I tried to do my monthly birthday pic again with all the kids together and holding up 5 for how many months David is. These pics crack me up for soooo many reasons. Gracie in her shades; John-Mark trying to control Benjamin; James more worried about holding his new stuffed animal than David and literally holding him with his LEGS because his hands are full! Ahh, never.a.dull.moment!
My handsome happy boy!!! David continues to be just the sweetest, happiest boy. He's still sleeping in our closet in the pack n play. He sleeps so great in there I'm scared to move him to his crib in the room with his wild brother Benjamin. When Ben wakes up he is screaming for us to come and get him (just like the older brother he looks like - both are always afraid of missing out on something!) so I'm in no hurry to add David to that fun since he's so good about waking up and just hanging out until we get him.
Over the last month he's moved away from the bouncy seat and spends most of his awake time in his exersaucer or bouncy seat. When I first pulled the exersaucer out Ben was SOOO excited and as soon I took David out he was running over to climb in for himself! He remembered how fun it was!
Bath Time! He's getting too big to bath in the sink bather but I'm not ready to add another one to out tub madness yet!!
This picture cracks me up - Happy Benjamin - Terrified David. I feel like he's looking at me like, "MOM, you know how he is - don't sit me here with him like this!!!"
Benjamin is 17 months going on 3! He wants to be a big boy SOOO badly! He LOVES all types of balls and will play "fetch" with me for quite a while :)
Nothing makes this boy happier than being outside with the big kids. When i get him up most days the first thing he does is point towards his window and says "aside" (outside). He is DYING to be able to ride the 4wheeler down the drive but he's not quite able to control it yet when it starts flying down the hill. He did it once and flipped off of it - he was covered in dirt and rocks but he didn't care a bit - he was more upset that I wouldn't let him do it again! This boy needs to wear a helmet 24/7. He's always climbing on something, falling, flipping, etc.
2 of my handsome boys!
Ben had a little 24 hour fever virus last month and he was pretty pitiful for a bit. Here is his famous "cutting his eyes" look he loves to give. A friend called him spirited :) that sounds better than what I would call it :)
He's at that age where we also get this face a lot when he's not happy or doesn't get his way. We've started sending him to his room when he starts pitching a fit. It's too cute to watch him start fussing, then point to his room and watch him turn and walk to his room sobbing all the way!
He loves to brush his teeth!
The first game isn't until the end of March but they had a pre season tournament a few weeks ago and he did great! They have him playing pitcher behind the coach so he doesn't actually throw the ball but he fields lots of balls. In his game he got a great hit and a guy out on first. When I went to his first practice it was the cutest thing EVER! All these boys dressed like little ball players and not really sure what to do. He smashed the ball then ran to third base! J has been working with him on his hitting, catching, and throwing practically since he could walk but somehow he missed which way the bases go :) we've got it figured out now :)
Ofcourse baby sister likes to try and play too. I asked he if she wanted to play baseball or dance and thankfully she picked dance :)
a selfie of me and my girl :) She loves to take pics of herself with my phone :)
The kids always exchange valentines at our weekly Community Bible Study. Last year I saw these super cute super hero Valentines I wanted to make this year. After I got all my supplies I remembered the boys are in the same class so they couldn't both take the same thing so I went with John-Marks favorite thing ever - Buzz Lightyear. I had hoped he would color Buzz but he liked the more "natural" Valentine look :) Next year I think we'll buy the ones at the Dollar Tree again :)
This year has been our trial run of homeschool kindergarten. We started strong in late August and that lasted until David was born then we hit survival mode until Christmas. Early January I made a new plan and we got started again. Can I just say God is SOOO good. Some of the things we started in August James wasn't getting very easily but when we picked it back p in January he has just taken off everything. His handwriting, spelling, reading, and math. Every day isn't easy but I seriously LOVE getting to sit down with him everyday and see those wheels turning as we learn together.
I love thank you notes. I love giving them and getting them. I think I just love good old snail mail! So the boys are learning early to write thank you notes. They dictate to me what they want to say then I write it on the board and they copy it.
Most days Gracie watches Word World while the boys do school but she likes to do some too on occasion. I seriously don't think my boys had ever even held a pencil at her age.
I had this great idea to use these fun glasses as our special "reading" glasses. I've been saving them and I pulled them out recently and made this big deal about using them to read. He loved it and was all in. Then they started hurting his ears but he wanted to keep wearing them. So my great fun idea ended up being more of a distraction than a help :(
The kids are all about puzzles lately. I love it! Keeps them busy :)
All my kids love to sing and "play" instruments and perform for me. I eat it up. James especially loves to sing original worship songs. On this day they were singing about all the things that God made - trees, grass, sun, dogs... Hoping to start piano lessons soon. We may be the next "Allen 5" in the making :)
One day I peaked out the window and spied the boys picking me flowers. I am one lucky lady to have 5 special boys in my life to love me!
Another fun day of dress up. One of their favorites is "save the princess"
Princess Gracie
My new normal. Taking all 5 to the zoo.
2 of my handsome boys!
Fun on the big slide!!
So, James started coach pitch baseball this year. I'm kind of surprised we let him play this young but HE.LOVES.IT!! This isnt even his team uniform - this is how he dresses himself every day! Baseball pants, under armor, and a jersey!
This year has been our trial run of homeschool kindergarten. We started strong in late August and that lasted until David was born then we hit survival mode until Christmas. Early January I made a new plan and we got started again. Can I just say God is SOOO good. Some of the things we started in August James wasn't getting very easily but when we picked it back p in January he has just taken off everything. His handwriting, spelling, reading, and math. Every day isn't easy but I seriously LOVE getting to sit down with him everyday and see those wheels turning as we learn together.
Silly John-Mark loves to hang his shirt on the rock wall and "hang out" :)
My 5 handsome boys :) We are truly blessed!
