Halloween At The Little Gym

Something new we have started this fall is Little Gym.  It is something I have thought about doing for a long time but just never wanted to commit our time and money.  Cole went to a few day camps there this summer and fell in love.  He begged me to let him take a class there and we really felt like it would be great for Lily too.  She is so shy that anytime we can get her around other children and adults who can encourage her we try to do so.  Anyway....all of that to say, we all love Little Gym.  It has been amazing in 100 different ways for both of our kids.  This year they hosted a Fall party and we could not wait to go.  Rhonald had to work that night so I took the kids (something I could not have done last year but they are getting easier and easier to do things with-yeah!).  It was so fun!  Even little Lily came out of her shell a bit. They had all sorts of games and snacks and prizes plus the fun gymnastics equipment.  One funny thing....I could not find the perfect costume for Lily this year.  Either things were scary or they were cute but she didn't know about the character they were, etc.  So, I chose a fairytale witch...super cute (really cute with the hat that she refuses to wear) and when we showed up at the party EVERY little girl was a Disney princess.  Lily Kate stuck out like a sore thumb but that is kind of her style anyway....to be unique....but I had to laugh.  I had no idea how popular princesses were! 

Crystal Bridges

One of our favorite places....and my parents' favorite places....is Crystal Bridges so we decided to spend a day there during their visit as well.  It was a beautiful day and it was so beautiful along the trail.  Cole and Lily Kate loved finding "treasures" along the way.  They loved seeing all of the new sculptures and the beautiful trees and they loved running all over the place chasing leaves!  It is such a peaceful place to walk and I always leave feeling so blessed by our time there. 

The Pumpkin Patch

A few weeks ago Rhonald headed to conference in Philadelphia and the kids and I enjoyed a visit from my parents.  While they were here we spent one morning at a local pumpkin patch.  We hadn't ever been to this one and it was so cute!  There were super cool pumpkins and displays all over the farm for the kids to enjoy.  It took Cole and Lily forever to pick out the perfect pumpkin...you know the one...the perfect size, the perfect stem, the perfect amount of carving room.  It was an adventure - a very fun one!  So glad that we were able to share these memories with my parents.

Home Store

Awhile back I posted about how we were working with Cole on earning an allowance based on chores he could do around the house on top of his normal day to day responsibilities.  Well, that broke us - fast!  Cole learned very quickly how the system worked and would do more and more things to help out (which was great) in order to earn more money.  We hadn't thought the entire thing through, I guess, because we were not ready to deal with him doing so well.  I know that sounds crazy but it was seriously costing us a bundle.  We were so very proud of him and did not want to discourage him so I began a search for something different.  I found this idea on pinterest and it has been such a fun way to pay him for his work.  Cole has things he is expected to do each day but when he is caught going above and beyond we take note.  If he has had a good week then on Saturday morning he receives one quarter to go shopping in our home store....a basket I made filled with little dollar store prizes.  Wouldn't you know that the good feeling he gets from helping and earning a prize is the same whether it is a dollar store prize or a toy store prize.  He loves looking through "the store" and selecting what he would like that week.  It has been really fun and rewarding for all of us!

Goal!

This is the sweet and proud face of a boy who scored 3 goals in his last soccer game!!!!  3!!!!  Could he be any cuter?

Dear Lily Kate,

Dear Lily,
First of all, no matter what, we love you with every ounce of our being.  I say that first because it is the most important thing and I hope you always know it.  Know it in your bones.  Sweet girl, you are so full of life and love that it is, at times, overwhelming.  You are so brave and daring and bold yet so shy and unsure of this world all at the same time.  I adore your laugh, your kisses, your hugs and your secrets.  Yes, sweet girl, you have started telling secrets and it is adorable to listen to you whisper babble in our ears.  You have grown up so much in the past few months it is unreal.  In one week you started mother's day out, gave up your paci and your crib.  And now you beg to sit on the potty and pretend to go "peeeeee" as you say.  We are not ready for you to be so big and I pray you learn to slow down just a bit.  You are beginning to say more words to us and to really try to express yourself in that way.  The funny thing is, as much as I have worried over your speech in the past, I really am not bothered by it anymore.  I know you and I know you are smart, as well as stubborn.  I know you can say so much but you chose not to.  I know that because when you do say something you say it so well.  I kind of love that about you....your total Independence.  Lily, you have been a challenge for us, I will not lie.  You have tested every ounce of our parenting skills but you have also brought more joy to our family than we knew possible.  You have made us take a step back and relax a bit and, honestly baby, we needed that.  One thing about you, Lily, is that you love deeply.  Just like Cole.  You two are so very different in almost every way but you both are so full of love for others it is breath taking.  When someone is crying or hurt you instantly run to find their comfort item....Cole's blankie, Noel's cup, my water bottle.  You see things that most people ignore - you see what make people tick.  You use that gift in so many ways...from giving comfort to driving your brother crazy!  But through it all I have always seen that you truly see people for who they are.  You are only 2 years old yet you have taught me so much.  I wish I was as brave as you are....that I would jump right in and challenge myself with new things.  I pray you never lose that ability.  One thing that has been so amazing to watch are your new "mommy skills."  One day you woke up and had to have a baby doll with you at all times and that has not stopped since.  It overwhelms me so much because I see you do things with your babies that I do with you and I know you really watch everything.  You sing to them, kiss them, read to them and you hug them.  I am so glad you are learning those things from me and I honestly hope I am always a wonderful example to you.  You make me want to be better because I want you to see in me someone you would want to be like.  The two guys in this house adore you and cherish you too.  You have become a sort of daddy's girl lately and it is adorable.  You have a way with your daddy - he would do absolutely anything for you.  And your brother....as much as you guys bicker...he adores you.  He thinks you are the most special little sis in the world and he is so proud of all you have accomplished in this short time on earth.  You look for him every morning (you are the first to wake up every day) and you search for him after school and after church.  You always want to know where your Bubba is.  Oh Lily, thank you.  Thank you for 2 wonderful, heart warming years.  Thank you for teaching us and loving us.  You are so special to this family.  Happy 2nd birthday baby girl.
Love always,
mama

She's 2!!!!

Can it really be true?  Is our baby girl really two years old?  The answer is yes, she is two...two going on 14 if you ask her.  We celebrated Lily Kate this past weekend at one of her very favorite hang outs with some of her very favorite people.  She had an absolute blast playing and running around.  She loved having all of her buddies together too.  Of course, being a bit shy, she was not very fond of everyone staring at her and singing but she made it and LOVED her cupcake!  It was so awesome to look around her party and realize that every family represented there had also been represented at her baby shower.  We feel so blessed to have so many wonderful friends that love our kids.  So many people for them to look up too....what more can 2 parents ask for?