What a Difference a Day Makes!

Tuesday

 

Thursday

Look Buddy...

EJ and beck are playing outside.  EJ looks over and notices that some leaves have fallen off the trees. She says, very excitedly, "Look Buddy!  The trees shook!"

Gotta love fall!

two

Our lil' man turned 2 last week.  We celebrated with a construction party a couple of weeks early so Mimi could celebrate with us.  On his actual birthday we just "partied" at home with mac and cheese and cake.  He must have enjoyed it because the next day when he woke up, the first thing he said was "birthday".  I told him it wasn't his birthday anymore, to which he replied, "Again, birthday again".

Construction Party

 

Dump Truck Cake!

 

Present Time!

The Birthday Boy - September 12, 2012

 

 

At two years old, Beck:

 

- is such a sweet, happy, and fun little guy.  He loves to snuggle, loves to laugh, and loves to play.

 

- loves his sisters.  He and EJ are the very best of friends and play so well together.  They make up little games and will keep each other entertained for hours.  He and Hope have a special bond - she loves to take care of him and teach him things.  Sometimes Hope is the only one he wants to comfort him or carry him, or put him in his carseat.

 

- loves balls and trucks and, yes, babies.  He loves to carry around EJ's baby dolls and stuffed animals as much as she does.  He's actually very sweet with them - he will pick on up, pat it on the back, and say "K?, K?", asking the baby if it's okay.  Little sweetie!  He also says his favorite color is pink!

 

-loves ESPN.  He always wants to watch "ball" on tv - he doesn't care if it's baseball, football, basketball, soccer or golf.  As long as there's a ball involved, he's happy.

 

-gets his point across.  He says a lot of words, but not a lot of sentences - usually only stringing 2-3 words together at a time.  Regardless, he knows how to get his point across.  If there's something I don't understand, EJ can usually translate!

 

-LOVES popsicles!  Everyday he throws at least one fit because I won't give him another popsicle.  And every time we drive by King Soopers he says, "Store! Popsicles, store!"  because he wants to stop to buy more.

 

-is both Daddy's Little Buddy and Mama's Boy.  He already has figured out how to delay bedtime by asking for one of us to rock him or read him stories, then asking for the other, then the other again. 

 

-is "tough".  When he hurts himself and we ask him if he's okay, he'll say "Yeah, tough. I tough."

 

- is 36.5 in tall (95th percentile) and 28 pounds (50th percentile).

 

Happy Birthday, Buddy.  We love you!!!

 

 

 



First Day of Preschool (sort of)

EJ had her "shortened" day at preschool last week the school's term, not mine. On shortened day, the kids get to take a parent to school with them, and they go through their schedule for the day, in only 45 minutes.  This gives the kiddos a chance to ease back into school, or check it out for the first time without the pressure of being there without Mom and Dad.  And, it gives parents a chance to learn what their child's routine is for the day.

Anyway, EJ wanted Brandon to go with her this year since I got to go last year.  They did some crafts, played with friends, and had a great time.  EJ can't wait until her "real" first day next week!

 

5th Grade!

Hope started 5th grade last week.  Her teacher looped up with her class, so there were really no back to school "jitters", which has made for an easier transition from summer.  She's loving being back at school.  She loves the time with her friends, she loves learning and she loves her teacher.

 

 All of that is good, but did I mention? - HOPE IS IN 5TH GRADE!!!  5th grade, as in her LAST year of elementary school.  That's a tough one for this Mama to swallow.  And just look how grown up she is getting:

 

 

Here's to another great year...  We're so proud of you Hope!

Alive and Well

I'm afraid to look at the last time I posted because I know it's been FOREVER!  But, we are still alive and well, just insanely busy!!

Rather than a crazy, long, picture filled post, I'll post one picture and write one little sentence about each of the kiddos.  Then, hopefully, I'll get blogging again.  But I'm not making any promises!

 Hope

In May, Hope tunred 10 Holy cow, can she really be 10? and is as vivacious and entertaining as any 10 year old could be.  She continues to keep us on our toes with her attitude personality and her wise beyond her years sense of humor.  Her wittiness keeps us laughing and I feel like I learn something new from her everyday.  She's keeping so busy this summer with soccer, she made the top team in soccer try-outs and was VERY excited , camps, trips, and general busy-ness around the house.

