Monday, August 28, 2017

Scarlett and Clark - 20 Months

20 months old, full of so much energy, and changing every day. Scarlett and Clark are truly a joy to be around. I adore this age and all the fun that comes along with it. There are of course challenges with this age too. Mostly that S and C think they can do everything their big brother and sister can do. News flash, they can't. But that doesn't stop them from trying. They've discovered how to open doors, both handles and knobs, get ice from the fridge, know how to rummage through the pantry, and are great at making a mess out of Harrison and Brooke's room. It's a good thing their big brother and sister adore them so much. 



They are great at finding trouble, but even better at finding fun. They learned how to turn on the bounce house and get in on their own. They've turned the water table into their own little swimming pool. Baby swings are no longer their preferred method of soaring through the air, they now want the big kid swings. They have figured out how to get Jules to chase them around the house. (hint, it involves food) They start their own mini dance party anytime they hear music playing. As much as they love to go, go go, they also love to sit down and play quietly. There are many times where I haven't heard their voices in a few minutes and I go searching them out, only to find them quietly playing with their play kitchen or blocks. Sometimes I come across them quietly looking at books on their own. They are just like their brother and sister were at this age. If there's a lap and a book, they won't move. Story time before bed often lasts 30 minutes, and I'm sure they would let us continue reading to them if we wanted too. Current favorites include Little Blue Truck, Find King Henry's Treasure, and Peek a Boo Zoo.



Summer has been lots of fun for them. They have really taken to the water and being outside. They love boating and swimming at the lake. The pool became a favorite once we introduced puddle jumpers. They know how to open the door to the back yard, so they are constantly outside on the swings, in the sandbox, or playing in the water table. They love playing in their Cozy Trucks in the drive way or coloring with sidewalk chalk. Anytime we are playing in the driveway, the neighbor kids come over to say hi and Scarlett and Clark soak up the attention. Clark especially is in love with our neighbor girl who is in middle school. 








Clark
  • loves snuggling. It doesn't matter if it's a stuffed animal, a blanket, or a person. He wants to snuggle.
  • loves hugs and kisses too
  • is up to 16 teeth
  • was the first to figure out door knobs. One day he let himself into the garage while I was doing laundry
  • cries anytime he thinks I'm leaving him
  • is constantly unplugging the TV
  • loves to brush his teeth, at least 4 times per day 
  • is a quiet kid but is talking more and more each day
  • lets Scarlett take the lead pretty much all the time
  • loves to push all the buttons in the van if given the chance, including the door lock button












Scarlett
  • has taught us what people mean when they talk about a "spirited child"
  • has 13 teeth with another incisor coming through any day
  • is currently in a clingy phase where she wants to be held all the time
  • LOVES food, especially if it's someone else's food
  • is talking up a storm. We can't understand half of what she says, but she's always saying something and repeating what we say to her
  • think high fives are the best
  • loves babies. She's been obsessed with every baby she meets. 
  • still think the world of Jules. I hope they're always best buds
  • is starting to show interest in potty training. She asks to sit on the potty before bath time most nights













I can't believe we are only 4 months away from turning 2. (That also means less than 4 months until Christmas, so time to get on it) Summer has been so good to us, and I am looking forward to fall with these two. Halloween, fall festivals, pumpkin picking. It will all be new to them again this year and I can't wait to experience it all through their eyes.

Tuesday, August 22, 2017

First Day of School and Eclipse 2017

Hey, we're still here! It's been a hot minute since I've written a post because let's be honest, parenting is hard. Taking care of 4 littles is a full time job, plus there's that side gig that used to be my full time job, and this wee little blog gets neglected. Props to all of you mamas that juggle kids, jobs, blogs, all of it seamlessly. I am not that organized, and I love napping too much. Maybe one day it will all be easy, but I highly doubt it. Now onto the task at hand, sharing some of what we've been up to.

Last week was a big one for us. Harrison and Brooke started kindergarten!! I took them in for their back to school night last Monday, and they were so excited. They got to meet their teachers, see their classrooms, and drop off their school supplies. They even got to meet their bus driver and check out their bus. I think that was the most exciting part for them. They've been looking forward to riding the bus to school with their friends for the last 6 months.


I was planning to take them in on their first day, but they wanted nothing to do with it. They wanted the bus right from the get go, which really was no surprise but it still broke my mama heart a little bit. They don't need me to take them to school anymore. They did want Rob and I to wait at the bus stop with them, so at least they still think we're cool enough to hang out with. No tears were shed by anyone, and then they were off!


They came happily running, literally, off the bus at the end of their first day. When I asked them what their favorite part of the day was, they both responded with an enthusiastic, "everything!" They have been really tired every evening, so it's been early bedtimes all week, which they're less than thrilled about, but otherwise it's been smooth sailing and happy kids. I know we're only a week into the school year, but it's crazy to think how worried we were about starting them in kindergarten this year. I know they are both going to rock this school year.

We decided to pull them out of school early yesterday so they could view the eclipse. We've been talking about it for months, and their school opted not to let the kindergarteners view the eclipse. H and B decorated paper helmets the day before, and they were excited to try them out. After realizing how they couldn't see anything while wearing their bag helmets, they started using the adults glasses instead. They were great about making sure they didn't glance at the sun without glasses on. So proud of them for listening. We were at about 88% here which was really cool, but we've already decided we will be going to a 100% totality zone during the 2024 eclipse.



We are slowly settling into our new daily routine which is already proving beneficial for me. It's amazing what you can get done in two hours when no one is saying "mom, mom, mom," every 10 minutes. Laundry, blogging, maybe even more trim painting. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. There's still napping to be done too. ;) Who else has kids that are back in school? What do you do with your kid free time?