Here we are, 4 months later. How can it be that Abby is 4 months old already? It’s crazy! She smiles and talks and is starting to laugh. She managed to roll from back to front for the first time, just one day shy of her 4 month birthday. She likes holding toys, but only if she can get them into her mouth. She goes with the flow with almost no complaining. And she’s still a champion sleeper. She’s the perfect third child!

Except when she’s NOT perfect, like last week when we had a babysitter here for just 2 hours (Chris had a wedding and I was at work.) Abby cried for almost that entire 2 hours. No real reason, she just cried. 2 days later, at Aunt Karen’s house, she did the same thing. Hysterical, unexplained crying. We drove 40 minutes home with crying all the way. In hindsight, I think she might have been overheated both times. I guess she’s more like me than I thought – she doesn’t like to be hot and sweaty! We still think she’s great and we’re going to keep her!

The whole family enjoyed our trip to Blue Harbor last week. Maggie loved to do the “big kid”

slides, while Katherine was happy enough to stick with the kiddie slides. She tried the big ones, but was happier in the kid pool. Even Abby got in on the action, sitting on my lap for a ride in the lazy river, and splashing in the baby pool. We were happy to enjoy a 2-bedroom condo, which gave us a full kitchen, 2 bathrooms, and plenty of space for all of us. It was just a short walk to either the Lake Michigan shoreline, or the hotel and waterpark. Chris and I each enjoyed an hour massage at the spa. That was about the only relaxation we enjoyed –as taking 3 children to a waterpark is not exactly relaxing, but anytime you can get away from home for a few days, it feels great!

The trip offered education as well. Our wonderful, daytime sitter, Linda, came to visit just before we left. She brought Maggie and Katherine each a digital camera. They are basic, and child-proof and very exciting. However, they do not have a display screen, so the girls were confused as to why they couldn’t immediately see the pictures they were taking. Chris and I tried to explain the concept of film, and went so far as to say “when we were kids” and went on to describe taking pictures with a 110 or 35mm camera, bringing the film to the drugstore, and then waiting 3-5 days to ever see the pictures. I’m not sure they really grasped the concept, but it was fun to talk about.

The other “life-lesson” from the past 2 weeks was learning about convertibles. Maggie noticed a “car with no roof” while we were driving, so we talked about how some cars have roofs that can hide when the weather is really nice. Maggie really liked the WORD convertible, saying “Hmmm, convertible, Con-Ver-Ti-Ble, That’s a hard word Mommy, but I like it!” Every car ride is now more exciting as both girls shout “CONVERTIBLE” when they see one.

Next week is back to school for Chris with teacher in-service on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Then Maggie AND Chris are back to school on September 1. Katherine gets an extra week before APL school starts. I think we’ll all appreciate the return to routines, but we'll certainly miss the lazy days of summer as well!

It's 8AM and already over 80 degrees with a dew point of 73. Let's stop for a moment and thank the inventor of air conditioning.

And while I'm feeling grateful, I'll say thank you for 3 year olds, who are amazing at stating the obvious.

Me: Katherine, please pick up those toys and put them away in the other room.

K: Ok, Mommy, but I have to do it only a little at a time. I only have two hands! See?

(holds up 2 hands and wiggles fingers) People only have 2 hands Mommy, so I can only take 2 things at a time.

And how about a thank you for 5 year olds, who are experts at annoying their little sisters.

Maggie: Well, if you were an OCTOPUS you'd have more hands.

K:But I'm NOT an octopus

M: You could PRETEND to be an octopus

K: I don't WANT to be an octopus

M: But you could be faster if you were an octopus

K: NO! I just want to be a Katherine!

Yup just another day at our house!

Usually, they only get annoyed with each other after too much time in the house.

Luckily, with Daddy around, we aren't in the house too much. In the last 2 weeks they've been to the Zoo to feed the birds, to a Brewer's game, to Lake Geneva for a day in the sand, to the State Fair, back to the Zoo for 'Zoo School' and swimming lessons every morning. Not to mention plenty of time in the pool/sprinkler, riding bikes, creating chalk art in the driveway, and spilling bubbles.

This week we're off to Sheboygan WI for 2 nights at Blue Harbor Resort. With a Waterpark, Lake Michigan, parks, and massages for Mom and Dad, we may never come home! I'll keep you posted!

Here's one I want to remember forever!

