Monday, July 15, 2013

Summer Time and the Living is Easy

Okay, well maybe the living isn't exactly easy, but that's what comes with the territory of having 4 children under 5. We have had a good summer though. We aren't exactly jet setting, taking vacations or anything like that-but we've enjoyed the weather and just doing things at home.

We have moved the "big boys" bed time an hour later (it is now 8) so that they will hopefully sleep until at least 6:30/7 in the morning. We have done it for 2 days now, so we will see. We have tried to keep them up so they can see the fireflies at night, but they don't really come out until 9. Hampton has also dropped his afternoon nap, although he will occasionally sleep for a couple hours here and there. I also keep telling Everett that one day he and Hampton will have bunk beds. He is not happy about that idea. I guess he is afraid of sleeping on the top bunk. Maybe when he is 6 we'll try it?

I am also happy to report that other than at night, Hampton is completely potty trained! It's about time! I suppose it will be Eleanor's turn to get trained soon. Something tells me she will be a whole lot easier.

So far this summer we've tried getting out in the morning and doing something outside if the weather is nice. In the afternoons we mostly rest and play in the play room. We have enjoyed popsicles, playing in the pool, bubbles, sidewalk chalk, bike riding, taking walks around the neighborhood, and playing at the park.


The babies and I right after bath time. Notice how Everett is kissing Thatcher's hand. He LOVES him!
 
My mini hipsters.
 
This girl can rock just about anything.
 
The boys have recently started playing with "tiny Legos." I am amazed at their fine motor skills. Even I have a hard time pulling some of those blocks apart.
 
 
I have now upgraded Eleanor to the really big hair bows.
 
 
 
And Eleanor loves playing with her kitchen.
 
Poor Thatcher. Eleanor put this wipe on his head and declared it a hat.
 
I forget how chunky he is until he is with other babies his age. He is our bubba.
 
Buddies. I was looking through some baby pictures of Hampton this morning and was just amazed at how much these two resemble each other! Both handsome boys.
 
 

Thursday, July 4, 2013

The Fourth with the Four

Today was like any other day, with just a little more red, white, and blue. And a few tantrums, meltdowns, and a very fussy baby. But we still had fun celebrating the Fourth of July. Oh how I love my Fourth of July cuties! And we ended today with a fun cookout with our home group Bible study. A perfect end to the day.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Brunching with the Ladies

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Learning and Playing

We have a lot of fun going on adventures, but we also loving learning and playing at home. I got a book of educational activities that I can do with each child according to their age. This weeks activity for Eleanor is all about folding paper in half. So I tore out a few pages of a magazine and she had so much fun folding.


And the boys love building. They can do this for hours. 
 
And playing music. Eric on the guitar. Ev on the banjo. Hampton on the mandolin. Oh it will be fun when the boys can actually learn to play!
 

A Lovely Morning Indeed

Last week while the (big) boys were at vacation Bible school, Eric and I were able to take our youngest two out for the morning. Splitting the "kid load" in half certainly made for an easy morning, but we of course did miss Everett and Hampton.
We went out for breakfast at Green Sage Cafe. Eleanor enjoyed her pumpkin bread.

 
But even more so I think she enjoyed all the special attention.
 
And this little one is the best traveler. He naps wonderfully in his car seat and is content to just sit and watch.
 
We then headed to our happy place here in Asheville-the arboretum.
 
And as always, the arboretum delivered.....beauty, peace, and a mountain view.
 
 
Eleanor had fun running around-just her......smelling the flowers. She never stopped moving.
 
 



Oh it was a lovely morning. A lovely morning indeed.