Working Hard for the Money

What's in that canteen you ask? Acorns of course! Last night while I was on the phone, Hillary and Natalie were frantically searching the house for a bucket to collect acorns. Since Mom was completely ignoring themdeep in conversation, they managed to find this water jug and slip outside while Daddy was out there. In the back of my mind I'm thinking, "I know I asked Jay a few weeks ago to rake this one little section of the yard that is filled with acorns, but he really wouldn't pick them up one by one - would he?" Thank God no, although it wouldn't have shocked me. Apparently at the birthday party, Uncle Derek, who is an avid hunter, realized that we have a specific type of acorn in our yard that he'd like to hunt with. Still don't know if I'm getting all that right because this is coming from two four year olds. Two very money-hungry four year olds. Because really, do the twins pick up or clean unless there is incentive? Usually not. In Hillary and Natalie's words, "Uncle Derek will give us 20 bucks to fill up a bucket with acorns." I was laughing and laughing because they seriously do not forget a thing. And also because the water jug was just not enough. They wanted to gather more, more, more! Pretty soon we'll have the whole Maxwell family out there picking acorns and we can quit our jobs. Ya know, live off the land?

Uncle Derek are you reading this? Pay up - Natalie means business!

Mallory and Reese

Not only do these two swap clothes,

but they really dig eachother!

xoxo

Clawed!

We were clawed by the Ipswich High School cheerleaders on Friday. The girls were very excited to get an up close and personal look at these flamingos. They were petting them as if they were at a zoo. Anything Cassidy (or Colin or Kelsey) does is considered cool. This ranked right up there at the top. I didn't let on that Auntie Kelli "clawed" us because the thought of a group of cheerleaders on our very own lawn was as if a celebrity was right here in town. Thanks Cass and Kelli! It was a great birthday surprise!

Express Yourself

The girls are definitely loving their new found freedom in dressing themselves. Not exactly an outfit Mommy would have picked out but she worked it!

FYI...This is strictly a lounging around, going nowhere outfit!

4th Birthday Party

birthday girl #1

birthday girl #2

super cool princess cake

blowing out the candles

lots and lots of cousins eating cake

Ryan and Summer

Thanks to everyone who came and celebrated the girls' 4th birthday. They were very excited for their party and it definitely lived up to their expectations. They are still talking about "all of their favorite parts!"

Thanks again!

Happy Birthday Natalie and Hillary!

Happy birthday girls! There are many days throughout the year that I think or talk about my pregnancy with you and your birth. But on this day every year all of the memories come flooding back. Four years ago today was one of the happiest days of my life. Definitely the biggest relief I've ever felt .


I cannot believe you guys are four already! You are two very special girls.

Hillary - With your spunky personality (and attitude), sometimes you try to be just like Mommy and that makes me laugh but also reminds me that I need to be careful what I say around you! I can always count on you to look out for Mallory because you are a great big sister! The oldest by one minute...you'll never let anyone forget you are the oldest! You tell Mommy everyday that you want to be a makeup star when you get older. I can picture it now. Hillary Maxwell, makeup artist to the stars! Dream big!

Natalie- You are my little sensitive angel. You have a huge heart and care about everyone around you! I think you are a lot wiser than a lot of kids your age and you can feel lots of emotions that usually only adults can understand. You tell me that you'd like to be a teacher when you grow up and I think you'd be great! You have a lot of patience and are very gentle. Stay sweet!

Mommy and Daddy love you both and we are so happy to have such nice, funky and smart girls to be leading Mallory...and little baby girl Maxwell! Have a great birthday!

Carter Family Blog

It is about time! After much coaxing and a quick phone tutorial - the Carter Family Blog is up and running. Check them out at http://carternortheyfamily.blogspot.com/! Gotta love a new blog...and baby Charlie!

New Poll

I created a new poll to the right. Those names are the three that we're currently tossing around right now. They may change over time. Go vote!

New Layout

Not sure how I feel about the colors but I needed something that wasn't so busy. That last layout was beginning to give me a headache!

It's official! The 45% that voted girl in the poll were correct. We had an ultrasound appointment and asked Dr. Cohen to write down the sex. He sealed it in an envelope and we waited...in Red Sox traffic...all..the..way..home. The kids were so excited! The twins opened the envelope and I read over their shoulder. Of course we were all screaming but Hillary was hilarious. She kept saying 'I was right' and 'I knew it' over and over again. And she was right. All along. And they were so happy. I was a little surprised because I thought for sure this was a boy. I can't believe how different this pregnancy is from my other two "girl" pregnancies. I think Jay was a little shocked at first but he was saying all along that he thought it was a girl. When we put the twins to bed, Jay read a story and then we all laughed at how funny it will be to have another little peanut running around. Another girl!