This too shall pass

Looking back at these pictures at all of my kids at 18 months brings to mind a couple of things...

One and a half year olds are super cute and super fun.  They start to really become little people at this age- full of opinions, expressions, personality, and all.  Can't resist squeezing them!

They are also A LOT of work.  It's temporary though.  I'm giving myself a pep talk.  I no longer find the older kids climbing on the dining room table, eating rocks when we play outdoors, or taking big sips of water and then spitting it all over their shirts as they grin.  I no longer need to search for their pacifiers, plan my outings around their naps, or duck if I happen to walk past their Sunday School classroom.  One day, Kate will also outgrow these things and mature into a more independent preschooler...but hopefully not too quickly!  My babies are growing up so fast!

Scott at 18 months

Natalie at 18 months

Kate at 18 months (Her first picture reminds me of the Brady Bunch)

Hooray for 18 months!

Marathon Post (refers to the length and has nothing to do with running!)

The kids were yelling across the room at one another one evening, and I had had enough!

Me:  Scott, the Bible says to encourage one another and build each other up.  Your words are not doing that right now.

Natalie:  (Listened to my reprimand to Scott and then agreed with the big tears)  He's knocking me down, Mommy.  

 Happy First Birthday to our SWEET niece, Mazie!!

 Balloon fun for everyone!

 Scott was very proud of his hat for the Easter hat parade at preschool.  He was very particular about it's design..."Choo-Choo- Choose Christ!"

One child playing the piano= Tylenol
Two children playing the piano= Tylenol + Chocolate
Three children playing the piano= Tylenol + Chocolate + new rule that only one pianist can play at a time....AHHHHH!!!!!!!!

What goes on while Daddy is at work...

Natalie and Scott were playing trains together in the living room when I overheard this...
Natalie: I'm the goodest train!
Scott: The goodest?  
Me:  (Thinking wow...Scott just beat me to it.  Way to go!  Correct her grammar.)
Scott:  Don't you mean the baddest?
Me:  (Had to intervene...I explained to them how goodest and baddest were not words.)

About an hour later they were playing again...
Natalie:  I'm the nicest train.
Scott:  Nicest isn't a word!
Me:  (I give up!)

Scott was asking for help one day last week on a chore that he could do on his own. 
Me:  Scott!  You are about to be 6 years old!  You can do that for yourself.
Scott: Train me when I'm 6. 

 Oh no...Kate's officially learned how to cheese for the camera...

My good friend from college visited last week with her two little ones.  Our girls are both very close in age, and it was fun to see them interact. 

Natalie's already asking when her Ohio friend can come back. 

Kate...well...Kate needs to learn some sharing skills before her little playmate returns. Taking toys and sitting on our friends in the wagon does not go over well.  We'll work on that.

Visit the Zoo, Dust off the Swings, and Break out the Shades...SPRING HAS SPRUNG!

 

Raise your hand if you love this weather!