The Henderson Family

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Some Random Pictures

Yawn...

Hmm. Hi Dog. You haven't put your face in mine for about 15 minutes. I thought you'd left...

Would stop that!? Seriously. Enough pictures, woman. I've had just about enough of that flashy light.

Ahahahha-you look so stupid when you make that face, woman. But, keep doing it. It makes me giggle...

Oh, great, a big sister comes near me, and that woman takes out the damn camera again!

Katie's favorite new thing to do now when I have the camera out. Great!

A few Thursdays ago, we met up with the Dillingham ladies at the downtown Plainfield park. It was fun, and the girls get along very well. Well, Katie and Grace anyways. Delaney and Grace kinda got irritated with one another...thankfully at this age, grudges go quickly.

Rowena's Milestones

On Monday, June 8th, we went to see the movie UP! (which I recommend to everyone of all ages). Rowena, a true Henderson, was awake for most of the movie, staring at the screen, very contently. While watching the movie, Rowena discovered her hands. She loves to hold them together, grasping quite firmly.

On Saturday, June 13th, we were at the Dillingham's for a continuation of Grace's 5th birthday party, and Rowena rolled over! YEA! From back to belly. She's been loving laying on her left side lately, and we figured it was just a matter of time. She doesn't get much tummy time, probably because she'll lay for hours on her back...so happy just looking at everything. Yesterday she was hanging out on the Dilly's family room floor, and viola! she rolled over. She didn't get startled or upset at all. Just taking it all in, as she usually does.

So, Rowena...what's next? I'm thinking teeth or finding her feet.

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Peter is in Heaven

As we sit down for dinner...

Delaney: "Daddy, can we please watch Return of the Jedi?"

Peter: "Why, of course we can!"

After dinner...

Girls are all cuddled up with Daddy...

And they asked questions and make comments throughout. Some of the best are below...

Katie: "When it's my turn to pick, I'm going to pick the one with Queen Amidala?"

Katie: "Is Queen Amidala Princess Leia's mom?"
Peter: "Yes! How did you know that?"

Katie: "Because Queens are the Princesses' mommies."

During Yoda's death scene:

Katie: "What's happening? I don't want to watch."

Peter: "Yoda's dying. He's really old. He's 900 years old."

Katie: "Oh, like Poppy."

Friday, June 5, 2009

She's a Natural!

Just wanted to share that Delaney can ride her bike ALL BY HERSELF! We took her to the church parking lot, where Pete helped her start, and she was off. She did 2-3 laps before taking a break. She can now even start up completely by herself. WELL DONE, HONEY! We're so proud of her. No more training wheels for her.

I wonder if we can get Kate there by the end of the summer...

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Starved Rock...Picnic, Hiking, FUN!

What a GREAT day we had Monday! Although storms were in the forecast, we decided to try our plans anyway. We packed up some sammies, snacks, and gatorade, threw the kids in the car, and drove off to Starved Rock. The girls were very excited to go "hiking" although they had NO idea what that word meant! Can you tell we're not the most "outdoor" kinda family? ahahha. We got there and the girls were so excited. We had our picnic at a table set back a ways from the parking lot and other people that were there. We watched some fish jump out of the water, found some nasty dead fish, then headed out onto the "starved rock" trail. Once we started, Delaney says: "THis is really just walking, isn't it?" Very preceptive, kid! We made it up and down that trail, and almost to Lover's Leap. Both Delaney and Kate took turns being carried by Daddy...and when both started saying how tired they were, we headed back. We stopped in the Lodge for potty breaks and ice cream, and then headed home. There were very few complaints, no whining, and a LOT of fun! We'll definitely go back. I think next time we'll try a different trail, and maybe go out on the boat ride.

Exploring...Climbing on some fallen trees near the parking lot

Enjoying the family picnic

Wishing they brought their fishing poles...

Some nasty HUGE dead fish...

Hiking through the woods...

Looking out on Starved Rock

The Henderson Ladies at the top of Starved Rock

Rowe enjoying hiking...relaxing with thumb in mouth.

Checking out two Daddy-Long-Legged spiders...

She was just learning about roots of trees from Daddy while looking at this fallen tree...

The girls in awe that Daddy can pee outside...

All this hiking wore Rowe out!

Hiking through the mud

Kate lost her shoe in the muck!

Following the leader, Delaney

Enjoying grape-twisted ice cream after a muggy hike...

Damn! We ALMOST made it out...As we're getting into the car, Kate slipped in the mud! Thankfully, I packed wet washcloths for this kind of thing.

