Boys in School

Well our big boys are both in school. Everett has begun first grade and Hampton is in preschool! First, I'll start with Everett.

I realize I have one picture of Everett and a ton of Hampton. Everett started last Wednesday and sometimes hype just makes him more nervous, whereas Hampton eats up that kind of attention. Everett was a bit nervous (which he told me) but did very well. His teacher's name is Mrs. Fagen and he had a few friends he knew in his class. Everett reported that first grade is a bit harder and they don't get to play as much, but he is happy. Also I have noticed the increase in difficulty in the homework, but he is doing great!

Now on to Hampton. Hampton began 4's preschool at Arden Presbyterian Preschool last Monday. His teacher's name is Mrs. Duncan. And we love her! So basically, Hampton was made for preschool. He goes Monday-Friday from 9:00-12:30. He loves it. I think he really needed and is thriving from the structure of it all. He has made some friends, Justin and Kayla are who he mentions most. The second day he came home and was able to tell us the five rules of the classroom. Every afternoon when he gets in the car he reports the date. Yesterday he was the line leader and loved it. And he has reported there are seven letters in his name. We are thrilled.  

Play Date

Our best friends the Burke family came to visit us last week. Our play dates are always wild and crazy and we love it. And my time with Amy is priceless. We make one another feel "normal" and it is like free therapy. I love how all our kids are the same ages and genders. It is perfect. So that is 8 children, ages 6 and under and 2 mamas. Like I said, crazy! We love our Burkes!

 Clara, Eleanor, Silas, Everett, Thatcher, Hampton, Wyatt, and Jasper. 

Thatcher at 18 Months

My dear, sweet Thatcher baby. What can I say about you? You are the sweetest baby ever. You definitely fit the role of baby of our family. In every way. And we all treat you as such. You wave and say "hello" and "bye" to everyone when we are out. And then give them your toothy grin. You have the best smile. You love to snuggle and give open mouth kisses. You say "mama" and "daeee" and "beep beep" for car……and well a whole other bunch of words. I've lost track. But I am happy with your language development. You are one smart cookie for sure. You keep up with the big kids in and out of our home. At the YMCA, you run around the older children like you are one of them. You have very little fear and can climb a ladder and slide down any slide. You hop on Everett's scooter and try to pedal with your leg. You are a bit of a picky eater, but I think that's just being a toddler. You absolutely love milk and we still cannot get you off of having a bottle. You are the baby. We'll let it slide for now. You love to watch Mickey Mouse, Yo Gabba Gabba, and Curious George. You occasionally still take a morning cat nap and then take your afternoon nap every day. You sleep 11-12 hours at night, still in Eleanor's room. She is not letting you go any time soon (I tried to explain to her we may move you into the boy's room and she had a major dramatic meltdown, crying that you were "her baby."). You got your very first haircut (by mama) last week. When I took you to your 18 month appointment you weighed 26 pounds and were just above the 50th percentile for height/weight and 95th percentile for head circumference. You now also where 18 month clothes and size 5 shoes. 

You are our bubba, Thatcher Reid, our blue eyed baby and we all love you deeply sweet boy. 

Arts and Crafts

What did I ever do before Pinterest?! I just love doing arts and crafts with these babies!

Time with the Babies

We fondly refer to Eleanor and Thatcher as "the babies." They are the babies, and Everett and Hampton are "the boys." So, last week I got to spend a few days alone with our babies. Eric took the boys to Georgia to visit family. I was so excited to spend time focusing on these two! And oh my, did we have fun. 

We went to the YMCA, explored the arboretum, had a picnic, went to the mall in Greenville, shopped at Hobby Lobby. Yes, we had fun. And I got so much rest! The babies sleep a lot. They take long afternoon naps and I took full advantage of the break….resting myself. It was so sweet to hear their little voices and everything they say. With four children in the house, it can naturally get kind of loud. I loved our time together!

Yogurt and Cheerios for breakfast. 

 We watched a lot of Curious George. They love it and so do I!

 Ellie and I painted our nails. 

 This girl is so silly. 

 We had a wonderful time, but we were happy to have these two guys back!