This is what happens...

I do not talk on the phone a lot. With five kids it is near impossible. Because of noise level I usually have to go into the garage or outside to be able to hear the other person. But, of course, I do talk to my Mom a couple times a week. Today, I was on the phone with her and the girls decided they needed a second snack. So, they got the almonds from the pantry. The Sam's Club almonds...

that is 3 POUNDS of heart healthy almonds.

They dumped almost the entire container of almonds on the floor and divided them into three piles. One for Hannah, one for Chloe and one for Maxine. Yes, Maxine... the dog. You can see we have been working on sharing. I believe they are getting it!

This is what is left of our almonds...

I promise I didn't let them eat them all. After I snapped the pictures I had them throw the rest in the trash. I think this maybe a sign that they are growing tired of the Halloween candy!

A Trim and Pedicure

Do you remember when I told you all about how Josiah was having a really hard time with his new sisters? The post is here. He was the baby for five years and he played the roll like an Emmy Award winning actor. Then his precious baby spot was taken. It was not taken by just one sister, but two. Also, they were not babies that he could hold and cuddle, they were toddlers. Toddlers who like to get into his toys, especially his beloved stuffed animals, and chew on them (that is what he told me over and over again). Bless his heart, he did have a ruff go of it, but I am happy to report that he has adjusted. I now find him playing more with his sisters than with his brothers. They really enjoy each other's company and play very well together. They do have days where they don't get along, but don't all siblings?

Today the girls thought that Josiah needed his hair trimmed and a pedicure. Chloe is obsessed with hair. She is happiest when she is pretending to do comb and cut our hair. It seriously is the cutest thing ever and it does her Nanna's heart good (she owned a beauty salon for 25 years).

Yes, I do believe Josiah is putting on lipstick. Good thing Monte rarely reads this blog. :)

Then Hanna took off Josiah's socks and propped his feet up on a light saber and preceded to pretend to paint his toes.

Now Josiah is refreshed and ready for the weekend!

"America cold!"

I have been hearing those words, "America cold!" a lot lately. I agree, we had a chilly summer skipped right over fall and went straight to winter weather. That is a lot to take in for a child who is used to Ethiopia's climate. They are adjusting to the frigid temperatures and are loving their hats and mittens.

I will wait until they are older to let them know that all of America is not cold!

Prayer...

Last night at dinner Hanna asked to pray for the first time. Their English is improving each and every day, but I was shocked (in a good way) that she wanted to pray in front of all of us. As a mother, this video brings me so much joy!

Make sure your volume is turned up, because she is talking pretty quiet. She says Jesus and then goes through everyones name. Then I remind her to say Amen.

Enjoy...

Say Bye Bye

We have had so much fun in the pool lately! I still can't get over comfortable the girls are in the water. They act like they have been exposed to the pool since infancy.

Here is a video of Monte and Chloe doing their father/daughter thing. Monte tells her, "Say bye bye", but instead of her saying, "bye bye", she says exactly what he said, "Say bye bye". It is adorable. You can hear her say it if you turn the volume up high, but it is hard to hear over Josiah's laughter!

Where is Hanna during this time? She is hanging out poolside. The water has been a little chilly because we have had cooler evenings and because Hanna is so stinkin' skinny she gets cold pretty easy. If she wasn't cold, she would be right in there with them!

The chicken pox strike

We were home for exactly one week and Hanna broke out in chicken pox. It is now Tuesday and she is still breaking out (only one new one today though, well it is still early). It appears to be a mild case or at least I think so. She isn't miserable during the day, but at night is another story. She hasn't slept through the night for two nights and it is because she is scratching. I give her oatmeal baths (these girls would live in the water) and anti itch cream, but it seems that by 2am they both wear off. I think tonight I am going to reapply the cream once she wakes up. She hasn't had a fever in two days, so I am hoping the end is in sight. Desalech doesn't have any spots... yet.

There is so much I want to tell you all, but it'll have to wait till another time. I hope you all have a great Tuesday and I will leave you with some pictures.

Hanna is not always full of smiles.

Desalech blowing bubbles. This is a daily activity!