The Elephant in the Room

This is how Adelle tucked herself in bed tonight. The elephant also said his prayers and needed a kiss from Mommy before going to sleep. (ps...Alexa, Grace, and Adelle are all sleeping on the floor in their sleeping bags!)

My sweet babies

I really do believe that I have the sweetest, most amazing daughters. I know a lot of mothers would argue with me, and they should, but that doesn't change my feelings. :0)

Last night Phillip and I were enjoying ourselves on a rare night out. We were spending time with several other couples in our ward. About an hour into the party our neice called (she was watching the girls) to tell us that Sophie threw up. Ugh. I loathe vomit. So we said our goodbyes and came home to a very sad, very needy baby. While Phillip drove our neice and nephews home I laid with Sophie to put her to sleep while our older girls watched a movie. About 30 minutes later I came out of my room to see Grace tucked into bed. "Is Daddy home?" I asked her. "No, Alexa tucked me in!" My sweet, grown-up, insightful little eight year old helped get her sisters ready for bed, brushed Grace's teeth and tucked her in. She knew Sophie needed her mommy so Alexa stepped up to make my night a little easier. I'm so proud of her!

Our little Sophie baby is a spunky, determined little thing! She knows what she wants and she knows exactly how to communicate her desires. The other afternoon Phillip was giving me some loving in the kitchen when Sophie crawled up the stairs as fast as she could screaming, "NO! DOHT!" Then she ran up to us and grabbed my leg to pull me away from Phillip. Geez! What's a girl got to do to get a kiss from her husband?! Needless to say we had a good laugh over that one!

Fort!

This is where the girls have been sleeping the past three nights! I made them a fort on the floor at the foot of our bed. They have been having so much fun with their little flashlights reading books and camping out together. And I must admit, I LOVE knowing all four of my girls are safe and sound in our room. (even Sophie sleeps in our room, although that's a nightly thing!)

Prayer

Tonight in Adelle's prayer she asked that Heavenly Father "please bless the Holy Ghost so strangers won't get him." And "please bless the Holy Ghost so nobody will eat him." She also recently asked that Heavenly Father "please bless that Mommy will do the laundry." What?! (ok, so I was a little behind...) I love listening to this girl pray!

Cool Girl

This is how Sophie took her nap this afternoon. Is that just too cute?!

My reward

Phillip is at school right now so I'm on my own getting the girls to bed. This is not an easy task and tonight has been an unusually rough night. There was a mysterious substance residing at the bottom of the bathtub. I'm still hoping it was pieces of the chocolate chip cookie I let Sophie eat in the tub, although I can't be sure. Regardless, it made it difficult to keep the rest of the girls calm while I quickly bathed them. Then, Sophie pooped on the floor in her bedroom. On the carpet. Gag! I guess I should have put her diaper on sooner! I think I cleaned up each spot of her trail of poo from her room to the bathroom. Back in the bath for Sophie! And this time I know exactly what was in the water. Gross! Adelle changed her jammies three times before settling on some warm fuzzy pink ones, but only after throwing a fit because I wouldn't let her wear a swimsuit to bed. Oh summer, how we miss you. (Doesn't every mother let their daughter wear a swimsuit to bed during the summer?)

Now here is my reward. The girls love sleeping in our bed. We have a king size bed just for this reason. Alexa, Grace, and Adelle are snuggling together on mine and Phillip's pillows while I snuggle Sophie to sleep at the foot of the bed. How I love my big bed! Sophie habitually relaxes herself by running her fingers through my hair and tonight is no exception. She just finished singing herself to sleep. Grace was calm and relaxed without her usual anxieties and gagging episodes that occur at bedtime. I can hear the other three girls deeply breathing and I think, "life is good". I can't help but say a prayer and thank Heavenly Father for this moment. I needed this.

Tom and Jerry

When Adelle is tired she likes to lay in my bed and watch "Tom and Jerry" cartoons. Today she told me, "Mom the cat's name is Tomin, and he's mean to the mouse named Jerry." Tom and Jerry, or Tomin Jerry. It's all the same!

Poor Barbie

Phillip: Adelle, is your Barbie sick?
Adelle: No, she's dead
Phillip: Oh no, how did she die?
Adelle: Ken ran over her with his car.
Phillip: Why?!
Adelle: Ken didn't like her anymore so he killed her with his car

Phillip to me: This is like something out of a soap opera!