Just pictures - that's all I have tonight. I have a cold and I'm miserable but I have to catch up on pictures! And for the certain reader of the blog who wondered in an e-mail to me if I don't miss things because I'm so busy taking pictures - the answer is NO! I love taking pictures - it is the gift I give to myself to take pictures, edit them, study them and relive moments based on them. I don't miss anything but my kids have been known to remind me to bring the camera to EVERY single event - and I mean doctor's appointments and walks to the park included. Peter is famous for telling me that the flash isn't up as I am taking pictures and they know that they are loved and cherished. The kids baby books are lovingly filled with pictures of every milestone along with rambling narratives from their parents and detailed descriptions of their faces, their expressions and the feelings that we felt when they did it. I make no apologies for reveling in my children through photography and the last time I checked - checking out the H-W blog was completely voluntary! So to my lovely friend in NJ who urged me to put down the camera and enjoy my kids - rest assured I never miss a hug, kiss, story or exciting moment because I have the camera in my hands - this is how I choose to parent and love on my kids - I don't think they are any more likely to end up in therapy based on my incessant picture taking than any other kid!

Annie wearing her princess shirt from Mrs. Nelson.Molly girl had her 7 year check up today and she did great. No shots except the flu shot and she was doing wonderfully!

51 inches - 95%

74 pounds - 90%

We were watching Molly's weight carefully because of her stomach issues but Doctor Luxemburg said no worries except the pain. His advice was a food journal and some experimentation with possible foods that are causing allergic reactions. This we can handle! Molly's asthma was reported to be 90% resolved based on the allergy/asthma shots that she gets for 6 weeks every fall and spring - Praise the Lord!

ABBY'S TEAM PICTURESMOLLY'S TEAM PICTURESJULIA'S TEAM PICTURESI love this picture - she looks like such an athlete!Papa was so proud of his Molly girl!I love her red face and sweaty hair - I could just eat her up!The birthday girl on the morning before her birthday - so excited because Mommy is coming in for cupcakes later on!Almost 7!I love these pictures of the three big kids - Annie loves waiting for the bus with the kids in the morning!Ellie was wearing leggings and she looked so grown up and sweet with her scrawny little legs sticking out!Lizzie pulling up and letting go - she's ready to walk any minute - my baby!Okay - I told you she looked cute! I couldn't stop snapping away!

My beautiful girl - what a smile! Lizzie and Ellie are still feeling miserable but they are getting better. Everyone will be relieved to know that the 5 Harding Wheeler children have been vaccinated against H1N1 so bring on the pandemic! I get mine tomorrow at work and so does Bob - I think that's called herd immunity! GNM - ILY!

Weekend of Molly!

I can't believe it has been seven years since Mary Catherine made her grand entrance into the world! Every day since then she has made her presence known in the most wonderful ways (and I don't just say that because I'm her mom). Molly is a truly amazing little girl - filled with wonder, precocious to a fault, spirited, lively, kind, empathetic and fun - so much fun to parent! She is possibly the BEST big sister I have ever seen and it isn't always easy to be the big sister to three tiny little ones. Molly revels in her role as big sister - she loves and nurtures her sisters (and her big brother) - she never waits to be asked to help with the little ones - she just does things naturally. I tell Molly all the time that I truly LOVE being her mom - the best job in the entire world and I thank God for her every single day!

The weekend started on Friday when I brought cupcakes (and Annie) into Molly's class - the kids were so sweet and I love seeing Molly in her class!
Apparently I can be very embarrassing!

My sweet baby girl!

Annie enjoying one of Molly's cupcakes!

Annie was not thrilled with all of the attention from Molly's class.Auntie Meg surprised Molly by coming to school for her birthday - it was Molly's "best" on Friday at dinner. Princess loves having her picture taken@!Molly and her classmates - she clearly loves her class and her teacher - what a lucky kid! After school it was off to 2 hours of dance class. You will be happy to know that ballet was much more fun this week so Molly is thrilled!Molly woke up at 5:20 and could not wait to open presents - we made her wait until 7.Yes, Molly got a DS for her birthday - she could not have been more excited.Peter got Molly a Wizards of Waverly Place DS game - she plays it every chance she gets!Auntie Meg came home from work at 7:30 and got in on the birthday action!It was soon time to pack up the babies and send them off to their respective babysitters. I took a picture of Lizzie because this is the first time in 10 months of life that she has had shoes on but I knew that Papa would insist!Lizzie went off to get some undivided attention with Grammy and Ellie went to get some quality Kelly kid time up at Auntie Kake's. Both came home spoiled and loved!We arrived at Coco Keys Resort in waterbury for an overnight stay with the big kids. Molly was getting birthday wishes from grammy and papa while I got a quick picture of our arrival.We checked in and got down to business - off to the water park. Pete and Molly spent lots of time with Daddy going on all of the big slides while Annie and I hung out in the little kid area.I forced Annie to try the bungee water swings and as you can see she hated them.Peter quickly found friends to play basketball with.Lazy River rapids - Molly's favorite ride - she even got me on it today!Cute little butt!Molly took this one and made me promise I would up post it because she thinks that I never put my own picture on the blog. Hanging in the kids area of the hotel - loved this hotel - very family friendly!One of the ballrooms was set up with a moon bounce and activities for the kids - we spent a few hours there on SAturday evening and had a blast!Yes, we took her to dinner this way - she had spilled "free fruit punch" on herself and this was before the chocolate cake.There's the chocolate cake.Molly loved the dessert bar more than the dinner buffet.The AMAZING pasta bar - so good!Peter took all of these pictures - he was wasting some time while we had another serving of pasta.Peter thought the waiters were great so he took their pictures.They didn't get very clean but they had fun!Annie washed Molly's back for her.The kids all snuggled in bed watching a movie.Family portraitsThis is how Annie slept all night - with her legs in my stomach and back! That was okay until we were awakened by Molly throwing up at 3 a.m. She is going back to the doctor this week because her stomach issues have continued to get worse since her hospitilization and her mom is convinced she has an allergy but I can not quite figure it out on my own. Either way - no seven year old should throw up 2-3 times a week and be in the kind of pain that Molly lives with on a regular basis. Molly wanted her hair braided so we came up with this style - she loved it!My three angels - what a treat to have time with just our big kids! Annie being a ham.More waterpark fun.Peter loves this part best!Waiting for the bucket to drop water on them.Can you find Peter and Molly in there.And then on to the indoor pool.Pete and Molly made friends quickly and played Marco PoloThe bionic boy!Molly girl jumping in backwards - too cute!Another action shot.And on to the arcade.

We headed home today at around 3 and came in to find that Auntie Meg had made Chilli for dinner. Ellie and Lizzie were happy to see us when they got here and the big kids clearly missed them - they could not get enough of them. Molly loved her birthday celebrations and was gracious and thankful the entire time we were there. I anyone has the chance to go to Coco Keys in Waterbury - take it. The kids had a blast and BOb and I had a few minutes to chat while they were all off playing! GNM-ILY!