Little Kids

It has been a kid-filled week around these parts.  Tuesday and Wednesday (only half-days) I watched the triplets.  It is fun having them, but 5 kids under 3 is a lot to handle.  They aren't "bad" by any means, but feisty.  My house looked like a preschool or should I say "war zone" in a matter of 4.7 seconds.  But, look at those faces, don't you just love them all!?  And, I get them all tomorrow...

This afternoon, I took the kids outside and played in the hose.  We only another month or so of summertime weather, so let's enjoy it.  I wish we had a sprinkler, but the sprayer on the hose worked just as well and Jack had fun squirting me and Kate.  See, Kate can walk and check out those thighs!

Then the kids took a spin down the street on their bikes.  Jack did more spinning, while Kate did more sitting.

Let's Race!

Mini Multi-tasker

The Old, the New and the PJ'd

As Kate gets older, I like to pull out old pictures of Jack and compare them to Kate at the same age.  Jack used to have a fire truck that he loved and cruised the hardwood.  He outgrew it and now Kate has one - her "princess" ride.  Here is Jack at 1 year and Kate at 1 year.

And, look at these cuties in the PJs.  Ahhh....bedtime.  Great for mommy and kids.

Oh, and Kate is like really walking.  She actually prefers walking to crawling.  She still raises her hands up when she walks, like Jack did, I guess for balance.  We call it the, "hallelujah walk".  She is praising the Lord with her hands.  

Feeding the Turtles

The weather lately has been, dare I say, tolerable, so I thought I would head out with the kids this morning and go feed the turtles and go to the playground at the local park.  Kimberly and Brent took the triplets a few weeks back and we decided to check it out.  We took some bread with us and found lots of turtles of all sizes hanging out just waiting to be fed.  We also had a little alligator join the feeding, but he wasn't too interested in the bread, so just investigated and swam off.  We will definitely be going back.  Jack really enjoyed it and I am glad we were able to do it.  Sometimes just simple things like this really make the best days!

Kate enjoying the swing

Shark and Jack Fish

For Jack's birthday, he received a fish tank from his BFF, Kayleigh.  She has one and when we go over there and he gets to see them, he loves it.  Craig was not excited about bringing these special creatures into our home, but he has agreed to allow it.  On his birthday, he got the tank and we went and got his new pets.  On the way to the pet store, he decided to name them Shark and Jack Fish.  He has enjoyed them and they have found a home on his dresser.  I am finding they poop a lot, but hopefully, I can put off cleaning the tank for more than a week.

Jack with Shark and Jack Fish.  Side note - he chose the outfit.

Jack Fish on the left and Shark on the right.  Aren't they exciting?

Finally, look who turned around in their carseat yesterday?  I have 2 big kids now!

Kate is 1!

One year ago tomorrow, our sweet baby girl was born.  I remember going to the ultrasound and telling myself that it was going to be a boy just so I wouldn't be shocked if it was a girl.  There she was, all girl, with chubby thighs and everything on the ultrasound.  As soon as that 8lbs. 3oz. baby came out, I loved her so much and thought, "she looks just like Craig!".  She has grown and changed over the past year, but she is still just as sweet and cuddly as the day she was born.  She adores her brother and melts our hearts every time she smiles.

One Day Old

3 Months Old

6 Months Old

9 Months Old

One Year Old

We can't wait to see Kate change over these next few years.  We can't wait to tell her about Jesus and see her personality develop.  She is an amazing little girl and we are so thankful to have her in our lives.  She also shares a birthday with another special person in our lives - Aunt Kiki.  Happy birthday to our sweet, baby girl, Kate and to another special lady, Kimberly.  We love you both so much!

A Backyardigan Birthday!

Friday was Jack's official birthday and I have to say, I was little emotional about it.  This is the first year I realized he isn't a baby anymore and I was sad.  But, I love him getting older and I still have one baby, Kate.  Friday we ran some errands, got a Happy Meal and picked up his newest pets, Jack Fish and Shark (more on them later).  Saturday was the party.  We had a great time and it was nice to have family and friends to celebrate with.  Jack was excited and I think a tad overwhelmed with all the craziness and went to bed when we got home that night.  Kate seemed to really like the attention and was showing off.  It was a great weekend and the best part was celebrating the birth of our wonderful kids.  Thanks to my parents for hosting, too.  We appreciate the space!

The Birthday Kids

Ready for Cake!

Post cake-tastrophie

Jack is 3!

Jack - "Birth" day

Jack - 1 Year Old

Jack - 2 Years Old

Jack - 3 Years Old

Jack - you are a wonderful, sweet boy.  You are 100% boy and love being outside, playing with cars and trucks and watching sports on TV.  You can also be the sweetest with your baby sister and all your cousins and friends.  You bring so many people such happiness.  Your daddy and I love you more than we thought we could.  Our prayer for you is that you grow into a godly man who serves the Lord.  You will be an amazing father and husband one day and we cannot wait to see you grow.  We are blessed to be your parents.