Best Friends

I love watching my 2 "big kids" interact.  I think that there is nothing sweeter than seeing them enjoy life together.  Thank you Jesus, that they have each other.  EmJ gets more involved with them every day.  I hope that they can continue this close relationship as they get older.

Sharing a stool to be able to watch the trashman

This is one of their new favorite dance moves.

Apple Pickin'

Love this one!

Everyone had an apple...may have been off a tree, maybe off the ground...who knows?

So sweet!

Georgia and Ava collecting apples

Wow - there were a lot of us!

It's been quite some time now, but we went apple picking earlier this fall.  The kids loved it.  It went quite a bit faster than I anticipated (not sure why I thought it was going to take a long time to pick apples off of a tree).  I think that I spent most of my time making sure that Georgia didn't put apples with worm holes in my bag, that Jackson didn't run away to Lord only knows where, and that EmJ wasn't eating any rotten apples!  Brian and I went back a few weeks later to get a pumpkin.  We'll definitely be back

You know that you are a parent of kids under 5 when...

1. You find yourself always speaking in the 3rd person, even when you aren't around your kids..."Mommy - er, Molly needs to go potty, be right back, ok?"
2. You guessed it - you now refer to going to the bathroom as the potty.  "ma ma, da da, pee pee, poo poo, and boo boo" are all part of your vocabulary now.  What's up with all the doubles?
3. Speaking of the potty, it has been quite some time now since you have been alone in the bathroom.
4. You lose your kid in Kohl's because he thinks that it is fun to hide in the clothes racks, but he doesn't know to answer when you call for him.  You leave the 3rd kid strapped in the double stroller which you managed to snag there (can I just say for the record that if you don't have any kids in Kohl's with you, PLEASE, I beg of you, don't take the double stroller cart.  You don't need it.)Where was I?  Oh yes, leave kid #3 in the cart and chase around madly throwing clothes up in the air looking for your two year old who things that this is the greatest game ever.  You finally find him, and thread your way through racks of clothes back to the stroller by following the screams of your youngest who is peeved that you have left her there alone.
5. The word "ineegopee" makes you jump out of your seat, scoop up your child, and make a mad dash to the closest potty (there's that word again).
6. It is physically impossible to get anywhere with all children before 9 o'clock.
7. You smell something a little funny while you are showering, and look down to see that your littlest one has pooped in the shower.  You are all wet, so you don't want to get out.  You carefully consider if the turd is small enough to shove down the drain using the heel of your foot.  Decide against that.  Too risky.  If it gets stuck, then what?  You pick up the log with your bare hands, gracefully fling open the shower door, and lob it across the bathroom to the awaiting toilet (which is open, by the grace of God).  You swish the remnants down the drain with your foot and continue your shower.  This is a proud moment for you.

Have you been there?!?

You Are the Only Exception

Ok, for those of you who don't really like the funny (or at least I think they are funny) videos of the kids doing stuff in the car, skip this post.  Otherwise, proceed...So Jack and GA are now starting to remember lyrics and sing along to songs in the car.  Neat and scary at the same time.  The latest song: Only Exception.  Enjoy.

First Day of School

It is interesting to think about it, really.  Students have a restless night of sleep in anticipation of the coming day.  Well, so do teachers.  Brian started his new job at Linden McKinley STEM Academy (I know, sounds impressive, huh?) with students last Wednesday.  Needless to say, he came home exhausted.  And, now that I am a mom, I felt the need to take the official first day of school pics.  Thought you would enjoy these.

Honey, I'm home!

Working hard...I think he said something here like, "Man, I'm exhausted!  This year is going to be a lot of work!"

Spaghetti Reprise!

Emory June at 8 months.  If you are thinking that this picture looks familiar, you are right.  Check out Jackson below.

Jackson - quite awhile back - March 2009, about 10 months old

COSI

We met the Shmidt's at COSI the other day. The kids loved playing together. It's good to have friends to enjoy these crazy toddler/kid days with.

Georgia and Ava rockin' the hula hoops

Jack and Sophie, not so much

Friends

Let's all get in the phone booth (with mom screaming "Watch your fingers!")