Celebrating Four

When Lydia woke up on her birthday, the first thing she exclaimed was "Today is the first day of me being 4!"  She was pretty excited!

We have an 3.5 foot inflatable birthday cake that is pulled out for every birthday (we bought it when Colin saw it at the store when he was 3.) Next to the huge birthday cake, we had placed her brand new Disney bike w/pink camo helmet.  On top of the cake, I nestled the Max & Ruby stuffed animals.  And I put a new bracelet and a tiara in the pouch on the front of her bike.

She was a bit overwhelmed at first, but quickly got excited and tried out the bike.  We all had to get dressed and out the door, though, because the boys' school was hosting a family breakfast.  So, we went off and Lydia wore her tiara and enjoyed baked goods at school before sending the boys off to their classrooms.

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She's Four!

 I can remember sharing my pregnancy news on my blog more than four years ago, then sharing our baby girl's birth on April 29, 2007.  (I spent some time  yesterday re-reading the posts during my pregnancy and it brought back so many memories!  It also reminded me how this blog used to be a small-picture of our life and it has become much more big-picture.)

Did you know I chose her birth date?  I have email proof that I decided months before she was born that April 29 would be a good birthday.  The pregnancy was tough on me, but I wanted her to be full-term.  On April 29, she would have been full-term (her "due" date was May 14) and it was a Sunday which meant that my sister wouldn't have to take a day off work to keep the boys.  Bo was working a job where his weekend was Sunday & Monday, which meant that he wouldn't have to miss any work.  It just seemed like the perfect day.

And then it ended up her birthday!  Of course, it didn't go quite as I expected.  I had every intention of having another VBAC, but my blood pressure was high, and bed rest was difficult and not really helping keep my blood pressure down.  We didn't have much choice but to force her out.  On the plus sides, my sister didn't have to miss work to keep the boys and Bo had the day of her birth and the next day off of work.  My doctor was great, the delivery went fine, (and Lydia is convinced that her dad was a doctor on that day because she has seen pictures of him in his scrubs for the OR) and I went home 2 days sooner than they usually  let c-section moms go home.

She's been a joy and a delight ever since. She will quickly tell you that she is my angel child.  She also will tell you that everyone looks at her because she is just too cute.  And, that she is.  Humility, however, is in short supply.

Her hair is down to her waist, and she proudly exclaims that she wants to grow it to her toes!  (But, she is starting to get used to the idea of getting a trim one of these days.)

Her brothers fight with her and play with her and delight in reading to her.  The first question she asks after I pick her up from childcare is "Are my brothers home yet?"  When we're spending a day at home during the week, she asks by 10AM -- "Isn't it time for my boys to be here yet?"  I worried when she was born whether or not they would be close, but my worry was unfounded.  They are definitely close and find ways to play together all the time.

Bo likes to say that she is just like me -- stubborn and willful and insistent and independent.  I think those are all wonderful qualities to have.

She is also kind and inquisitive and spunky and loving and intelligent.  Her favorite spot in the evening is curled into my arm while I read a chapter book aloud.

Happy Birthday, my dear Lydia Jane!  I can't believe 4 years have gone by!  I treasure each day I have with you!

Last year's post

Her Last Day of Being Three

Unlike my boys, she can't wait to turn four tomorrow!  I remember each boy feeling nervous about turning four, but Lydia is ready to face the next year head on!

Tell Me Thursday - Easter Portrait

Yesterday's title said it all -- this is our 2011 Easter Portrait!

After Mass, we headed out to the desert to take some pictures of the kids.  We forgot our tripod, but we balanced the camera on an abandoned dryer and were able to get a few great shots of the entire family.

While we were out, we even managed to find a geocache!  The day started with the kids finding their hidden Easter baskets and then searching for eggs in our backyard.  We headed to church, then pictures in the desert, followed up by a stop at Starbucks.  The boys then went back out in the desert with the quads and then my sister & brother came over later for a very simple Easter dinner.  It was a lovely day -- how was yours?

Love Slingbox!

