There's No Place Like Home, Except Grandmas! (Scroll down on image.)

Four Years Old

Is my boy really four years old already?! I know everyone says that about their kids, but it really feels like I just brought him home from the hospital! The flat tire we had on the way home is still vivid in my mind as well haha! 

Honestly I really have noticed major differences in his personality the last few months that I know is contributed to him becoming more mature. For instance he used to have such a hard time just sitting for me to read him a story or two. Now I've been finding him picking up books and taking time for himself, sitting for longer periods, fully interested in what he's discovering. 

I know moms out threre are saying, "big deal, my kids been doing that for years!" I could say it as well if I compared him to his older sisters, but I do my best to try not to do that. 

Something new I've discovered with Timmy is he's so full of energy and curiosity that he's got other things on his mind, like "What going on outside?!" I've had a hard time getting him to focus.

Homeschooling him has been a new adventure on its own. His non-interest in focusing has been hard for me to accept, but I pride myself that I've let him take his own time with things. 

For the life of me I hadn't been able to get him to remember what sound went with what letter of the alphabet. So I laid off. 

One day he was watching me cook at the counter, to hold his apitite until dinner I gave him a few of those veggie straws to snack on. Crunchy, chips, in the long shapes of straws. 

The next thing I know he's excitedly calling me over to see what he'd made, amazingly he had spelled out his name with the little sticks! 

The lightbulb in my head finally went off, "Yay! He's ready for phonics, and reading!!" 

No matter what my preconceptions of raising kids and teaching are, this boy is showing me new ways and new patience every day. 

I love him so much for that. Happy birthday four year old! 

(Double click on the blog to make the pictures bigger.) ;) 

Two years old

Two years old and ready to rock the world. 

We had her birthday breakfast at Grandma and Pop-pop's house, I don't think she minded! 

We had a lot of fun partying with Grandma and Pop-pop! 

I can't believe she's two already.  I know everyone says that but I think that because she was my first natural birth I remember everything so much clearer. It feels like I was just going to the birthing center, and being totally shocked she was a girl, I was certain I was having a boy! 

I'm so happy she's here though, she's brought emense joy to me and her Daddy. 

There is something new with her every day! 

Love that girl! 

A day with Mommy

The last few months have been really hard for us. I'm pregnant with our fifth sweet baby and though I'm very happy, I haven't had much of a chance to get excited. I've had the hardest round of 'morning sickness' that I've ever had. The fact that Mommy can't move all day, has taken its toll on my sweet kiddos. Mae and Liza have taken on the roll of Mommy, cooking, entertaining, and changing diapers.
Heavy jobs for an eight and six year old.

I'm finally to the point where I feel human in the afternoons. So today we had a calm sweet day of play, crafts, exploring, and loving the fall.

You may wonder why I took a picture of Timmy crying, but if you know Timmy whenever he gets hurt be tries really hard to be brave and not cry to hard. But today his crying out for Mommy and Liza to make it better face was priceless. A moment later he was bandaged up and all better.

(The pictures are not uploading as big as I like, but if you double click on the blog sometimes that makes it better. Sorry.)