Pre-Christmas Eve

On the Tuesday before Christmas
as Larry was
making his way out the door for work
I proceeded to give him a
short run down of "the plans".
I reminded him we would be leaving for
my sister's house after
Christmas morning
to stay in San Antonio until Sunday.

To which he responded,
"you know I don't work on Thursday?"
SAY WHAT?
We must of not coordinated our brains,
because it seemed pointless to sit
around the house until Friday
if we could leave Wednesday
afternoon.

So with plans changed everything
moved into overdrive!

We packed, we wrapped and stuffed the car.
But first we wanted to dilute the amount of
paraphernalia for Christmas morning.
Thus a "pre-christmas eve"
became necessary!

With presents from Mom & Dad,
and from Larry's family....

...it was time!

Sydney really enjoyed passing out presents
she picked out at a school "shop"
for everyone in the family!

I was so pleased to get a "MOM" necklace!

Let the toy infestation begin!

New Roommate

After convincing Sydney it would be "fun" to sleep in his top bunk, Ben proceeded to take full advantage of the situation and wiggled his way up to join her.

I could tell for the past few months, Ben was jealous that Sydney and Emma were able to sleep in the same room and be together in the night hours.

Although I doubt he's convinced Sydney of a permanent change to his room, he was sure grateful for a temporary bunk-mate!

What About This One?

Dear Mom,
I found this nice little baby under my sisters bed. It's really cute. It even comes with it's own clothes that I decided to strip off. Do you think I could have this as a sibling instead of the one you're making? That way it technically WON'T take the place of being the "youngest"!!
Plus it doesn't cry, need baths or anything really significant.
Just think about it!
Love, Keira

Just In Case

....you really wanted to get a christmas card from our fabulous-ious family and didn't!

Here's your chance to find out just how RAD we are.


Just like this picture depicts...we are filled with good times, generally SQUASHING each other with our love and yet endearing moments that only kids bring like when your brother uses his own finger to try to pick your nose!And here it is...
Our Christmas Letter!

The Robert’s Review 2009

January

*Ben turned 2 and learned that using lightsabers & shooting bad guys is the best

*Bought a pass to the Dallas Zoo to enjoy all year long

February

*Larry escorted Sydney to a Daddy-Daughter Valentine’s Dance

*Larry enjoyed another campout with the Scouts

March

*Celebrated “Taco Bell Day” on the 8^th in memory of Rachel’s Grandpa Thomas

*Received a trampoline from friends whose kids outgrew and now ours use daily

April

*We celebrated our 8 year anniversary

*Great Grandma Jane and Grandma Nancy came for a long overdue visit

May

*Ben attends his first of many Father-Son campouts

*Sydney performs in her first school musical

June

*Rachel & Larry go on a date to a Dodgers vs. Rangers baseball game

*Emma masters holding her breath and swimming underwater

July

*Enjoy our annual 4^th of July with a BBQ and fireworks in our own front yard

*Finally purchase a van that can fit our whole family

August

*Keira starts to cruise around by walking at 10 months old

*Rachel begins teaching piano lessons and now has 9 students

September

*Emma turns 5 and finds that preschool is the best part of her week

*Visit the Fort Worth Stockyards with our cousins the Mauk’s

October

*Take our family vacation to Turner Falls, OK to camp with friends

*Keira turns 1 and begins her obsession with everything “outside”

November

*Larry’s brother, Uncle Doug comes to stay for a few days

*SURPRISE! We find out we are expecting our 5^th child in July 2010

(good thing that van was a 7 seater!)

December

*We take our annual trip to the Christmas Tree Farm to cut down our own together

*Sydney turns 7, finds her first loose tooth and loves to read

With life getting harder/better everyday

we can’t help but think of all our friends and family.

We send you our love and prayers.

Hopefully we can all remember to have faith and

look forward with hope to the New Year.

With Love & Joy to All,

The Roberts Family

(Larry, Rachel, Sydney, Emma, Ben, Keira & ???)

Exceeds Weight Limit

When the makers of this stroller put this
product out on store shelves,
I'm not sure this is what they intended
to have pushed around in it.

I can just hear the metal groaning as I take this picture!

Supergirl Emma,
got out her big guns and pushed these heavy
weights around the house!

Look Who's 7

The Best Big Sister Ever finally had her birthday!!
Sydney has been in anticipation ever since Emma
got to celebrate her birthday in September.
One thing that's hard for kids,
is to watch a sibling
have a birthday.
To let them be the center of
attention for the day,
but a life lesson worth learning!

In family tradition we started by
singing "Happy Birthday"
to Sydney while she was still in bed
to give her presents to open.

Emma & Ben deliver the "goods".

A new Furreal Dog

(the best kind of pet)

A new Snow White Polly Pocket

Sydney's pet's get to know one another. :)

Then it's off to Sydney's meal of choice...
Breakfast at Chick-Fil-A!!
She is in love with those "chicken mini's".

