God Bless America

A Christmas letter

As a mother of four small children, I've always longed for a day when my kids could finally do something for themselves. A day when we could take them out in public and they don't always make a scene. I longed for a day when we could make gingerbread houses and I didn't have to be the only person who is able to actually understand the concept of making a gingerbread house without destroying it. A day where we could go to a Christmas eve candlelight service as a family and actually enjoy it. This is the first year where I've had glimpses of life outside of small children land. It's a very overwhelming feeling when you realize that your children REALLY will not be small for long. I've been looking at pictures of the girls from last Christmas. They have grown so much in the last year. I'm overwhelmed with pride, nostalgia, love, and longing. Josh and I are so blessed to be their parents. Suddenly, I don't want to let them grow up. I want four kids in diapers again.

Addison: The only child we have in diapers right now. She's playing the "I'm the baby" card for as long as she can. We are loving every minute of her being two. She's a mamma's girl and I love her for it. She is by far the easiest two year old we have ever had. She warms everyone she meets with her big brown eyes and tiny voice. Her sisters have finally welcomed her into the big girl club and she couldn't be happier. We love you Addy Mae.

Savanna: She is definitely our most unique child. I mean that in a very loving, motherly way. Sometimes, it's hard for me to explain her personality. Have you ever seen the movie "The Family Stone"? The character that Rachel McAdam's plays is how I see Savanna when she's older. She loves her family. She is very loyal. Once you pass her test, she will love you for life. She's just one of those kids who's a very good judge of character and is choosy about who she lets in her life. The characteristic trait that she shares with her Daddy. She's very loving and sweet. She's a Daddy's girl. Sharing has been her biggest challenge this year. We are certain she will master it by next Christmas. We love you so much Savanna Grace.

Olivia: This picture of her is very true to life. She is our sweet girly girl. That's saying a lot when you have three sisters. She loves to wear dresses. She tells me I look pretty. She's the most affectionate and would never hold back a kiss or a hug. She wants to get married and kiss boys. (I know, I know. Poor Josh.) She loves to dance and looks like a ballerina. As soon as we possibly can, we are going to put her in ballet. She is very musical, loves to sing and plays her imaginary musical instruments. Olivia Claire, we love your fairy, imaginary, girly ways. xoxo

Laney: She is the coolest kid. Seriously. She started Kindergarten this year. And as much as I miss her at home, she is doing really well and loves school. I could tell that math was her thing. Her teacher confirmed that fact at our parent teacher conference. Her teacher also said she is the nicest most genuine child in the class and is consistently wanting to help others. Wow! The best compliment ever. As most parents know, Josh and I cannot take credit for it. She has a heart of gold. She remains an avid Star Wars fan. She turns 6 in four days. By far the most responsible sister. Laney Rose, we are so proud to be your parents. Love you to the moon and back. (P.S. If it's not too much trouble, could you please stop growing up so fast.)

Merry Christmas from the Staples family. December 2009

Snow Day... well snow hour

It snowed here yesterday! This was the view from my kitchen window at approximately 2:30 p.m. I love snow and I love taking snow pictures.

My red headed children weren't napping or they would have missed the "snow storm".

It was for reals snowing. Big, ground covering snowflakes.

Snowflakes in the eyelashes.

Addison woke up at the very end, but still got to see it. In fact, she woke up, went to Laney and Olivia's room, looked out the window and said, "Oooooh!"

This was the view from my kitchen window at 3:45 p.m. We still had hot chocolate and warm pie for snack when Lane got home from school.

Whoopsy!

Here's what happens when you get too busy playing outside to stop and go to the bathroom, and Daddy is in charge of cleaning you up.

Savanna says by by to the baba

I'm not sure where or when we started calling the pacifiers baba's.  It happened sometime between Savanna and Addy.  But that is what they call them.  We have no set time when we decide to take the pacifiers away.  It has been different with each one of them.  I just felt like it was time for Savanna.  For a spilt second, I thought about taking Savanna and Addison's away at the same time, but I don't think Addison is ready.  I took Savanna to the toy store.  She got to pick out whatever toy she wanted and then "paid" for it with her pacifiers.  I had talked this over with Savanna several times this week and she was excited to go.  She was excited at the store and completely understood what we were doing.   I really expected a meltdown when it came time to hand over the baba's to the sales clerk.  She impressed me.  I was more nervous and sad than she was.  I love that kid so much.  Here's our trip to the toy store in pictures.  She did ask for her baba while I was tucking her in for bed.  She said she wanted to go get them from the store.  I told her she couldn't.  She paused, thought, and said, "I can have Addy's baba."  Stinker.  I ended up laying with her for a few minutes so she could go to sleep.  I know she's gonna be stealing Addy Mae's pacifiers.  Laney was notorious for stealing pacifiers and sucking them behind the couch.  It's so weird how any time we come to these milestones with the girls, they suddenly look so much older.

That's a lot of pacifiers.  And at times we somehow managed to loose them all and then find them again!

 She wanted the mini FJ cruiser.  I don't blame her, it was pretty darn cool.

She picked the girly blocks.  We don't have any lego like blocks and she loves them.

 Giving it one last suck while in line at the register.

Totally out of focus, but it all happened so fast.

  It's funny but I didn't notice how sad she looked until I started posting these pictures.  Poor thing.  Her baba's were her one true comfort.  Now we are on to bigger and better things.