Ev needs some lovin'

After posting yesterday's entry, I felt like Evan needed a little blog loving. This little guy stirs up all kinds of emotion when I think of him. He is my snuggle bug, he just makes me smile. At times I feel like he's trying to find his place among Luke and Kate. Luke can be quite dominating and Kate still needs more attention than the boys, for the most part. Evan is an emotional kid. He loves to laugh, smile, joke, make silly faces, he's just a funny boy. He enjoys doing whatever Luke is doing - from playing with dinosaurs or cars to drawing alongside him. It's very sweet. He's adjusting awesomely to being in pre-school - he absolutely loves it. 

I am thrilled to have these three amazing kids call me mom. I love them more than words can describe. 

2 of my babies . . .

Today the weather is gorgeous. It's one of those days that just begs for you to be outside. And that is exactly what we did. The kids played and played until I realized I should probably put them down for naps at some point. As I was reviewing the pictures I took while I was out there with them I was overcome with emotion.  

Luke is going to be 5!!! Where has the time gone? How has it been five years already? I can remember the day I had him so vividly. There are so many memories that I already have about this guy. He was the easiest baby. He traveled well, slept great, and even transitioned into being an older brother effortlessly. He's super smart. He asks questions that I can't even begin to answer at times. He loves to draw. In fact, he continues to ask me on a daily basis when he's going to be able to draw . . . fill in the blank. I smile and tell him to keep practicing and I'm sure he'll figure it out before long. He has a strong interest in learning to write and learning how to read. He's already started sounding out words and spelling a few three letter words by sounding them out on his own. He amazes me. He is his brothers best friend and amazingly patient with Kate. We love him to pieces. FIVE . . . wow. 

Then there is little miss. Goodness. Two? Now I'm really reeling. If five years has flown by I can not express how quickly the last two have gone. Kate is by far the most strong willed of our three kids. She blows my mind with how quickly she can change her mood if something isn't what SHE wants. However, MOST of the time she is sweet, loving, compliant and entertaining. She adores her brothers and she adores pestering them. Luke is much better with handling her peskiness than Ev. Evan tends to take her very personally (along with everything else - but that's another post in itself:)). Kate enjoys coloring, playing kitchen and pushing her babies in the stroller. Honestly as long as she's got something to entertain her, she's good to go. 
Now it's time for me to wrap my head around two upcoming birthday's and how my babes are growing up so quickly. Sheesh. 

Phone Dump

 Build a Dino

 Dinner at Panera after "meet the teacher" night

 Sidewalk chalk fun at Crown Center 

 Labor Day road trip to Springfield 

 More Springfield 

 The kids most favorite perch.  Seriously.  They spend all their time at the "art" table

 Ready to be out of the car!

 Ev holding Kate's had while we went through the car wash. Super sweet big brother moment. 

Rainy Day Play

Rainy days have been nonexistent this summer. So when we are blessed with a light rain or sprinkle the kids are on me to get outside and splash in the almost not even there puddles. They love it and I love watching them.  

First Day of School 2012

The boys started school last week and couldn't have had a better day.  Luke is now in pre-K and Ev is in the 3's class. I wasn't worried about Luke starting at all since he went last year but I wasn't sure about Ev. To me he seems soooo young still, but like he  usually does, he did fantastic. They both woke up happy and excited to start their day. When we got there they each went right to their classrooms, found their backpack hooks and name tag and went right to an activity center. I don't think either of them formally said goodbye.  Too great. 

First day of school breakfast

Trip to the zoo

Last week we went to the zoo for the first time since we've been back in KC. The kids had never been to the KC zoo and it had been a really long time for me and what I had remembered wasn't so great. However, it was awesome! We met my friend Lori and her girls there, we had such a great time. They left around 1:00 so her girls could take a nap, but since J was working all night I thought we could stay later and just have early bed times. SO GLAD we did. We were at the zoo (me and three crazy kids!!!) from 10:30 till 4:30! We shut the place down. I'm telling you, I had so much fun with them that day. Not that I don't always enjoy my children (ahem) but there was something about being there or the weather or just enough snacks that was just right. 

This is at the Polar Bear exhibit. So cool. The bear was being fed when we first got there so we got to see him swimming below the water. And later we went back to see him and he was sleeping next to the glass so you could really get a good look at him. It's pretty amazing how big they are. The boys were fascinated. 

I can't believe Luke actually pet this goat. He's usually so "chicken". I guess with it being on the other side of the fence he felt safe. Who knows. I just love the look on his face in that picture. 

Taking a lunch break. 

Oh my goodness this was so sweet. We went into a building that had an indoor slide from the first floor down to the second floor. Of course the place was packed and of course the boys wanted to do it. No way was I letting Kate out of the stroller and into that chaos at that point (sorry babe). BUT I didn't know how to make sure they didn't get separated from each other and still be able to do it without me going . . . so I said to stick together, wait for each other at the bottom and then hold hands coming back up. Hold the phone . . . they actually DID IT!!!! Yes! SO, they got to keep doing it! Nice job, boys. 

At the sea lion show - best seats in the house. The trainer was directly in front of us!

Seriously? How sweet is that?!?! I let Kate get out of the stroller to burn off some energy and she was doing pretty good up to a point and started to get a little more daring and further away from me than I was comfortable with so I warned her that she was going to have to get back into the stroller. Ev stepped in and took over. He said, "here sissy, hold my hand". Melt my heart. 

Train ride! Absolutely LOVE these kids with my entire being. 

Phone Dump, take 2

I feel as though it has been FOREVER since I've updated the blog! We are having such an awesome summer. We pack our days with trips to the pool, park, visiting with family and friends, dining out, shopping, and simply enjoying each others company.  I am not ready for school to start. Slow down time, slow down.  

T-ball Ceremony

Luke played t-ball this Spring/Summer and had a blast learning the basics. It was a riot to watch each week. The kids were 4 and 5 years old and had little knowledge of what to do, obviously. However, Luke learned how to hit the ball, run the bases, and stop ground balls. He thought it was pretty great. The pictures are from the trophy ceremony at the end of the season. He loved getting a trophy and keeps it next to his bed on this bookshelf. So cute. 

Happy 4th!!!

Today was a great day. We laid around the pool all day and then had J's parents over for dinner. Low-key and just they way we like it! The pictures aren't very exciting but that's because we were too busy chatting and being entertained by the 3 rascals in these pictures. Happy Independence Day!

 Family picture - take 1. Well, let's try that again since none of the kiddos are looking . . . 

 Take 2 - almost there. 2 looking with 1 smiling . . .

Take 3 - all 3 kids looking and 2 smiling. We'll call it a success.

Phone Dump!

Hello, there! It feels like it's been so long since I've posted anything on the blog! We are having a fantastic summer and it's only June! Yes! I haven't been snapping very many pictures with my big girl camera but I have been taking plenty of pictures with my phone. So it only felt appropriate to share all these fun pictures of our daily adventures on the blog. These pictures are "in the moment" and give a true feel of what it's like to be a mama to these 3 rowdy, playful, sweet, and sometimes unruly babes. I love them.
Looking at all of these pictures makes me realize that we do keep busy. We go to Sonic (maybe too much), Starbucks for cake pops, Luke played t-ball, go to awesome friends to play in the ridiculously fun bounce house and pool, go to the plaza, eat outside, play at the park and in fun tunnels, do puzzles, snuggle, ride ponies, swim, visit with family, draw after hearing our bible story for the day, take our clothes off in bed(ahem, Kate) - moving on, and celebrate 11 fantastic years as husband and wife. Yes, our lives are full. We feel so blessed. Here's to more summer fun and "phone dumps"!