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Birthday Month!

On September 18, Matthew turned 6 and a week later Libby Lou turned 2! Which made me come to an amazing realization: I had 3 babies in 4 years and one week. No wonder I'm in the gym 5 days a week getting my you-know-what kicked by a professional bodybuilder, and running on my own outside of class. But that's a whole other blog. Operation Work Butt Off or OWBO.  I digress...

I had birthday hats for the birthday kids and wanted to get their picture, but this is what I got:

Being close to family has been wonderful. My parents came down the weekend before Matthew's birthday to shower the kids with gifts. That's really no exaggeration, let me tell ya'! Then on Matthew's actual birthday we had a small celebration with just us at home. On Libby's birthday, Matt's whole Chicago-land family came to celebrate. We were having so many parties, that over breakfast one morning, Matthew asked me if he was really six yet. "Is today my real birthday, Mom?" How cute. My kids are truly loved. Thanks family, for coming to par-taaay!

At one point during the gift openings, Libby was so excited about the present Grandma and Grandpa got her, but she couldn't open the packaging (seriously! What's with the Fort Knox packaging!) and took it over to Grandma, running her little legs in place, shoved the gift in Grandma's chest and said very loudly and intensely, "DOOOOO!" Meaning, "Could you please help me open up my present Grandmother Dearest?"

I forgot to mention that our good friend, Andrew came down in between the two parties:

He got Matthew and Natalie tennis racquets and lessons because although he supports Matt's basketball, his real love is tennis and wants the kids to concentrate on that REAL sport, as he says. He got the Jr. Federer and Jr. Sharipova racquets. They love their new sport!

And on two the final birthday celebration with Matt's family:

 Aunt Joyce's birthday is right after Libby's, so she got a present, too...her first pair of Lululemon pants! I had to photograph the momentous occasion. If you've ever worn Lulu, you understand. 

 Natalie was the sweetest sister. She had a great attitude, and was genuinely excited about her siblings' gifts.

 This was going on in the back yard...

While this was going on in the front yard...

And this was my favorite guest of the weekend:

Thanks for the awesome memories, family!

What?!? A Week Without Knowing What She Wore? I'm so sorry...

Let us begin:

Monday

I know. Side pony? She can rock it.

Tuesday

And notice, there is the option of removing the aqua denim jacket as the day gets warmer.

Wednesday

I know you're looking for a caption here, but it doesn't really need one. 

Thursday

I haven't told her that models don't usually stick their tummies out when they pose.

Friday

Libby's complaining about Natalie sitting next to her on the bench. She giving a great big whiney "nOOoooo" right here. Poor Natalie. She looks like, "what did I do?"

Matthew's take on all of this?

Preschool Day Four

Natalie, Do you think you could pose and show us your outfit for today?

Thanks.

Libby, Do you think you could hold still long enough for me to take a picture?

Thanks anyway.

A little heart-to-heart from Natalie to Libby about how to pose:

After a night of practice:

Well done, student.  Well, done.

Day Three Preschool and Backyard Football

Matthew wasn't the most cooperative with pictures this morning.

I tried, but didn't get a good one of the three of them. This scene is pretty typical:

I finally got Natalie by herself. I think she thrives under the one-on-one attention.

When it was time to go and I was loading them in the car, Libby was in here saying, "Beeby Guts go bye-bye?" (P.S. Baby Gus goes EVERYWHERE with her)

On to Backyard Football... I've got the phone/camera in one hand and am trying to throw/catch with Matthew while capturing these images.

After a nice game of catch, Natalie came back outside after changing out of her school clothes. For some reason she thinks that football players spit a lot, so she showed she was ready to play.

They had a blast.

And ended the game with a hug and shaking the other's hand saying, "congratulations."

Where was Libby during this?

"How do you expect me to play when I have two left feet?" (shoes)

Day Two Preschool

I may as well publish what they wear everyday, because I know some of you out there get your fashion from these little treasures. I just like to take a lot of pictures of them because as you scroll through them, the personalities come out.