Justin and Kristin

How Old Are You?

You'd think I would wash those dirty hands, retake the picture and post that one on the blog - but there's something so FIVE about it. It's so telling of what it's like to have a 5 year old! Don't let the pretty little dress fool you, there's no keepin' this active, rambunctious gal clean or all put together. That's what makes being 5 so fun though right?

Too much rain lately, and busy schedules has made it hard to get out and get her 5-year-old pictures. We snuck a 20 minute session in and this is all I was able to manage to capture. I'll have to get out again. But for now here are a few pictures of my adorable, spunky, sweet, energetic, happy, passionate, helpful, and silly Sage!

When Just 5 Days Keeps 'em Out of Kindergarten...

 

you end up paying a million trillion dollars to send your 5 year old to preschool.

 

I had to give Sage something a bit more structured this year in ways of schooling. Missing the deadline for kindergarten by 5 days, and getting stonewalled in all my attempts to appeal that rule, meant a search for preschool This is quite the experience since I know people here who pay up to $20,000 for a year of preschool. Yes you heard right. These parents are paying more than I paid for my first year of college to send their 3-5 year olds to preschool. Insane. 

Luckily we were able to snag a spot in an excellent, educational based preschool (through the elementary school) for a lot less (but granted still more than I think you should pay for preschool). And I won't even get into the $15 a day they wanted for "Lunch Bunch," which after signing up for one day a week we discovered does NOT include lunch! Humph.

Sage has been so excited. So excited in fact, I was kind of taking it personally! :) A week or so before school was going to start, the fact that I was going to be without my little happy helper and ball of energy and entertainment for a whole huge 2 1/2 hours during the day was starting to sink in. I was a bit sad! I was sad for Cadence too, who was going to lose her best friend and playmate (and they have been playing so well together lately). One moment while I was hugging Sage I told her how much I was going to miss her while she was gone at school. Instead of getting a "Me too mommy" in return, (ok I admit I was fishing a bit which isn't like me at all - but sometimes motherly love makes you do desperate things) she just said, "It's ok mommy. I'll go to school and when it's over I'll be back."  That was hardly the comfort I was looking for, but sweet still the same. (Side note: Since then she has told me she will miss me a few times. Phew.)

These should be "First Day of Kindergarten" pictures, but what can ya do (As nightmares haunt my mind of an 18 year old Senior, dating older boys, driving her sophomore year, Cadence only one year behind in school....oh the extra drama that awaits just by starting a year later in school).

So the day finally came, and off she went, and she barely even looked back.

But at least she looked extremely happy to see me when I went to pick her up!

And just to make the "first day of school" all the  more amazing, why not go get ice cream on the way home?

You know, just to remind her who really is the best! ;)

She looks forward to it every day. I'm happy she is happy. But I still miss her.

"The Best. Day. Ever!"

5 years ago our first child came into the world. I wasn't prepared for the love that would soon consume my soul and the adoration I would hold for this little child. It was one of the best days of my life. I feel so lucky today to have Sage as my daughter. She is so kind, thoughtful, and has the most untainted, unsoiled, perspective on life (yes even more than most "normal" 4-5 year olds). She is amazingly positive and happy about nearly anything and everything, and this positive exuberance is completely  infectious. She just believes the best in everything and everyone. Believe me, I have given her many reasons to think I may just not be the most amazing mother ever; but day after day she always runs to me with open arms, expressing her undying love for me and her pure belief that I am the best ever! "Mom, you're my best!" It never gets old! I know this can't last forever, but I gobble it up each and every day that I can! She is quick to laugh, easy to love, and always fun to be around. Each year gets more and more exciting. I can't wait to see what the next one brings!

For her birthday she really wanted a "Tangled" birthday cake. Though I resisted at first, I caved and gave in to making yet another princess themed cake this year. But after the final pieces of fondant were placed, the last of the frosting was pipped, and the layers of caked successfully stacked and stable....I have to admit, I'm glad I gave in. This was a fun cake to work on, and I think it was one of my best yet (if I do say so myself!) and more importantly Sage LOVED it!

Quite the cake to make on a "non party" year.

Thankfully we had some good friends who were willing to come over for a low key celebration and help us eat some of this massive tower!

And if you can't tell, the "Rapunzel" theme was embraced fully.

Happy Birthday to my amazing Sage, the time is going too quickly!

