Heard Around the Hillers

We have some birthdays coming up - Miles' is on Friday, Claire's is next month. We talk about them a lot - what theme they want for their party, what presents they want on their wish list, and if they get to do a friend party or not (probably not). Claire says her birthday is September 17, instead of September 17th. I am trying to teach her to say the "th" part. The other day we were talking about something happening on the first of the month, and she said, "Oh, do you mean on the one-th?"

Miles has been waking up a lot at night - sometimes I let him lay next to me for a bit in our bed, and I have discovered that he talks in his sleep quite a bit. The other night he was very upset and woke up saying - "Claire took my ice cream cup!!" He was distraught and I had to convince him it was a dream.

Matt took the kids to Bass Pro shop the other day to look at the animals and burn off some energy playing on the boats. But the best part of a trip to Bass Pro shop is they usually get to buy a treat on the way out. They each chose gummy peach rings. After the store, we were all headed to Matt's indoor soccer game. Claire decided to save her treats for the game, but Miles opened his candy. He didn't seem to comprehend the concept of "saving" a treat for later. Miles said, "Save candy? What?! I will save candy... in my MOUTH!" He is so my child.

Most of All

This brought me to tears yesterday. I had left the kids and Matt some sticky notes on the car for them to find, so Claire wanted to write me a note. She handed this first one to me as I walked in the door from a long day.  "And the most of all, I love mom." She was getting into trouble not five minutes later, but it's moments like getting a letter from my four and a half year old that make it all worth it.

Just Pics

Just some recent cuteness. I need to get better about using my actual camera more instead of relying on my iPhone for pics. Though I have started using Instagram and I like the editing options it has. I probably need to learn how to really use it. Anyhoo, without further ado - the fam.

 Harry Potter and Batman Cowboy enjoying the summer rain. It lasted about 5 minutes and then the skies were blue again.

Big News!

Penelope took the bottle today! Yipee! That is big news indeed around here. For the past two and a half weeks, I have nursed her over my lunch break just to make sure she wasn't starving. But I had a work lunch today so it was the first day that Matt had to feed her all day. Yesterday she actually latched onto the bottle a few times, and then today she finally gave in and drank three whole ounces. The best she has every done - yay!!! There is hope. Good job little stubborn girl :)

Same Same

Baby Blues

I think Mary has earned herself a hot fudge sundae - these eyes look blue to me.

Oh Yes, There WILL be Snacks!

I have still been meeting Matt and the kids for lunch so I can feed Penelope. One day when they picked me up, Miles was very inquisitive about what mom does at work all day. He doesn't see the point of going, and frankly, sometimes I feel the same way. But most days, I do like my job. I would have to like it just a bit to be able to leave the three cutest kids in the world at home.

Anyway, Miles said, "Mom, what you do at work?" I said I write stories (blog posts), teach lessons (training meetings), create pictures (websites), and make up commercials (radio ads). He said, "Hmm... do you have snacks?" You can tell his priorities. I said of course I have snacks! I have string cheese and a chocolate shake (Special K protein drink) waiting for me after lunch. Miles was suitably impressed.