At dinner tonight, Chris was asking the girls which movie they chose to watch during non-nap time while he was at church this afternoon. It was a Disney Princess Christmas movie. He was asking them questions about who was in it, and what the story was, and which princesses didn't get to be in the movie, and why,etc.

After a few minutes, he suggested that he wanted to watch a movie with all the scary, bad guys in it, not the princesses. He thought the scary/bad guys could sing just like the princesses. Maggie laughed at him and told him he was silly. But Katherine's eyes got big and asked in all seriousness, "You mean da ones wif da shawp teef?" Because of course, all bad guys have sharp teeth!

After I composed myself (it was really funny to see her face and hear the concern in her voice) the discussion continued, with Chris asking Maggie which was her favorite scary/bad guy. She didn't miss a beat before replying "Magnificent!" I'm pretty sure she meant "Maleficent" the evil witch from her favorite, Sleeping Beauty. But after further discussion, it is clear, she fully believes her name is "Magnificent!"

The things they say - it felt good to laugh like that!

It's been one of those days. So here's my free therapy, reflecting back on the last few days, remembering how much fun we've had, and how lucky I am.

Thursday was the opening night of Milwaukee's German Fest. It should be illegal to spend a summer in Milwaukee and not visit the Summerfest grounds for at least one festival. Honestly, I'd choose Irish fest over any of the others. But Maggie has fond memories of "Polka Party" (as she calls it.) Opening night it was free admission, and $1 off beer and food. A bargain at twice the price!

Maggie and Katherine enjoyed dancing to some polka music before we found "dinner" and set

up our

picnic in the playground area. Chris had sauerbraten, I had chicken, and the girls had Kettle Corn and Funnel cake. It was a perfect summer evening, not hot or cold, just perfect. The big girls played and Chris and I thought back to 10 years earlier - the night of our rehearsal dinner with insane heat and humidity followed by severe storms which knocked out the power at the restaurant. Who could imagine that 10 years later we'd be enjoying a gorgeous evening along the lake with 3 beautiful daughters. We are so blessed.

Friday was our actual 10th anniversary. Chris and the girls had been very secretive about a surprise he had been working on. It turned out to be an amazing photo book he created on Snapfish - our 10 years of marriage in pictures. Maggie and Katherine love surprises of any sort. But they were beyond excited for this one, since they'd "been in on it" and had successfully kept the secret from me. We all went mini-golfing as a special treat Friday morning. I forgot to bring my camera, but believe me, it was interesting. Abby slept in her stroller, and the big girls created plenty of new techniques for getting the ball in the hole. Or, not in the hole, depending! Friday night Chris and I enjoyed the luxury of a babysitter and went out for a wonderful dinner alone! It's hard to believe it's been 10 years, but I can't wait for the next 10!

Saturday was our annual trip to "Aunt Peggy's Lake House" in Salem WI.

As always, we had a wonderful time. The weather was perfect. Chris and the big girls enjoyed swimming in the lake. We all enjoyed seeing family that we don't see often enough.

In the car on the way home, I heard the girls had coins in their hands. I assumed my Dad, or perhaps Uncle Mike had given them each some pennies. When I asked who had given them the coins, they both slyly said "Nobody." When I asked if they had taken them from the car console, "Um, no?" At that point they both go very quiet and it took some creative investigation to determine the truth. Apparently there was a dish of coins on the lower level of the house. Maggie explained that she thought they belonged to "Nobody was there, so we took them, cuz no one else was using them!" Thieves! And they're only 3 and 5!

Which brings me to today. One of those days. Just getting everyone up and dressed and out to church by 830 was a challenge. The the girls were just squiggly in church. Not naughty, but not as well behaved as I would normally expect. When we got home from church, there was a battle of wills so epic I thought the neighbors might call social services. I was just DONE by 1130. However, in the midst of their behavior issues, they were also as cute as cute can be.

In the car coming home from church...

In the car on the way home from Church

M – That looks like Fr Bob’s car!

K – Can we go to his house sometime?

(Me- Sure, someday)

K – Is Fr Bob a boy or a girl?

M – He’s a BOY (full of exasperation!)

K – Ok, so if he’s a boy you say HE but I’m a girl, so then you say SHE.

(Me) Yes, that’s right Katherine. (And now moving on to diagramming sentences…..)

And then over lunch

K – Mommy, Pop Pop is your Daddy.

Me- yes he is, but who is my Mommy?

K – Gwam!

M- And Daddy’s Daddy is Grandpa, but he died.

