Spotlight on our Big Kids

Since our baby seems to get the spotlight at least once a month, I decided to do a quick spotlight on our oldest two. They are just as fun and exciting as well and keep our world spinning. Yesterday, I gave a few fun facts about the baby so I thought I'd give some of the big kids as well.

1. You are dressing yourselves and dress so grown up.

 I love watching children pick their own clothes. These 2 typically dress pretty formally. Riley picks polos and dress pants and shorts most of the time. Payton loves dresses (especially formal ones). The above picture is an outfit of their own choosing to demonstrate.

2. Payton started gymnastics and has changed so much since day 1 of class, a few years ago.

 Words can not even express how sad this picture makes me. The time has gone so quickly but we are loving every second we are given.

Riley has learned so much gymnastics from his big sister, without even setting a foot in class himself. He is definitely keeping up with what she is learning.

3. Outings are much more challenging but we are making them happen.

 Baby season can be hard with older siblings. It's more challenging to get outdoors and takes a lot of work to leave the house. We are making it happen though, sometimes on my own with all 3 and plenty of times after dad comes home and can watch the baby.

4. Visits from family are the best.

We have had a ton of visits from various family members and are just loving that! The big kids help me clean the house for guests and make so many plans to keep company entertained.

5. We are back into the school routine
This is always a work in progress (for me), but the kids LOVE learning and school. I can't even skip a day without one of them asking for their school stuff. It's crazier teaching 2 kids preschool and having a baby as well but we have quickly found a rhythm that works for us.

Payton and Riley, you are so much fun and have been so good to us. We are honored to be blessed with the opportunity to be your parents. May you continue to spread your wings as you learn to fly.

9 Months for our littlest man

Oh boy, boy, you are speeding life up for me. We hit 9 months and it still feels like we should be in month 2. Maybe your commitment to ensuring I don't sleep more than a few hours at a time is what has me stuck at this age? Let's just say, teething has been rough on you (and me) this month. But, you have 2 teeth to show for it and I'm certain a 3rd will come through at any time. Here's a few quick facts about you, sweet baby Jayden:

 1. You take the best pictures. Seriously. This was the second picture I took of you on this blanket. Your monthly pictures take me less than 10 minutes start to finish, including changing you and putting on an outfit.

May your day always shine bright like your smile.

2. You ALWAYS want to be held. That's probably why pictures go so quickly. You will smile if you think I will pick you back up. If I don't follow through, well, you probably know what comes.

I will carry you until you tell me you're too big. And then, my heart will break.

3. You love food and we are slowly adding to what you eat. We are kind of lazier parents and so we have slowly added to your food regime. You love eggs though and (fun fact) I thought eggs tasted so amazing when I was pregnant with you.

4. You are momma's boy. I am pleased to say I am definitely your preferred person in this life. I'll take that any day. You are also willing to do anything and go anywhere without an issues as long as your are carried by your mom.

I could spend all day every day with you. And I am certainly doing that day and night.

Photo courtesy of Payton.

5. You love to swing.

You enter your own little happy place when swinging. You sing to yourself, practice babble talking, let the world pass you by, and lay back to rest your eyes.

A singing child is a happy child.

6. You rocked our world when you came for the better and we would do anything for you.

There really is no love like a mama's love.

Or a daddy's love. Or a brother's love. Or a sister's love.

Just saying.

Photo Credit to Brittani Gregg Photography

You are really the center of our world right now and we are so happy to have you here with us. Cheers to month 9.

Goodbye August, Hot and Crazy

Goodbye August, hot and crazy.

Hello September, cool and lazy.

This is our last year to have all 3 of our babies at home and we spent this month celebrating not having to face the reality that our children are old enough for school (and that we don't have to start shuttling them daily to school). I love having my babies at home with me but I am greatly aware that this season will come to an end all too quickly. I am wholeheartedly embracing the time I have.

My hubby and I made a promise to try and pack in fun exploring activities for the kids any chance we can since we still have a whole bucket list of area activities that we have yet to do. First up, a playground and petting zoo.

 Unfortunately, we didn't realize the zoo had switched to weekends only and we went on a random weekday. Their website hadn't been updated to reflect this. The kids were a little disappointed but were still able to walk the property and see all the animals. They just didn't get the joys of petting them and feeding them.

For another random outing, we took the kids fishing. They actually had a choice between the splash pad (one of their favorite spots) or fishing. We were shocked when Payton caught a bass within minutes of her first cast.

Riley said from the beginning he would catch a little fish. He was totally right! It took a bit more patience and waiting but his response made it so worth it.

Adding in random food and dessert experiences, and the kids thought this month was a total win.

We have to give so much credit to little man, who is the best trooper hands-down. He is so content to do what everyone else is doing and loves watching his family entertain him.

Back at home, we snuck outside any chance we got to play the day away.

Fresh air, flowers, and warm air never felt so good.

I left my phone outside to grab a snack for the kids and they chose to take the opportunity for a photo session. One of the pictures I found:

Same eyes. Oh yeah, definitely siblings. I love catching quick glimpses of life through a child's eyes. It's amazing how fresh and simple their perspective on life is.

We haven't been all play and no work. Our schooling at home started and we've been working hard on the alphabet, numbers, Spanish, and sneaking in art projects as applicable.

 It is harvest time around here so you can find us picking and processing apples, working the garden, and/or roasting veggies regularly. This was our first year to have cantaloupe and we have quite the surplus, which has been so exciting!

Here is one of our apple picking collections:

 During the winter I am so thankful for our harvest and preserving foods but when we are actually doing the work for this, I am not nearly as happy. I think every year that I shouldn't do it and when it's over, I am so glad I put in the effort. This year did not disappoint. I drug my feet the most but ended up with more apples than we have ever had in our 4 years on our property. My 2 oldest children helped immensely and are the happiest helpers. For this, I will be forever grateful.

Hello September, Cool and Lazy.

We are starting to slow down a bit and the weather is taking a slight turn. We love fall and all things football related (most of us come for the food though), outside sports play, changing leaves, camping, and sitting out on the patio any time we want. Our schedule is still staying a bit tight but we plan to take full advantage of our quiet periods in our week.

Have a great weekend!