The Thurber Gang

Tamara tagged me a little while ago, but I didn't have a 4th picture in my 4th folder, so I put it off, wondering what to do?? 3rd in the 3rd?? 5th in the 5th?? The stress was palpable. Today, I reread the tag, and I realize now that it's supposed to come from my picture files, not Blog folders. . . So - with my head hanging just a little low, is the 4th from my 4th. . . November 2, 2002. Ally, Lillian, Molly and Madison at the St. Louis Zoo. Here are the rules: Go into your picture files and post the 4th picture from the 4th folder onto your blog. Then tag 4 friends. I tag . . . Christi, Tiffany, Megan and Susan.

Saturday morning was the big girls' swim meet. We had to wake up super early so that Madison, Lillian and Milo could leave by 6:30 a.m. I stayed up, getting myself ready, enjoying a cup of mint calli (my *favorite* tea!) and waiting for the babysitter who would watch Ella and Vivien & their cute friends. . . At 7:20, the two little sleepy-eyed princesses sauntered into the family room and immediately cuddled into me. After a couple of minutes trying to gain a coherent thought, Ella looked at me, puzzled, and said, "Did you stay up ALL NIGHT?" So - seeing me up, dressed and ready when they wake up is really not a common occurrence in this household! I'm more of the 'jump on mommy to wake her up' type of gal. . . Although, I've roped a friend into working out with me in the morning, starting . . . soon. . . ha. So, the girls will wake up to see me sweaty and *strong* in the future. . . ha. Wish me (a LOT) of luck!

What a day!! Lillian swam in her first *real* meet today, and she surprised us by not only having a lot of fun, but swimming really well!! She took it easy, swam two events - the 25 back and 25 fly. She finished both like a champ. We are so proud!! Lillian's backstoke. . . Her butterfly (it was beautiful!!) And, although the camera was on a crazy setting & we didn't realize it, watching Madison congratulate Lil after her fly was heartwarming. What a fun day to have *TWO* of our daughters swimming. It was a really great experience!! Girls - we are *SO* proud of you!!

For my family who've been asking - Here's how Madison did this past weekend - she shed quite a bit of time off of a few of her events!!! GO MADISON!! (Notice in the picture that Madison is pulling the Michael Phelps trick - cap, goggles then cap again!! It worked for her!) Individual Events Event Age Group Season Best Time Delta from Lifetime Best Delta from Prev. Season 100 FR (SCY) 10 & under 1:13.85 0.00 -06.91 (-8.56 %) 200 FR (SCY) 10 & under 2:42.42 0.00 -07.58 (-4.46 %) 50 BK (SCY) 10 & under 39.30 0.00 -01.98 (-4.80 %) 100 BK (SCY) 10 & under 1:25.45 0.00 -04.43 (-4.93 %) 50 BR (SCY) 10 & under 47.47 0.00 -01.16 (-2.39 %) 50 FL (SCY) 10 & under 40.41 0.00 -01.17 (-2.81 %)...

Alright - to you, this may not seem like a big deal, but for me - - AMAZING. Milo and I stopped at "Chili's" for an appetizer after a church meeting tonight. The waiter gave us a memorized list of what was available to drink - all alcoholic. We ordered water, and he was on his way. A few minutes later, he greeted the table behind us and offered a selection of sodas to them. I don't know why I thought to look, but I turned around and noticed that it was a younger couple. My heart SOARED. For the first time (in my recollection), someone acknowledged that I was at least 21 years old!!!! It wasn't ME that was offered the sodas - he knew that I was an adult! It was only a few years ago that I wasn't allowed to sit at the bar at Applebees to pick up a to-go order because I had forgotten my ID. It was not too long ago that someone mentioned how sweet I was to my sisters, until Madison informed them I was their mom - and then she went on a rant about teenage...

I was tagged by Susan to "publish for the world to see" six of my quirks. The sad thing is that six will probably not even get us started. . . hmmm. . . I do like calling my annoying habits quirks, though - it just sounds more endearing!!! Sorry this took so long for me to accomplish, Susan, but just check out quirk #1 and then maybe you'll cock your head to the side and think 'ah- that's an endearing quality'. . . instead of being annoyed!!! 1. Every day is a marathon to me. I do things in an order that makes complete sense to me - but can leave others spinning. . . I'm *always* behind, but I'm also always super busy. . . this is what I mean: (drumroll . . .) I'll have a day that's all laundry. Laundry and more laundry. It will be a marathon of sorting, stain removal, folding, etc. The subsequent days, laundry will pile up. Emails - I'll have a marathon day of writing emails. . . reply to those that I haven't yet, etc (a 'quir...

