1K Books B4 Kindergarten

We have always big fans of our library. We try to come by at least once a week. Today, we are visiting for the third time this week. There is always a lot to do between playing on the computers, browsing books and movies, and playing with the puppets. The boys also enjoy checking out their selections. Our library has events and programs throughout the year that are also fun. 

The latest new program our library offers is called 1K Books B4 Kindergarten. I signed all three boys up for it in late January. Basically, the child has to read or be read 1,000 books before they start kindergarten. I wasn't sure if we would be able to meet this goal with Southern since he starts school this year, but we are up to the challenge. So far, we have read over 450 books. 

Beautiful weather

We are loving this beautiful weather that we've been having lately. We've been spending a lot of time outside playing - jumping on the trampoline, running races, playing in the kitchen, sliding, riding in the toy car, playing in the water table, playing with balls and toys, and we even got out the sprinkler one day this week.  

Brotherly love... Baylor loves giving kisses

Bath time is fun!

What is bath time like for an 8 month old?

I'm guessing it's pretty fun!

This little guy gets to take a bath with his big brothers (in his own little bath tub). And he has a great time splashing, playing with toys, and making lots of noise. 

Snow Day

Southern is growing up thinking that snow is a normal part of the winter season. And this year, he asked and asked when it would snow. I kept telling him that it wouldn't. We just don't normally get snow in our part of the world. He has seen pictures and knows that it snowed here his first and second winters so he knows it's possible. Now it has snowed again! What are the chances?

Here are some of the pictures we took on February 6th. The boys played outside in the morning, having snowball fights and just running around enjoying themselves. Dustin had a delay that morning so he had an extra couple of hours at home with us.

Then that afternoon, we went back out for round two. This time Baylor was awake to join us. The boys packed snow back and forth to their play kitchen, cooking up "snow pies" and filling their sink up with snow. They also made their first snowman!

7 Months Old

Baylor turned 7 months old this week!

At 7 months old, Baylor, you:

- weigh 18.3 lbs
- wear size 9 mo and size 12 mo clothes as well as size 12 mo and 18 mo pajamas
- wear size 3 diapers still
- are not as good of a sleeper at night as you used to be because you..
- have 2 teeth! Your two middle bottom teeth are coming in.
- roll all over the floor and end up in completely different areas of the room as to where you started
- usually eat 1 container of veggie baby food for lunch and 1 serving of oatmeal cereal mixed with breastmilk or 1 container of fruit baby food for supper
- like to snack on Cheerios or bits of Honey 7-Grain bread
- still love to nurse and do so often
- enjoy grabbing and chewing on toys, books, anything you can find
- take a bath with the "big boys" now in the tub with them
- are still enamored with Daddy. You will even pop off while breastfeeding to gaze at him, and you give him your biggest grins.
- laugh the loudest when brothers are playing with you or are playing "boo" with Mommy
- may end up being nearsighted and need glasses like Mommy and Daddy (His pediatrician noted this in his 6-month wellness exam. He also said that he is not an eye doctor, so it's just something to watch and remember.)
- love to play in your Exersaucer
- enjoy doing the "Superman" pose during tummy time
- have witnessed snow in your own backyard (more on that coming soon!)

RIP Panda

My cow Panda passed away last month. She had a good long life. I got her when I was young. The first picture I have of her was taken in May of 1994 when I was 8 years old. So she had to have been at least 20 years old. The average life span of a cow is 10-15 years. 

She was very kind and gentle, allowing me to feed her and pet her as a child. A favorite treat was ice cold pears. I would pick them from our pear tree in the yard and put them in the garage fridge before giving them to her. I also made my cows "salads" when I was a girl. I would mix up different types of grasses and leaves to serve them.

Over the years, she has held a special place in my heart. I am especially thankful for the memories of her with my boys. Southern and Remington were able to go out to feed her bread many times. She was very slow by then, so we made sure to drive the Mule up close to her so she wouldn't have to travel far. 

Panda and her calf back in May of 1994

Southern and Remington feeding the cows (Panda is right behind Southern's head) in May of 2013

Feeding the cows with D-dad, Joyce, and Kate

Pretty Panda

Big news!

We have big news to share...

Baylor's first tooth is starting to pop out! He has been fussy and drooling excessively for a few weeks now, and last night (as he chewed on my fingers), I felt the very tip of a tooth starting to emerge in his bottom gums. Our baby boy is growing up!

On a side note, Baylor had guacamole and refried beans for the first time today and loved them both.

The big boys are growing quickly as well.

Remington is learning baseball and loves to run the bases. If you get him out, he will keep running until he reaches home plate. I guess it's just more fun that way.

Southern is learning to read. It's a tough process with Remington and Baylor distracting him, but he's slowly getting there. Today he worked on the book, "Inside, Outside, Upside Down".