Feeding the ducks Oct 09

There is a fenced in pond across the street from us at the elementary school. We save the end pieces from our bread and when we get a good number of them we take a walk over to feed the ducks and geese. Everyone has fun letting the birds take the bread out of their hands and throwing pieces over or through the fence to them. There is a usually a great deal of quacking going on and many giggles. I thought these pictures captured the cute faces of my little ducklings and their duckling friends.

I like this picture.

Doesn't this face just say, "take me home with you and love me?"

Grace at 10 months

Grace started walking on Halloween! She had been practicing with a few steps at a time and had graduated to walking around the house while pushing chairs, walker toys, etc. We all love to watch her toddle from here to there and cheer her on enthusiastically. Sometimes though, when Grace is really on a mission, she puts her head down and speed crawls! :)

Grace loves music and will clap her hands and dance. "If You Are Happy and You Know It" is on of her favorite songs. She smiles and claps her hands.

Reading books is another favorite pastime. Grace will sit on the floor for some time just looking through her books. She also likes to be read to and will giggle all through the story.

Grace is able to climb up onto the bathroom stool and can just see herself in the mirror which also makes her giggle and point to herself. She is also climbing up into chairs. She is quite the little monkey. She also likes climbing into things like the doll basket, boxes, etc.

Veteran's Day 09

Mack gets very excited about all things military and is constantly bringing books home from the library about the military. Last week he found a DVD about War World II and watched the whole documentary. This week at the library his home school class focused on Veteran's Day. We learned about the POW/MIA table and wrote letters to our soldiers in Afghanistan. Through the library we learned about a special Veteran's Day celebration on Hilton Head Island and we knew we wanted to go. Unfortunately the place and time got changed because of inclement weather, but we were still able to see the memorial. Notice that Grace brought a furry friend with her.

Halloween 2009

The kids had fun putting together their costumes. Mack surprised us with his "war paint." He used paint markers, and was still slightly green for church the next day. :)

Little Miss Grace

Grace is now 8 months old! In the past month she has learned to do SOOO much. She is now crawling everywhere, and Mack has nicknamed her "Nascar Baby" because she is quick! Grace is also pulling up and crawling up the stairs. She claps her hands and says "Mama" and "Dada" and "kitty."

Grace is so good natured and is such a joy. She melts my heart when she says "Mama" and smiles so sweetly at me. She is also a great snuggler. There is nothing like cuddling a sleeping baby and drinking in her sweet baby smell.

Grace has had another accomplishment in the past few weeks--she has cut two teeth! I think she is trying to cut some more because she tries to teeth on us sometimes--ouch!

Backj to School!

Mack and Elyse started school this week at our local elementary school. Mack is in 2nd grade this year and Elyse is in kindergarten. Both children were very ready to begin school. Mack woke Elyse up yesterday morning and told her, "You get to ride the bus today, Elyse! This is so exciting! I can hardly believe it!!" Mack has been excited about Elyse joining him at school this year and riding the bus with him, and she has been equally excited. Riding the bus is the highlight of their day!

Wonderful Wednesdays

Wednesdays are special days for Mommy and the Little Lengels. Since the weather got warm we have been our friend Ms. Mandy and her little boy Eli (21/2) at a park each Wednesday morning. At first it was just Noelle and Grace because the other 2 were still in school but now Elyse has joined us and Mack will get to play next week. The kids have a great time on the playground equipment and the Mommies enjoy a morning out of the house and a friend to talk to. We typically take along plenty of snacks and sometimes our lunch as well. We have tried out many local playgrounds. On rainy days or days when one Mommy or another is without a car, we just meet at a home.

One day here at our house we made homemade soft pretzels with Noelle and Eli--yummy! The kids loved dumping in the ingredients, kneading the dough, and making shapes. Brushing on the egg wash afterwards and sprinkling on the salt was great fun too.

Eli has a new sand and water table at his house and that was a big hit last week.

Some weeks other Mommies and the children are able to come as well.

Today we met at a park that has a giant sprinkler. The girls had a great time running around in the water with Eli and trying out the slides and merry-go-round. This will be a great park to visit this summer as the weather grows even warmer.

Outdoor Fun

With warm weather upon us, we have been spending a great deal of time outside.

Our backyard is riddled with baby toads which the kids just love to catch and play with.