Two for two. . . teeth. . . Gabs tried to go to sleep tonight, but got up and asked me to please pull out her other tooth. I wasn't completely surprised, she needed to feel in control of them, and once she realized how much better it is to have the offending teeth gone, she jumped on board and was completely brave. This one was in quite a bit more securely than last night's - and it bled more as well - but she was excited and we had to do the customary photo. (Lucky girl - getting out of bed for all of this hoopla!!) Just for fun - (since I already dragged you into this, Silvia) here's our favorite Tooth Fairy (who we miss SOOO much) pulling out Madison's tooth Aug. 20, 2005 and Lillian's - after the fact (notice the tooth pillow - I got that for my birthday when I was about 7!) That was July 9, 2006. Can't wait to see you again, Silvia!

Th Tooth Fairy is getting to know our family quite well lately! Three visits in one week! The first two were for my niece, Ashley - fun that the fancy fairy knew just where to find her - and last night, the visit was for someone new. . . none other than the super fast growing - kindergarten going, spinning ballerina - Gabriella Paige!! Woohoo!! First, let me tell you that the tooth has been ready to come out for WELL over a week. It's been hanging by *less* than a thread for a couple of days. It was actually pretty gross talking to her, because the silly tooth would bounce around her lips as she would talk. (If Silvia ever saw that, it would be gone in a FLASH!) I tried to get her to allow me to pull it, but she refused. None of us were allowed to touch it at all. She was convinced that the Tooth Fairy would pull it out at night. It didn't matter that Milo and I, Madison, Lillian and Ashley told her (until we were blue in the face) that the Tooth Fairy can't come u...

As I was tucking Ella into bed the other night, she had me giggling - I thought a few of you would get a kick out of our conversation. . . Ella: Remember my friend Taylea? Me: Your cousin? Ella: Yeah, my cousin. Do you remember that we were in Canada with her? Me: Yes. . . Ella: and we went to Jhevyn's birthday party at her house? Me: uh-huh. . . Ella: and there was money in the cake, and we got to lick off the money and save it for our piggy banks? Me: Yeah - that was fun, wasn't it? Ella: That was more than fun. that was . . . * cool * . Me: (hiding my snicker. . .) Ella: I want that for my birthday. But I want my party to be a bunk bed party instead of a pirate one. Me: A bunk bed party? Ella: Yes. . . but, people don't need to buy me real bunk beds. Me: Oh, good. . . Ella: and we can have lots of money in the cake. . . (wistful) . . .like my cousin. . .

I don't think - when I prepared my apple dip for my girl's night last night, that I intended to eat the whole thing myself. I don't know if that's because there was just so much other food, or it looked bad to my guests. . . I don't know. What I do know is that it tastes *incredible* when you dip your finger into it and eat it that way. I had in mind that I would dip the apples that I cut up right now - but they are brown and gross since I cut them last night. So, just before putting the dip away, I performed a little taste test. Then another. Then another. Now, I'm outright dipping my finger in and enjoying every gooey slurp. . .

Just seem way cooler than . . . well. . . other people's!! Last night we got to go visit Auntie Tristin & Emily at work. It's always a little tricky doing that because we're a bit of a crew - bombarding someone's workplace. . . (picture 2 adults and 5 girls 9& under visiting a law office for 5 hours, for example!) but, everyone is always completely welcoming, and if we're a huge pain, they go to great lengths not to make us feel it! We love seeing them whenever they're within driving distance, and hope they'll be close again soon. . . The girls think this is the better way to travel. . . here's Ella, Ashley and Madison. . .and Lil in her auntie's bunk. a little guitar lesson. Auntie Tristin had a large candy supply in her office! Here are Vivie and Ella checking out the wax lips! Thanks, Guys!!! We love you!!

My niece, Ashley arrived from Las Vegas yesterday. . . this is her first flight all by herself!! Because she is under 12, her dad escorted her right to the gate in Vegas, and then I was able to go through security and meet her at her gate as she arrived. When the plane landed, the steward came and made sure I was waiting before he went back to the plane to get her. . . she looked so small. . . I was much more emotional than I thought I would be - my sweet little niece who is the same age as Madison. . . When I finally saw her coming, I whipped out my camera and grabbed a few seconds of 'my girl'. . . well, my sister's girl, but right now she's MINE! ha. . . We're so happy to have her for this week!