5 Years Old Photos

Tyler is 5!! Yay!  He has been waiting for this day to come for a long long time.  He had learned about calendars this month in preschool and had to print one out of March and put stickers on each day as it passes, counting down the days to March 29th.   I took him out on a just mommy and me photoshoot to capture him as a 5 year old.  He really enjoyed this one on one time with me doing something he knows I leave the house to do all the time without him.  So to get to go and be all about him was special.   He was extra cooperative and enjoyed every second, as did I.   This last year was very challenging for he and I with lots of arguments and just flat out NOT getting along with me.  Everything seemed to be a fight for us where I was not making him happy, and he was not willing to obey.  It has been very rewarding for both of us these last couple of months as he and I have improved our communication, and I have improved my praise how we are becoming much better buddies and far less arguments.  I love him with all my heart.  He is a very loving and tender little boy, that really does want to please others, and is hurt very deeply and sensitive when he is scolded.  I have learned I need to take a much gentler approach with this little guy, and lots and lots of encouragment and praise goes a long way with him.  Because Chase and he share a room, we put him to bed each night in our bed, then move him to his bed once he falls asleep.  This prevents the brother bugging that goes on when they are going to sleep in there together.  Each night that I have carried his sleepy little body from my room to his, I hold him tightly in my arms and realize how little he still is.  I expect such BIG KID behavior from such a little guy... and forget he's only been 4.  Now that he is 5 I hope to give him a little more room to be a little boy and to enjoy all that comes with being only 5.

Simple little joys!

With all the editing I am buried with lately, I am unable to make it to the park as often as my kids request it.  Seeing this little face and the joy of an outing away from home.... is a HUGE reminder to keep a balance, and do a better job embracing this stage of little ones at my feet and all that comes with it.  Thanks for reminding me Bookie to find joy in the little things!

So so so Pretty!

On Friday's we all head to the school at 7AM to have class visits at Tyler's preschool, and Morgan's 1st Grade.  It is always a mad dash to get all the troops ready and presentable, fed, and there on time.  One particular friday.... I walked into my bathroom and found  THIS!!!! at 6:55 AM.  My favorite plum lipstick smeared all over his face.  Initially looked like blood.... but quickly realizing the evidence all over his hands and a smooshed lipstick stick on the floor. Supposedly leaving in 5 minutes,  I tried to wash this off quickly but basically turned him into a plum with a rosy rosy face.  I asked him what was on his face, and his reply was "pretty"!  It was so stressful yet hilarious.... I still made time to snap a few pictures.

3 year Pictures

Oh how I love this little munchkin!  So often I forget how little she is and hard I can be on her expecting so much of her to do for herself.  She is so vivacious, energetic, and feisty!  She is very into her dress ups, babies, and barbies right now, enjoying planning trips to the grocery store and park with her dollies.  I want to freeze frame her cuteness and hold onto it a little longer.

Yard Campout

 Jared has wanted to take the kids camping for awhile, but hasn't had the readiness to actually put forth all the preparations to make it happen. So he came up with an even better idea to have the best of both worlds.  Campout in the backyard.  Food, toiletries, no travel costs, all at our fingertips yet, still so much excitment to have an adventure in a tent.  Ha Ha Ha!

 Tyler and Dad set up the Tent

 Morgan helping bring in all the bedding for the cold night ahead.

 All ready to go

 The evening started out with fun story telling by each family member.  Daddy had the best scary stories that ended up causing us a need to change the subject.  Not all were quite ready for his kinds of stories.

 Mommy came up with the idea to do shadow charades.  We had lots and lots of fun going outside the tent and making any and all kinds of shape shadows on the tent for those inside to guess what it was.  Tyler would just copy whatever the person ahead of him had done.

 Brooklyn just pointed her arms out hoping that she was making something neat for us to see.

Finally Morgan came up with the Monster shadows which needed for an end to the game.  We told Tyler to go next, but he was too scared from Morgan's monster.  So we told him to BE the monster, but he said he scared himself too. Ha Ha Ha we were laughing so hard that he scared himself.  Daddy stuck it out the whole night with the kids.  Tyler came in around 2AM while mommy got to sleep in her bed since Chase was in his bed inside.  A great idea that pleased all parties involved.