September 2023

 September was a great and fun month for our household. It went as fast as the days go these days beginning and ending in a blink of an eye. Trying to balance school and a baby and one on one time with each kid and all the other roles I carry in my life has been a lot this month. And it makes time go by even faster. So, let's get to the good stuff:

One on One dates! I love them and I try to make them a weekly priority with each kid. Some weeks I do better than others but as a parent that seems to be the one real game changer in our family. It makes a huge difference if we have connected with our children before we take on the struggles that life brings.

I got out with Riley! We went to the YMCA and walked, ran, lifted weights, and played some volleyball and basketball together. I also try to take a few extra minutes with him at bedtime. 

I got out for a special coffee shop date with this sweet girl as well! She has so much to offer this world and I love hearing her thoughts and ideas as she grows older. She really wants to work at this coffee shop when she's older. 

The baby is at home with me so she is getting so much one on one time when the kids are at school. She's growing so fast and we love her so much. 

I've been making a lot of hummus recently and my husband and I are the only ones to like (Jayden will eat sometimes). We have no complaints about that. Why did it take me 30+ years to decide I liked hummus? I have definitely been missing out all those years. 

We got outside adventuring one Saturday afternoon. We hiked and climbed the tall lookout tower. 

And we try to get outside for play and/or a walk most evenings after dinner. We have to get out while the weather is nice because before we know it we will be inside because it's too cold. In this picture Payton and Jayden took Avery in the stroller while I walked with Monte. They returned to show me she had fallen asleep. Nothing like a cat nap right before bed time. Don't worry, she did go to bed that night well!

We just love this sweet walking buddy so we take pictures of her all the time. 

She hit 5 months this month! And she is just a happy, sweet girl. Loves all of her family members the most (not always warm with strangers) and gives the biggest open mouthed kisses to us all. She is working so hard on waving hello and goodbye and wants to roll over!

And we had another dress up week at school:

Pajama Day!

Famous person day. Riley was a football player and the 2 other kids were dancers from kidz bop. 

Dress like your favorite teacher day.

Pick a decade day! We had 90s kids that day! Oh to go back!

The last day was spirit day!

I got the kids to the children's museum to play on day after school.  

Avery had so much fun she slept on the whole ride home. 

The kids have been baking are making cake balls here! It was a total hit and we will have again!

A picture I found on my phone that Payton took. 

Our local community had a fun day and we took part in it again. We love this day each year. The kids made hot dogs and smores. They also enjoyed outside games and bounce houses. 

We got out for a walk to the park after the oldest 2 participated in the local kick, pass, and punt challenge (Payton won 1st and made it to state). We found a swing we've never noticed before and all sat on it. I snapped this picture before we left. I love our family time together. 

And I am ending this month with a beautiful picture of my littlest one holding my hand as she fell asleep on a road trip. Life with 4 can be hard at times. It is also so rewarding and full of so much love. 

August 2023

 Our month went by and I am writing this in October because life is going so fast I can not keep up. At all. A newborn and 3 elementary aged kids is a season that is more of a blur than having all my 3 littles at home with me. I am loving life though and all that this season brings. There just isn't a free moment though. But that is probably why this blog is so important to me. One day, I will want to remember and explore this time. And this will help me. 

Here was our August:

We made a trip back to my hometown and saw all the aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins. It was so good to all be together.

The baby just keeps growing and keeping life fun!

She also won't stop growing and hit the 4 month mark! Such a sweet, happy baby. She lights up when she sees us and loves to show she's excited by shaking her arms and legs as fast as she can. She is trying to wave and make kissing noises. We are so, so lucky she is ours and are all still in shock God gave her to us. 

We are always on the look out around our house for things in nature. An example of life in nature. A bird's nest complete with 2 eggs and also a baby bunny in the grass.

Nature also brings storms and that sometimes means cleaning up. I spotted the kids one morning outside working as a team on picking up fallen tree branches. 

As we approached back to school and the official end of summer (to us) we celebrated with a night out at a restaurant, a rare treat for our family!

We try to make food fun around here. Recently our household has been really obsessed with energy balls and bars (the above is a copycat perfect bar). The kids celebrate any time this is made. Payton has also been learning to make these on her own with no supervision from the adults. A real win in our book as the adults still get to participate in eating the treats made. 

                                                           

I mastered the art of cinnamon rolls! This is a true feat for me as I have worked for years (and failed) to figure out a recipe that works for us and makes beautiful rolls. This was a huge deal for me after a decade of no success. And they are dairy free so that Jayden can enjoy them, which made him so happy.

                                                             

We also tried a new recipe: Pumpkin chocolate chip bread. It has been fantastic and has been made several times since the first bake. 

                                                             

                                          

                                                           

We got the kids out to the pool and they met up with some friends! This was the first time Avery swam, too. Otherwise she had gone to the pool many times previously to sit poolside with me and watch the kids complete swim lessons. 

Jayden on the eve of going to school. Why can't we keep the kids little forever?!?! The next morning after this was taken, he headed to kindergarten. And I can still cry thinking about that day and how it was for me. He had a great time though. 

                                               

                                               

                                               

Then, I blinked. Summer was over and the kids (all 3 of them) are in school now. I can't believe how fast the time has gone. It seems like they should all still be home with me climbing into my lap all at once and begging for another story to be read or a show to be watched. How true it is that you never really know the last time you get something until it's over. I'm praying for a good school year and that they shine their light as brightly as I see it shining at home. 

Jayden still loves a good activity at home. He wasn't feeling well one day so he stayed home from school but perked up that afternoon. I pulled out an activity for him to do. We ready curious george goes to the dentist and then made different mouth puppets. 

We got outside one afternoon and played while we waited for Daddy to come home. 

I was also able to run the kids to the children's museum one evening after school. It was so good to be back and do one of our favorite things. 

We got out for a night of smores. 

The boys were playing outside and I saw them get the stroller. I went out and took this picture and asked them what they were up to. Jayden was Riley's baby and Riley was taking care of him. Their imaginations never cease to amaze me and I am almost always entertained by observing them play. 

One day by total accident all 3 kids wore their shirts to school that we used to announce Avery would be added to our family. They begged me to pick them up from school with Avery in her outfit. And, so I did. They of course wanted to get a picture of this moment. My heart melts. 

We all agree that this was the best mic drip we have ever witnessed.

One day on the ride to school, Payton asked for my phone. I later found the above pictures. These girls found a way to stay entertained on the ride to school!

That was our August! Fast, fun, a blur and now we are back in the full swing of school!