The children are out on their bikes and scooters, playing on the swingset, and in the wading pool. They have also been a great help in planting some new plants and in keeping them watered. Lunch is often eaten on the deck and the kids may be seen some afternoons running around with a homemade popsicle.

The girls finished preschool the middle of May. Elyse graduated in a cap and gown from K-4, and both girls were in the end of the year program. Mack's last day of first grade is tomorrow the 4th of June.

Picture Day at Preschool--My Three Girls

All dressed up for spring and sitting pretty.

Noelle's Third Birthday

Noelle's third birthday was on May 11th. We made her an Elmo cake and decorating it was a group effort. "Happy Birthday" was sung, party blowers were blown, and of course, fashionable party hats were worn by all.

Noelle got to celebrate with her preschool class the next day. She took in ice cream cups to share with her friends.

We used her birthday money to buy her a wading pool and it has been great fun for all. The first day she put a potted plant in for a swim--that was the end of that swim time!

Pop-Pop and Mom-Mom Visit

Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop came for a visit Thursday through Saturday. We had such a delightful time. The weather was so pretty Thursday afternoon so we sat outside and watched the children ride their bikes on the driveway, swing on the swing set, and climb a few trees.

Patrick's Dad came over and chili with us for supper and then took the older two children as well as my father for a motorcycle ride. It was the first time in my father's 68 years that he has ever ridden a motorcycle--Yay, Dad!

Friday brought cooler and wetter weather, but it did not deter us from our fun. We went to the Riverbanks Zoo where we walked a beautiful trail along the river, saw the Botanical Gardens, and enjoyed the zoo animals. The reptile house was a big hit for everyone. I was amazed by the furry anaconda poop (what does that say about me?). We also got tickled watching the lion cubs play and the gorilla picking at his toes.

The kids loved playing with Pop-Pop and giving lots of cuddles to both Pop-Pop and Mom-Mom. Grace charmed her grandparents with her smiles and coos. I loved watching Grace lay in her grandmother's arms, looking up into her face, and "talking" so sweetly to her. It was precious.

Our visit was short but very sweet. I am so glad for the special time we enjoyed together.

Down by the Riverside

Spanish Moss and Flowering Trees--Beauty designed by our Awesome Creator!

There Were Three In The Bed

Elyse loves to hold Grace each night as I am tucking her into bed. She suggests that I go do something so she can take a few minutes to snuggle with her baby sister. This particular night Mack decided to join in the cuddle time. I love Grace's face in the photo with her and Elyse.

Look Out For Firetrucks

As I was putting Noelle to bed tonight I noticed that she had a goose egg on her temple. Surprised that she had not come crying to me about it, I asked her how she got it. At first she told me that Pepper (our dog) did it. That was believable as Pepper will sometimes resort to using his teeth when Noelle gets too rough (which she often does). However, as she thought about it, she decided that it was not Pepper but Bella (our cat) who gave her her boo-boo. Then the story changed again. A firetruck did it she told me (we had just finished reading a story about a firetruck). The firetruck not only got her but also Mommy, Daddy, and Jesus! How did I miss all this?!! The moral of this story...be aware of rogue firetrucks!

"Snow Day"

We had a "snow day" here in SC. Schools cancelled last night in anticipation of the coming snow. I was so excited thinking that my children would actually get to experience a snow day just as I had growing up in DE (though I knew there probably would not be very much snow here).

We woke up this morning to a light dusting of snow. We were thrilled that we got any snow at all. Everyone got bundled up and headed outside. Grace was less than thrilled and Noelle was not sure what the fuss was all about.

Mack and Elyse went "sledding" down the hill, though they slid more on the wet leaves than the snow. Mack threw a few snow balls and Elyse fashioned a teeny tiny snowman. We tried to give him a face with some raisins but they did not stick.

So, not much snow, but at least we had the fun of a snow day. :)

One Month Old

Grace is now one month old. It has definitely been a month filled with joy. Grace is a sweet happy baby and we are all enjoying her. Her brother and sisters always want to hold her and love on her. I so enjoy cuddling her, especially in the evenings after the others have been tucked in for the night. I know that this newborn stage will be over in the blink of an eye and I want to enjoy every moment. Grace is a wonderful gift to our family and I treasure this precious baby.