Buddies

Gloria found a way to make our not-so-happy guy happy in the house. He is cutting I-teeth and mostly only happy outside these last few days.

"Beaky"

Sebastian loves these little lawn whirl-a-gigs just like Anastasia did at this age. He calls them "beaky" which is his word for birdie. It is so funny how he goes running across the street to the neighbor's house. We had one from a few years ago and put it in Pawpaw and Manah's yard. So now he runs there first, then to the house next to theirs. Oh, well!

Kindergarten!

Stephen started Kinder this week (since he was sick last week, we postponed school for him), and he did great. He was asking to do more school when we were finished. He did so great that I decided to let him pick his very own can of soda to celebrate. Of course, he obliged.

Game Time

My 3 guys playing a quick game of Parcheesi. Sebastian looooves these shakers with the dice in them!

Birthday trip

We went on a little road trip to cousin Julian's birthday party. It was so fun to see their new house and visit with everyone!

Talking

Sebastian has hit his verbal explosion these last few weeks. He repeats many phrases back to us right after we say them. He was saying "Nanai" for more or hungry...it evolved from "nana" for banana when he was eating bananas like crazy. But this last week, he started saying "some" when he wants more or is hungry, repeating back to us what we are saying, "do you want some?".

Some other words/phrases:
He likes to add "go" or "bo" to the end of names
Ex: Pawpawgo, Daddybo
Ginger "juh, juh"
Annie or Anniebo
Please "wee?"
Tee tee (when Anastasia announces she has to go)
Speak Life "Pee Kai" (a favorite song of the kids)
Bird "Beaky"
Balloon "Boom"
Cake
Cookie
Grape "gay"
Teeth "tee"
Outside "ah sigh"
Quesadilla/Tortilla "deeeyah"
Hinee (as in, sit on your hinee and don't stand in the chair)
Go!
Drink "dee kah"
Pizza "peesah"
Eye
Train "tay"
Plane "pay"
Hi
Bye
All Done "ah done"


I am sure I am forgetting a few, but that is a pretty good list!

End of Summer fun!

Each summer, the local homeschool group always hosts a homeschoolers' swim date at the fun city pool where we do swim lessons. We haven't been able to make it the past couple of years, but I marked it on the calendar early this time, and we were able to go! It was tons of fun, and we even saw a few friends there. Unfortunately Stephen did not get to come. We dropped him off at Daddy's work because of his fever. :(

First Day of School!

 We started school with a bang this year! My sweet Kindergartner, Stephen, was in bed upstairs with fever! Poor guy! It was quite a morning of running up and down the stairs helping children with school, tending to the sick boy, and getting the toddler out of trouble. Sebastian took full advantage of all of us being busy...sneaking into the bathroom to flush the potty and unroll toilet paper, sneaking upstairs to climb bunk bed ladders and pull random toothbrushes out of bathroom drawers. Whew! But we survived, and it feels good to be back in the swing of it all again!

We decided to start Sebastian early...not really. But he was really wanting to get into all the school stuff, so Mariana made him his own little desk. So cute. He loves putting pencils into the automatic sharpener and listening to the noise the motor makes. :/

Happy Birthday Austin and Happy Solemnity!

(and Happy Baptism Day)
Manah and Pawpaw graciously babysat so I could take Austin out on a date Friday evening, which was perfect since it was sandwiched between his baptism day (Friday) and birthday (Saturday). :)

Then we started out Saturday morning with a family bike ride.

He had a special dinner of Wings and a cookie cake and cookies made by Allia and I. He and Allia just finished reading the last LOTR book, so we watched part of the movie together too (just the 3 of us during naptime!). We are so thankful for a wonderful husband and father!

Beat the Heat!

That is the name of the game lately. It has been over 100 degrees for a week! This weekend after confessions, we decided to beat the heat with some sno cones at Bahama Buck's.

And of course we have been swimming. Stephen has grown into such a great swimmer this summer. It has been a pleasure to witness. Here he is practicing his back float.

And just for fun, a little boy having a lollypop. I think this was his first one unless I have forgotten something. He was so tickled!

Little Moments

Some sweet snuggles

Allia held and AG tea party for her doll's birthday. Mariana looked so sweet dressed up to match Saige.

We got a new dryer, and I am wondering who thought it was a good idea to put the buttons on the front and have it make little sing-song noises. To all you dryer makers out there: this new design attracts toddlers! I think I liked the old buttons in the back on top and a simple beep. I really do like the dryer...we have been doing laundry in the spare out in the garage for a month or so because the old one starting burning/melting our clothes!

And a little play date. The toddlers love Ginger!

VBS

We were still out of town Monday, but we jumped right into VBS on Tuesday and had a very busy but very fun week!

I was originally planning on sitting out this year, but the kids really wanted to go. I am so glad! It was a great experience for everyone. Allia even got to be a snack helper with Mrs. R this year!