Finishing Out October, Halloween, and November brings...

So I have been meaning to write this post for several days now and it just doesn't happen. Finding a few minutes to get anything done is really challenging. But life over here keeps on going.

October was good to us. The kids always love jumping in the leaves and can spend a whole afternoon dedicated to raking leaves and jumping in leaves on repeat.

 Jayden watches the big kids intently.

 We had a big thing happen at our house in October! Payton got her library card!

 I have gone back and forth as to when our kids get their cards and I really just kept procrastinating making a decision. I want my children old enough to understand the responsibility (and potential fees) that come with using a library card. She may have to learn the hard way but this will be good experience for her.

Now, Riley is already begging for his card. Not quite yet, buddy. One person at a time.

 The kids really wanted to have a pumpkin decorating party with their friends. We did this last year and had so much fun (see that here). We had 15 kids, plus moms, and a whole lot of craziness over here that day. I didn't take a single picture. Of any of it.

I did snag a few pictures of the pumpkins our family decorated.

3 kids keeps me busy and apparently too busy to remember to take pictures of our fun gatherings. Maybe next year.

While the weather has still been warm(ish), we've been trying to get outside while we can. The kids have taken a huge interest in our animals and our pets love the extra love.

 Again, Jayden can't get enough of watching his big siblings.

 It won't be long before you are chasing them, too, buddy.

And then Halloween came! Our kids love this holiday. We make our rounds at our local nursing home and just go to the houses of close friends. I let the kids have a "spooky" breakfast with all their Halloween decor on the table, lights off, and Halloween music playing. For dinner, we made hot dog mummies.

Costumes were a lot of fun this year, too, as all 3 kids were monkeys! 

 I have no idea if they will be the same thing or allow a theme next year but I am loving the years they agree to it (like pirates last year). Overall, it was a great Halloween with lots of fun, lots of candy, going to bed too late, and lots of laughter!

Then, November rolled in and we all got hit hard. With Sickness. Our family has colds and poor Jayden now has croup. We are all snuggled into our house and plan to hideout until we are all well again.

Hope your November is off to a great start! Pray for our health at our house!

Leaves, Art, Pumpkins Galore, and a bit of monkeying around

Another month of giving some of the highlights. I know I should be more creative but I'm so busy that I'm seriously just doing a photo dump for my posts these days. I want to have more/better posts but I think my pictures tell so much of the story on their own that they don't really need me. So here are some recent highlights of what our little zoo has been up to:

1. Lots of art projects, science experiments, and school all together:

 E for elephant day artwork

 Shaped colored and cut and then Payton creatively put together Noah's ark

 Along with our elephant artwork above, we made elephant toothpaste. We have also done magic paint in milk, volcanoes, and raining from clouds experiments. I'm really trying to work in the science this year.

Lots of food activities as well. Here are fruit cars. Our oldest, Payton has also been making one meal a month (with our assistance but she plans the whole meal and helps with groceries and the making of the meal, all the way to serving and cleanup). Payton is also increasing her kitchen skills, like cutting food with knives, putting away dishes, etc.

2. We get outdoors whenever we can.

Snagged this cute picture at a park play date we had.

 This picture was also taken at the park when Payton and I snuck away for a bit for some 1:1 girl time. Quality time like this is so special.

3. We are working on our next big donation 

So since having baby Jayden (baby #3) and spending time in the NICU, we have found a lot of joy in coming together as a family and making donations. Back in June we had the kids purchase toys and we donated those along with several handmade blankets. I was so impressed with how willing they were and they LOVED doing this. They  have been helping us make activity packs for families to take with them to fill time as they are going to appointments and/or spending time in the hospital. My mother-in-law gave us the fabric and cut the bags and we sewed them and put drawstrings in them over this last weekend. 

I love my kids and their big hearts! I strongly encourage you to focus on finding more ways in your life you can give. It is amazing the difference it can make in this world.