And the Award for Least Favorite Bacteria Goes To:

Escherichia coli O157:H7

Mr. E. Coli approaches the stage, recieves his award, turns to the audience, gathers his thoughts for a slight moment and says:

"I would like to thank the Marshall girls for allowing me to take complete control over their bodies, family, and home for the past 2 and half weeks. I am much more powerful than any puny, measly stomach bug, or flu virus. I have the ability to kill toddlers at my very best, and drive parents to the brink of insanity at the very least. You WILL have to wash your hands all day - to the point of near rawness - to make sure I don't spread . But that is only minor compared to the GI symptoms that will devastate your bodies - leaving you trapped in your homes on beautiful, sunny summer days. I am so honored that your parents could spend hundreds of dollars on pediatrician visit co-pays, ER visits, urine, stool, and blood tests, and medicine; Not to mention the nights of lost sleep.

Oh and a little shout out to Lymphadenitis, who took over once I was gone, just to, you know, reek even more mania and misery to the Marshall family. "

 

Screw you Mr. E. Coli. Screw you.

 

Just to spite you we went to the beach as soon as everyone was feeling better, and had a marvelous time WITHOUT you!!!!

Ski "Area": A bad sign just in the name

A month or so ago we took Sage for a ski "lesson" She was very excited, even with the below freezing temps and windy conditions. The only problem we ran into was that she wanted to do everything on her own, and if I ever let her try she became frustrated. But she looked DANG cute in her ski gear, don't ya think?

She kind of got the initial idea, but not quite the knack yet. I'd like to give her a few more tries, but I'm not sure if she wants to just yet. Maybe next year?

On a side note:

Yes the hill behind me is the MAIN/BIGGEST hill. I have always said East Coast skiing was crappy, but never had actually skied on the the East Coast. Sooooo, at the end of the day I ventured "up," and I use the term "up" loosely. I did my run, which took a whole two minutes or so, on the crappiest snow I think I've ever laid skis on. Now I can officially say, "I hate east coast skiing." I will never waste money, time, or energy "skiing" on east coast stuff when I've been raised on the dry, deep powder from the west and terrain options only real skiers can dream of.

So I know Blue Hills Ski "Area" (yes they can't even bring themselves to use the word resort 'cause that's all it is, just an "area") is probably the worst resort in MA but just to illustrate my point.

BLUE HILLS

Acres: 60

Lifts: 5

Runs:8

Vertical Drop: 309 Feet

 

 

 

VAIL

Acres:  5289

Lifts: 31

Runs: 193

Vertical Drop: 3,450 ft

 

Need I say more?

As Of Right Now

this is my favorite picture.

The only thing that could make it more perfect is if my beautiful Nouvelle were in it.

An Act of Love

For well over a year we've been struggling with Sage every single time we have to brush her hair. She would cry, scream, fight, etc. We began threatening her that if she didn't stop we would cut her hair. That worked, oh a few times, until she said, "Ok! Let's cut my hair!" Crap. Now what? She called my bluff.  I think she knew I didn't have the courage to actually cut off her absolutely gorgeous hair.

Well the last few weeks have got me to my breaking point again with her hair combing ritual. I started thinking, what would it take for me to be willing to cut her hair? Though minimizing tantrums was a great outcome, it wasn't quite enough motivation to really go through with a hair cut. Then I found the answer! I presented it to Sage (after one particularly difficult hair combing morning on Sunday) and she was so excited I could barely convince her to wait until Monday to go to the hair salon.

What if we donate her hair to Locks of Love!? She certainly had more than enough (Min requirement is 10"). We looked at "Sick girls" on line who had lost their hair and we talked about how she could cut her hair and they would make it into a wig for a little girl who was sick. She loved that idea.

Then Monday rolled around I was, once again, having MAJOR second thoughts about it. But she wouldn't let it go. I tried everything to talk her out of it.

Me: Are you sure you want to cut your hair?

Sage: Yes

Me: Really? Do you want long hair like Cinderella (said with enthusiasm) or short hair like mom (said with disdain)?

Sage: I want hair like Cinderella!

Me: Well that means we can't cut it 'cause Cinderella has long hair.

Sage: I don't want to.

Me: You don't want to what?

Sage: I don't want to be like Cinderalla, mom. I want to cut my hair.

Me: Ahhh Sage. Why? Why?

Sage: For the Sick girl mommy, the sick girl.

 

Well how could I say no to that? So off we went to the  kid salon. I was definitely more nervous than she was.

Even with braided kink, look how long that hair was! She had more than enough to donate.

I almost cried. Luckily she did it quick, like ripping off a bandaid.

Sage asked if she would still be Sage after she got her hair cut.

Of course, you will be Sage.

And the result is......?

Yes, still a beauty (though I kind of miss her reputable long, gorgeous hair). 

It will grow back though right?

We're so proud of Sage for really wanting to make this sacrifice for someone and were reminded of her kind, sensitive heart that we love so much.

