July 18th, 2015

There are so many moments that are lost in my mind but this is one I WILL NEVER forget. The moment my first baby lost her first tooth! We had been to the dentist this spring and he told us she had two loose teeth on the bottom which was news to us! I hadn't really been checking it and she hadn't mentioned that it felt any different so it coming out wasn't on the radar at all!

We did a little shopping that morning and had stopped into Jimmy John's for lunch. As Isla finished up her last bite, I was looking at her (with a strange look on my face I'm sure) because it looked like she was missing a tooth. I asked her to open her mouth and sure enough, it was gone! And then we immediately realized it was gone gone! As in she swallowed it with that last bite of sandwich! She started to get upset and I did too. I have like 5 little boxes for her first tooth and it was gone :( But I pulled it together and Josh and I explained that she could write the toothfairy a letter and explain what happened. I wrote the letter out and she copied it down and that sweet toothfairy left her $1 and a little note back. Isla was a little timid about the idea of the toothfairy but I think it's because we hadn't really talked about it a lot. She came around and put the letter under her pillow and she was beyond excited to receive a note back with her $1.

I don't know how I imagined loosing her first tooth to happen but the way it happened will always be something we can giggle about. I love her to pieces and Josh assures me I can save the next tooth ;)

 Right after it happened!

Her precious little letter <3

KC Zoo

So today I decided I would write about our day...TODAY.. as to not forget it and never write it down. Maybe I could stay on track with this and there will be more to read about???? I'm not making any promises but who knows!

Because we live in Clay County we receive free passes to use at the zoo during certain months of the year and July happens to be one of them so off we went! I packed lunches and bags last night and woke the kids up early and we were pulling out of the driveway at 8:15 on the dot. Major accomplishment to meet the deadline I had in mind. We met some of our friends there and then she had some more friends meet us there and by the time it was said and done there were 4 adults and (drumroll please) 10 KIDS!!!!! Luckily, because we all have a few, we were old pros at herding cattle, I mean kids :) today. 

The polar bear was swimming in the pool when we walked by and the kids thought that was awesome. They even got to feel what polar bear fur feels like. We saw a couple monkeys and rode the train and then headed to find somewhere to eat our lunch. The kids ate really well for a change which is always nice and then we were off to see the penguins. I love those silly little birds and so did Evan! He could actually see them and he really enjoyed watching them swim. Aiden thought the jellyfish were cool too. We then went on potty break for the second time which equaled 1 adult and 5 kids in one bathroom stall and me wheeling Evan and the stroller in there to help wash hands. It's all about teamwork! Then our friends were tired so Isla, Aiden, Evan and I caught the Sea Lion show and walked over to see the Elephants. After that we grabbed some popsicles and a few drinks and headed home. 

Aiden said his favorite was the polar bear. Isla was a fan of the Elephant and I'm going to say Evan's favorite were the penguins. Isla was a huge help and the boys did pretty well too. Everyone was exhausted tonight but it was a fun outing for everyone! Here are just a couple pictures (10 kids=no time for pics!)

 We used the buddy system and this was Aiden's buddy, Adrian(sp?), who is my friend Monica's niece. He was asking her questions and explaining things to her and it melted my heart to see him act so kind.

 Checkin out the view

 ELEPHANTS

The aftermath. It took 30 minutes and lots of shakes to wake her up!

Evan~1 Year Old

It's a little late...I know...story of my life with three kids, a dog and a husband ;)

My little little man is 1. The baby days are officially over, never to return! It was only 2 months ago that he turned 1 but I feel like he's been 1 forever some how. He is such a funny, happy little boy and brings us so much laughter and joy on a daily basis. One of the funny things we love is the he walks. He has a couple different ways and they are so funny! When he's on a mission to get somewhere he swings one arm really hard and then when he is just walking casually he swings both arms in front of him with a big smile. He also "runs" which is walking really fast with the possibility of falling at any second. And he can climb! We officially kicked the bottle/formula and switched to milk. The milk transition was a little difficult because he wasn't a fan! I'm not sure if it was the temperature(cold) or the taste or what but he did not drink it. The first week we tried he barely drank half a cup total! I went against every bone in my body and will in myself and put a little chocolate syrup in it and he drank a little more. Then I happen to run out of Vitamin D milk and gave him 2% and that's when he started drinking it! He apparently wasn't a fan on whole milk so we did 2% for a while and now he will drink any kind. I was so surprised because he hasn't been picky about anything else he's had to eat/drink. The only other big change he had at a year was his hair! We did his first hair cut the morning of the boys birthday party and he looked so different and so blonde! He is my blonde hair, blue eyed boy. Josh had really light hair when he was young and even Aiden had lighter hair and I think I will get one kid with blue eyes! His are beautifully blue :) At his 1 year check-up he weighed in at 25 pounds and then I imediately went home and ordered him a new carseat. He was only 3 pounds over the infant carrier weight limit but it was time for a new seat anyway. He was happy to face forward with the rest of the crew! I had waited for a while to write this post hoping I would have a chance to take some pictures but it has rained and rained and rained so the lighting hasn't been the best.