K – Yeah, he died, but we have his heart, so we can still see him!

(the girls have a small ceramic heart that opens to reveal a picture of Mike, they received it from a friend when Mike died.)

K- But where does he live if he is dead?

M – He lives up with God and Jesus

K – Like, upstairs, in Abby’s room?

M – NO SILLY – up in the clouds, with God and Jesus, Grandpa lives with them in heaven

K- Oh

M- But, Grandpa was MY Grandpa.

Me – Well, he is your Grandpa and Katherine’s Grandpa.

K- But he doesn’t know Abby, cuz she’s just a baby

M- Well, Grandapa DOES know Abby, cuz God gave us Abby, and Grandpa lives with God, So he must have known Abby before, when God gave her to us.

And so I was reminded of the joys of parenting. Ups and downs and everything in between. I'm pretty lucky!

Well, look who is three months old already! Of course, if you're keeping track, she was 3 months old yesterday. But let's not keep track. The important thing is that the official 3 month pictures were taken on the right day! And as you can see - Abigail is certainly not keeping track. She is just loving life, loving being naked, and loving her sisters, even their constant need to shower her with affection. She's a happy girl.

Not sure what the normal 3 month milestones are, and I've been too lazy to go back and check what the other girls were doing at 3 months. Abby is her own person. She seems to enjoy interacting with people. She smiles willingly, she'll coo back and forth with you if you make her noises. She certainly knows the voices in this house, and will turn her head to find you when she hears your voice. Her hands are her favorite things to chew on, but I'm not sure that she knows that she controls them. Sometimes it seems more that they happen to find her mouth and she enjoys licking and sucking until they're gone, and eventually they

come back - but she isn't intentionally moving them to her mouth. Of course other times it looks entirely purposeful. So who knows? She prefers to sit up and take notice of things around her, and still refuses to enjoy "tummy time." She sleeps through the night most of the time. (Hooray!) And she still seems to be fine tagging along on all of our adventures, rarely speaking up to voice her displeasure. She's wonderful, and we're going to keep her!

Yup, Abby, sometimes I agree with the expression in this picture - What is going on? Who ARE these people I live with?
Maggie is innocently playing with the pretend kitchen out on the deck - right? Nope - that dark lump in the microwave - it's a FROG! She LOVES to find frogs in our yard. She is not at all afraid of catching them, holding them, playing with them. It's gross really - but this girly-girl has no problem! On this morning, she decided that instead of her usual bucket - she'd make a house for the frog in the microwave.
They might have stayed there all morning, watching him jump around his new house. They gave him sticks, leaves, and a tiny pot of water. They eventually let him go and I don't think he was injured at all in the process!

The next day we went to the Milwaukee Public Museum. Again the most exciting parts for my girls? The gory T-rex eating a Triceratops! Katherine cried when we had to leave, because she wanted to stay and "Watch him EAT that guy"

Maggie loved a container full of Giant Hissing Cockroaches!
And butterflies. Now butterflies seem harmless, but to let them land on you, walk on you, sit in your hand? I'm a little squeamish (though I might have been ok with a butterfly) Not to worry - Maggie had no fear, and proved to be an excellent Butterfly Huntress!
Katherine was interested, but only in the concept. The few times she could have held a butterfly - she chickened out!
Again, Abby seems to question why she is stuck on this adventure with us!
At the end of the day, Chris bought them a treat - a new wading pool in the shape of? A SHARK with huge teeth! They loved it, and though it wasn't too warm outside, they splashed until it was time for dinner.

The pool was actually a bribe. He took them with while shopping for an anniversary gift for me. Despite our conversation from the day before agreeing to NOT buy each other presents. He had to buy them the pool so they would not tell me where they had been or what else was purchased. So far, they have told me nothing, other than "We didn't get YOU anything!"

As my many adoring fans have pointed out, it's been awhile since I last posted. (And by many, I mean one, Thanks Dad!) It's been a bit of a whirlwind 3 weeks really. So here is a post stuffed with pictures to tell the stories.

3 weeks ago, my brother, PJ, and his family, arrived in Evanston for a week long vacation. We were lucky enough to host them for a day in Wisconsin. The cousins enjoyed playing together for the first time in 2 years. The WI cousins idolized the AZ cousins, and the AZ cousins were impressed with the wildlife (frogs) and nature (trees) in our yard.

