.  James took the girls to Co-hort and then took the boys hiking near Lowell.  They had a good time.  

When you sisters think you need a stuffy to go to sleep.  

 For black history month we have been reading books on the civil war and human rights.  Pink and Say by Patricia-Polacco was a beautiful story.  I did cry.   I'll be honest studying black history was harder than I expected.  I'm one who loves  the good and beautiful and has a hard time learning about the evil and terrible.  I can't stomach the fact that so many humans experience so horrible treatment in this life.  It makes me mad and question why.  Acknowledging the pain of the past I pray will help me be a better person.

our new gnome named Pink

 Edgar is growing up so fast.  I told James I wished we had room in our bedroom for Edgar's Pack n Play because I didn't think he needed to co-sleep anymore.   James suggested that we move my dresser into the closet and put the pack in play next the bed.  GENIUS JAMES!  It does make the room a bit crowded but it's nice to see him sleeping in his own bed.  I just wish I could get finn to stop sleeping in the pack n play.  cat hair and pacifiers don't mix.  YUCK.

After a very emotional day on tuesday I was sure glad to have James around on Wednesday.  James borrowed a shirt from me so he could match Grace.  Grace was so excited to see her twin.  Grace loves clothes and has a special talent of picking out a style that makes her personality shine.  A gift like her Papa.  James has the best taste in clothes.  His style is unique and subtle.  Just like him.

Later that afternoon we took Gwenevere to gymnastics and the head to the archery field to shoot James' new bow.   Grace got into it this time.  I love watching her.  I love watching Gwenevere at gymnastics too.  someday I'll need to bring my nice camera so I can take pictures.

After gymnastics and archery we met up with a girl from craigslist and Gwenevere and Grace bought two guinea pigs~!  What?!

 I know, we're crazy.  But you only live once and the kids are only young once.  When they can pull together 30.00, rearrange their room and set up a schedule for taking care of their new babies mom and Papa say OK.  

This is Sparky Gwenevere's guinea pig

This is Percy Grace's guinea pig

Thursday we went to Cottage Grove to visit our friend Amber and her girls.  We love visiting with Amber and her family.   Amber wasn't feeling well to we took G on a walk with us around their property.  I really need to remember to take pictures.  Their home is like heaven on earth.  I'm so grateful for their friendship.  

Friday morning Grace lost her second tooth.  It just fell out!  

We spend friday cleaning the girls room.  

Saturday James drove up to Portland to spend the weekend with his brothers.  Austin came into town for the weekend.  Yay.   While Papa was away we cleaned the gerbil cage, Cleaned the house, took Gwenevere to a birthday party (Wonka Style),  ate dinner and wendy's and came home to have a family movie night.  The kids watched Ralph Breaks the internet.  I tried to watch the movie but fell asleep instead.  hehehehee

a wonka contract

Edgar's first time trying fries.

Toes.  He likes to sleep with his feet uncovered just like Papa

Crazy family fun pictures.  

Sunday we went to church, and waited for papa to come back home.  Austin came with James and we had a fun evening full of music and family

Edgar's fist pair of shoes

Smile

Finn thinks the pack in play is his bed.  

Valentine's week

Grace  "Hey Gwenevere,  When you grow up where do you want to live?"

Gwenevere:  " I don't know."

Grace: "I think I want to move to Tennessee."

Gwenevere:  "I think I want to move to Florida."

It's been another good week at the Roemhildt house.  Lots of changes and growing.  

1.  Gwenevere went back to bobcat pet store (the place we took Totoro when we gave him up for adoption). 

2.  Everett started a new preschool.  He's loving it.

3. The kids had Valentine's day parties at co-hort.

4. Gwenevere learned how to play "You are my Sunshine"  on the piano

5. We got our tax return back YAY.  Now it's time to replace our fridge and dishwasher. 

6. We're reading books about African American History.  The Watsons Go to Birmingham, Bud not Buddy, Pink and Say, and a few others.  It's been emotionally hard for me to be reading these books.  They don't uplift or inspire me and I've had to pause several times to remind the kids we do not communicate with each other like the character's in the books.  Lots of talking about bullying and fighting.  But it's good to be aware of how others where treated.  I hope the discomfort I feel when I read these books with my children is a good thing and not a bad thing.  I always disliked the literature suggested for my high school english classes and got so frustrated with all the negativity that came with those books.  I'm feeling the same with with our choice of books for African American History, which makes me sad.  I really do what to learn more and acknowledge that part of my counties past.  If you have any uplifting and inspiring books that talk about the History please share.  

Now I'll let the pictures tell the rest of our week.

A page from Gwenevere's journal she wanted to share with me

Grace doing a little bit of water color.  

James was home Wednesday and Thursday.  It was great to have him home for Valentine's Day.  

Edgar is growing everyday.  

Edgar's favorite sound to make sounds like  he is saying "hi"

Grace's school Valentines

Everett was really excited for his first day of school.  But when I asked to take his picture he gave me this face.  Hahhahaha  Classic Everett

Gwenevere loves to listen to audio books and do puzzles in her room

 For Valentine's day James and I woke up at 5:00 am to feed Edgar and then stayed awake and wrote each kid a Valentine's Card letting them know just a few things we love about them.  We set them out in the living room with a balloon and a little toy.  Everett was the first one to find the balloons.  He was super excited and woke up his sisters to come see.

James made breakfast for everyone and then we did some school work that morning.  James took Everett to preschool in the afternoon.  When we picked up Everett, we went to the archery range and had a mini date while some of the kids sayed in the car.

When we got home James made dinner and then we put the kids to bed early and had a second mini date. 

10 things We love about Edgar

My Valentine Bunnies

10 Things I love about Gwenevere

10 Things I love about Grace

10 Things I love about Everett

Friday night some friends arranged for babysitting and invited us over for dinner.  The kids had so much fun playing with friends and being babysat.  And James and I enjoyed some time together too.

Edgar is 5 Months!

Edgar is 5 months old.  

 17.7 lbs

wears 6-9 month clothes 

Edgar loves to hold his toes

roll from side to side and drool on all his clothes.

He's a smiley guy and loves charming the ladies, especially at church.

Edgar started eating solid foods so far he likes everything he's tried.  Avocados, pumpkin, apple sauce, yogurt, Chicken Broth, water, bread, prunes and pears, clam chowder (we tried that while visiting at the hospital just in case he was allergic to shellfish.  hehehe)  and probably some other foods that i'm forgetting about.  But he's a big fan of food and gets pretty upset if we don't share with him.  

Edgar loves his wooden chew toys but doesn't like the silicone ones.  

Edgar loves to sleep,

Watch the chickens from his exersaucer, 

and play on the floor next to his siblings

Edgar can sit up by himself for about 20 seconds.  He doesn't care for tummy time but is working hard to learn how to roll over.  

Last night Edgar fell asleep in my arm.  Holding him was the best part of my busy day.  I cherish his infancy and wish it could last a little longer.  But he is very eager to grow and develop in this mortal life.  It's fun to have Edgar in our home.  He's a  happy addition I just can't get enough of.  

Grace "Mama Fox"  Edgar  "Baby Fox"

Grace helping edgar get ready for the snow

Edgar's first time at Olive Garden.  

He loved people watching

Grace dressing edgar up again.

Chewing on his wooden teether horse.   

Tasting Chicken broth

Best Dad Award

precious moment

Edgar's first snow

First haircut trim 

eating yogurt before bed with Mama.