Hermit and Lisa

We have now acquired two new babies as family members...Hermit and Lisa the hermit crabs. They were accidently taken while hiding in our tiny shells. At first, Grace said to me, "Mom, you shouldn't have made me take this shell. It's alive." It didn't take her long to get over this and claim them as the newest members of our family. However, at this very moment, Emily just informed me that Lisa might be dead and we would have to hold a funeral. RIP Lisa. There's still a slight possibility she might make it, but in this family...NOT LIKELY!

Great Odors and Great Fears

It was another beautiful day here in Sanibel and the shelling continued.

Along with the increasing number of shells comes and increasing stench. Each time we leave the condo and come back the odor overcomes us. This is just a small representation of what we have collected and it's only day 3 with 4 remaining. I totally saw this coming when we were back home and tried to persuade them to do otherwise. I told them that there would be so many shells in Sanibel and that we should try and collect only the most beautiful shells, but what I didn't realize was just how beautiful they would ALL be! ;) It's so much fun to watch them enjoying this daily activity.

Lydia is also enjoying herself here, but one thing we didn't expect was her great fear of the ocean (excuse me, Gulf). She also loves to indiscriminately collect shells while trying to avoid the water at all costs. Fortunately, she trusted me when I told her I would protect her and the shelling continued.

Starfish Phenomenon

According to the Erickson parents, each year in Sanibel there is something new that washes ashore in droves. This year it happens to be the Thin Starfish and the girls are just in awe.

Doug actually found the first one this morning while walking on the beach and we thought it was so special.

However, by later this afternoon the beach was littered with them. That didn't matter to Emily and Grace though. They still thought each one was special and desired a new home back in Minnesota. Well, that's actually how they feel about all of the shells. Today Emily said, "I think we've found all of the butterfly shells in Sanibel." She might just be right. :)

In addtion to combing the beach for various shells, we spent some time at the pool. Although it wasn't all that warm, the girls left the pool reluctantly at 4:00pm for the "adult only" swimming time, which they totally did not understand.

So as not to leave out the littlest member of our family, Elise has also been enjoying her time in Florida. She was carried on the beach this morning and also spends much of her time motoring around the condo. She starting crawling January 8th and pulled herself up on the 10th. Now that she has these new skills, she loves to put them to use.

A Few Things About Age

Well, you can see I got stuck in October again. We are currently on our first day of vacation in Sanibel, Florida. Spending quality time together as a family always provides some memorable moments. These are just a couple quotes from the bigger girls today about age.
"You always have an age no matter where you are. Until you're 100 and then you probaby don't have an age anymore...you just die." -Emily (In response to hearing that a boy in the airport was 7)
"Well, 3 is your age and you've got to stick with it" -Grace (In response to me telling Grace that it was hard for Lydia to be 3, because she was knocking our game cards on the floor)

Wedding Planning

We were having a conversation about wedding plans and these were a couple of comments made by the brides-to-be.

Grace-"Who cares, I can marry any Christian boy I want."

Emily-"When I get married, I'm going to wear either a white or red dress. (Pause) I think I'm going to wear a red dress, because it's more rosy."

More Beautiful You

Having all girls, at least so far, makes me think about how I want them to know that they are so precious and valuable to us and mostly to their loving heavenly Father. There is a song by Johnny Diaz that I really like these days and it's called More Beautiful You. Girls, if you ever look back at this blog some day, the words to this song are just some of the things I want you to know.

Little girl fourteen flipping through a magazine

Says she wants to look that way

But her hair isn’t straight her body isn’t fake

And she’s always felt overweight

Well little girl fourteen I wish that you could see

That beauty is within your heart

And you were made with such care your skin your body and your hair

Are perfect just the way they are

There could never be a more beautiful you

don't buy the lies disguises and hoops they make you jump through

You were made to fill a purpose that only you could do

So there could never be a more beautiful you

Well little girl twenty-one you never thought that this would come

You starve yourself to play the part

But I can promise you there’s a man whose love is true

And he’ll treat you like the jewel you are

Although you're only 6, 3, and 6 months old, I want you to know that there will NEVER be a more beautiful you! I love you so much.

Mommy

Quotes of a 3 Year Old

Lydia is definitely a great source of entertainment in our home and full of lots of words (as she once proclaimed). Here are a couple of funny things she said recently.

Hey, get in there foot. Hey, get in there odder foot. Hey, don't fall me down foot. (These were said while trying to get on her shoes.)

Her has chuggy cheeps. (This was naturally about her baby sister.)