Libby Library

Well, I wasn't going to post again until after the final birthday festivities for Josiah this weekend but this is just some cute stuff (if I do say so myself!). The kids have been "reading" to each other over the last couple weeks and I just love it when they do. I've been catching the rare moments when I can...

The book Josiah is reading to Hannah was one of the boys favorite when they were younger. So much so that Hannah had to get a new one for Christmas since the boys beat the other one up so much! This is his favorite part...the squeaky mouse belly.

Hannah was trying to get a little involved and Josiah didn't like that too much.

Dave was working on a tiling job with Uncle Tim today so it was banana chocolate chip pancakes for dinner. I was in the living room feeding Hannah while the boys were finishing up. When Josiah said he was finished, I grabbed the box of wipes to clean him up. As you can see, I put down the box of wipes and headed straight for the tub. Of course, like any good mother, I had to take a picture first!!!

Dave and I have been going to a parenting course at church over the last few weeks and last week's study was on birth order. It is so interesting to me. Since the class I have been noticing traits within our kids that demonstrate their order in the family. Caleb is such an organizer (yes, he uses that word when he wants to organize the groceries in the cart) and always wants things in their place. He likes doors closed, lights off and the water can NEVER be left running (he's our little "green" child). I say all this to say look at this picture again...our middle child!!!
Enough said!

I guess this is how Josiah learned to read to Hannah. I caught Caleb reading to Josiah the other morning. I tried not to let them see me but as you can see, Josiah caught me! Enjoy and I'll be posting all the birthday fun this week after Saturday.

Newbies

The boys went to their friend's birthday party over the weekend and got a chance to go bowling for the first time. It was so much fun for them! Pizza, cake, candy, ice cream and bowling...what more could a kid want?!?! We knew Caleb would be into it but it was surprising to see how long it kept Josiah's interest. He wanted to bowl just as much as Caleb did!

The newest little bowler!

They had these cool ramps where the kids could just push the ball down the lane. And then they put the bumpers up so the kids saw the ball hit the pins everytime!

Josiah wanted to carry his own ball to the lane. And then he said after he knocked some pins down, "I knocked the coke bottles." That's one for the books!

Ok, I know this looks freaky but Hannah was all lit up during "glow bowl". I thought it was funny! A year from now, she'll be throwing those balls down the lane!

Caleb was so excited that he was dancing. I know I wouldn't have gotten this if he saw me watching him.

Plan B

Dave and I celebrating our 9th anniversary today at the zoo. That's right...the zoo.

Depending on the situation, I can quite the planner (hence, maybe why I love to help others plan weddings) and sometimes I just love being spontaneous and enjoying surprises (like not finding out the sex of our babies). Well, today I had to be both. Let me explain...
Last year while we were away for our anniversary, I learned that David Libby had NEVER been ice skating in his entire life. Well, I had to change that so since last year, I have had it planned that we would go ice skating at Frog Pond in Boston. I myself have been ice skating but never on Frog Pond so I have been so excited about this. My mom would be taking the kids to school with her for the day. After ice skating we would go to Fire and Ice for lunch which is another place neither one of us have ever been. I gave Dave his card last night at dinner and let him in on our plans. I had been keeping it a surprise until then. Dave and I very rarely get an entire day with just the 2 of us (in fact, I think it's only on our anniversary), so we were particularly excited about the day. A little earlier in the day, however, Caleb had come in from outside and said his cheek hurt. I didn't think too much of it until dinner when he said "The hurt's in my ear too." Dave and I looked at each other and knew exactly what that meant since Josiah's "cheek" had also hurt last week. I took Caleb's temperature before bed and sure enough he had a fever so he couldn't go to school today with my mom. Not only that but I also found out that Frog Pond closed for the skating season...yesterday. This morning Caleb seemed fine but still had a fever so I got him into the doctor's office and found out he did have an ear infection as suspected. When we got home, neither Dave nor I were up for sitting around at home on our anniversary. The weather was absolutely beautiful, we needed to be outside and Caleb seemed to be doing ok. We thought about shopping (no fun with 3 kids) and then we thought of a few things we could do near our house but we wanted to go on a day trip so I went online to just see if the zoo was even open yet. I honestly didn't think it would be but we found out it was open year-round so that was our plan. We quickly packed up the car and headed to the Franklin Park Zoo near Boston. It turned out to be a really good idea! The kids were great, the weather was perfect and we saw a lot of animals despite how early in the season it was. And since it was only March, there was hardly anyone there. What a fun time we had! Tonight we will end are day by snuggling on the couch watching our favorite show "LOST" and sharing our favorite snack, Andy Capps Cheddar Fries.
Between Caleb's ear infection and Frog Pond being closed, I just figured the day wasn't meant to be. But of course it was meant to be...just not the way we had originally planned. God always gives us Plan B. After 9 years, we are still learning that life is an adventure and full of "Plan B's" but there is nobody in the world I would rather share it all with than David Libby.
I love you babe! Happy Anniversary!

