Sophie's first day at Hunter Park

This is being posted way late, but better late than never... right!? Caleb and Khloe love Hunter Park they even came up with their own name for it, Hunternator. My daughter has a hard time remembering names and often comes up with her own name for things, this is one of them. Because I think it is so cute her names often stick more than the real names. This day my Mom, Caleb, Khloe and Sophie all went to take Sophie for her first trip to Hunternator! We ate lunch under the pavilion and played in the sunshine.

Bikes, Trikes and Tykes

When spring starts to appear, grass starts to turn from a dry, crunchy brown into a softer greener lawn we find ourselves once again slaves to the outdoors.

What is it about kids and being outside...they LOVE it. Every morning, noon and evening my children love to be outside. This time of year is the best because the days are hot and the mornings and nights are cool, relatively bug free and we have daylight until almost 8 pm. Geese frequent the field in front of our house and my kids adore looking for spiders, crickets, frogs and anything else that might cross our paths. Watching Caleb and Khloe laugh together and play is the best! I am never more proud as when I see my children loving each other. Here are some photos taken tonight during our bikes, trikes and tykes evening!!

ps. What little girl DOESN'T wear a satin headband, twirly dress and pink converse with no laces to ride a bike and four wheeler??

A little help from my sis

So when I was still pregnant with Sophie I was talking to Khloe about certain changes that would be happening due to having a baby. I talked about patience and waiting, helping with keeping the house clean, how Mommy was going to have to change diapers and feed a baby. That babies need their Mommies a lot in the first couple of months, and her help would be needed.

For a 5 year old she LOVES responsibility. She loves to help set the table for family dinners. She cleans her own room and makes her own bed. She helps me dust and wipe kitchen counters, she is a little helper. I know it will not last forever, her love of it that is, she will always have to help, but right now she takes pride in being a "Little Mama."

After our pre baby talk Khloe told me, I will help get Caleb dressed, while you change and feed baby Sophie. Even though Caleb can get himself dressed, I thought that was so sweet that she would care for her brother while I was caring for her new baby sister. I talk to her and her brother a lot about being "your brothers keeper," taking care of each other and loving each other. It was great to see a little bit of that shine through. Here is Khloe keeping up her end of the bargain and helping her brother get dressed...I LOVE these kids!!

Easter Fun

Easter eggs,candy,baskets OH MY

Sophie's 1st bath

So all of the firsts are so important. We can't wait for them to happen. We take pictures of how proud we were to remember how we felt forever, and when they are over and no longer firsts we look forward to whatever comes next. I read a book after my first daughter was born. It put a new perspective on everything for me.

It is a simple children's story with an overlooked plot. One we usually don't think of until it is to late. It is the lasts. "Let me hold you longer" is a children's story about the last time a child does something. Cherishing the moments because we know everything is just a stage or stepping stone leading to whatever comes next. It gave me a totally different way to look at what my children do and life in general.

As a Mom I find certain parts of being a Mother frustrating or monotonous at times. Bed time for instance. By the time the day is over I am just ready for pj's, teeth brushing, stories and night night. I dread this time of day because it is normally when everything goes wrong, you know I need a drink, I miss daddy, one more kiss one more hug one more story. Turn the light off, turn the nightlight on, fan please wait fan to fast, I forgot to go potty, the list goes on and on but this won't.

There will be a time when they put themselves to bed. When a kiss and hug are no longer mandatory and stories are no longer needed. So when I feel frustrated or like the list never ends I stop and try to cherish these moments all my first and lasts.

Here are some pictures of Sophie's "last" first bath.

I am a Bunny...

Being that Easter is just a few short days away I thought I would share a sweet little bunny story about my son.

Caleb loves the book I am a Bunny. It started about a month ago that he had to read it every night before bed, sometimes more than once. He now has the entire book memorized and can read it to himself. I also loved this book as a child so to me it is super sweet that my little guy digs the same book I did at his age! It is a short but very sweet story! At the end of the book he always gives Nicholas a big kiss or 2 or 3...then we put Nicholas to bed. Night, night Nicholas.

This night Caleb had gone to sleep reading I am a Bunny, and fell asleep with this sweet story still in his hand. Super Man Pj's his favorite pillow and I am a Bunny. Sweet dreams Caleb.