EJ

My baby girl is 4 1/2.  She had a great first year of preschool at the same school her big sis went to and made many new friends.  At once, she can be the most ornery little person you can imagine, and the sweetest.  She has such a big, big heart and cares so much about others.  This summer she finally decided she was ready for swimming lessons, so we signed her up before she could change her mind, and she has LOVED every minute of it. Once she got past the fact that her teacher has "fur" in his armpits. 

Beck

 This little guy will be 2 in just over a month and that makes my heart soar and makes me teary, all at the same time.  I can't believe how quickly his "baby-ness" is fading, and I am holding on tight.  I'm not quite ready for him to be a big kid like his sisters.  He is alternately Daddy's Buddy and Mama's Boy, depending on his mood.  He wants to watch "balls" (SportsCenter) every morning with Daddy.  He still says a lot of things pretty unclearly, but he is such a mimic and is pretty good at getting his point across.  He is spoiled by his sisters.  While he loves all things "boy", like balls and trucks and dirt, he also gets plenty of practice at being a good dad when he plays babies with EJ. :)  His summer has consisted of lots and lots of time "side" (outside) - he's out in the backyard pretty much all the time.


Oops - I guess I wrote a little more than one sentence about each of them.  :)  Here's to getting back on the blogging bandwagon...

EJ is 4!

Okay, EJ has been 4 for over 2 months now, but it's been a LONG time since I posted (I think this is definitely a blog hiatus record for me).  So, once again, it's time to play catch up.

EJ got to blow out plenty of candles for her birthday:

In Austin, celebrating at Mimi and Pop's.



Breakfast at home on her actual birthday.

Birthday Family Dinner at 3 Margs

Her "friend" birthday party at Monkey Bizness

The birthday girl, ready for her big party!
At 4 - 36 lbs., 41 1/2 in.

EJ continues to grow into an empathetic, big-hearted, sensitive little girl.  She continually keeps us laughing with the things she says.  She is the first to comfort when someone is hurt or feeling sad.  She LOVES her brother and sister, although she also loves to push their buttons.  She's especially good at getting to Hope and can definitely be an ornery little sister! 

She is happiest when things are calm and quiet and clean.  She is fanatical about washing her hands and freaks out if her clothes get wet, yet, she can make a mess in a room quicker than anyone and doesn't care how messy her room is.

She is the night owl of the family and would love to stay up all night and sleep in as late as she can.  Unfortunately for her, that doesn't really work out in our family.  So, she's always forced to go to bed long before she's ready and woken up much earlier than she'd like to be.

Preschool has been wonderful for EJ.  She loves going and seeing her friends on Monday and Wednesday mornings.  She is sounding out words and wants to know how to spell everything.  She loves to write all of our names and is starting to get better at using scissors.  She loves to count and add.  She always wants pencil and paper so she can do her "homework" just like her big sis.

Your great big smile can light up a room and you bring so much happiness to our lives!  Happy 4th Birthday EJ!!!

The Christmas Season (a little late)

Classroom Parties, Christmas Plays, Choir Concerts, School Programs, Baking, Eating, and Baking some more.


Family, Singing, Christmas Light Viewing, Movies, Cookie Decorating, Wrapping, Opening, and Wrapping some more.

Christmas has been wonderful and fun and memory making. We celebrated with family near and far, finishing up our celebrations in Austin at Mimi and Pop's. The trip included a 24 hour stomach bug for EJ (that did not make for a fun plane ride) and a trip to the emergency room for Beck. Hope, Brandon and I stayed healthy and we really enjoyed seeing everyone. We finally got to meet baby Phillipa (and hang out with cousin Ethan), as Jessi and Charlie made the trip to Austin too. We're counting our blessings as we begin 2012!

EJ's preschool Pajama Party and Program

RIght after they sang "Santa Claus is Coming to Town", guess who showed up!

Hope's school party

Choir Concert #2

Hope and Averi after one of their "Babes in Toyland" performances.

Baking Day #1

Sisters on Christmas Eve!

Our attempt at a family picture

Annual reading of "Twas the Night Before Christmas"



Santa Came!

Beck's 1st Plane Ride

EJ in between "pukes" on the plane. Poor girl. :(

Beck in the ER

Hope with Mimi and Pop

EJ and Phillipa

Hope ready for a motorcycle ride with Pop!

Hope and Ethan tree climbing