Happy 3rd Birthday Cole!

I can't believe that our littlest man is 3 years old today!  Just like Maddie, Cole is doing great!  This past year, and really just in the last few months, Cole has made the transition from toddler to little BOY!  He knows his ABCs, can recognize and name most of the letters, can count to 15, and knows his shapes and colors.  He has been attending day care 2 days a week this year and seems to really enjoy being with his teachers and friends there.  He is an awesome big brother to Avery and she just adores him- she beams from ear to ear when she sees him!

Cole has always been our "wild child", if you will.  He learned to walk earlier than any of his siblings and gives his Mommy grey hair any chance he gets.  He is constantly into everything... just yesterday we caught him playing with the motor oil- I have no idea how he even got the cap off but he poured it into the puddle in the driveway... more grey hair!  Cole is becoming very good with his words, and using them instead of hitting his older brother and sister.  I will hear him say "you're making me angry" or "I'M MAD"!  The other thing that Cole does that is super cute is he points his finger at you and shakes it while talking as if he's making a point about whatever he is saying.  

Someone once told me to pay attention to the way that the children entered the world (their actual birth) and see how that compared with their personality as they grow.  So far that has been true with (at least) the boys.  Owen is very laid back, content to watch others, "a man of little words".  Cole, on the other hand, is the total opposite.  He is loud, outspoken, energetic, intense, silly, fun but very loving.  He was born 13 minutes after we arrived at the hospital and he hasn't stopped since!  

For the life of me I couldn't decide on a song for Cole's video.  I almost used "Born to be Wild" but it didn't quite fit the video.  I was looking for an upbeat, fun song since that is what Cole is.  The song I chose "Johnny America" by Five For Fighting has no sentimental value as some of the other songs I've used have had.  It is just a fun, upbeat, kind of random song- just like our Coley!  Cole, you might drive me crazy most days but these traits that you have now are ones that I want you to have as you become older- so I hope you never change.  Happy Birthday Cole!  We love you!

Happy Birthday Madelyn!

I can't believe that we have a 6 year old!  At times it seems like just yesterday that we arrived at the hospital for the first time.  Little did we know what we had gotten ourselves into or how wonderfully our lives were about to change!

Maddie is doing great!  She is in Kindergarten and LOVING it!  She has a wonderful teacher and a nice class.  She will actually have the same class and teacher next year too, which she is excited about.  Her goal at the beginning of the year was to be able to read a book and she is very good at reading now.  She likes to read all the signs she can and is very good about sounding out the words that she doesn't know.  Maddie is taking ballet right now and preparing for her 1st recital in June.  She loves dancing and all the girls look adorable in their little outfits.  Maddie has just finished a learn-to-swim week over the school vacation and is looking forward to trying soccer later this month.  She is an amazing big sister to Avery and the boys (most of the time)- she really takes pride in being able to help out with the baby though.

Maddie also recently took part in a talent show at her school, which I regret that we don't have any pictures of.  She and some friends hula hooped.  They were very cute up on the stage and did great.  At the beginning of the process it became apparent to me that Maddie did not actually know how to hula hoop but she wanted to do it anyway.  She practiced a little but then refused to practice any more.  As the show drew closer I wasn't sure whether to be embarrassed for her since I knew she didn't actually know what getting up in front of an audience was all about and all the other girls were good at hula hooping.  She didn't care though.  My MIL told me not to worry as Maddie was only in Kindergarten.  She was right.  The girls got up on stage, Maddie's hula hoop kept dropping to the ground and finally she looked at the other girls and picked up the hoop and spun it around her arm the rest of the time!  They did great and most importantly Maddie had fun!

I had a difficult time choosing songs this year.  The song I chose for Maddie's video- "This One's For The Girls" by Martina McBride I consider more for a high school age girl but the message is the same.  Be strong, don't let anyone tell you what to do, you are beautiful, be yourself.  These are all things that I want Maddie to know and remember as she makes her way through childhood encountering peer pressure and the unknown.  So Madelyn- Happy Birthday my beautiful, strong, independent girl- this one's for you!

11 months old

Only one more month and our little munchkin will be 1! It's hard to believe! Avery is great! She has such a good nature and personality but definately has her likes and dislikes. She will shake her head yes or no to tell you what food she wants to eat. It's really quite funny. She has (finally) decided that she likes the bottle, but no longer will eat baby food (not even the homemade kind). I guess I can't really blame her. She will stand, briefly, by herself but has not taken any steps yet, though she will walk a little pushing a toy or walker around. She adores her big brothers and sister and they love taking care of her. Here are a few pictures until next month!