Pinterest

Are you on Pinterest?

I get so many great cooking/baking ideas there.

I created this new board to keep track of all the recipes I've tried and loved!
Check it out!

Surgery & Such

These past two weeks have been tough. On June 12 I underwent breast reduction surgery, something I have needed and wanted to do for many, many years. I'm hopeful it will rid me of some of the upper back and neck pain I've lived with for years, and will also allow me to lead a more active lifestyle.

The recovery has been hard on me and the whole family, but I am still glad I did it. I know the results will be worth all this in the long run.

The weekend before my surgery, we were blessed to be able to spend some family time at the pool. We wanted to make that happen, because the kids love, love, love it, and I am banned from the pool until four weeks post-op.

That Monday, the day before my surgery, we had a HUGE surprise delivered for the kids. Henry had no idea it was coming and I'm  pretty sure he felt like he'd hit the preschool jackpot. We were so excited to do this for them and I know they will get years of enjoyment from it. The newness has not worn off and they both stand at the back door begging to go out and play every, single day. I can't even begin to count the amount of time Barry has spent pushing them on those swings and guiding them down that slide since that thing was built (not by us!).  Well worth the money.

Life at the Lancaster house certainly hasn't stopped while I've been out of commission. We are so very, very lucky to have Granny Margaret and Granny Diane, who are ALWAYS ready to help us in times like these.  I certainly would not have been able to have this surgery if I wasn't able to count on their unconditional love and support.

The kids have loved having Granny Margaret staying with us the past couple of weeks. Every night Henry gets his pajamas on and then says to my mom, "Let's talk about the camper" or "Let's talk about your house," and off they go to lie in her bed together where she obliges him with stories until her voice goes hoarse. He soaks it all in and begs for more. These are the priceless moments that make such sweet memories.

We have tried to keep the kids as engaged as we can, despite the fact that I haven't felt like getting out and doing much. They have spent some time at Granny Diane's, continued to go to MDO, and on the days when they are home we have watched a lot of tv and played with a lot of Play-Doh. And on the weekends, they have reveled in extra time with Dad.

Is there anything cuter than bare baby butts?

I think not.

And just for good measure, because she's growing up way too fast, a couple of my favorite recent shots of E. I want to remember her like this always...with her beautiful, big, brown eyes, her little rosebud lips and her chunky baby thighs. Perfection.

(More from her first day of "school.")

Where have I been?

Recovering from breast reduction surgery. Ugh. I'm so thankful to have a lot of help from both my Mom and mother-in-law, but this has been a very slow recoveryand it has taken all my energy to help care for the kids and heal.

Hoping to be back in a few days to catch up on the past couple of weeks because, while I have been out of commission, the kids most certainly have not. Lots of fun photos to catch up on.

What a busy week!

This week we are getting a glimpse of what life will likely be like in the coming years, with soccer and ballet and piano and so forth and so on.

Henry's swim class has been fun for all of us...Henry and Dad are enjoying their time in the pool and Eleanor is enjoying her time playing in the instructor's yard. I'm telling you, that child plays like it's her job. She is very serious about milking every last minute of playtime out of every day.

(Mulit-tasking. Who says you can't snack and play at the same time?)

("Put me in, coach!")

I'm hoping to get a few more photos of Henry in the pool tomorrow. I've been too busy chasing Sister around.

Lately Eleanor has been doing everything with her eyes closed...eating, walking, whatever...everything's more fun with your eyes closed. Didn't you know that? She also likes to walk backwards from one room to another, laughing at herself. I'm pretty sure this kid didn't get her personality from me.

MDO!

(I have decided that getting a decent photo of two toddlers looking
at the camera and smiling is an impossible task.)

Eleanor's first day of MDO was a resounding success!!!! She cried a bit when I left (which I expected), but Miss Lavonia told me that she settled down very quickly and had a wonderful day. She went right down on her nap mat and went right to sleep. She played and played, and when I came to pick her up she was happy and smiling. I couldn't have asked for a better first day for her!

I am so very grateful that my kids have this special place to spend time every week with teachers who love and care for them in a Christian environment. It is such a blessing to us!

Henry's second day of swim class went very well, and he even kinda-sorta jumped into the pool all by himself today and kinda-sorta submerged his face. Progress.

Swim

Henry is taking his first ever swim lessons this week. He's doing a parent/child class with Barry and tonight was his first lesson. I think it went pretty well! He has always loved the water, but he's also very cautious by nature, so I'm hoping this won't be a struggle for him.

(Baby sister gets a little playtime while Bubba is in the pool.)