Savannah's Tea Party

Savannah's sweet Mimi through her an end of kindergarten tea party for her & her friends.

 It started with getting all dressed up.

 June, Lily, Desirae, Mallory, Savannah & Milli

 A few games.

 And of course the tea party.

 Each girl got to take home their tea cup & saucer as a gift! Such a special day!

 Slade had fun too : )

Happy Father's Day B

Our Happy Father's Day pic to the dad who seems to effortlessly do it all! His tiny fan club adores him.

Three

I didn't know but held my breath wondering if adding a third would rock the boat of genuine sibling love & adoration, but baby boy has slid so smoothly into his seat in that boat with his wonderful brother & sister. I am in love. With all three. Individually. Together. As the most entertaining, loving, energetic, sweet, blonde haired, blued eyed animal that IS #savspenceslade. I am obsessed with them. And this summer. I wish it was endless. No school. No schedules. No responsibilities other than swimming & eating enough veggies to balance out the home baked goods & ice cream. Brown skin for everyone but Baby, cicada shells on our runs, costumes all day long, naps until whenever & children's imaginations staying up way passed  bedtimes together on the top bunk. But it's not endless. September will come & will be great in it's own way I'm sure. But until then I will thank God more often than complain. I will not get frustrated with tiny legos everywhere, endless art supplies on the marker-stained table, wet towels & bathing suits covering both bathrooms & not getting to go to the gym. Because these are my people. And besides their daddy, they are my favorites.

6 Months

Half of a year?! Can it be?! "The Baby", as we endearingly (& possibly forever) call him, is the best. He is the happiest baby ever-says everyone, not just his partial parents. He has had kinda a rough month cutting his first two front teeth on the bottom & yet he's been such a sport! He's sitting up well now & loves that independence. He loves to sit & play with his toys on the floor or watch whatever his siblings are doing around him. They really are his favorite form of entertainment. He has really started loving the Ergo baby carrier that I upgraded to & that's how we run all our errands currently. His daddy has discovered that he's as ticklish as his siblings & loves to get him laughing! He started pureed baby food a week ago & LOVED it! Just sweet potatoes & bananas so far, but he's the quickest of our kids to figure out how awesome food is. Don't be deceived though, nursing hasn't slowed down one bit. "Milk AND food please" says baby. "As long as you don't bite me" says mom. He has been getting in the pool (decked in rash guard & hat) every time the rest of us swim & he's really enjoying it. He can't hang near as long as his siblings, but I bet he can next summer! His hair is growing a tad bit and looks to be the blondest of the 3. He's in his crib full time now & loves it. At his 6 month appointment he measured 27 3/4 inches long & 19 pounds 1 ounce. He's sweet like Spencer but I'm pretty sure isn't going to be as wild as Spencer. Spencer used to love being thrown high in the air as a baby & sweet Slade gets a scared look on his face. Not sure what I would have done with 2 sons having Danger as their middle names! I love watching on the monitor sometimes in the morning when he wakes up & his siblings here him because they climb in the crib & all 3 cuddle & play first thing in the morning. So very sweet. We are all 4 so thankful for the half year we've had with our Baby & can't wait to see what the next half year holds!

Abilene

I took my 3 on a day trip to our old stomping ground...Abilene! Unfortunately it was for a funeral, but we hit up a few fave spots while there.

 Their daddy & I ate La Popular for too many meals to count while in Abilene!

 The kiddos rang the bell on the ACU campus.

 And loved the stained glass in the chapel.

 Mexican popsicles were our final stop!

Father/Daughter Dance

One of these two's favorite nights of the year!!

 Bestie Desirae

 Carriage ride

5 Months

What a happy baby boy! What a busy baby boy! What a happy, busy baby boy Slade is! His arms are always reaching, hands always grabbing, legs always working, fingers often pinching & fists often hitting. Nothing within reach is safe from getting shoved into his mouth. And the fact that he doesn't like pacis means his mouth is always available for putting something in it. Keep all tiny objects away from the baby! And he's so happy. That's the compliments strangers give most often. He makes you feel like the most interesting person in the world the way he just stares & smiles. And quite honestly, his siblings are the most interesting people in the universe. But they also treat him so sweetly. Lots of hugs, kisses & cuddling. I don't think they could possibly squeeze him anymore than they do. Of course he loves him daddy & mamma too. He loves me so much he has refused a bottle every time it's been tried. Maybe we shouldn't be surprised since he doesn't like pacis. He continues to be a great eater & sleeper, but has started transitioning into a sleep sack instead of being swaddled-kinda makes me sad : ( He'll probably be in his crib soon too-makes me even more sad : ( He loves being on a blanket on the floor & will roll all over the place. He pushes up & gets his booty up in the air some too. He loves sitting in his bumbo-probably because it means he's going to be included in something like a tea party with his favorites. He's been in the pool a couple of times & doesn't mind it for a while. He has outgrown the k'tan carrier & we've moved up to an ergo (easier on my back). It's not his favorite ever, but we can get way more done. I love looking down as his sweet little white/blonde head that is always just staring back up at me. Yep, I have the most beautiful chin in the entire world. School is out for the summer & I am an so thankful to have all my chicks back in the nest! Slade, we couldn't imagine our summer without your sweet little self! Bring on our first summer as Team Shaw Party of 5!