Aquarium Trip

Last weekend we went to the aquarium in Atlanta. It was fun, but a bit overwhelming on a Saturday afternoon (last time we went was just before Noah was born and it was a weekday morning).

Next time we go, I want to be past the stroller stage. Somehow I had it in my head that Luke would sit quietly and be observant as we walked around. The kid was a wild man and did not want to be in that stroller.

But we survived and I think everyone had a good time.

A big day

When the house is full of yelling children running around (whether because of playing or fighting), I think how nice it would be for a quiet moment. But when I get one, it's always way too quiet and I miss the noise.

Right now both boys are napping and Erin is off on her first day at her week-long summer day camp. She's over on Lake Greenwood and I'm sure she's having a great time.

Aside from her time at preschool, or on the rare occasion that we either travel without the kids or have a night out, she's always with me. When the boys nap, that's our time to do something together (or for her to play independently while I get stuff done - but still, she's around).

So obviously, I miss my little girl who is growing up so fast. She's 5. FIVE! I remember when she was a baby and thinking that someday she would be a 5 year old...that seemed weird and like such a distant future time.

And now here she is, and she's spending some time away from home. Selfishly I don't like it...I want to be a part of everything she does. But I know it doesn't work that way. As the kids grow older, I know I'll have some letting go to do. It's just hard when they start out needing you for everything.

But I guess it's good that it's a gradual transition. They don't go from 3 to 18 overnight.

***

Another reason it's a big day is that it's Noah's first day of potty training. We've been talking to him about it on and off for several weeks now. A couple times I've brought out the little blue potty for him to try.

So far today he has had one accident. I put the Gerber vinyl pants on over his underwear and it contained the pee so well that I didn't even know he had already gone until I was having him try to go. And of course he hadn't told me. But it's the first accident and it's only been half a day. We're in progress...

Noah's Party

Zucchini carrot muffins with cream cheese frosting :)

The kids with Grandma and Grandpa Cendrowski

Me and the kids with Uncle Brian

This past weekend we had Noah's 3rd birthday party. We kept it small - just inviting family.

Grandma and Grandpa Barnette were also here, but we didn't think to do any photos on the couch until after they had left :(

And now that Noah's 3...off go the diapers. I think he's ready, let's just hope it's a quick and easy process for us all.

Preschool Graduate...

(for us to remember) Left to Right:
Zac, Mac, Erin, Amber, Jacob, Riser,
Lilliana, Delia, Maddison

Erin the Artist

For a long time now, Erin has loved coloring, drawing and painting. And lately, she has gotten really good at it. I have started becoming more and more impressed with what she brings me.

So forgive me, but I must brag a little:

Carrot garden

Duck in a pond

Beaver by an apple tree

Bees in the wind

An angel flying above baby Jesus' crib

Tinkerbell

Blue whale

The Big 5

Happy Birthday, Erin!

"Ba-Ba Gee"

That was Luke's first two-word sentence a couple days ago.

We were in the backyard after dinner. Luke was sitting at the top of the slide. We heard the geese - who live in our neighborhood  - honking and flying around somewhere. As they were flying away, Luke waves and says "Ba-ba, Gee!"

Say Cheese (Part II)

Brought the camera out again after dinner to try and get my good 8x10 shots. Got some good ones:

 

 

Say Cheese

Tonight while the kids were playing in the backyard after dinner, I brought out the camera to try to get some good head shots of them. I want to replace our terribly outdated 8x10's on the wall.

I was trying to get either Noah or Luke, since Erin's hair was wet. I got one for Noah, but no luck with Luke (they mostly came out blurry or with half-closed eyes). But I did get a cute one of him clapping for himself after he successfully climbed to the top of the slide ladder.

 

  

It's about time, kid

Finally.....my 16 month old is saying "mama."

The Kids

 

 

 

Mama's getting kinda good at this hair cutting thing...

Right now, Luke's walking around the kitchen saying "Goo-goo. Ga-ga." I think Erin taught him that.

Words and Climbing

Luke's word list got a little longer over the past few days. I think we were up to 5 last time I wrote about it. Here are 4 more:

kitty
ear
boo
da-da (he has said it before, but now it's pretty obvious he's talking about Sean)

It looks like he's going to follow a similar patter to Noah. Noah had around 10 words at 17 months, and then it just exploded after that. Luke is only 15 months and has 9. And not to compare too much :) but Erin had around 150 words by 18 months. You go girl.

Also, he climbed right over the gate at the bottom of the stairs yesterday. He made a couple failed attempts today. This is not good.

Noah's hidden talent

I had no idea he could do this until last night...I was very impressed.

Luke's new favorite place to climb

And there's no child-proofing gadget that can keep this from happening...except the word "no" which doesn't seem to have much effect.

***

Quote of the day

Erin to Noah:

"Yeah! We can play Ariel. I'll be Ariel and you can be the ugly squid."