Ava at school

Here are a few pics that Ava's kindergarten teacher sent out from her FIRST week of school!  She is having a blast!  Her favorite things are riding the bus, eating lunch, and going to recess.

If we *force* her to pick something else, she likes the computer lab.

If we *FORCE* her to pick something else, she likes music.

 Ava is in the zig zag shorts -- they're making shapes :D

Finley Grace {7+ months}

 I know, I know.. I've really been slacking on the baby milestones and updates!  

Finley Grace is over 7 months old.  She's crawling and sitting unsupported.  She's still nursing and taking supplemental bottles, but refuses solids at this point.  She still wakes up 2-3 times a night to eat and change her diaper and she naps both morning and afternoon.

Finley is a busy baby!  Neither of our other two crawled at this point, let alone the fact she's been crawling for a month.  Finley is a very chubby baby!  At her last appointment, she weighed 18 lbs 14 oz, which put her in the 92% for weight.  We love her little chubby cheeks and her little rolls.  We call her "Finny Bear," but also.. her very own nickname of "baby squishy" or "squish" or "baby squish." :)

 Finley Grace is adored by her brother and sister, but Finley absolutely LOVES them and she lights up like a Christmas tree whenever they give her some love.  (except when I go to take a picture, she acts like she's being held against her will)

^and then there's this mischievous face..

Happy Monday :D

{it's their day, too}

Being a SAHM is a daily struggle for me.  More days than others, I feel like a complete failure at it.  I long to go back to work and be around adults.  I am envious of those who get to pee without an audience.  I want to wear my hair down without it being eaten and matted and slobbered in by a tiny grabby human!  I want to go to the gym and out to lunch and do all of these things that I know one of my kids will scream at and ruin it for everyone.  My husband comes home from work and either I'm in tears or a kid is in tears, without fail.  I feel like I'm constantly judged by others for how my house looks, how dirty my car is, or how big the laundry pile is.  As I take my 2 year old away from a play date kicking and screaming.. I'm asking myself -- why is MY kid the only one doing this?  As my baby gets her head stuck in a chair, I wonder -- why are only MY kids doing shit like this?  Am I the only one on the planet who has a 5 year old still throwing tantrums?  Am I the only one who is lucky if everyone gets out the door with matching shoes and outfits by 10 am?  Who does all their laundry?  Do moms who have their stuff together ever play with their kids?  Am I the only one who feels completely inept?  Why is everyone staring at me?!

But then yesterday, James sent me this blog article that made me laugh, cry and smile.  If you'll notice everything I've said so far.. there's one common denominator.  ME. 

But, it's their day too.

Take a look.  http://www.coffeeandcrumbs.net/blog/2014/8/17/its-their-day-too

Aiden and his hats..

 Aiden is obsessed with hats.  His papa wears hats, and it became their "thing."  So whenever we go to N&P's house, the first thing Aiden does is either raid my dad's hat collection or he insists on wearing a hat of his own.  Right now, he has 4 hats.  A Chiefs hat, a baseball hat, a firetruck hat, and a Wee-Ko-Pa hat.   He's not a huge fan of fedoras or newboy caps, but he wears a hat almost every day.  I love his little blonde hair, but this is his "thing," so I let it be.  It will always be something special between him and his papa, and I'm sure it's not just a phase :)

Remind you of anyone?

(editor's note: this is Meg.  I see that James is logged in now that I've typed this whole thing out.  Grr.)

Ava's 1st day of Kindergarten

Ava had a wonderful 1st week at Union Chapel Elementary!  Go Gators!!  She really likes her teacher and the new friends she has made.  She has only gotten in trouble ONCE for talking, and if you know Ava.. we'll just call that a SUCCESS!  

((editor's note: we also finally got REAL internet, so blogging shall return!  It took just 2 minutes to upload these pics as opposed to 30+ with DSL.  Hip hip HOORAY!  So check back often :))