Despite our best attempts, the kids keep growing and changing into little humans. Many times this summer we encouraged them to 'grow up', but the magic of each child's developmental stage leads to the sentiment of 'Why do they have to grow up?'
The summer ended with the kids spending many waking hours outside, exploring our little backyard and the variety of toys we've accumulated. Some aren't immediately apparent as toys, such as cups, spatulas, shoes strollers, but to the kids it's all the same.
We have more words. More temper tantrums. More cooperation. More understanding. More vocabulary. More variety in foods. Fewer naps. Less peace and quiet.
August has taken to stacking blocks, organizing like objects and attempting to place various things on his parents' heads. It's tough to get a picture of him as he's always moving. Exploring. Climbing.
Our first born child loves to play a game unique to him. We'll call it 'See what I'm doing?' He's responsive to corrections, but loves to repeat his antics and laughs the whole time. He can really be a ham sandwich. We don't want to say he has mischief in his eyes, but he's always thinking.
We had to abandon our old TV stand because young August learned to leverage everyday items into climbing assistants. It became an old trick to summit the TV stand and, instead of planting his flag of origin as most mountaineers do, he attempts to claim his summit by clearing it of objects in his way. In this case, the TV.
In came the 5' high dresser, which is currently the Everest of the kids' play area. Some day, it will be conquered.
Olivia is our little girl to a g. Every parent thinks their kid is the cutest, and we're no exception! She knows how to work people already and unfortunately we're not immune to her charms. Her interest in the alphabet has exploded, and she loves to repeat the letters for mom and dad.
Content with her books, Livvy will sit for a half hour at a time paging through books in the play area. We're not sure what she understands, but it's encouraging to show interest at her age. Unfortunately, not all of our books are her friends. Olivia has gained notoriety and a nickname - The Ripper (say it like Steve Irwin ('Rippa') it's more fun) - for literally shredding books left in her crib. Have some personal documents you'd like disposed of? Bring them over. We filled a plastic grocery bag of her leftovers today. Yikes.
We had to abandon our old TV stand because young August learned to leverage everyday items into climbing assistants. It became an old trick to summit the TV stand and, instead of planting his flag of origin as most mountaineers do, he attempts to claim his summit by clearing it of objects in his way. In this case, the TV.
In came the 5' high dresser, which is currently the Everest of the kids' play area. Some day, it will be conquered.
Olivia is our little girl to a g. Every parent thinks their kid is the cutest, and we're no exception! She knows how to work people already and unfortunately we're not immune to her charms. Her interest in the alphabet has exploded, and she loves to repeat the letters for mom and dad.
Content with her books, Livvy will sit for a half hour at a time paging through books in the play area. We're not sure what she understands, but it's encouraging to show interest at her age. Unfortunately, not all of our books are her friends. Olivia has gained notoriety and a nickname - The Ripper (say it like Steve Irwin ('Rippa') it's more fun) - for literally shredding books left in her crib. Have some personal documents you'd like disposed of? Bring them over. We filled a plastic grocery bag of her leftovers today. Yikes.
Her love of Elmo and Sesame Street has luckily led to some interesting vocabulary like 'purple'. Three syllables here we come!
Max is still the most active child in physical pursuits. Running full-speed into a parent/couch/sibling? Check. Chucking anything chuckable with absolutely no notice? Affirmative. Kicking plastic balls and toys with abandon? Uh huh. Giving a high five that actually stings? That's Max.
He's throwing with both hands at this point, and from what we can tell, he's got a gun. If you come over, watch out. Safety glasses recommended.
Max is probably the first child with both feet firmly in toddlerdom. Resistant at times and irresistible at others. He takes instructions extremely well, and earnestly attempts to help mom and dad vacuum, put toys away, etc.
He, along with the other two, have an interesting combination of oldest, youngest and middle sibling tendencies all at once.
In addition to wearing out the homestead, the kids have been to Muscatine, Sugar Bottom Rec Area (North Liberty), Iowa City/Coralville, Mount Pleasant and Wapello.
Max is still the most active child in physical pursuits. Running full-speed into a parent/couch/sibling? Check. Chucking anything chuckable with absolutely no notice? Affirmative. Kicking plastic balls and toys with abandon? Uh huh. Giving a high five that actually stings? That's Max.
He's throwing with both hands at this point, and from what we can tell, he's got a gun. If you come over, watch out. Safety glasses recommended.
Max is probably the first child with both feet firmly in toddlerdom. Resistant at times and irresistible at others. He takes instructions extremely well, and earnestly attempts to help mom and dad vacuum, put toys away, etc.
He, along with the other two, have an interesting combination of oldest, youngest and middle sibling tendencies all at once.
In addition to wearing out the homestead, the kids have been to Muscatine, Sugar Bottom Rec Area (North Liberty), Iowa City/Coralville, Mount Pleasant and Wapello.
We've tried to get them out of the house more and into new surroundings with new people. Hopefully it's helping them develop, because we're tired.
Here are some pictures -