And after many options of places to go celebrate her birthday,
Sydney chose to go have her first Pedi with mom.
A request I couldn't say no to!

Took time to talk to her Grandma's & Grandpa's

And to keep in true Sydney mixed-up fashion
we had Brownies loaded with chocolate chips
and chocolate frosting.

What a yummy treat!!

Here's the birthday girl sporting her
new shoes & jacket from Grandma Ria.
And a handmade hat by Auntie Ria!!

I asked her how her special day was,
to which Sydney responded...
AWESOME!

Full of Expression

Our dear Keira Jane has begun to sprout her own little...
shall we say "personality"?

It's full of spunk, kisses and laughter.

Here's her "Happy Face".

Here's her "Say What" face.

Here's her "Fake Crying Face".

Last but not least.
Our favorite.
The "Mad Face".

Which includes pursed lips, scrunched up nose
and a firm scowl.
It makes us all laugh whenever she does it!

Here's Emma version of the Keira "mad face"!!

Gotta Love it!!

"I Really Want That Tooth Chest!"

This all started about a month and a half ago,
when Sydney had a few nights with headaches
and had a hard time sleeping.

Two weeks later she shows me a new tooth.
Say what?

I was shocked to find that she had an adult tooth
growing in behind her baby tooth on the
bottom of her mouth.
Finally the dots clicked together and
I realized THAT was why she couldn't sleep.
She had toothaches from the new tooth cutting through!

That's when Sydney started talking about all the kids
who have lost teeth in her class
and how she is soooo far behind.
Then she divulged her secret obsession with the
"TOOTH CHEST".
A little box the school nurse gives you to hold
your tooth when it comes out at school.
Sydney was dead set on getting one for herself.

So about 3 wks ago the baby tooth started to wiggle.
My sister even showed me how she tortures her kids
by "flicking" the tooth to help loosen it.
I tried it once...
and Sydney was NOT keen on that option!

After a few discussions about how she just needs
to keep working on it and wiggling it,
I left it up to her to figure out.
She didn't want me coming near it.
But I was dreading having it stuck there
and turning a nasty color.

And finally today, she ran out of school
to show me this...

She did it!
She was surprised at how some blood came out
and how there is still some on the tooth.
But after I explained it's normal
Sydney seemed to relax about the whole
process.

Then I reminded her she would need to
keep it safe to lay under her pillow tonight
for the tooth fairy.
To which she responded...
"Some of my friends got a dollar,
but others got like $10 dollars!"

I quickly reminder her I got a quarter
and inflation was THAT high!

Hopefully all these kids and their teeth
won't put the toothfairy in need of her
own STIMULUS PACKAGE!!

More Then You Know

I guess talking about things with my neighbors and on Facebook isn't always totally getting the word out. I completely forgot about my Blogger Buddies! How Rude, I know!!

So here it is....
Let me answer your questions!

YES, we are having kid #5.

YES, it was a surprise. But the kind that are "happy" surprises.

We were "thinking" about having another kid, but putting that thought more toward next summer.

I guess God had other plans for us because this baby will come next summer.
(a time I vowed to never give birth, but what can I do? send it back?)

Larry and I are counting our blessings and are grateful our van and home can hold our family that seems to be growing exponentially! And we thank you all for your support!

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas...

The day after Thanksgiving I couldn't handle it anymore. I lugged out the 5 Tupperware boxes of Christmas decorations and filled my house with holiday cheer. We even took the time to run out the to Christmas tree farm. I love traditions!

Although every night when it's quiet and peaceful in the house I stare at the stockings hung on the mantel and wonder...will 7 stockings really fit?

Because next year they'll have to. Unless we start deleting "mom and dad" from yearly Santa treats.

And poor Larry had to take 5 hours in 48 degree windy weather to drill holes and add screws into the house so we could hang Christmas lights. Unfortunately there's no way to get to our roof unless you want to climb all the way up the ladder that's extended to it's full capacity. Neither of us were willing. And now for the past 4 days he's been suffering with the worst case of pulled muscles, it's like living with a 90 yr old man with my house filled with smells of aspercream. But he got it done and it looks great!

Yesterday Emma caught me by surprise by remembering more about the story of Christmas when she was playing with 2 baby's. She had taken the pillows off the couch, carefully laid a blanket on top and said..."Mom this is a manger for my babies." But then Ben came over wanting to enjoy in her fun and I asked her if she could share since she had 2 babies. To which she answered..."Sure. Here Ben you can have John the Baptist and I'll have Jesus."

I guess she listens better then I thought!

Did You Miss Us?

With the camera on the fritz, friends visiting and holidays bombarding us. This blog has been pushed to the wayside. But there have been many great little quirky things that spew out from the kids, that I just had to share.

