Summer at a Glance

June-August 2015: Small Moments

Not every day is a MAJOR event that requires a post; however, there were lots of small moments that I want to remember from this summer. We had an awesome, challenging summer with our littles.... ages currently 3, 2, 1, and 0. Whew!!

Banks and Blakely have become very independent, and both potty trained in 3 days at the start of the summer. They have learned how to play independently with each other, and how to stay focused if GG or I are doing an activity with them. Blakely's love of art projects has continued to grow, and Banks love of dinosaurs has exploded. Their imaginations are exploding, and they are always dressing up and doing imaginative play. This summer has been the summer of Paw Patrol- the kids new obsession. We have literally watched this DVD in my van like 1000x (IN A ROW!!).

Katy Ellis FINALLY learned how to walk... then run... then climb... all in the same week. She is quick, busy and trouble. She is sweet and follows commands well for her age, but can get herself into a dangerous spot really quickly if you turn your back. She has 12 teeth, 8 of which came in this summer...yikes. She can eat anything is site (especially fruit), and loves to use a fork. She thinks she is a "big kid" and don't even try to hold her back from doing what the "big kids" are doing.

Walker has cut 2 teeth too, and has learned to sit, pull to stand and starting to army crawl. The more mobile he gets, the happier he is. He loves to watch the kids, and hates to be somewhere he can hear them but not see them. He is a chunk-a-monk, and a grabby-McGhee. His little personality is really coming to life. Lord help us when he and KE are truly mobile at the same time. EEEEeeeeeee.

 

DeeDee's House

This is the space between the red chair and the wall... this is Blakely and Katy Ellis' "Fairy House." Many happy hours have been spent in the "Fairy House" this summer. It's their special hide out.

Lots and lots and lots of dress up this summer. Blakely waving to all her loyal subjects.

One of my favorite things about this summer has been these two sisters becoming playmates. This summer KE transitioned from being the baby to being a toddler, and with that transition the girls started playing together. Blakely is such a great big sister. She does not snatch toys from KE or try to exclude her, she is always making sure KE has a toy and yelling "come on KK! Come on!!" Blakely even likes to "help KK talk." I am constantly hearing what Katy Ellis' opinion is from Blakely. I pray their friendship just grows and grows.

Lots of tea parties in Blakely's room. Blakely always makes sure that KE has a dress or skirt to wear to the party.

Coloring together. Katy Ellis yells "Coworing!! Coworing!!" the entire time they are drawing together. KK is so proud to be a big girl and to be included in big girl activities.

The Skirt. There was a solid week this summer where KE could not take this skirt off. I would take it off for naptime, and as soon as nap was over she would run and find it. My pretty little princess.

Dress up together.

Dress up is WAY better when GG is involved.

 

FAST FOOD FUN

No one else will get this picture, but surprisingly it is a special memory from this summer. EVERY time we went to Burger King this summer, Banks would like all the chairs up and we would have to play "Zoo Train." GG did this one time at the start of summer, and Banks has an impressive memory for repetitive activities.... so as soon as we would get in the play area, Banks would be busy lining up the chair ready to spot the animals. The time pictured Banks decided Walker and KE should ride too, and pushed over their highchairs.

Chilling on the McDonald's playground.

Walker learned to sit up this summer, and it has made him so, so, so happy!

 

Another favorite Burger King game has been "GG May I." Even KE likes to "play."

 

Burger King quadruple cousin stack!

To cool off in the evenings, Rich and I would either take the girls to the pool or Sonic for ice cream. This little bit LOVES ice cream, and NEVER gets "Brain Freeze." Blakely on the other hand can get brain freeze with only 1 bite. Learning quickly that I shouldn't limit KK by Blakely's developmental timeline/likes/dislikes, but to let her learn and discover at her own pace and her own preferences. They are very alike, but VERY different.

KE Favorite Fruit: Strawberries and Raspberries
Blakely's Favorite Fruit: "Bread." Bahahaha.

We have been so frequently that KE knows how to press the button to order. Sonic addicts.

 



Cooling down after an attempt at the park in 100+ degree weather... EMERGENCY slushie stop!

 

 

WATER FUN

Lots of pool fun this summer- evenings and weekends with Daddy, and picnics during the week with GG and Auntie. All 4 kiddos are major water babies!

For my birthday, we took the boat to Liberty on the Lake. Finally, an adult only evening... Woohoo!!

Swimming in the lake on GG and DeeDee's day of fun!

GG's new awesomely awesome float that EVERYONE can be on together. HIT! BIG HIT!

Future Besties!!

One of the BEST new additions this summer has been GG and PopPop's new GOLF CART!!!

So fun to get out and see the neighborhood and feel the breeze!! LOVE LOVE LOVE the new golf cart!!!

KE has become fascinated by running water this summer... this is great when playing in GG and PopPop's yard. Not so cool when she turns on all the sinks and tubs at the house. Gotta keep my eye on that girl! She is quick and pesky.

Blakely has always been a very tentative eater. If it is difficult to bite, eat or chew... Blakely just won't eat it. Katy Ellis is the TOTAL opposite!! She is a tenacious eater. She is tiny, but eats a ton! She can already use a fork and eat a sandwich or burrito without cutting it up. She will eat ANY fruit, and a LOT of it!

She loves her some Ice Cream!

We swam at GG and PopPop's a lot this summer too, and discovered one of our favorite times to be at the lake is at sunset.

Katy Ellis has become a water bug this summer. She learned how to balance in the yellow tube and how to swim forward. She is so proud of her new skills!



Playdate with high school friends.

FIRST DENTAL APPOINTMENT

First dental appointment for KE and 2nd appointment for Blakely. Katy Ellis was such a champ.

 FUN AT AUNTIES HOUSE

 

Drive way races with Banksie at Auntie's house! Learning how to be humble winners and gracious losers. HARD life lessons.

 

Can't crawl yet, but he can pull to stand! Watch out world... he thinks he should skip steps!

Favorite things at Aunties house right now are definitely related to the garage and driveway.
KE is obsessed with pushing the grocery cart up and down the driveway... over and over and over again!
Blakely and Banks love the tree at the end of the driveway with the low branches... they call it "the neighborhood."
Walker just loved to be where the kids are....put him in his cart and ride!

Pictures with all 4 of them in it this summer have been a struggle.

 RIVERBANKS ZOO

 

Hanging with our friends the Wells family at the zoo.

My favorite crew all locked and loaded in the Swagger Wagon! These days are fun, hard, rewarding, exhausting... and I KNOW that someday I am going to miss all the insanity!!!

Carousel rider! KK loves to ride the ponies!!

The zoo started doing Member's nights at the zoo this summer, where the zoo stays open til 9pm for members once a month. SUCH a fun family date night. Girlies holing hands for the first time.

Family zoo night!

 

EDVENTURE

 

MALL OUTINGS

 

KE is absolutely in LOVE with this playground. She gets to do everything on her own, and she feels like such a big girl. We try to get her here at least once a week.

Build-a-bear fun for Katy Ellis 1/2 birthday!

Happy 1 1/2 years old Katy Ellis!!!

Woof Woof (aka Beau) off on his first walk!

Future besties!

 MATCHING SISTERS

 

KK is always Blakely's buddy when she's in time out.

 

 We had an amazing summer full of fun! Cannot believe it is already time to head back to school!! Hope this means that cooler days, pumpkin lattes, boots and football are soon to follow!!