Camping Birthday Party and the County Fair

A few weeks ago, one of my babies turned 3. We celebrated his day by taking our annual extended family camping trip that weekend so he really got a full few days of fun celebrating how great he is.

All Riley wanted was a dirt cake, paw patrol, and tractors. So, we combined it all together. It was simple. It was easy. It was so much fun.

My parents were there, my husband's parents, and my siblings and their families were all there. Both sets of our parents rented the cabins available while most of us camped in campers. We had a blast just hanging out and keeping everything low key. The kids loved making kinetic sand, riding bikes, chasing ducks, and doing all things kid outdoor related. And us adults all survived with 7 kids under the age of 6!

We came back home and had a few days of rest before my husband's parents made the trip to see us. It happened to coincide with the start of fair so grandma helped the kids make cookies to enter and we rounded up a few pictures the kids have made over the year to enter in as well. Riley also wanted to add in one of his lego creations (a motorcycle) he recently put together with his daddy.

Their hard work paid off as the kids had so much fun finding their items at the fair and learning that every item they entered placed either first or second.

Both kids won $5 each and they are so, so excited.

Our fair is a lot of fun and we look forward to it each year. Monday night we went to the free dinner, looked at all the animal exhibits, found our fair entries, and got free balloon animals (or a mermaid and ball in my children's cases).

Yesterday, we went back to have supper again and ride the Ferris wheel, one of the main goals my children plan for each year. I think this has to do with a Barbie book Payton has where the child only wants to ride the Ferris wheel. I wasn't sure if Riley would do it despite how much he talked about it. He surprised me by acting so brave and doing it! We also rode the carousel and let the kids play the duck game to earn a few toys. They picked play guns...

We ended the night with the bounce house and sno cones.

It was the most beautiful few nights. I love our local fair.

And, it must be said, I am so thankful for an easy baby #3. He hung out, observed intently, and slept the entire fair time.

County Fair 2018, you were a total hit for our family. We can't wait for next year!

Riley Turns 3 and Time Can Officially Slow Down

Somebody has a birthday around these here parts!

Hey, Hey, Mr. Riley, you are now officially 3! And I have no idea how we got here so fast. You are a running, walking, talking, counting, playing machine. Your language is huge and so is your heart. When you grow up you hope to fly airplanes and how timely was this picture we were able to capture:

You love your sissy so much and play with her constantly. The few times you have been apart from her you have had no idea what to do and felt so lost. You want to hold your brother and help with him. You currently have a baby doll named Jayden that you love to care for at the same time mommy helps Jayden. 

Lately we let you pick your own outfits and polos are totally one of your top picks. But you rotate between husker themes, Cars theme, and your Dusty (Planes) tshirt. 

You want to go to school so bad and talk about your future teacher. This hurts my heart but I am so excited for the things you are excited for as well sweet boy. You are sure to move mountains in this life.

Of my 3 children, you are my early riser. You play hard and sleep hard. Naps are hit and miss but early bed time is always where it's at for you. And then you beat the sun up and hit the ground running. Thanks for our quiet mornings together my baby and holding my hand or wrapping yourself in my hair as you fall asleep. Your love just can't be beat.

Happy Birthday Riley!

Our 7 Month Old Baby

 Well my little baby, we are wholeheartedly loving you! You definitely have so much sunshine to offer this world. I don't think you can take a bad picture and you are all smiles, even between the crying and begging for a nap.

And holy growth spurt baby. You have grown so much in 4 weeks. I had pulled out 6 month clothes for you after posting the 6 month baby update and 3 days later, we made a jump to 6-9 months. Today, you are mostly wearing 9 month clothes (like the onesie in the picture above). You have just grown unbelievably fast. 

Developmentally you have made leaps as well. I went to our 6 month well child checkup and was concerned about you not holding your head up. You didn't love tummy time and seemed unmotivated to even try looking around. Then, about a week later, you just decided you were ready and spent 2 days working super, super hard on these skills. You learned to hold your head up and roll at the same time. Today, you are a rolling machine and use it to get anywhere you want to go.

Sleep has been a struggle still. You love naps and are still taking tons of naps a day and then don't want to sleep at night. My night owl? Maybe, probably. The tricky part is your siblings go to bed early and your brother rises extremely early. This mom is struggling to manage a night owl and an early riser combo and it's making me overly exhausted. We are trying to convert you to the other children's schedule. Wish us luck in the next month.

Baby Jayden, thank you for all your smiles, love of toys, and curiosity in everything. You are constantly looking for social interaction. We can't wait to see what the next month unfolds. We love you so, so much!

Wrapping up June

With the 4th of July approaching, I feel like this summer will be over and done with before we know it. June is almost over and I have to say, we piled it on thick this month. Dance camp, swimming lessons, visitors most weekends, my mom for 1 week, library family dance night event, and camping one weekend. It was a lot and we are really, really tired. We squeezed in gardening, fairy garden making, jumping in puddles, park and splash pad, diy projects, and dates with each child. But, we can see the light to the slow down period and I am very ready for a bit of a lull. This past weekend we headed to my husband's parents as my father-in-law retires and he had his retirement party. It was good to see our children play with their cousins.

On Monday, we were greeted with our first week of no summer activities scheduled. We were so relieved and excited.

In any case, some pictures of our June.

Dance camp for Payton was a blast and we loved supporting her. She completed 2-3 art projects a day and learned a dance routine.

And because it's too cute not to share and she may someday want to see this, here is her big performance after 4 days of working hard at dance:


Happy 4th of July, we hope you have a great time!