It was Pajama Day at school. Nope, not homeschool, but their enrichment classes (they go once a week). If it were homeschool, then it’s pretty much pajama day all day, every day!

It was kind of exciting to get ready the night before. I have to admit, I was really jazzed to not have to worry about rushing around getting dressed the next morning. The girls took baths, got into their pajamas that they were going to wear to school, and then went to bed. The next morning, I woke them up, fed them breakfast, they brushed their teeth, then off to school we went. Love it! Somehow though, I still ended up running late! Oye! It’s the story of my life.

At school, they also had a special breakfast with Santa (instagram @rubyellenbratcher). I dragged the two babies and we helped the PTSA a little bit, but just until Glow started getting cranky for  a nap and then we headed home. True’s classmates were telling me she never talks and she just whispers because she is so shy. HA! At home, it’s the opposite. She never whispers, she just yells!

And somehow their Pajama Day ended up being Crazy Pajama Day based on how they dressed themselves, especially that True. For being a shy girl, sometimes she makes some bold fashion choices.

Sunday mornings are chaotic getting everyone dressed for church and out of the house. This morning was slightly different because Ben and I were going to two different places; I went to my mom’s house for breakfast, since we have family in town, and Ben went to our church gathering. We split up the kids to make it more manageable, so he had the big two and I had the little two. That’s usually the combo we resort to when we separate the kids, but I’m thinking we should switch it up sometime. Maybe True and Soul and then Brave and Glow. That would be interesting. I hesitate to say Brave and Soul because Soulie bullies Brave. That girl knows how to terrorize Brave like it’s nobody’s business!

What has helped in getting us all out of the house with minimal yelling and some sort of peace, is that the girls pretty much dress themselves these days and I don’t contest it. Their combos are pretty funny and random (at times), but as long as they are appropriately dressed for the outing and the weather, it’s cool. Soulie also pretty much picks out her own clothes and now that I am looking at these pictures, this is the first time in a long while that she didn’t tuck whatever she is wearing on top into her pants.

The weather has been vacillating between warmer and cooler days of late, but as long as it’s not scorching heat, we’re good. I prefer cooler, but I’m thankful either way. Speaking of thankful, you guys are really so awesome! I love reading all the comments of what you all are thankful for and it is such an encouragement. I think it’s so important to cultivate a constant spirit of thankfulness in our lives. It’s definitely something I really need to work on and something I want my children to do naturally. We’re all works in progress, aren’t we?!

on me: shirt, anthropologie. skirt, vintage (it was my mama’s when she was a teenager). clog boots, lotta from stockholm. on true: jacket, misha lulu. dress, c/o tag you r it. shoes, gymboree. on brave: shirt and jeans, c/o molo kids. jacket, vintage. shoes, gap kids. on soul: tee, misha lulu. leggings, gap kids. shoes, c/o freshly picked. on glow: sweater, vintage. pants, f21 baby (True wore this when she was a baby!).

Looking at these pictures just make me smile. It also reminds me of how sweet and forgiving these girls are. There are many times I feel I fail as a mother. I get those sudden bursts of crazy and yet these girls still love me, and continue to shower me with hugs and kisses. We were having dinner and I was telling them next week was Thanksgiving. They got so excited because they said, “We get to celebrate being thankful!” We indeed get to celebrate being thankful and I am especially thankful for these girls of mine.

The other day, Ben and I heard Brave talking to True and she kept calling her “big sister” to get her attention. That made us both smile at each other. She is indeed her big sister, but not by much, so it was so sweet to hear her refer to her big sister in such an endearing way. It was also probably the tone of Brave’s voice because out of the four girls, she is by far the most sensitive and affectionate and she’s just all around sweetness.

These girls are growing so quickly. There was a moment when I was in the second grade and sitting in the back of my grandpa’s car with my oldest cousin and my grandparents were in the front seat. They were talking to my cousin, who was probably in middle school at the time, and telling her that she was so grown and that she would be grown up really soon. I vividly remember thinking to myself, “Hey! How about me?! I’m almost grown up too!” I remember that moment so clearly because distinctly remember my thought process of how I thought I was right up there ready for adult hood. Silly me and how wrong I was as I was barely just starting life, but at that time I felt so grown. And now when I am out and I see teenagers, I think of them as such babies who still have so much to learn and live, but they probably think they’re adults. It’s funny how our views changed based on our point of reference.

My girls swear they are never getting married and never leaving us, and that they are staying with us forever. They said they would even sign a document to make it legal and binding. If anyone knows where I can find that document, please send that my way!

on true: dress and leggings, misha lulu. shoes, thrifted. on brave: shirt, vintage. shorts, misha lulu. shoes, vintage.

The BFF reminded me that I never made a wish list this year, but I was seriously stuck. I feel so blessed and thankful for all that I have, it almost feels criminal to want more. Actually, it probably is. There must always be a fine line between admiring and wanting. I love to admire things, but have to catch myself when my admiration becomes strong wants for things I don’t really need. There must always be a balance. It’s a constant battle to find it. I struggle with this a lot, hence I have been staying away from some of my favorite fashion blogs for the past week.

So here I am making a list, not because I need these things, but because they’re pretty things to be admired and I like sharing pretty things. And maybe just maybe, one of you need a bag, and this cute one is what you had in mind or maybe you need some boots for the Fall and these glitter ones are adorable. I did send the baby sister a wish list to share with my parents earlier in the month (we always give each other wish lists to show to our parents) and this (and this) locket were pretty much all I sent. I’ve gotta say that my top two faves from the list is the locket and the boots. Again, not necessities, but just some pretty things to day dream about. And if the parents or the siblings decide to surprise me with any of these things, well, I can’t say I wouldn’t jump in excitement because I would.

Ben actually had a little present for me (it’s a basic white button down, a good staple), but he ended up giving it me early as a sweet little de-stresser surprise, so now he says he’s stuck. I told him not to get anything because if we do go on our little road trip to San Francisco, that was a good enough present. Thank you for all the San Francisco suggestions thus far and keep them coming if you have any! Also, we probably aren’t bringing the kids so your suggestions don’t necessarily have to be kid friendly. Ben and I are ready to relax together and explore.

1. locket / 2. pillow / 3. boots / 4. bag / 5. earrings

These girls are a hoot. Seriously. Brave went to school with her own homemade feather boutonniere and True’s always so cute with her choice of head accessory. And they make up the funniest jokes that don’t make sense!  True also gets mad if you tell her someone else is funnier than her. She insists she is the funniest and Brave will insists she is the sweetest, and they both say Soul is the rudest! See, I told you they’re funny!

on true: dress, misha lulu. shoes, salt-waters. on brave: dress, c/o tag you’re it. leggings, target. shoes, vintage.