Not only did we go to the zoo but we brought our own zoo along with us!

(Dave found it funny that we filled almost all the faces in the sign. Hmmm...should we add one more face to the zoo someday?.....)


Here are the kids in front of the Prairie Dogs. They particularly liked
watching these little guys. Hannah's first time at the zoo.

Ahhhhh....breathing again...

Finally, I can get you all caught up with some pictures of the kids! As I posted last week, the week was CRAZY and still got crazy even after I posted. Josiah being sick turned out to be a double ear infection. You never want your kids to be sick but you are glad when there is at least an explanation for the high fever and crankiness. So he is on medication and was a different kid within 24 hours. All are healthy now thank the Lord. After all the prep work and anxiety about my stamp event it went amazing!!!! It was such a success!!! It was organized, fun and a great joy to bring these ladies together for such a serious cause. The "Stamping Out Cancer" event raised about $250 for my friend's Avon walk (I am hoping to raise more for her next year!), met many new ladies, gained a new customer and club member all while having a BLAST!!! There were raffles, door prizes, prizes for wearing pink and a bunch of happy stampers! I was certainly tired that evening but it was so worth it. My friend and I have already gotten several e-mails saying how much fun it was and asking if we would doing it again next year. This year was definitely a learning experience so I know next year's will be even better! I am so excited to drop off the cards that we made for the breast cancer patients. With all the ladies help, we are able to give them 48 card packs to give to their patients. What a blessing! Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement in preparing for this event ~ Shelley, I appreciate your aptly spoken encouragement after my last post :) So, here are some pictures of the kids. It is nice to finally be breathing again, be caught up laundry and just get back to the everyday life of the Libbys!!!

Kris and I with the basket of cards that we will be donating to the breast cancer patients. It was a wonderful feeling to see that basket full. It made all the work worth it.

Another snow day last week meant more chocolate chip cookies. I started the tradition of baking cookies on snow days but this winter it is certainly biting me in the butt! LOTS OF COOKIES!!!

Josiah had fun dressing up in the church nursery. Just what I need, a 2 year old growling tiger in my home...GRRREAT!!!!

Hannah has been in the exersaucer this week. She isn't quite sure what to do with everything but likes being in there.

And of course, I continue to turn Hannah into my little model. No, don't worry, you won't see her on TLC's "Toddlers and Tiaras"

Hannah and Bella with their matching outfits in church. What's funny about these outfits is that Donna bought it for Hannah and my mom bought it for Bella at 2 completely different times! They must have the same taste.

Here is a video of Hannah having cereal for the first time. Right now she could take it or leave it. Some days she likes it and some days she could care less about it! But she's cute to watch when she does eat it.

Checking In

I know, I think this is the longest I have ever gone without updating the blog! I am sorry! We are still alive and kickin' but life has been quite busy so I am just dropping you a line. We started our small group with some friends of ours and met at our house Friday night. It was fun to get together and share our concerns in this parenting adventure. Saturday I got a chance to scrapbook with my sister and actually finished Josiah's first year book (YES, just in time for his 2nd birthday!). Sunday was my birthday and it was relaxing as we welcomed in another snowstorm which cancelled school on Monday as well as work. Normally, I would have been thrilled to have to miss work but I have a lot going on at work right now so I needed to be there. So when Dave had to go in and shovel (when the snow finally stopped!), we all went so I could do some work and the kids could play in the snow. We brought their sleds and just pulled them around in the mounds of snow and sledded down a couple small hills. They boys both especially enjoyed shoveling with daddy. This week I am preparing for a big stamping event this weekend. It is called "Stamping Out Cancer". I have teamed up with a customer of mine who walks the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in May to help her raise money through stamping. We are making cards on Saturday to donate to breast cancer patients at a local hospital. The guests are paying on Saturday and there are raffles and a few other things that will help her raise money for her walk. I am excited about this but nervous. And of course since I have this big event, work was cancelled Monday so I am trying to work from home (haha!) to meet a deadline, 2 of my 3 kids are sick today and needing mommy a bit more and we have the office pulled apart to re-paint it. With the kids not feeling well, Dave and I have had very little sleep over the past few days so both of us are running on empty. But despite these obstacles, I am still believing for an incredible event on Saturday and these patients are blessed by our efforts. Sorry no pics, but I will be sure to update more later this week (probably AFTER Saturday!). Take care everyone!