Like Emma's obsession about asking when her next day of preschool is. She enjoys it so much! She has also become little Miss Repeat about asking if we can go swimming! These questions have begun to frustrate me so much, I usually just stare at her, roll my eyes and walk away. Because "REALLY", the pool? Are you kidding me? It was 38 degrees last night!

Finally Ben has passed through the 'why' stage. It was really starting to put me on a short fuse with him and Emma asking that infamous question ALL DAY LONG. Although yesterday I noticed him putting his hands in his pants and asked him if he had to go potty. To which he responded, "no mommy, my pee-pee BIG." I about lost it after hearing that and sent him off to talk to his Dad. Because this is his territory...not mine!

Keira is cruising around the house, up and down the stairs and bolts outside whenever a door is open. This girls is a true blue nature lover. She loves grass, to stomp on leaves and stick her fingers in the dirt. Maybe she's been spending a little too much time with her brother. Who consequently loves to tackle her, tickle her and hold her hand while we drive in the car.

Recently Sydney has exploded into her reading skills, is ecstatic that she can snap her fingers and eagerly waiting for her 1st loose tooth to fall out. Lately she has begun to read night-time books to her siblings instead of mom & dad. And is also working her hardest at learning how to ride to a bike. Which is quite difficult when the bike out weighs you by 50 pounds!! But with more practice, I'm sure she'll master it.

Mission Accmplished

After enjoying a 78 degree day by eating free BBQ at the Tailgate we walked Uncle Doug all over SMU. We saw tons of people sitting on couches and recliners eating BBQ and takeout while watching football on big screen TV's with the dish connected to it. Once again, reinforcing my opinion of snooty SMU alumni. Especially when the theme of the Football season a few years back was..."we don't tailgate, we boulevard". Soon after our long walk the kids were getting restless so we separated and I took the fierce foursome home.

But this is the amazing part.

Not 1.

Not 2.

Not 3.

But ALL 4 KIDS fell asleep on the way home.

This is a Robert's first!

Especially for the big girls. They never fall sleep in the car anymore. I'm thinking the hour long Bootcamp they insisted on participating in (since it was a Sat) zapped them of their energy. I might just have to bring them along more often!

It's been 1 full week since I've had anything interesting to say...
So let's just say we've been busy.
And lucky enough to have Larry's brother,
UNCLE DOUG,
here to visit with us.

Watch for pictures to come to prove just how much these 2 boys
look the same. Didn't know you could have twins 11 months apart, did ya?

Crazy Candy Conversation

Yesterday after school I let Sydney pick out a candy from her Halloween stash. And she found one of her favorite treats...Red Hots.

Being the smart gal she is, Sydney also asked for a glass of water to go with it. And then asked if she could put a Red Hot in her drink!

I agreed it might be cool to see and left her to her science experiment.

5 mins later she comes running to me and says...

"Mom, oh my gosh, my water is turning red!"

Me: "Cool!"

"But I don't think it's going to catch on fire."

(nope Syd, you're probably right!)

Gettin' All The Wiggles Out

Now that Keira has passed through her baby stage,
she's showing her true colors.

Below is a video taken of her right after she woke up.
I had just changed her clothes and hadn't even taken
her downstairs for breakfast...

Can you believe the amount of energy this girl has?

Recently Keira has really started to enjoy being outside.
She has passed her fear of walking barefooted on grass
(all kids hate grass at first...so weird),
ignores the bugs and now
loves crunching leaves,
eating dirt,
sucking on pebbles,
and going for rides in the little red car.

(after watching the video,
I'm a little stunned at how much energy
Emma and Ben have too...
woooo people....it's only 8am!)

Blast From The Past

After disappointing the kids with a
cancelled ward party
(due to a swampy yard at the location),
we cheered them up by meeting with friends
to eat some delicious chili
and heading out together around
our neighborhood.

Are you ready "Poodle-Skirt" girls?

How about you "Hot-Rod" boys?

Keira?
Mainly she just came along for the ride
and any candy that might accidentally
land in her hands!

"Mom can I run to the next house?"
I think she could have possibly ran to every single house,
but I tried to keep the troops together,
guaranteeing Ben keeping up with
Sydney and Emma.

All week long Sydney practiced
with her siblings,
teaching them...
"Trick or Treat, Smell my feet,
Give me something good to eat."

"Can I eat a piece of candy now?"

So excited about a Halloween tattoo!

Daddy helped Ben keep up the pace.

Keira needed a little "incentive"
to enjoy the festivities.

After hitting a few decked out streets we
ended up at our friends house to watch a movie
projected outside!

We couldn't have asked for better weather,
greater friends or a Happier Halloween!!

Blowing A Kiss

Last night, after dinner, all the kids were bathing
when it was time for Daddy to head out for
a church activity.

So he called out their names and said good byes.
Gave a few hugs and blew a few kisses.

This is how Keira responded!

"Right back at ya, Dad!"

(as she made zerbert noises into her wet palm!)