May is Here

This month we have been grateful for the nice, sunny weather. The girls have been playing outside and exploring under the railroad ties in the backyard. Some of their finds include: rolly polies, worms, and spiders. They seem to like everything, but the spiders. I do not blame them! They have also been playing a lot of soccer now that we have a fence for a boundary. They are going to be strikers. Abby is playing soccer for the first time at St. Joe's this Fall. We are looking forward to see her in action and we'll report back on how she is enjoying it.

The girls and Ted really treated me to a nice Mother's Day with a pancake breakfast and Tony's on Main Street in St. Charles with our whole family for a very late brunch. It was a perfect day! The girls were happy to spend time with both sets of grandparents, Uncle Andy, Aunt Jenny, and Uncle Mike.

This May we are thankful for all the many blessings that God has given us! Abby's preschool performed for the first time at chapel at school. Abby has been coming home singing songs of praise. You have to love the Lutheran preschools! They are teaching her so much. We a happy with our decision to send Abby to St. Joseph and we are excited she'll be in Catholic school.

Polka Pot Perfection

Sara Groves

Sara Groves is a Christian Pop singer that I stumbled upon in a blog called "The Happy Catholic" on blogger. I listened to some music and really loved her words and voice. She reminds me a little bit of Shawn Colvin, Sarah Mc Laughlin, or Dido? She is becoming one of my favorites to listen to lately.

Most of all, I love the relief work she does in Africa and the good work that she does.

Happy Easter

This Easter was especially special since we were able to have all three girls go to Mass and do an Easter egg hunt together. Uncle Andy supplied the kites and they flew them over Grandma and Grandpa's lake. It was an exciting day!

What I would not give to be 5 years old again? It has to be the greatest age because you understand just enough to think that the world is full of endless possibilities and so little that you are not sickened by the world's evils. Abby surely is ready to conquer kindergarten. She absolutely loves holidays. She is constantly getting ready for the next one to celebrate. She has so much spirit and love. She knows God loves her because she tells us all the time.

Allison is in the beginning stages of growing out of being a baby to becoming a preschooler. She is ahead of her time and relentless in learning all things new. She is making connections and expressing them like a pro. She has so much love to give and she wants so much to be loved in return. She is my white angel that God sent me so that I can learn how to be compassionate.

Elizabeth, our Libby, or as the girls refer to her as Lib Lou. She is a fiesty little fire ball with a great deal of passion. She is learning about how her actions cause reactions and that she can have the ball in her court. So, we are playing a little tennis with her at the moment. We'll just lob one on over to her and she backhands us like a pro. We thought we had it down by now. She is a gift from God and has baby thighs of steel.

Pumpkin Patch

Sunday, October 8th we went to the Lakeview Farms Pumpkin Patch in O Fallon. The girls enjoyed climbing the straw stack and climbing through the maze. I was amazed at the fact that they went in the dark maze be themselves. They had a little help from some preteen girls who were being very helpful leading them through. We got a pumpkin each for the girls and then we walked a bit. Nana and Poppie were in town for the weekend so they joined us as well. Libby stayed in her backpack because she is all over the place right now. We did let her out at the end because she was ready!

Abby will be Snow White, Allison Tinkerbell, and Libby is a chicken for Halloween!

Pondering Life

These two months have flown by. It has been an exciting past two months. We visited Grants Farm on Father's Day weekend and Abby asked us where the unicorns were. It was fun explaining that unicorns are mythical creatures. I do not think she believed me, but when Ted explained that we were going to get pretzels in the Beer Garden she quickly forgot. The girls and I visited Missouri Botanical Gardens new Children's Garden which was really exciting equipped with rope bridges, log slides, creeks, sand and water play area, and lots of waterfalls. The new area was donated by the Schnucks family. It is geared toward 2-12 year olds per their literature; however, I think it is really for school age kids. Ally has no fear of heights as she was first to climb up the Mark Twain club house. It looks like something out of Swiss Family Robinson.

We have been busy with playdates with our Mom's group, going to local parks, and going to the YMCA. This past Friday Libby was at Grandma's and the girls went to Wapplehorst Pool here in St. Charles. They absolutely loved the large bucket that periodically dumps water and the age-appropriate water slide. Tax money that was actually well spent!