Evan, we love you with all of our hearts!

Enjoying some cake on his birthday

 The hair cut!

His bog boy seat

His blue eyes :)

Aiden~3 Years Old

My big little man is 3. It's amazing to me every time we celebrate another birthday for one of the kids. I'm always in awe that another year has gone by and they are one year older. In the last six months, Aiden has really developed into a little boy. He is potty trained now and not even wearing a pull-up at night! He is pretty self-sufficient getting dressed, although his choice in outfits is interesting. He speaks much clearer now and people other than myself can understand the majority of what he says. Things Aiden loves; fruit snacks, any kind of fruit, most vegetables, bread, warm pants, boots(snow or cowboy), Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, cars, running, snuggling, sneaking in our bed(every night), being a boy(I'll spare you the details), pizza, iPad, ice cream, brushing his teeth, memice(also known as medicine), going to church and his "friends". He's passionate about things, good or bad. Every day is a new experience. Sometimes a challenge and sometimes full of giggles. I really feel like we are slowly turning a corner with his behavior and fits and he's starting to respect and understand things a little more. He has been playing t-ball this month and he starts preschool in the fall. This will be a big adjustment for him but one I know he will enjoy. He is so excited to have his own things to do and to talk about. Aiden we love you much and are so excited to see all of the exciting things this next year will bring!

Baby Aiden Lynn

1 Year Old

2 Years Old

3 Years Old

Birthday Boys

On May 16th, we had a joint birthday party for Aiden and Evan. Aiden has been talking about his birthday party since we threw Isla's in January! He's literally been talking about it for months and has been looking forward to this day. I really struggled on how to handle the party(s) this year. I knew Aiden was so excited and I kind of wanted him to have his own and with Evan turning one I also wanted him to have his own but then that meant I was asking our family to come two separate weekends and on and on and on! Then, Josh ended up having to travel to Maine for two consecutive weeks so it really made the decision for us to have a joint party. SO. We moved forward with our hot wheel party complete with t-shirts and hot wheel themed cakes. Cakes made by non other than Grandma Downing. It's so special that she continues to make cakes for birthdays :) We kept it simple with family and some close friends. All Aiden could talk about was his "friends" coming for his party and he really enjoyed playing with everyone.

Last year we could barely get Aiden to participate and this year he was more than willing! He tore through his presents and was happy to be sang to. In fact, I don't know who got him what because he ripped through them so fast!

Evan wasn't too interested in opening presents. He wanted to go play with the big kids. He LOVED the cake that I made just for him and he seemed to enjoy the day as well.

Happy Birthday to my little(big) guys!

Five Little Monkeys~Studio 320 Dance Recital 2015

On April 26th, Isla performed in her 2nd dance recital with Studio 320! She LOVES dance and she did such a good job. It's such a proud moment to see her perform the routine she's been working on for months. This year they danced to "Five Little Monkey's" and her teacher was Ms. Sheila. 

The interesting thing about the Studio is that the owner actually grew up in this house. Isla has the same bedroom she did and there is a little area in the unfinished portion of the basement that has mirrors and flooring just to practice dancing, It's such a small world sometimes! Ms. Sheila really worked the kids hard this year and it's so awesome to see the kids progress. It's amazing how far a cartwheel can come in 9 months! Isla was devastated when it was over because they take a break over the summer. She has asked us to do two classes next year so I think we may have a dancer on our hands!

After the big show

 Her supporting and enthusiastic brothers! I say that now because it's just a matter of time before they are begging us not to go to the recital ;) 

Evan---- 11 Months

At 11 months old Evan has conquered a major milestone, he can walk! He can also say "please" and he waves at cars and sometimes people. He sleeps really well now and he is working on getting rid of his morning naps. He has one bottle in the morning and one before bed. He is so HAPPY! He just loves to walk around and play with toys. Although, his favorite place to escape to is the bathroom....... It's like wrestling a bear when you change his diaper or clothes but he's not afraid to bust a move when the music from Madagascar starts playing! He can give kisses, loves to play peek-a-boo but most of all LOVES to be chased by Daddy. I think he looks forward to josh coming home every day so they can play. It's very sweet to watch.The hair, oh the hair! Let's just say he wears a comb-over well :) We love love love this little man and can't believe we will soon be celebrating his first birthday!

It's blurry but there he is! Big smile and all :)

Goofball!

 Sweet baby kisses