Some Summer Randoms

These cuties of ours are always on the lookout for fun! 

 Once in a lifetime two hour nap all at the same time...It was amazing.

 There's my adorable cutie pie.

 These two are best friends, and this Momma is so thankful.

 This family melts my heart!

Kindergarten

My oh my, it's back to school for this little buddy.

She was so excited about her new nap mat!

 Back to school pictures were not easy this year! I'm pretty sure the nerves were really high and I knew I was pushing my luck by trying, but this Momma just NEEDED some pictures! I mean, it's our first day of KINDERGARTEN!

 "Maybe you could have some iPad time?"

 The nerves were just as high in me! It is just so hard to wrap my mind around the fact that we are here in life--The mom of a Kindergartener!

 We were pumped to find out we got Mrs. Jost!!!

 It's gonna be a great year!

6 Months

Oh my sweetness, you are half a year old!!!

You are 17 pounds, 12.3 oz (75%)

and 27" tall (90%)

 Sister you are vocal these days. You have found your voice and don't let us forget it =)

 You have got the rolling on your back thing down. Now, if we could only get you rolling back to your belly!

 You have started to sleep on your side most nights. Sometimes you will roll on your belly and sleep, but I think that is because you can't get back to your side!

 You still love your paci. You also looooove to suck on your hands! (And by hands I mean entire fist)

 I'm about to work really hard to get you on a somewhat consistent schedule, seeing how life is about to change with the demands of your sister and brother going to school! This summer you have just grabbed a nap here and there whenever you could!

 YOU ARE STILL EXCLUSIVELY NURSING! That is such an accomplishment for me as your Momma! I would have never dreamed I could have made it this far!

 I guess we will start solids this month! We go to your pediatrician next week and we will get a game plan on that!  I think (and pray) you will be my good eater!!! You watch us all eat so intently! I've got to have at least one person that eats right?!?

 You love all your people so much! Blakely, Parker, Zizi--they are your world! When you hear their voices in the morning you light up!

 Your smile still lights up the room! 

 You have gotten a little dramatic this month, I must mention! Sometimes there is no soothing you! I'm starting to wonder if you are just bored! You don't want to sit (and don't really fit) in the bouncer anymore & the jumper and exersaucer don't entertain for over a couple of minutes! For the most part you are still the most chill of all the kiddos!

 That face. Oh it gets me!

 You still love cuddling your blanket when you nap!

 You lock those knees amazingly great. Hopefully we aren't going to skip crawling...

My sweet Alli Kate, I love you so. You are my heart. I have probably said that every single month, but you keep growing this heart of mine exponentially by the day. You bring joy in the midst of confusion and sadness. You bring hope during those times of darkness. God is working through you to bring me a reflection of him, of this I am sure.

Summer

I cannot believe we are here. 

Summer is coming to a close and my sweet girl will be starting Kindergarten next week. 

At least I still have a couple more weeks of time with this guy.

Parker speaks in high and low voices. It's either really high pitched or extremely low.

We are FINALLY potty trained! Ugh! Honestly, a month ago, I didn't think there was a chance he would be ready to start school without a diaper...and I was beginning to freak out! One funny thing that I've just got to document...P refers to going potty as 'making rocks' and 'lemon-laid'. 

Yay Parkey man!!! This Momma is so proud! (and relieved)

All summer we have been hearing 'Oh I loooove _____'. Really any, and everything goes in that blank there. Popsicles, Monkey, jumping, sand, the beach, chairs, tv, running, balls, Zizi, Daddy....

Also been hearing "NO! I'm Parker" in response to me calling him my gummy bear or any of my other 1000 nick names for him!

I've heard many many times 'it's hot in here' after loading into the hot car.

Parker says 'I happy' all. the. time. 

He really is. All the time. He loves life and it shows every day. He finds joy everywhere he goes. He is our peace maker. He is always worried over Blakely in any of her meltdowns! He will pat her on the back and tell her it is going to be ok! He doesn't like stress and will tell everyone to 'shhhh'. 'be quiet'. 

Boy, you have the heart of so many in this family...It isn't just me that you have under your spell!

So, what all did we do this summer?

Let's see:
Tent making and playing at its best!

Some pre-church photo shoots!

This one is my favorite! Blakely is such a mother hen!

Grocery shopping with 3...and to think I used to get overwhelmed by taking one baby!

we loved when our friends came and visited!

played not only with the baby toys, but also in them!

Splash pad adventures

(all those bandaids were from B's 5 year check up) =(

no zoo trip is complete without a visit to the petting zoo!

Stared at some of my favorite summer pleasures!

played with daddy's favorite, bubbles!!! (not)

had some pretty insightful talks with this little boy.

Zizi took lots of naps =)

we hung out in a lot of bathrooms while brother was trying to get this potty training thing down...

creativity at it's finest! (spaceship Parker).

played dress up everyday. she will be a fashion designer one day!

Chuck-E. Cheese birthday fun!

lots of time being silly....trying to be like her fav-Elle!

Dressing sister up!

'girly cowboy girl!'

Even Parkey decided to take part in the dress up fun!

karaoke fun

flying bug!

 fun play dates with baby friends =)

good summer. one I'll never forget!