That weekend, the entire "Geraghty Gang" arrived at the Wyndham Hotel in Glenview for a marathon weekend gathering. It was a BLAST having everyone in the same place at the same time. My sister, Meg, does a great job describing the weekend in candid photos here. I'll give you the group shots. First, the Geraghty Kids - all grown up!

Here you have the whole gang. Well, John had a conference in Minneapolis, so he was there in spirit. But, props to him on the awards he received!

And here you have Gram and PopPop with their pride(s) and joy(s) - the Grandkids.

It was a wonderful weekend filled with memories for all, and stories that will only get crazier as time goes on.

After our busy weekend, we came home to accomplish Chris' next summer project - painting the Master Bedroom. It took most of that week, and led to some interesting moments. We've decided that there should be a new HGTV/Food Network competitive show tracking people as they try to accomplish a home improvement project while also entertaining 3 children and feeding the entire family. We all survived, and one more project was crossed off the list.

We finished just in time to enjoy the 4th of July weekend.

We thought we were being smart, going to the carnival DURING the parade - hoping that most people would be at the parade. Turns out, EVERYONE was at the parade, because the carnival rides didn't start until it was over. So, we found a spot to watch, and a very kind family invited us to share their blanket. I wasn't sure what the girls would think of their first parade. Abby slept through most of it, and the big girls were a little bored, but enjoyed all the candy that was thrown at them. Once the rides started we had a blast! I took Maggie and Katherine on my favorite - the Tilt-A-Whirl. We all screamed "I yuv it! I yuv it! I yuv it!" Just as I did all those years ago (when my speech was like Katherine's today.)

Chris was excited to take the girls on the bumper cars. He loved it, Maggie enjoyed it, and Katherine thought it was mean that he kept bumping into people. Maggie also got her first Ferris Wheel ride with Mommy. She's been waiting for a few years to be allowed (Chris was nervous) but finally, this year, Chris gave in.

Back at home, the girls wasted no time getting to work practicing for next year. They took the flags they were given at the parade, and practiced marching through the front yard. It was quite a show, especially when Katherine added music, singing "When the Saints go Marching In"

I didn't capture the video until the morning after, and for some reason, I can't get it to embed correctly, but you can see it here

The last stop for the night was fireworks. I took the girls over and we enjoyed quite and impressive show. Maggie thought they were too loud, and Katherine ended up in my lap. But both girls laughed and smiled and eagerly told Chris how much fun they had - so I think they enjoyed it! They had a cozy spot in their wagon and I brought cookies and drinks - so really, what could they complain about?

Monday morning, I took the big girls to storytime as usual, but came home to a surprise.

Chris and our neighbor George took down this tree between our houses. Actually, George took it down, and Chris helped clean it up. It was knocking into our house growing onto our roof, so it needed to come down. They had it done and gone almost before I could grab my camera; just chopped it down, cut it into firewood and dragged the branches to the woods behind George's house. Hooray for great neighbors!
Wednesday, Chris took the girls to Zoo School and I enjoyed a morning running errands with a sleeping infant. I had almost forgotten how easy that could be. I made it in and out of 5 stores without anyone whining or complaining! It was delightful!

Maggie and Katherine had fun at school. Katherine learned all about fish. Next time you see her, ask her about Sea Anemone! Maggie learned all about Tigers, who, unfortunately, eat fish! It made for some hilarity when they had their costumes on for show and tell when they arrived home!
Wednesday night, we went back to the zoo for their free concert series. We met my friend Amy and her family and grooved to the tunes. Amy and her husband Brian have 3 boys (7, 5, and 3 years old) and the girls loved dancing and playing with them. Here Maggie is leading the group in "Simon Says."
Friday brought even MORE excitement to our house. My brother-in-law Matt was in town for a job interview so we had ALL the Sepersky girls at our house for the day. (Zoe was born the day before Maggie, and the twins are 4 months older than Katherine) It was a thrilling day for sure! Later in the afternoon, "Boom Boom" (Grandma) joined us and we all enjoyed a picnic on the deck before going out for ice cream.
I often say "There's never a dull moment around here" and I think you can see why. It's been a crazy few weeks. But we can't complain- we love the summer months with Chris home and my job flexibility. Plenty of time for lots of fun activities. This week we're hoping to see the Milwaukee public Museum and have a playdate with one of Maggie's pre-school friends. I haven't even asked Chris what project is in store for this week, but I'm sure he's got something planned! I'll do my best to keep the blog up to date with our adventures!