Weekend Fun

Overall, Piper really enjoys Kindergarten. Her one complaint is that she really misses her preschool friends. There is one in particular that she begs to see almost every week. This weekend a local church was having a fall festival, and it was the perfect event to invite her friend to come to. Piper loved having Lucy with her. As you can see they enjoyed a very healthy meal. They also won the cake walk about 5 times (this is why I need to keep my Y membership). 

 Asher came with us as well, and adored the rock wall.

 Piper surprised me and did really well climbing.

 This is what the little ones did while we were gone.

Dexter Days

I didn't realize how exhausting last year was for me. It was busy, and I felt like all I did was run kids around. This year for various reasons it is not as hectic. I am loving it. Loving it. Dexter only goes to preschool Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday mornings. I also switched around the carpool schedule with the big kids, and this year it is much better. Thursday and Friday mornings I really try to focus on Dexter and doing fun things with him. There are SO many great classes and activities for toddlers in our town. A few weeks ago we went to Art Play at the local art studio. They have some free play time, and then do an organized craft. 

 Dex was the oldest kid there, and it was odd to think of him as a big kid.

 He does swimming lessons on Thursday mornings. He has a great teacher, and always looks forward to getting in the pool.

 There is a science center that Nate and I both adore. This past week we went to their toddler time. They did a STEM program and it was pretty fantastic.

I am glad there are so many things for us to do together. Emmy also enjoys tagging along.

The magical age of three

The Time: 3 PM

The Setting: The time out corner of the dining room

The Culprit: Dexter

The Conversation:

Dexter- "Mom, Can I get out of timeout?"

Me- "No, wait until the timer goes off".

Dexter- "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh"

Repeat the previous dialogue for the next three minutes

Dexter- "Can I get out nooooooow?"

Me- "Yes"

Dexter- "MOM, you need to say yes I can get out"

Me- "Yes Dexter, you can get out"

Dexter- "MOM, you need to say yes I can get out right now"

Me- "You can get out right now"

Dexter- "You didn't say YES"

Me- "Yes"

Dexter- (Flailing on the floor sobbing) "I just want to get out of time out"

Me- (Trying to estimate how many minutes until Nate comes home, and if anyone would notice if I open up the baking chocolate) "Buddy, just come out"

Dexter- "Thank you Mom"

30 Seconds Later

Dexter- (Sobbing AGAIN on the floor) "You didn't say you're welcome"

End Scene 

Hey there, October

Oh October, I've missed you. I adore the summertime, but I'm ready for fall. I always feel sad when I have to out away all my cute summer dresses, but this year I'm just excited that I don't have to shave my legs anymore. The kids are really enjoying the weather and the extended outside time. Emmy Lu wasn't a huge fan of the heat, but she is delighted now. Every once in a while I still mourn the fact that I don't have kids that nap, but it's nice to be outside so much. You did read that correctly, even Emmy doesn't really nap. She's like a super type of baby that doesn't need to sleep. 

She still loves the grass, and crawling all over it.

 Dex loves to swing for hours, especially when Piper is at school and he doesn't need to share.

 She took a step here and was so proud of herself.

 I can't handle this face. I just want to squeeze it. She kills me.

365 Days with Emmy Lu

Emmy you have been here for a year. You are such a gift, such joy to us. I can't put into words even the slightest glimpse of how I feel. You are my little love bug, my cuddler, my happy little baby. This year with you has been magical. I don't know if it's the fact that we wanted you for so long, or that you are the last baby, but I have enjoyed your babyness so much more than I ever did with your siblings. My heart is aching quite a bit as you transform from a baby to a toddler. 

You are so content. I can get a lot done in the kitchen while you play with toys.

 You are just starting to get into things and cause a bit of chaos. I need to put cabinet locks on one more time.

 For your birthday we decided to have the Simpsons over for a dinner celebration. Everyone was thrilled to celebrate you.

 You liked the cake at first, but didn't want to touch it.

 You slowly got the hang of it and started digging in.

Emmy Lu, I love you so much. Happy Birthday little one.

Frozen on Ice and other Girliness

My parents bought Piper a ticket to see Frozen on Ice for her Birthday. The show was up in Virginia yesterday and we decided to have a fun day, just the two of us. She loved the show. It was pure magic to her. She danced and sang all the songs. I spent most of the show just watching her face. I'm so glad I got to experience it with her. 

 After the show we met up with some friends for lunch. The girls had fun showing off their souvenirs and discussing their favorite parts. Abbie and her Mom spent the rest of the day with us and we did some shopping.

 It was such a great day, and I loved having the time with Piper. The girls picked 5 Guys for dinner, and there were no complaints from me.

Dreams and Investments

I tend to look on the realistic and practical side of things. For so long when my kids would come to me with lofty goals and dreams, instead of telling them how to attain them I would just say no. My friend Leah isn't like this. She dreams big and always encourages her kids to do the same. Slowly she is rubbing off on me. Asher has always had big ideas. A few years ago he started telling me he wanted a boat and he wanted to go to Australia. I told him to start saving, and he did. I've never met someone so young as determined as he is. For the last two years he has saved his Birthday, Christmas, and allowance money. Today he went into Edward Jones and sat down with Dave (Leah's husband and Jada and Bennett's dad). Dave explained investments to Asher and they discussed his goals. My little Ashman decided to invest $250. He knows he will have to be patient, and will have to continue to invest more money in order to reach his goal. I couldn't be more proud.