Pool Days

We've been to the pool many times this summer, but a couple of Saturdays ago was the first time that I was able to get some decent photos. Graham was able to get a morning nap, so he was a happy camper for a couple of hours. Like all of his siblings before him, he loved the bubbler fountains in the kiddie pool.

 

Paige had fun playing with him in the fountains, too.

With some prompting, Miles joined. I think at this point, Brooke was in the chair pouting about our not going immediately to the big pool. Just keeping it real.

We did eventually make it over to the big pool where Matt got his workout throwing the kids in the air.

I didn't get any shots of Brooke this time due to a combination of her pouting and being a really good swimmer. Miles has gotten much more comfortable in the water. He still likes the comfort of his floatie, but he's going off the diving board no problem this year. Hopefully his skills and confidence increase enough that by the end of summer he doesn't need the floatie!

Summer's Here!

Last week was our first full week of summer and we really hit the ground running. Our church is taking the year off from VBS, so we decided to do the Neighborhood Bible Club that takes place every year in the subdivision next to ours. I'd heard great things about it, but it I was really impressed with how organized and well run it was for having 250+ kids spread across a couple of backyards. 

 

There were a couple of spirit days and the kids got really excited about crazy hair day.

Both kids were in groups with their good friends and it was so sweet to see their interactions. I volunteered, so I got to see Miles' group especially close.

Brooke's group on stage during the singing time. She was front and center, naturally.

Miles with his buds, Jack and Wes.

The kids rotated between craft, story, and game stations. After they finished their craft, there were some sports games set up. I think this was one of Miles' favorite times.

The last day was water day, complete with a few giant slip n' slides and a water balloon fight.

This guy hung in there all week, despite not feeling well at the beginning of the week (took him to the MD - just a virus). He would play with the other "big kids" being babysat for the first hour, then would chill in the Ergo the rest of the morning.

 

The girls in Brooke's group liked playing with him during game time and like flirt he is, he obliged.

Paige also had a blast. She got to hang out with her friend Hannah and our babysitter, Jill every morning. She didn't complain once about going or when I dropped her off. She's ready to be a big girl, whether I'm ready for it or not. I wish I'd gotten pictures of them together last week. Instead, enjoy this picture of her with water color paint all over her face. As a backstory, the Bible Club had face painting every day. On Saturday, I got out watercolors for Paige to paint with at the kitchen table. I should have know she was being too quiet...

 It was a fun start to summer. On to another crazy week!

Paige is Three!

This sassy girl turned three about a month ago. What to say about Paige at three? The girl has a big personality. She knows what she wants and is determined to get it. She's kind of a peanut, weighing it at about 28 lbs (30%) and is about 3 feet tall (50%).

Paige loves her friends and being social. She's always asking about Jojo and Teagie (neighbors), as well as Baby Bri and Gracie (cousins). She is not a fan of days that we don't go anywhere or have anyone over, which luckily don't happen very often. That being said, she has a great imagination and can entertain herself (usually playing house) for what I would consider to be longer than the average three-year-old.

 

She's recently started giving up her naps, and is only napping about every other day at this point. She'll sleep 7-7 if we're home and able to get her down in time. Her speech has really exploded in the past couple of months, thanks to some help from her EI therapist and the district therapist since turning 3. She still has a long way to go, but she's working hard and has time on her side.

She cannot wait to go to school and loves any kind of class she's in, whether it's My Gym or a park district dance class. On her first day of class, all the other moms were out on the floor but she wanted no part in my being out there with her for the first 10 minutes or so ("I do it!"). 

She's been potty trained for bladder since the week after she turned 3. She still asks for a pull up to poop in. I'm working up the energy to fight that battle. 

She loves swinging, the higher the better.She's been talking a lot about Ozzie dying lately (I'll get to that post at some point) and asking when we can get another doggie.

She loves her accessories and usually puts some thought into what she wears.

(Brooke had softball practice the night of her birthday, so we went out to breakfast.)

She is a such a special, determined little lady who keeps us on our toes and keeps us laughing. We're so blessed to be her parents and cannot wait to see what she continues to grow into!

Miles is Five!

It's been a little less than two months since this big guy turned five. He's weighing in at around 43 lbs and is around 3' 8" tall. He's just finishing his last year of fours preschool, as well as our school district's phonology (speech) program.

Somewhere around 4 1/2, he became fairly obsessed with sports. He'd prefer to watch Sportscenter with Matt than a cartoon and will watch any sporting event live or on tv, even if he doesn't understand the game. He seems to just enjoy the competition.

He's played soccer thie past 3 quarters - outdoor in fall and spring and indoor in winter. He's also taken swim lessons and has gotten much more confident in the water. He loves shooting hoops and will stay outside alone for 30 minutes with a basketball. When we ask, he still says that the sport he most wants to play is football, though.

He is a pretty amazing brother, always looking out for all of his siblings and generally giving them their way, even if it means giving up one of his toys. I joke that he's being trained well for being a husband by having very strong-willed sisters before and after him.

He's come a long way in both his speech and academics. He's awesome with numbers. Aunt Jamie and Uncle Will gave him a watch for his birthday that he loves and it's pretty impressive to watch him do the math to determine the time before something happens ("School starts at 12? So if it's 11:52, I have 8 minutes.").  He's also gained an interest in reading since doing the phonics unit at school.

 

He's very sensitive and empathetic. He hates to hear about people or even animals suffering or getting hurt and always wants to know what we can do to help.

He can also be a real goofball, telling silly jokes or dancing like a crazy person. 

He's such a special little guy and we couldn't love him more. Happy birthday, Miles!

Graham at 8 Months

What to say about this little man? Graham-bo really is a joy of a baby, especially since he started sleeping through the night at around 7 1/2 months. He loves being around people and is incredibly quick to smile, even in the midst of tears.

He's not really moving purposefully yet, but he does get around by rolling and army-scooting. He can sit up for awhile, but falls over enough that I don't leave him sitting up unattended yet.

He's just recently started sitting in high chairs and carts when we're out, which is perfect timing as the weather's gotten nicer. He'll do baby food, but tends to favor finger foods at meals. He's nursing 3 times a day, then getting a bottle of formula before bed.

He falls asleep best with a binky, but isn't dependent on it. He's had 3 ear infections (that we only knew about because he was coughing at night), so we'll see what the doctor thinks about next steps at his nine months appointment.

He usually wakes up around 6:30, then goes back down for about an hour-long nap around 9:30 (if we're home, poor guy). His next nap is usually around 1. He'd probably sleep for two hours or more, but most days I have to wake him up for school pick up. He usually goes down for the night around 7 (again, if we're home).

He has his two bottom teeth and they are sharp. He's not really holding his bottle yet, but he can put his binky in himself. He is super-chatty and babbles all the time.

I don't think I can emphasize enough what a delight he is. He is such a perfect addition to our family and I can't wait to see the little man that he develops into.