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.