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!

Comical Conversations

Overhead one day from the other room...

Scott:  Do you know where you're going to go when you're 100 and you fly away? 

Natalie:  I will go see Kaylee.  (One of her friends who moved away)

Scott:  No...you will go and be with God and Jesus. 

Natalie:  I only like Kaylee!

Scott:  More than God and Jesus?  You can't, Natalie, because then she would be an idol.  Even though you don't worship her, she's an idol to you.  Come to my room, and I'll teach you more about it. 

Scott is so funny when he doesn't mean to be.  He got in the car one day last week after preschool and said that a little girl in his class was starting to annoy him.  When I asked him why he said, "She keeps putting different parts of her body in front of my eye, but I try to avoid that."  Keep up the good work, son! :) 

 Farmer Day at preschool...

 Krazy Kate!:) 

Me:  Natalie, you need to use the restroom before bed.
Natalie:  (Stomping off to the potty) But Mommy, I'm getting tired of obeying you!

 A fun trip to the park...welcome spring!

We have this toy kitchen complete with an oven, stove, pots, pans, etc.  However, it doesn't get too much play time.  The kids just don't know what to do with such things.  So then...

They got this diner.  They've been right at home and have been playing restaurant with it nonstop.  Hmm...I guess you can draw your own conclusions. 

Natalie put on some new shoes and was complaining that they were uncomfortable.  I told her that she had to break them in.  She didn't understand what "break them in" meant and so I explained.  A couple of hours later Natalie suddenly exclaimed, "Mommy!  They're cracked in!"  It took me a minute to figure out what she was talking about, but once I made the connection between break & crack, I had to laugh!

Funny kiddos!

Journaling- Preschool Style

I recently read a book from the library (well...started to read...when is the last time I finished a book anyway?) that stressed the importance of preserving memories for your children.  I searched for a doable option and found these fun kid journals.  Each day, I ask the kids a question and record their responses in their journals.  I will ask them the same question on a particular date three years in a row, and then can see how their answers change over the years.  I've only done this for a month, but I think this is something that I will stick with and will provide a lot of laughs for them in the future.  The kids love to answer their questions for the day and will often remind me to ask them.  Here are a few examples...

(A few of the questions are a bit odd and need modification...not Christian per se, but for the most part they are fine.)

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SPORT?  WHY?
Scott- Whatever the Colts play...what do they play?  (Football)  Okay...then football because footballs don't roll and the Colts play it.

WHAT DO YOU REALLY LIKE ABOUT YOURSELF TODAY?
Natalie- My hair and talking about myself

WHEN DO YOU FEEL PEACEFUL AND CALM?
Scott- When I'm in the bathtub

WHAT DID YOU DO THIS WEEK TO KEEP YOUR BODY STRONG AND HEALTHY?
Natalie- Eat pizza

:) :) :)