A 4-Year Old's Observation #1

Yes despite my desperate trying to NOT introduce Princesses to Sage she has inevitably discovered them. I think almost all her friends gave her princess something or other for her birthday. It's ok. We're managing. She really likes Cinderella the best (though I'm slightly convinced it's just because she wears a blue dress). After finishing her princess puzzle for the gazillionth time this morning she started reminding me how she likes Cinderella best. 

Sage: I like Cinderalla. I want to be her.

Me: Why?

Sage: 'Cause I like her.

Me: So Cinderella is your favorite, but who is the prettiest? (I was baiting her 'cause I really don't think Cinderella is the prettiest. I think Belle and Sleeping Beauty are the prettiest)

Sage thought for a moment then slightly gestured with her hand to......

Herself!

And with a sly smile and a bashful tone said...."ME!"

 

Touché Sage, Touché. You ARE the prettiest princess of all!

A Taste of Vermont

This last weekend we headed up to Vermont to experience one of the famous New England Falls. We made it barely in the nick of time. Many of the leafs had already blown of the trees, but the ones that remained were beautiful. The countryside and the town we were in where magical and picturesque. The girls did pretty well in the hotel and absolutely loved that there was an indoor pool we got to use before bed. 

It seems I got a million pictures of my girls and just a few of the area we were in, but even the breathtaking Vermont, pales in comparison to my beautiful girls, right?

But here is a taste of our Vermont experience.

• Covered Bridges
• Cheese farms and tasting (9 year aged Cheddar! Crazy!)
• Maple Farms (Aunt Gemima will NEVER cut it again)
• The most well manicured farmland I've ever seen
• Antique malls
• Old train rides
• Handmade icecream
• Hiking through the trees to the magnificent Quechee Gorge

Ahhh....what sweet memories.

....and I always will. No matter what!

Cadence our little "terrible 2 year old" has now started informing us whenever she is sent to time out that she is going to cry if we do so. What a little attitude! This is so funny to me that I often times have hold back a smile or resist laughing out loud.

The other day when Cadence was getting in trouble, Sage had enough wisdom to add to Cadence's statement, "Don't worry Cadence, mom's mad but she still loves you!

It melted my heart and brought that smile and laugh to my lips. I'm so glad to know this true concept is sinking in for Sage enough that she is trying to make sure Cadence knows it too. Now when they are saying they are sorry to each other for some indiscretion like stealing a toy or hitting, the offended will often remind the offender that they still love them.I hope they can always feel this way about each other.

We try to remind them whenever they get in trouble that we love them still even when we're mad....  of course I always add, "and I always will. No matter what!"

Happy Words

Though we love Toy Story in this house it has taught Sage one bad thing, the word "Shut up." I heard her fairly innocently saying it to Nouvelle the other morning while Nouvelle was crying for a bottle. Since this was the second time she has used the word this week she either had to go into time out or get hot pepper on her tongue for saying naughty words. She chose time out - wise  choice I think. We talked about what words she can use instead. Today I heard her saying things like "you're so silly," "stop," "shhhh be quiet" and "Oh Man!" She then informed me that she isn't using "naughty words any more but HAPPY words!"

Well, thank goodness!

A Whistle and a Clipboard

In preparation for Sage's 4th birthday she made it very clear what kind of cake she wanted (I don't know what gave her the idea that I was taking orders...but none the less). She wanted a Dog cake. Not just any dog cake, the dog from Shaun the Sheep - Bitzer (maybe she thought cakes have to all be a Shaun the Sheep theme or something). Oh and she informed that he has to have his whistle and his clipboard. Ohhhkee-dohhkee. But there was no way I could make the entire cake a dog cake, so I improvised with a dog house and a little dog. I made homemade pound cake to make it easier to carve. My first carved cake!

And the results. Thanks to Justin for helping with the molding part. Come 1am I was ready to give up!

Complete with whistle and clipboard!

I figure I still have a few more years before Sage cares about perfection! All she sees is a sugar dog!! YEAH!

So to go along with the cake we had a dog party! We had fun making dog collars out of shoestring licorice and fruitloops, had a relay race were each took turns saving a dog, unwrapped a present wrapped 9 times with dog silly bandz inside, went in search of missing spots for a dog, and decorated graham cracker dog houses! I think the kids all had a great time. It was so non-stop that I didn't get many pictures (obviously since Justin took this one!).

 

Sage wanted a Jessie for her birthday. I love her over-joyed expression!

  

The next day she got another (smaller) Jessie set (to help avoid future fights) and some fun EXCITING books from her Grandmas!

Sage is still our little bundle of energy and brightens each and every day. She is a wonderful big sister who is caring, forgiving, directing, and playful. We definitely feel like the lucky ones to have her in our life.

