4th day of fall actually felt like fall!

I have been battling a cold and between naps and Joe mowing we didn't make it outside until this evening. What a beautiful evening we had though! First Sydney picked up sticks that were promptly stolen by Maggie. Then Joe "zapped" Sydney into a frog so she was hopping like a frog in the driveway. :) We found our way to the backyard and this was where the realy cute stuff came in! Sydney and I discovered a baby cricket (otherwise known as a "crippet") and Syd took right to it! She knelt down next to it and started having a little conversation that went something like this:
"Oh hello little crippet! What are you doing? Awww, he's so cuuute. Look there's another little crippet...now there's two crippets! C'mere ittle crippet, why don't you hop on to my finger?"

Joe then found a big, fuzzy caterpillar and Sydney was telling us not to squash it--that the caterpillar was fine. Together we decided that it might be nice if we could find a leaf for the caterpillar to eat when he woke up. So a search for the perfect leaf ensued and soon she was placing a leaf next to the sleeping caterpillar. She probably woud have tried to tuck him in if we would have let her! :) I love this stage (most of the time!)---the imagination and things she says is so exciting!

Cowgirl day at preschool!

This past week they learned the letter C at preschool and Thursday was dress up like a cowboy/cowgirl day. We really had to piece together this poor girl's outfit but luckily we had just received a jean jacket as a hand-me-down from a friend and luckily last year's boots "kind of" fit. We had a rough start though...Sydney was of course thrilled with the jean skirt, but not so much with the boots. So we talked about what cowgirls wear and I eventually convinced her to wear the boots. She still wasn't sold on the jean jacket so we were going to do without it, but as we were walking out she said she wanted it because cowgirls wore jean jackets. *sigh* So one more trip upstairs and her outfit was complete. :)

Well that is one way to eat your bread...

The other night I made this yummy soup (Tortellini Tomato and Spinach soup to be exact!) and semi-homemade garlic bread. (Bought the bread, spread the butter, herbs and garlic myself.) Of course, Sydney developed her own unique way of eating her most favorite part of the bread--the crunchy part!

Camo cuties!

Well one of them for sure...I'll let you decide. ;) (just kidding Joe!)

Day trip to the Kansas City Zoo!

One Friday evening I mentioned to Joe about going to the Kansas City Zoo sometime since we hadn't been there and it looked pretty neat. Well then Sydney got this thing in her head about going to a zoo (I may or may not have had something to do with that....) So one Saturday morning we were all up laying in our bed (which is usually how our Saturday mornings begin) and we just decided to go! So we got everyone ready and packed up for a day at the zoo.

Comparing paws

Nikita the polar bear

Gavin enjoying the ride!
Sydney cheesing it up with cheese on her face!

With the hyenas and DaddyWith the elephants (THE animal she wanted to see the whole time we were there) and Mommy

It was one of the first decent days we had had in awhile and I was glad we got to go! It ended up being a lot bigger and a longer trip than we anticipated, but what a great zoo and what a great way to spend a Saturday!

She kind of loves her little brother...

...if you can't tell.

Coming in for the real thing...I don't know if Gavin is as excited about it as she is!

I never thought I would find so much joy and happiness watching my two children interact with each other. It is one of the best feelings in the world! Seeing them together I am always reminded of just how blessed we are to have two sweet, happy, and healthy children. (And yes I will save these pictures for about 5 years down the road for reminders for THEM! :) )

Breaking geodes, eating baby food....just another day in our house!

So these pictures are very old but since I am already so behind on keeping this little thing up to date, I figured "why not?" When we went to the Natural History Museum we bought each kid a geode, a rock that when broken in two (or multiple little pieces, like ours ended up) should reveal a crystal of some sort. So we got the sock, and the hammer, the hard surface, and an adorable assistant, and we pounded away!

(we actually ended up on the patio because Joe had to hit them pretty hard!)

And in other blog-worthy news, we have started Gavin on baby food. I had to set my denial aside and just follow Joe's lead on this one because in my mind he is still my little newborn baby! Joe is constantly reminding me of things that he is old enough to be doing that I haven't really pursued yet. It's "funny"...with Sydney I couldn't wait to start her on solid foods and to get her to crawl, and eat finger foods, etc. but with Gavin I am in no rush. Almost as if I learned my lesson with Sydney and how fast time has flown with her and now I just want him to be a baby as long as possible! I think Joe just wants a hunting buddy. :)

Here it comes...peas!

As you can see--pretty indifferent to this whole concept of baby food. Of course now we can hardly feed him fast enough!

Happy 5 months sweet Gavin!

So school has basically consumed my life! Which explains why we are scrambling for meals for supper, why laundry goes "undone" until the weekend, oh and cleaning too (what's that?)....also explains the abandonment of our blog! August 16th? Geez. Anyway, today is Gavin's 5 month "birthday" and I am in amazement that we have a 5 month old. It feels like we just left the hospital, I blinked and here we are 5 months later. He truly is such a joy and an amazingly sweet little guy! Here are some things that we are enjoying of Gavin:

• trying some solid foods--still no routine or meal schedule just introducing them. So far he has had green peas and sweet potatoes and rice cereal which he seems to enjoy as well!
• he eats 5 ounce bottles every 2-3 hours during the day
• smiles and giggles at things and at us--smiles at me when I pick him up at daycare and at Joe when he gets home :) (he knows us!)
• reaches for toys on his play mat and brings to his mouth
• puts everything in his mouth and is drooling...A LOT!

Dear Gavin,

You are growing and changing so fast! We love seeing all the new things that you learn. Seeing you with your big sister warms my heart and I feel so blessed to call you my own! I cannot wait to watch you grow and become the wonderful little person I know you are meant to be. We love you so much!

Mommy, Daddy, and Sydney