In the last couple months, we switched from DirecTV to the DISH Network.  Other than a better monthly rate, we were really intrigued by the Slingbox.  (Except for the name.  I hate the name - it makes me think of that movie Slingblade from the 90's.)

The Slingbox allows us to watch things we've recorded on our DVR from our iPhones and iPad while we're away from home.  How cool is that?  I can hand my phone to Lydia in Starbucks and she can watch the latest Max & Ruby while I catch up with a friend.  Bo can travel on work, and still watch his favorite shows when he has some down time.  It truly is a fantastic feature that I realize we've spoiled ourselves with!

The funny thing is that I'm not a huge TV-watcher.  But, I love being able to watch it completely on my schedule.  The DVR made that possible in the past, but this new feature makes it possible when I'm away from home as well.  I'm sold!

You can find out more information about the DISH network and all the features they offer by following one of the top DISH installers -- on Facebook, Infinity Facebook or if you prefer Twitter, follow Infinity Twitter.

Wordless Wednesday - Easter Portrait

Frigidaire and Eco-Friendly Options!

A couple summers ago, I was chosen to be a Frigidaire Refrigerator Test Drive Mom.   I still love our stainless steel refrigerator, and do my best to keep it full of healthy food for our family!

I recently learned that Frigidaire was named the ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year by the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  I appreciate having energy efficient appliances, and have always been a proponent of making energy-smart decisions going back to the days when we owned our HVAC company.

In addition to being energy-efficient, our refrigerator works wonderfully and is designed to fit plenty of food for my family of 5.  In celebration of Frigidaire's achievements and of Earth Month, Frigidaire has a poll on their Facebook page that you can take regarding Eco-Friendly choices you make.  They're also giving away appliances each week during the month of April!  Head on over for your chance to win!

In our family, we try our best to make eco-friendly choices.  We use reusable bags, use rags when possible instead of paper towels, use low-flow toilets, recycle what we can, and watch our water consumption.  Have you added any new things this April to save the environment?

*Disclosure: I received information from Frigidaire about their ENERGY STAR partner status and a gift card in exchange for posting.  No additional compensation was provided, and all content is my own.*

Wordless Wednesday - Donut

Tell Me Thursday - Unaware

My iPhone is a family toy, so when I sync it I usually find pictures that I didn't take.  I was surprised yesterday to sync my phone and find a picture of myself.  Nate must have snapped it while we were waiting during Colin's viola class.

It was kinda nice to see a picture of myself -- especially among those things that he found important -- like his shoes, his pencil and his homework.

Review: Betty Crocker Loaded Instant Potatoes (Giveaway)

 I love mashed potatoes.  I like them made from scratch, with a few lumps and some skin left on a few of the potatoes, with plenty of milk and butter and salt and paprika.  Yum!!

Sometimes, though, I don't have the time to make them from scratch.  Yes, I know it doesn't take that long, but some nights when I walk in the door and am lucky if I have 30 minutes before I need to walk back out again and dinner needs to be on the table -- instant mashed potatoes are made.  Betty Crocker has a new version of their instant potatoes that have seasonings mixed in already, saving me an extra step. 

Betty Crocker instant mashed potatoes are made with real potatoes and taste better to me than other instant potatoes that I've tried.  They are quick to make, and easy enough that the boys can make them.  They help round out a meal and help me get everyone fed something they like before we head back out to music lessons or sports or whatever.

To give my readers a chance to try them out, I have a great prize pack to give away thanks to Betty Crocker and My Blog Spark.  It includes a box of loaded instant mashed potatoes, a measuring cup, a spatula, a bowl and a potholder (that has a magnet so you can throw it on your refrigerator!)

To enter the giveaway, click HERE to hop on over to my giveaway form.  The information you enter there is entered into a Google spreadsheet and then I use random.org to choose the winning comment.

To enter the giveaway, you'll need the following information:

Name of Giveaway: Loaded Potatoes
Mandatory Question: What would you serve with your loaded mashed potatoes?

The giveaway will end on April 22, 2011.  Good Luck!

*Disclosure:  Betty Crocker provided me with the free product, information, and prize pack through MyBlogSpark.  No additional compensation was provided.  All opinions are my own, and were not influenced in any way.*