All in all...a wonderful, perfect, family day! Next Monday...Grandpa and Paula's!

Another Amazing Sunday

Like I've said before...I love Sundays! This past Sunday, we ended May wonderfully. Pete and I went to breakfast together while the girls were all at Grammie and Poppy's. Afterwards, Pete had to go into work, so I picked up my fave ladies. We came home, played a bit, had a good dinner, sat on the porch with ice cream from the ice cream truck, and then rode our bikes...SANS training wheels! Well Done, Girls! Delaney is getting pretty good. Kate is hilarious. As soon as she feels your hands are away from her, she freaks out.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Like Mother, Like Daughter

Class of 2022...WoW!

Well, it's official...Delaney is a graduate. She graduated from preschool on Thursday, May 28th. The program was about an hour long, and included all four 4-5 year old classes from Kid's Connection. Delaney performed in a cute little Monkey Dance and then in a whole-school song. Afterwards there was a nice reception with lots of cookies, cakes, and goodies. We said "goodbye" to her friends and teachers. Hopefully she'll know some kids in her class next year. Here are some pics from the night...

Delaney getting her "diploma" from her teacher, Ms. Panzera

Loving her flowers from Katie...

With her fave friends, twins Alexia and Ethan...

Saying "Good Bye" to Ms. Panzera

Yum, Yum, Gimmie Some

ICE CREAM TIME!!!

Delaney is eight and she is starting to really grow up on us. She is smart and caring, sensitive and competitive. She is great with her siblings; such a wondeful big sister. She loves school and reading, but not as much as playing video games and running around outside. She is in ballet for the 5th year and she is hoping to start baseball this spring.

She hate scary movies and noises and is afraid of the dark. She loves nature and all things animals. I'm surprised she hasn't asked to not eat meat. She likes jokes and tries her hardest to fit in. She knows how to push people's buttons, but also knows how to really be there for someone who is hurting. She is amazing at video games, but gets frustrated with them too.

She does well in school-both with behavior and academics. She loves Brownies and has many friends. She has the desire and determination to learn and try everything--academic, sports, etc. Just not all tv and movies.

Katie is now six and starting first grade. She is quite the young lady. She is funny and smart and sassy and determined. She can be so supportive and nice and helpful, yet also stubborn and angry. She knows what she wants and how she wants it, and is not always willing to have it any other way. She loves to cuddle and be around others. She enjoys books, tv, and Barbies. Her favorite show is Glee and she often plays Glee (pretend, that is). She loves scary things like Harry Potter and roller coasters and very kid-friendly things like Pokemon and Blue's Clues.

She is all girl...with her skirts and dresses, playing dress up, loving the color pink, and Barbies. However, don't be surprised if you find her climbing a tree or wrestling with the neighbor. Her vocabulary is amazing, but not as much as her imagination. Her favorite foods are nutella and jelly sandwiches, butter noodles, yogurt, and apples. What is she most looking forward to this year? Learning how to read.

Rowena is three and is getting so mature! Her language, vocabulary, and speech is amazing, and it's almost like it developed over night! She asks questions and will tell you how it is. She is funny and she cracks us up. She loves to watch TV and movies and it is surprising the various genres she will pay attention to for long periods of time. She loves to "play toys" and it is fun to watch her play pretend and make the toys talk and walk. She's getting very good at video games--Mario Party on GameCube is her favorite right now. She also loves to cook and bake.

She's excited to start school in the fall. She knows her alphabet and can identify some letters with words. She can count to 14 and then skips to 17. She can also recognize her numbers too. She loves to play games; some of her favorites are Candyland, Go Fish, and SkipBo. She loves crafts, going for walks, and playing at the park. She loves her friends, and even more-her siblings. She wants to do everything her sisters do, and help Charlie whenever possible. She can be very sweet and loving yet fiesty and determined.

Charlie is one. Can you believe it? We can't either! He's walking and climbing and loves to get into things. He loves cords, and drapes them around his neck like a scarf. He likes to climb onto the table and then just smiles at you. He knows when things are off-limits and will wait until you are watching before he starts, just to hear you say, "no, no, Charlie" then he'll smile and walk away. He loves to tease and play tag. He lovs swings and slides, and being outside. He laughs and cries and that's about all you hear from him.

The boy loves to eat and enjoys his milk or juice. He's tiny and quiet, but he is ever so sweet and fun. We love our Little Charlie Boo-Boo.