Back to School!

Vince's 1st art project of the year- "It's an Art, Mom!"

Mia's 1st haircut!

Been too long as usual that I've written a blog! Time sure flies with 2+ kids and then with school starting up and taking a gymnastics class- we've been very busy bees!

Vince started school the week after Labor Day. He went back with no issues this year, which I was VERY thankful for! He also started a swim club after school on Thursdays, so that day he isn't home till 3, and he's exhausted when he gets home. He has lots of fum with some of his best friends from class. I have Ellie that day so the girls and I usually have some fun girl time. Today we went to the pet store and checked out the puppies and fish. They loved it and so did the puppies. Ellie usually calls out Vince's name a few times while he's at school, it's really cute how much she misses one of her best buddies!

Vince also started taking a gymnastics class which he really seems to enjoy- he is quite the tumbler! He is also really starting to read well and now I REALLY see how important it is to be getting those brains working early- they are SUPER sponges at this age!

He's an especially wonderful big brother and Mommy is very lucky to have him around. He helps me out all the time and loves to help and love on both his little sisters. And they sure do love him!

I can't believe my little guy will be turning 5 in two weeks! Where did it go already and it's just getting faster.

Mia is getting big and thinning out a lot. We're working on the potty training, but not really because she is VERY stubborn. Once she realized this was something she could control, she did. So I guess we'll just have to wait till she changes her mind. :(

She is quite the little talker and her vocabulary compared to Vince at this age is VASTLY different. Mia and Vince have really started playing well together which is really nice for mommy, and for them. They get along very well and love having each other around which helps give me a break!

We're looking forward to this Fall and all the fun it has in store!

XOXO

Doing some "computing"!

1st day of school

Vince taking our picture. We love our "brudder"!

Getting ready for school- buddies. Such a cute pic of them!

If only I could drop all 3 off. ;)

They're ready!

Funny quote from Mia after telling her daddy was stuck at the airport with a broken airplane:

"He better find a 'helicoptor' or somephin!"

Summer...Summer...SUMMERTIME!!

Gabe gets 2 consecutive weeks off a year so this year we kept it low key and stayed home mainly. But we did make it out to Mentor for a day and went to our gym's pool a few times so we're a little browner! The kids enjoyed the beach even though it was pretty rocky. The next day we went to visit the Vincents and had a little visit. It was a nice 2 weeks off and the kids enjoyed having daddy home all the time and taking naps with him!

Having a sandwich at the beach in Mentor

Taking a walk

Loving the waves!

Getting water for the sandcastle

My little tan girl

My big boy

Mom and Dad

Pretty baby

Checking the well at Grammy's

Chloe liked Aunt Beth's spaghetti!

Family puzzle fun!

The kids are getting big and school is coming. I signed my tumbler, Vince, up for gymnastics. I think he'll love it.

Mia has officially moved into her big girl bed and we're working on potty-training. She's not too into it, unfortunately and doesn't mind being dirty AT ALL. The girl gets more of her food on her face then in her belly most days. One of these days...

Have a great rest of the summer everyone!

Busy summertime

The kids are only 2 and 4 but we're already busy and they aren't even in school! The last few months have been a whirlwind that just seems to keep spinning faster. Vince got new glasses and is learning all he can about spelling and words. He loves his new glasses, and I do too when he's actually looking through them instead of over! He'll definitely be reading by the end of this year- love having smart kids, but sometimes I wish they weren't SO smart...

Still babysitting our best friend Ellie. Here is her and Mia with they're matching shirts!

Daddy and Mia

The best God-daughter ever! Happy Birthday Chloe!!

Taking our nature walk. Pretty exciting!

A family photo

Highlands bank

Loving it

Happy 4th of July!!

Mia is my 2 year-old going on 13! She has more personality then most kids I know and constantly leaves me speechless or laughing most days. She's my spitfire and I wouldn't change it, most days anyway. She loves riding her bike around the block with her brother and they play so well together most days. We're really lucky in that aspect! They really love each other and I couldn't ask for anything more.

