The WNC Nature Center

A couple of days ago we went with friends to the WNC Nature Center. We had such a great time! The weather was beautiful and the Nature Center has made some updates since our last visit. I purchased an annual pass, so we will have a lot more visits in the near future. 

I think Everett and Eleanor were checking out the wolf exhibit in this photo. 

 A very happy Hampton.

 7 children on a tree stump! Baby Caleb was in his stroller. 

 Eleanor called this, "the Big Bad Wolf." 

 This may be one of my favorite pictures of these two. 

 The children called this "Charlotte's Web." We had just finished the audiobook. 

 The closest we ever want to get to a bear!

 The children helping with farm chores. Sweeping, raking, hauling.....

 and shoveling "cow poop!"

 Two seconds after this photo was taken I thought it best to remove the heavy shovel out of Thatcher's grasp for fear of the other children's safety! Good call. 

 Our crew!

He Has Risen!

We had a lovely Easter this year. Everett told us it was his best Easter! It was full of focusing on the Reason for the celebration, themed-food, and Beatrix Potter themed gifts. A happy day was had by all. 

The Luck of the Irish

No holiday is complete in my book without a Pinterest inspired craft. So this year we made leprechauns and created the beards by painting with forks. Our St Patrick's day was also filled with lots of themed reading and re-visiting what we had learned about Saint Patrick from our study last year. A fun day!

Potty Training Thatcher

There is no doubt about it-Thatcher Reid is one strong willed child. He will let you know if he is not wanting to do something, like nobody's business. So once he approached the 3 year mark, I knew it was time to just go ahead and get this potty training thing done. I was definitely not looking forward to it! And he was very articulate that he was not wanting to do it either as he often states "I just wear diapers." But our pediatrician let me know he would more than likely never voluntarily want to initiate this process. So I purchased a new potty, a bag of candy and prayed. The first few days he just held it until nap. At this point, a couple weeks later he has some successes and many accidents. I just keep telling myself, "this is the last one!" Eric and I have changed diapers for nearly 8 years now. That is amazing! He will get it. 

Daddy Daughter Valentine's Day Date

We started what will be an annual tradition at our home of Eleanor and Daddy going out on a date for Valentine's Day. So happy to honor their very special and important relationship. Eleanor chose to eat at Panera Bread and then wanted to go to Barnes and Noble afterward. She had the best time! I love the love they have for one another. 

 And then these crazy three and I ate dinner and watched Tangled. We had a great Valentine's Day!

Thatcher brought in his 3rd year in style- with two grandma visits and a big Mickey Mouse bash. Thatcher Reid loves two things most in his toddler life-cars/trucks and Mickey Mouse. We found a way to combine both and he was over the moon excited. 

 Showing his 3 fingers. He is 3!

 Noni bought Eleanor a Minnie Mouse sparkly dress to wear to the party. 

 With 6 people in the family that means 6 birthday parties a year! And these children LOVE a birthday party. 

 Playing Pin the Nose On Mickey. Thatcher did very well. 

 Best friends and partners in crime. 

 Oh. And there were party favors. 

So what can I say about Thatcher Reid? He is sweet and snuggly. Yet, he is firey and strong willed. Lately he was become very strong willed and his favorite phrase is "I don't like that." I have attempted potty training him twice and well, he didn't like that! So we'll try again in a couple months. Like I mentioned before, his favorite things are cars/trucks and his beloved Mickey Mouse. He plays most with Eleanor (Ellie) and they get into all sorts of shennigans together. He still sleeps in a crib because it is just better to keep that boy contained. Although, he has shown us how he can climb out. For his 3 year check up he fell in the 50th percentile for both height and weight. He meets all his developmental milestones and just needs to work on fine motor skills. He is somewhat of a picky eater and takes about a 2.5-3 hour nap everyday. We just love this boy. He is a ton of fun and personality and we love the "baby" of this family!

Catching up and cleaning off my camera card.........

These two. They argue like an old married couple. So in efforts of team building there is this......

 Eleanor was thrilled. Hampton, not so amused.

 Eric had taken both boys to piano practice one afternoon and while they were gone I set up their beloved dogs as if they were going to school.

 Fuzzy

 And Gaspro.

 They were thrilled to say the least.

 I believe this picture was taken in January, but none the less-we were already over winter. So I got the play slide out of storage for some extra entertainment. 

 And these two. They are buddies. Best friends. Always together. 

Oh. And end of January we moved. Not a big move. Just from Arden to Fletcher (about 10 minutes away). We love our new house and once it warms up will look forward to exploring the neighborhood. But we are happy and settled. That was a big change, but has been a smooth transition.