Just playing together

I have been a little better this week about catching random moments. So there really isn't much to say about some of these, just that we are doin' well and having fun together.

Harmonie was just chillin' by herself with finger puppets. She was telling some sort of story and Ben started to listen. He then helped her change the story a bit and she thought it was funny.

I missed the moment I really wanted to capture. Just before they got to the driveway, Harmonie was pulling Camdilyn through the grass between our house and the neighbor's. It is a slight hill up to the driveway so she was having some difficulty. Then Emily showed up to help her out. It was so fun to watch them play together, serving, helping, sharing, loving.

Mimicking

I was sitting with Ben on the couch when Harmonie came up with a game. She asked if it was Ben's game and I said that it was. She then asked Ben, "May I play your game?" He said she could so she walked away to play it at the table. The next thing we know, Camdilyn comes up with a game and says something that was similar to "play the game please." It was just so funny that Camdilyn picked up on what Harmonie had done (asked) and what she was allowed to do (play the game) so she figured it would work for her.

Third left hander!

She definitely prefers drawing with her left hand.

What a cutie!

She brought me a "drawing" once and said, "Look what I did." At least, that's what it sounded like she said. She was so proud to show me her drawing. So sweet!

Having fun outside

Kevin has Fridays off - most of the time - so that has been really nice. One of the advantages is that he can be outside with the little girls while the older kids are still inside doing school. They had such a fun time today!

They are all figuring out the pumping thing,

although Harmonie and Camdilyn still need to be pushed.

They all love the new chicks - 

which are getting bigger!

It was some fun time outside with Dad, but I sort of missed being out there.... hence the reason I went out to take pictures. I couldn't miss it completely.

Wish it was always this easy!

On Wednesday, Camdilyn came up to me, plugged her nose, and said, "Eww." I asked if she was stinky. She said, "Ses." I told her to go lay down. She went to the bathroom and laid down. I took care of the little bit she had done in her diaper and asked is she wanted to go on the potty. (I ask her occassionally so she's used to this.) She said, "Ses." So I put her on the potty. To my utter amazement she finished going #2! Hooray! I sang our little song and she smiled! I cleaned her up and gave her some chocolate! What a great moment! I sure wish potty training was that easy!

Since then, Xiomara has really gotten involved. She takes Camdilyn to the potty more often during the day and really enjoyed seeing her sister's success. Maybe we'll have this one potty trained before she turns 2! (Which would also be before baby #9 comes!) Not pushing it but we shall see.

Not quite all done.

I gave Camdilyn some food for lunch, and she was eating it well, so I walked away to attend to the other children. I heard her say, "All done." I went back to see how she was really doing and found that the food was all gone from her tray.

Can you see all the food pieces on the floor? She had dropped it off the side of her tray and figured she was all done since the food was gone. Silly girl.

She didn't really want me.

We shut the doors to the dining room when we don't want Camdilyn to come in. I was helping someone in the school room, or kitchen, and she came yelling at the door. I eventually went out to see what she needed and this is what I found.

She didn't want me. She wanted her big buddy, Xiomara, to come and spent time with her. They were playing with something and just being friends together. It was a fun little moment.

Special Treat - Thanks to the Summer Reading Program

Seven of my sweet little children participated in our Summer Reading Program through the library. They all received a free ice cream cone at McDonald's, which expired on July 31. We didn't want them to go to waste so we went, this afternoon. We walked in and the place was empty. Good. We went to the counter and handed in our coupons. They made the cones, and I ended up buying one for Camdilyn. She pushed her way to me when she saw Harmonie get the first one. Then I gave one to Domonique. (Their older buddies helped them go sit down.) Then Kemiah, Xiomara, Emily, Marissa, and Ben all got an ice cream cone. They went to sit down and poor Camdilyn, stood by me, with her hands out ready to receive and was a little unsure as to why she didn't have one yet. So cute. I took our cone to the table and she was getting really excited. She sat down and was ready for a lick. She watched the other kids and then got a taste of her own. It was pure happiness. All the kids really enjoyed them and it was fun to watch them all enjoy their special treat.