together

beauty in watching my kids work together

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.

Proverbs 17:17

quotable kids

Alongside entertaining you with cute pictures of my growing kids.



I thought you might enjoy some of their more recent quotes (I know I sure do)

Abigail's catch phrase for everything is "ma-ma"
when she's standing up in her crib and wants to be picked up "ma-ma"
when she's hungry "ma-ma"
when she wants attention "ma-ma"
unless of course she wants her water cup, then she signs milk..go figure. :)

Peter is growing by leaps and bounds in language, communicating not only what he needs
but also what he's thinking about.  

 such a handsome boy

Last week while watching the 49er game with daddy he exclaimed,
"Oh no, those guys in white were mean...they got a timeout!"

When he fell down and cut up his knee, his first thought, was
"I'm not going to be able to run fast with 'uke (Luke) at school"

Tonight I told him a stern "No!" when he hit our dog, Toby...to which he replied,
"You can't say that to me.  I'm never going to play with you again.  I'm only going to play with Karis (his buddy)."
I definitely had to turn my face away to keep from laughing.
  

Hannah is developing now in two languages (crazy!).


In English she loves trying to make a joke.
You know the joke, why was 6 afraid of 7?
because 7, "ate", 9.
Well, Hannah is constantly trying to rewrite it -
"Mommy, why was two afraid seven? 
because 7, white, one...ha, ha, ha.."

In Spanish, she is developing quite the little proper accent:
"not azzzzzul mommy, it's asssssul."

And of course, she has some Spanglish!
"Mommy, I need my mochila (backpack)."


They are also growing together.

Peter and Abigail are developing quite a precious love for each other
(when he's not tackling her to the ground.)

total delight

sweet hugs

Hannah and Abigail are becoming more sisterly. 

 matching dresses and matching poses

They are both adjusting to Abigail on the move and delight in trying to "save" Abigail from the many perils her curiosity may get her into. (even though, their saving often ends in more peril)

I wonder what new things you are getting into and what funny quotes are making you chuckle!

three

Life with these three is wonderful and busy!!

It is full of lots of morning snuggles...

concern over what is coming out of Abigail's nose. :)

sister time, 

a bit of crowding and fascination,

smiling for the ever-present camera, 

growing (check out the rolls on her legs),

seeing new perspectives on the world,

so many cute toes ,

and lots of moving legs and arms.

I hope you get a chance to come visit my world with me! 
(even if it's just through the computer)

swim lesson

Today was Hannah's first ever swim lesson.

She has been counting the days for the past week (literally, 6 days, then 5 days, 4 days and so on).

She and Peter counted the minutes until she could get in the pool.



And then it was her turn!

She put her goggles on,
found the pink sign for her group,
gave me a big smile
and got in the water.

I was pretty proud of her!

We had a long conversation this morning about how she wasn't going to be able to take her water wings to swim lessons and she was going to need to be brave.

And she was!

Every time she completed a little kicking sequence or blowing bubbles - she looked at Peter and I through the glass (we were hanging out in the viewing area), took off her goggles and gave a us a big smile!

This was my watching buddy.

I was shocked because he sat still for 30 minutes, ate snacks and watched Hannah in the water!

I was just sure I was going to be chasing him down the whole time.

He was so focused on Hannah!

After one long kicking, floating sequence, Hannah got out of the water and yelled to Peter through the glass "Peter, I did it!"

A happy girl with her post lesson treat!

She can't wait until next week!

And he's off!

 

i'll catch you

As I was attempting to make dinner tonight,
both kids were taking turns on our kitchen stool "scrubbing" dirty dishes.



Hannah was watching out for Peter and as she saw him try to climb on the top bar of the stool
(have I mentioned before that he is a little monkey),

she grabbed him from behind and said,

"Don't fall Peter, but if you fall I'll catch you."

Awww, I love their sibling love. 

sick days

Today is a sick day around our house.
Matt came down with this cold on Monday, Peter on Tuesday, me on Wednesday and Hannah today.  I called into Hannah's school for the first time to report that she is sick and won't be there.  (and boy, what an upset child did I have when I told her that she couldn't go to school- I guess at least she loves her school.)

Everyone is still in their pajamas around here (and it's after 10am).

Laying around, and playing...

in forts

and with playdough.

Hearing the word, "NO!" 

and learning some valuable lessons about sharing with our siblings.

We are working hard 

at play.

Experimenting,

Being silly

and feeling a little lousy in between.

If you are sick, I hope you are having as much fun as we are!

purple & pink

Today Hannah's face had an intense collision with Peter's forehead. The only positive spin I could think to put on it was that her face would now be purple and pink (her favorite colors) for the next few days.  

It seemed to satisfy her.

burger me

Do you remember this picture from when Hannah was a year and a half?

Peter reminded me of it today at lunch!

like sister, like brother


they both know how to enjoy a delicious in-n-out cheeseburger

reading

I love teaching kids to read. I spent the years before being a mommy teaching other children these skills. That moment when they sound out a word and get it, or read a story, comprehend it and laugh.  It is precious and so important.

And now I want my own kids to love reading.
(because I sure do)

This morning I walked into Peter's room and this is what I found.



Hannah sitting on the bed, "reading" books to Peter.
By "reading" I mean showing him the pictures and telling him something about the page.

Peter was sitting in his crib, enthralled and holding his own book, trying to "read".

All of these are little, necessary steps in the journey to becoming a reader.

Success! 

(or at least the first steps of it.)

These are the moments that melt my heart as a mommy and encourage me as a teacher.

it's dark

Last night, we went to the gym at 5:45pm like we do every Thursday and when I opened the garage door - it was pitch black outside (thank you daylight savings).  Peter (who is totally fearless) was scared!  He grabbed my shoulders very hard and wouldn't let go.  When I put him in his car seat his eyes opened wide with fright and bewilderment (apparently he doesn't go out much when it is dark).

And his sweet sister saw his fear and held his hand all the way to the gym. Aaah!

(p.s. I took this picture a few weeks ago when it was daylight)