Preschool

First day of 3 day three's class with Miss Karen and Miss Justine.

This girl is getting so big and independent quickly. So bittersweet!

We are looking forward to a great year! 

Going back...May

Trying to catch up some....

Growing baby!

Celebrating Mother's Day at C's school

Morning bike rides

Lunch with college friends when Ivy was in town

A date with C to Catch Air

Activities when Mommy was exhausted!

Lovin on cousin Davis

Charlotte and Annie playing at the park

We squeezed in a few days at the pool before Duncan arrived

C's ballet recital = absolutely precious little ballerinas

2 days before Duncan was born!

16 months and 3.5 years

A lot of our days right now are LONG, challenging, and exhausting.  Another reason I can barely sit myself down to write up a post.  Of course, there is fun, smiles, and laughs in there too and while I wouldn't trade it for anything sometimes at night I just feel like I have survived.  Which is a little scary considering this 3rd baby has yet to make his/her appearance.

I do LOVE LOVE watching these two interact and become friends

This pic of Annie looking at Caroline sums everything up...she wants to do anything C is doing

And sometimes big sis wants to be like little sis too

16 Months - Annie 

-Words-moma, dada, shoes, stinky, uh oh, thank you, good girl, sissy, no, hi, bye, car, eat, nack (snack) 

-Things she is doing- Nods her head for "yes" to certain questions and can shake her head for "no" as well.  Blinks her eyes when you tell her to, follows simple instructions (drink your milk, pick up the toy, hand me your bow, etc), still loves peek a boo, likes to eat with a fork (I put the food on it and then she put it in her mouth), starting to like milk more,  does not like most of her food cut up into small pieces (wants to eat like us - especially sandwiches).

-Walking all over the place
-Annie gets frustrated easily when she cannot do what Caroline is doing.
-Very into books right now
-Still my little cuddle bug.  She wants to cuddle and snuggle lots and I do not mind one bit.  Especially loves to wrap her arms around my neck and play with my hair while she hugs.
-Has had 6 teeth come in over the last month or so - 4 in the front and 2 bottom molars.  Top 2 molars are coming in now.

Still loves a straw sippy cup

Thinks these baby doll bunk beds are hers

Always a trooper

Spaghetti is her favorite 

3.5 years - Caroline

-Talks, talks, and talks more

-Loves to ask questions 

-Sweet and very sensitive, yet can be so defiant and rebellious at times 

-Loves to help with anything - Annie, "setting" the table for dinner, going to get something for me upstairs or anywhere

-Loves dancing, ballet, music, her bike

-Has become a bed hoarder - so many lovies, dolls, pillow, and stuffed animals in there
-Thrives and really lights up in a smaller group where she is most comfortable
-Loving playing "school" or "bank" at home
-Responds best to discipline that is calm and gentle
-Loves accessories of any kind

Caroline is 3!

My first baby turned 3 in October.  What a fun celebration we had!  A pink party at the park and our favorite Jalisco's mexican dinner as a family.  

This girl is so fun.  I am loving age 3 so far - just the right mix of little girl and big girl if you know what I mean. 

She is my buddy and my helper everyday.   

A fun mix of timid/reserved and then all out spunk and personality.   

She truly has such a sweet spirit.  I see it the most in wanting to listen and obey - she is my rule follower.  Of course, she isn't perfect.  I see that sweet spirit just as much when she messes up and gets in trouble as when she follows directions perfectly or loves and shares with Annie.  It is an amazing thing to watch your child (even a 3 yr old or younger) want to do the right thing, but struggle and sometimes give into their own desires.  I am grateful the Lord gives us this picture through our kids.  I know it is what He sees us doing all the time.  It is a great way to show Caroline grace.  To correct her and love on her.  To let her know we all (especially the rule-followers) mess up.       

She loves her sister and loves to be a big sister.  At first she wanted a baby brother this go around, but nowshe wants a sister.  "Then, I will have two sisters!" she says.  We will see.  

I love seeing life through her eyes.  The innocence and simplicity is such a good and refreshing reminder.  

Her imagination constantly entertains me.  I love to peek in on her playing.  

What she loves: Monkey George (aka Curious George), spaghetti, cookies, Annie, her school and the Turtles class, any kind of tiny toy -an animal, a car, hello kitty, anything miniature really,  water and orange juice, crafts, painting, climbing, talking, The Bearenstein Bears, music/dancing, her friend, Harper, t-shirts or "comfy clothes."  

She cracks us up these days with things she says.  Mostly because she repeats phrases that adults say.

Some of my favorite quotes: 

"Let me tell you something Mommy.  This is not going to be funny."

"I am a big girl.  I am getting old."

When cooking in her kitchen for me, "You need to be very patient."

"You are so sweet to me, Mommy"  

"Boys go potty standing up, but girls go potty sitting down."

When talking to Annie:

"You are so precious, Annie"

"No ma'am, Annie"

When Annie is crying: 

"I know, Annie, I know.  We are almost home and I know you are hungry."

"Annie is getting in the cords"  Or "Annie is going up the stairs"

A couple months ago we were in the car listening to an old David Crowder song, and C said,

"God and Jesus are really sweet to me.  And God made me.  And he cares for me.  He loves us!  He loves us!"  

Some of the sweetest words I have ever heard her say.  

The things she doesn't like: loud noises (specifically the vaccum, hair dryer, or yard blower), being in trouble, blueberries and strawberries, taking risks, to be told no, Lion King and Nemo.

Caroline is kind, pleasant, flexible, and easy to be around.  

"Joy and song of happiness"  is the meaning of her name and I truly couldn't put a better description around her.  The last 3 years have been true joy for us and we cannot imagine life without her in our family.  

Happy birthday to our favorite 3 year old!  We love you!