These Two

These two are already in full on sibling rivalry mode at age 5 and 7.  They are there for each other when they need to be and neither of them would know what to do without each other......but, do. they. fight!  They know exactly how to push each other's buttons.  They look so sweet, like they're the best of buds in this picture, and they were getting along in this moment, but listening to them fight is hard, and being a mediator is not fun. So these moments when they are having fun playing together, or offering to help one another out, these are the redeeming moments that wash away the fighting and bickering like the tide.  Maybe they too, could sense the calm of a summer day at the lake.

summer 2015

just like everyone else, our summer is quickly slipping away from us.  back to school in just two weeks!  I think we are ready though, Jack can't wait, and although Stella is nervous about starting at the elementary school, I'm sure she'll be just fine with her best friend Simone by her side in class this year.  I must say that I will enjoy a little more quiet time at home to get caught up on some things, and some one on one time with Reed in swim lessons and baby music class.  And as much as I enjoy summer, I also love fall and all that comes with it.  Cheers everyone, to a great school year!

Summer Lovin'

this little guy has sprouted two new teeth since the 4th, which explains the excessive drooling

no 4th of July is complete without bomb pop popsicles!

Stella dancing at Riverfest

love these three little crazies so much!

happy summer all!

Baby Reed 9 Month Update

Reed is just a little ball of joy right now.  He started sleeping through the night around 7 months and has been a great little sleeper ever since.  That was a major game changer and I am happy to report I feel like a regular human being again.  Reed started army crawling a month ago and pretty soon after started to crawl.  He's all over the place now and even pulling himself up onto everything.  The past couple of days I have been walking him around while holding his hands and he already seems to have the hang of walking.....oh boy!  He has had very little interest in his beloved jumperoo since becoming mobile, which totally stinks, but the boys got exploring to do now and that jumper, well that just gets in the way.  Reed can say "Duh" or "Da" for Dad and "Aaeye" for hi.  He's making all sorts of other sounds that I haven't been able to decode yet, but I'm sure they mean something.  Reed's still rolling with two bottom teeth and he's eating finger foods like a champ.  It's been fun to start feeding him some of the same things we're eating at meal time.  Two of my favorite things about Reed are his big baby blue eyes and his hugs.  When I get him out of his crib in the morning or after nap time, he gives me the biggest hug, he just nuzzles in and stays there for about a minute. And that moment of my day, well that moment erases all the poopy diapers, laundry, fights, messes, running around, crazy schedules, getting woken up in the middle of the night...yes that moment grounds me and makes it all worth it.  We love you Reed, can you please stay little forever?!

you can see forever through those sweet baby blues

happy boy!

Mix Of This & That

Reed is happy he's now mobile

Jack's first soccer season comes to a close

last day of Kindergarten in Mrs. Wagner's class

 Happy Father's Day Daddy

mini baseball player

 crazy Stella & Simone watching their brothers play

Stella's last day at Congregational Preschool with Mrs. Fuss

 and Mrs. Dolan

hanging out at the Pump House

Stella's dance recital

which included a daddy daughter dance

Stella and Lily after the recital

Stella is 5

Our girl is 5!  Stella is funny, a good helper, smart, independent, a great accessorizer....and a little bossy.  She still cracks us up and amazes up daily with what she talks about, her imagination and how smart she is.  She has entered the silly stage of childhood and no longer wants to dress "toddlery" but rather like a big girl, sigh.  We love you Stella, you make life more interesting and fun for everyone!

Stella had her party at her dance studio this year, and we had a pink and gold theme.  The girls did fun dances, learned a dance to "For the First Time in Forever" (or as Stella calls is the coronation day song from Frozen) which they performed for the parents at the end of the party.  They made ribbon wands, ate cake, decorated a t-shirt for Stella and of course had presents!  After having an all boys party for Jack, and now an all girls party, I have to laugh at how different boys and girls really are, it's no wonder men and women can have so much trouble communicating, ha!

Stella's 5 tutu cake

Reed was a champ as usual hanging out during the party....and speaking of this little man, I am long overdue for a Reed update, so look for that coming soon!

 This picture pretty much sums up Stella

 our big 5 year old, make a wish sweetie

Stella opening her special present from Daddy......you'll have to ask her what she got next time you see her :)