Cousin Time

Last week, we had a cute little addition to our family—my nephew, Eli Christian!

{He’s dreaming of cuddle time with Aunt Amy!!}

I can’t wait for him to come visit this weekend so I can just hold and snuggle this little guy. In the meantime, Eli’s big brother Gabe has been staying with us since Wednesday. It works out great— my brother/sister-in-law get to enjoy baby Eli all by himself for a few days while my kids get to spend some special time with Gabe.

It’s been fun! The first night was a little crazy, as expected. Lots of giggles and squeals of excitement.

But the boys looked like this by the time 10:30 rolled around, so it wasn’t too crazy. They’ve gone to bed perfectly every night since then!

We’ve gone on walks, played at the park, visited Grandma Linda & Papa Forrest. It’s been a little crazy with three kiddos, but it doesn’t feel like it’s all that different from two kids really. It’s just been really fun!

    
We even conquered the grocery store with three kiddos in tow tonight! I am sort of disappointed we didn’t get a trophy as we exited. Even without a trophy, I’m still feeling proud. Not only did we get what we needed—the boys had SO much fun. They giggled nearly the entire time, thanks to Derek’s crazy driving.

Belle has been having fun and playing too, but it’s just really, REALLY hard to get a picture of all three kids. But here’s a picture of her from tonight… she couldn’t find her sucker.

Hahaha. We’re all looking forward to a super fun week! Hoping yours will be too!

Nothing but kids day

Yesterday I completed my final assignment for this crazy semester. {Yay!! I made it!} I feel like I’ve been running around like a crazy person lately! I’ve just been cramming a lot in to small amounts of time, and that has led me to be so rushed in most of the things I’m doing.

As a stay-at-home-mom, I’m home with the kids most of the time. But, lately it’s been so much about the things I need to get done {housework and schoolwork} and very little about enjoying my kiddos in these stages of their lives.

Today I vowed to be different. It’s a nothing-but-kids day today! No schoolwork, no housework.Today is about my kids and doing things they enjoy—on their schedule, at their pace.

We started the morning with a nice walk around the path at the community center. Instead of waiting impatiently as he stopped to “fill his bike up with gas” I enjoyed his creativity!

After the walk, we played at the park. Not a typical stop-for-ten-minute session at the park. We were there for an hour. Today was the first day Belle decided to slide down the slide by herself. And she did so about 35 times. I just sat in amazement in how big my baby girl is getting!

We came home to put Belle down for her nap and decided to play a game of Candyland. Keeping a three year old focused on the game is difficult, but instead of pushing him along, I watched amused as he had to make our gingerbread men “hive five” as they passed each other on the path.

And when Jackson asked to snuggle and watch TV. I snuggled for the entire show. {Word World is a super cute show!"} 

Great Grandpa called and invited us to lunch at none other than the Golden Arches. I let Jackson have his toy even before he at his meal.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

I got to spend some fun 1-on-1 time with Belle during Jackson’s naptime. She enjoyed flying around like an airplane.  

And she “helped'” go through grocery ads and make a list.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Belle is down for her second nap and when she wakes up, we’re going to make a quick run to Price Chopper before dinner. You may think that going to a grocery store isn’t something I would do on a day focused on the kids, but Price Chopper is Jackson’s favorite store. He’ll be thrilled.

It’s been a wonderful change of pace to enjoy the day at the pace of toddlers {very, very slow} instead of rushing them along everywhere we go. Eventually I will have to manage some housework and school will start in the fall. But for now, I’m off to enjoy my nothing-but-kids day!

And this picture is from last night when Derek went to check on Jackson and I really just thought I’d share. He snuck his giant helicopter into bed, but how can we be mad when he made sure to cover it up the blanket?! His other animals are covered up too, even though you can’t see them! What a sweet boy.