XOXO

Ready for Spring- PLEASE!!

We're still waiting for spring to show up, although I have a bad feeling it's just going to go straight into summer. Oh well...

The kids are getting bigger everyday and we "taking good care of Ellie" as Vince likes to say a few days a week. We try anyway... :)

Vince has been having a good spring. He loves school now, is getting glasses (!), and has two birthday parties this month for 2 of his school buddies. We started going to an athletic club and the kids have been going to the playroom. Last week the caregiver told Gabe that Vince made friends with a little girl who has been having a hard time in the room and doesn't play with anyone. We are very proud to have such a kind and considerate son who loves everyone. Now if he would just quite finding gas passing hilarious!

Mia is becoming quite the little lady. She loves her clothes and has started picking out her own clothes when I let her. She FINALLY decided to start sleeping in a big bed and give up (with some pushing) the nursing which has been nice for Mommy. A little sad that my baby is done but I'm glad she didn't put up too much of a fight, that one breaks my heart a little. We've been going swimming at the gym and Mia especially loves it. Unfortunately her ears don't as much since she got swimmer's ear. Her poor ears! But she's finally begun to really like the playroom which has been a nice break for mommy and daddy, especially mommy! We're proud of our big girl who's always smiling and totally adores her big brother.

We got a new van a couple months ago so that has been making our life much easier and comfy. It's been a wonderful addition to the family and I don't mind being THAT mom. I've never tried to be the cool mom, I'd rather be comfy and dependable!

Ellie trying to get down and away- she is quite the walker!

The gang

Egg coloring

Love my cereal

Getting ready for the egg hunt!

Meetin' the Easter Bunny again

Hunting...

Found some eggs!

Cousin Madi

All done!

This one makes me giggle!

Blocking the hand...

Some Bunny Loves Me!

Make-up disaster: Trying to look like Mommy I guess!

Yes, that's foundation and eye shadow!

Been too long....

Pig tails!!

Potty time...

Haven't posted in a while! Been busy trying to get this winter over with. We've about had it! Finally got a minivan so that's been pretty exciting, I love the automatic doors and the room; the kids love the DVD player! It worked out so that was a nice surprise.

We celebrated Mia's 2nd birthday on the February 4th. She got lots of fun presents and we had a good time at Grammy and Grampy's with the family. Can't believe my baby is a little girl now. We're trying to work on potty training, she's kind of interested.

She has a BUNCH of personality which makes for exciting and feisty days. She's way too smart. Giving mommy a hard time and kissing up to daddy are her favorite things to do. And dancing- can't forget dance parties!

Vince has been having fun at school and really loves learning. He's been asking how to spell words and we're starting to learn how to read a little but for now he seems more interested in words and spelling. He's still obsessed with Monster trucks and regularly plays so hard/much with them he brakes them.

I'll try not to let it be sooo long next time! XOXO

The one picture with the kids leaving Chloe alone- poor girl!

Chloe and Grammy

An old one from this winter- Armful 'o' grandkids!!

All the girl cousins

Cousins Chloe and Mia

Mia and Maddie having a serious conversation

What's in here?!

PRESENTS!!!

The little artist at her table

Party boys

Party girls

Laughing so hard because Mia was shaking she was so excited to blow out the candles!

Uncle Dan and Mia blew out the candles!

A nice party!

Ellie, the little girl we watch had a birthday in March and we celebrated with her.

Opening a present we got her, surprised the kids held off....

CrAZy group photo!

Funny things Mia says:

I ask her if she wants something- "Ummm... su'e" Sounds kind of like how sure should sound instead of the "shure" that it actually sounds like.

Ask her to do something- "Nope, sawwy!"

Funny things from Vince:

We were singing along in the van to a CD and Vince said "Dad- when I open my mouth, music notes come out!"

We were walking through Target the other day and he was singing loudly, "You Are My Sunshine".