Happy 4th Sage!

Proudest Moment

"7-11"

As my two girls ran into the 7-11 at the top of our hill they screamed, "Slurpees!! I love slurpees!!"

I've never been prouder.

 

But really? Does it get any better than this?

I have always been a slurpee fan and that love has just grown deeper through the years. My obsession with this frozen treat reached it's peak while I lived in NC where our closest 7-11 was a 4 hour drive away. 2 years without them really intensified my longing! 

I am proud to pass this love on to my children and cannot help but grace a humongo grin when they find as much joy (maybe sometimes even more....heaven forbid, is that even possible?) in this treat as I do. 

We all know the truth. When I tell them "If you are good we can go get slurpees" that what I'm really saying is "pretty much no matter how you behave we are going to 7-11 for slurpees and if you misbehave I may just 'find it in my heart' to forgive you!" It's just as much a treat for me as it is for them!

We have had, at minimum, weekly trips this summer. But don't get me wrong now that I'm not pregnant anymore and things taste normal again we will still be making weekly trips in the winter. It is NEVER too cold for a slurpee! The 7-11 worker are so familiar with us that once I forgot my money and he said I could pay next time. I mean he knew I'd just be back in a couple days for more! I also asked him if we bought more slurpees than anyone else and he laughed and said, "Oh yeah!" Ahhh that just melts my heart!! :)

This has impacted Sage's life in such a POSITIVE way that she is now, (completely unsolicited by me - I promise) play pretending in our living room to take walks to 7-11 for slurpees, and doing many drawings of slurpees. See what I mean? Could a mom be any more proud?

 

Nice blue slurpee. One of her favorites. Notice the straw as well.

What perfection in a cup!

 

The wonderful effects of a slurpee run:

1- Brainfreeze -- in the best possible way

2- Blue tounges

3- Happy Giddy Children

4- One satisfied mom

 

Come on admit it.....you want one now too don't you?

A 3-Year Old's Observation #6

As Sage looks at Justin's 5 o'clock shadow:

"You have sparklies on your face."

Thank You For...

Just some of the things that Sage has said she's thankful for in her prayers lately.

• The Bath
• Turtle (bath toy)
• Grandma, Papa, Grandmere, Grandma Carol, and 'Batch and Boobie' (Butch and Gabby)
• That dad goes to work
• This lunch, and then go potty, and then go dodo (nap)
• Play with toys
• That dad get home in safely
• That dad goes to bed
• This fork
• Mom, Dad, Cadence, Nouvelle.....Me.
• That mom didn't get hurt (I don't know what she meant by that)

Pollywogs and Tadpoles

The girls have started swimming classes. They were super excited to swim in a "Big pool" and both are doing well! I didn't know how Cadence would do, but she is a natural and can almost pull herself up on the side of the pool all by herself. Sage is kicking and stroking all by herself. The only problem with swimming class? The tantrums they throw when this much-too-short class is over.

 

(looking at this picture of Cadence I realized just how big she is getting! She's a little girl now!) 

 

 

And not to leave Nouvelle out....

This is in honor of her healthy appetite! She had her four month check up today and she is by far the biggest kid we've had. She's not huge compared to some other kids out there but 50th percentile is big for my kids! She really just loves to eat! I love how content she is in this picture now that she has a full belly. And notice the lovely milk drool she has! :)

Caught in a Lie

Me: "Sage did you fall asleep during quite time or did you read the whole time?"

Sage: "I read."

Me: "Are you sure you didn't fall asleep?"

Sage: "Nope."

Me: "You didn't sleep at all?"

Sage: "No."

 

Geez, thanks

 My dinner conversation the other night with Sage, while she ate some pre-made meal from Costco.

Sage: Mmmm, Mom I like this! Did you make this?

Me: Well.......I heated it up.

Sage: Wow mom! I like this! I'm so proud of you! Thanks Mom. I love you.

If I knew just heating up a pre-made chicken alfredo would be so impressive I would have been doing it more often!

A 3-Year Old's Observation #5

While changing Cadence's diaper, Sage walks by ... 

Sage: Eeew.

Me: Do you smell that?

Sage: Yeah, gross.

Me:  What does it smell like?

Sage: Crap.

Yeah, sorry. Obvious question.

Challenge #105

Amongst the many challenges of parenting 2 children (3 years old and younger) along with a newborn, is trying to get a decent artistic shot of Nouvelle that I feel is as "good" as the ones of the other two girls. It takes about 3x more attempts in about 3x less available "free" time.

Here are just a few of our first attempts. More to come as I try to find one/some worthy of a birth announcement.