4. Extra curriculars are in full swing

 While Payton is in gymnastics, this little man chooses to come along just to spend time with his mama. As you can see by the cookie in his hand (we stopped by McDonald's) he isn't spoiled in the slightest on these outings.

5. Nothing Says October like the Pumpkin Patch

 We spent a Saturday at the pumpkin patch with Grandma and had a blast. Unfortunately, I didn't come back with many photos to show for it but I did take pictures of the pumpkin decorating party we had that afternoon!

Does it feel like Jayden is missing from all photos? He is. Many of our outings are taken when his daddy is home and he is napping. AND, when he is awake, he is on my hip. He wants to be a part of it all. As long as that means permanently attached to his mom. But....

6. Preparing for Halloween

We pulled out our hand me down costumes and the boys decided to dress up for some outside play. They are set on being monkeys this year. Jayden doesn't have a choice as they other 2 wore this monkey costume when they were his age and so I want all 3 kids to be monkeys as babies. But he doesn't care either.

Payton is now thinking she needs to be a monkey as well despite my attempts at convincing her to be a zookeeper (for those monkeys) or a circus trainer (again for those monkeys) but she isn't feeling that. It will be interesting to see what they do for sure on Halloween.

Fall is just so fun! We hope you are enjoying this month as much as we are!

10 month update for Jayden

 Baby Boy Jayden. You are 10 months! Of course, since it is October, Payton insisted we celebrate you this month with all the pumpkins. So that is just what we did. Our pumpkins with our very own little pumpkins.

Our little Jaders, this month has been so much fun with you as you figure out scooting (instead of crawling) and are in to everything. I mean EVERYthing. We can't let you out of our sight and have 2 other kids around means that our house isn't always 100% baby proofed. So, all eyes on you my friend.

This little one is trying to get some top teeth and they have been extra feisty with no relief. That has meant little sleep for Jayden (and poor mama). I'm hopeful those teeth will cut soon and we can all get a bit of sleep before another round of teething.

Jayden is eating more and more food lately and loving almost everything. Meats are his favorite and he will dance for you if there is egg around. You entertain us by monopolizing much of the conversation around the table.

Our household is fairly certain you can say Dada as you only make that sound when daddy is indeed in the room. It still seems early though so we aren't totally making that call yet but you definitely seem to be so smart and know so much.

My sweet baby boy, you love to jabber and carry the biggest smile. You don't ever want to be alone even if it is just for a second. And you are a mama's baby and that will always be one of my favorite parts of this season in life. Thank you for all the love and happiness you bring to our family.

Fall, Fall, Fall is here.

Our favorite season around here is Fall. Well, really, it seems our favorite season changes quickly with the season we are in BUT my husband and I have always loved fall. And the kids love everything fall related.

Here are a few things we are loving right now with this fall weather.

Getting pushed inside.

 This gives us so much more time for crafts, school, reading, and all around quality family time. This year we have someone coming once a week for preschool and another person who works with us weekly on Spanish. I am also doing school activities and crafts as well. We are loving all of this and are especially soaking in the art and science stuff.

When we can get outside, we are go, go, go.

 Even if we have to layer clothing, we love a few good minutes outside. Or all day outside when weather permits.

The kids get some imaginative play inside together.

 Now that Jayden is on the move, it is so amazing to watch these 3 interact. Siblings growing and bonding has been one of my personal favorites in this life. How blessed I am to watch these relationships grow.

More outings to inside exploring.

 We have taken the kids to the local children's museum a few times now and they LOVE it. It was well worth the yearly membership and Jayden spends the whole time staring at his siblings with the expression above.

Getting pushed inside gives us more time to find other ways to be creative.

Like Payton picking out Jayden's clothes in this picture. She has so much fun dressing herself and her brothers and has a real interest in fashion.

Fall brings a slower pace of life for our house and we couldn't appreciate that more after a busy summer.

Happy First day of October!

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!