We are looking forward to July 4th weekend when we will visit Nana and Poppie in Indy. We plan to go to the Children's Museum and play in their pool! Mark the date for Lib's 1st birthday BBQ on August 5th. Ted will have help from another certified BBQ judge, Poppie. Lib's walking like a little pro now, but tends to crawl more to Mom than Dad. She is getting longer and her personality is starting to come out more. She is an extremely well-adjusted little baby girl since she learns so much from her sisters. We should have more to report soon, but for now I leave you with a sweet story.

We were sitting at dinner tonight and Allison said out of the blue, "Mommy, I love you!" Then she looked at Ted and said, "Daddy, I love you, too". She normally does not tell us this so it was extra special.

Happy Easter

We had a wonderful Easter! The girls really enjoyed their visit and field trips to the zoo and movies with Aunt Becky. I think that Allison only slept through part of the movie this time! Her first movie was with Bec a few months back and she would only have Grandma hold her and was a little scared of the dark.

Nana and Poppie visited and was there in the morning for the Easter Egg hunt from the bunny. We even saw one of the bunnies helpers in the grass in the early am. The girls were able to color eggs twice: Grandma and Aunt Bec's and then again at our house with Nana. The girls were so well behaved at church and their dresses were so adorable. We had a wonderful brunch at Grandma and Capaw's house and the girls seem to handle the day without a nap. I think it was all the sugar. The crash was hard at our house and their was not much room for dinner.

We look forward to the next time when we can all get together for a special holiday.

*I read these entries to the girls and show them the pictures. They really like to do this!

Grants Farm

The girls were so excited to go on another field trip to Grant's Farm. It was a bit chilly though. Allison enjoyed the tram ride the best. She was refusing to get off and was happy that Grant's Farm ends with the tram ride as well. Abby loved the flamingos. She was practicing standing on one leg. Libby rode in the back pack on my back and pulled my hair the entire time. She was very pleased!

We do not have any pictures to post of Grants Farm, but we have a sweet one of all three.

Fun at the Zoo

Abby, Ally, and Libby went to the zoo today. We went early this morning at the opening of the day to meet up with the "Marvelous Mom's" which are a group of mom's in the O Fallon/St. Charles/St. Peters area. I was hoping to meet a Mom of three girl's, but no luck yet. I did meet some nice mothers who we ate lunch with and got to know a little better.

Ally was a little worried about the hippo coming through the glass at her. She wanted to be at least 10 feet away from it. Abby was in for the long haul, but when she asked to be carried I decided we were finished. Libby seemed content to suck her thumb and laugh at Allison. They have a big time together lately as they are quickly becoming good buds. Abby wants to come back to the zoo with Dad so that they can do more as she put it is eloquently.

Spring Fever

The Stann Girls headed for Versailles, Kentucky, this past week on a six hour long road trip to visit Courtney Elbert and children. We had an uneventful trip there, but almost a poop accident from Ms. Abby on the way back. I guess I thought she could hold it to Evansville, Indiana. The poor little one held it for at least 15 miles.

The girls got a much needed haircut this afternoon. Ted said that the other Abby and Ally that live behind us were there at Custom Cuts. Abby is growing her bangs out one length per her request. Elizabeth and I went to the Parent/Teacher store to get Ally some potty training reinforcements! We also picked up some ABC flashcards and a educational game. Now if we have 1 one 1 time to do it. We are pretty much playing zone around here.

The girls officially have spring fever. They are excited to get out and play as much as possible. It is interfering with their supposed "nap time". Allison still needs a good 1 to 1 /2 hour nap to function properly. Tonight, I videotaped her falling asleep while eating at the dinner table. She went to sleep without a bath tonight!

Ted has been working hard in the yard and it looks great. We ordered flowers and bushes so we are trying really hard to get it looking great. I should not say "we" since Ted does it all. He is a one man show. We are thinking that the girls need a little gardening set since Allison was so intent on helping today.

Elizabeth is making more movements toward really crawling. She has crawled a few steps when there is something dangerous she wants like princess puzzle pieces.

I hope you will enjoy the things we post on this family blog. I hope you will post what is happening with you all as well.


We are looking forward to seeing Nana and Poppie this weekend for Easter as well as all the Stann family at Easter brunch.