An Evening Bike Ride

Doug took the kids out for a ride in the bike trailer this evening. As you can see, they were so happy and SO excited! I think that they look so cute all geared up! It was such a nice ride, that Leah was fast asleep when they got home. I'm sure that we will be on many more bike rides with the kids this summer.

Right Now

Noah {3 years & 2 months}

• You are talking so well these days. You are learning new words and phrases every day, and sometimes you surprise me with the things that you say. I am amazed at how fast you are learning to speak.
• You LOVE trucks! You just can't get enough of them...you insist that we go and look at the big digger truck around the corner from where we live every day. You are in total amazement every time that we go.
• You have two little friends in our neighborhood and you are always asking to play with them. It's so great to see you play and interact with kids your age.
• You call Leah your "Little Princess"...this makes me smile every time!
• You adore your Grandparents and you have a special name for your Grandmas...Grandma GEORGE and Grandma MEEKA! You have named them according the pets that they own...very cute!
• You are the BEST little helper. You always clean up your spot when we are done eating, you always insist on helping me cook dinner, you set the table for me, you sweep the floor, and that's just to name a few. I have never asked you to do these things...you want to do them.
• You have been incredibly cuddly lately, which I just love! You have never really been a snuggly kind of kid, but lately I find you wanting to sit on my lap and snuggle with me quite often. I don't mind one bit!
• You are very reserved when you first meet people...it takes you some time to warm up to new people before you let your personality really come out.
• You are taking swimming lessons right now, and I am so proud of how well you are doing!
  If you had your way, you would spend every waking moment outside. You love the outdoors, especially digging in the dirt with your trucks!

Leah {15 months}

• You absolutely adore Noah and pretty much follow him wherever he goes.
• You love giving hugs to everyone around you. You are incredibly loving!
• You are the best little sleeper ever! You take the best naps and you hardly ever wake up during the middle of the night. Thank you for that!
• You do NOT like baby food...not one bit! You prefer the real stuff, which is fine by me.
• You are starting to talk like crazy. Yes, most of it is just baby talk, but you can say a few words: Dada, Mama, baba, wata, hi, banana, ball, nose, and Thank You! I didn't expect you to be saying words so soon, but it is so nice when you can tell me what you want.
• Yes, you're still a little screamer! Boy, oh boy, are you loud!
• You went in for your 15 month check up and you weigh 19 pounds {5th percentile} and are 32 inches long {91st percentile!}. You are just a tall and skinny little girl!
• You love shoes and are constantly finding them and bringing them to me throughout the day.
• You have the most innocent little face I ever did see on a little girl! This makes it very hard for me to tell you not to do something...you just look at me with those big brown eyes and I give in. You're really good at getting your way!
• Bath time is one of the highlights of your day...you just love splashing and splashing some more. Needless to say, I have quite the mess of water to clean up when you are done in the tubby. But you just have so much fun...it's rather cute to watch!

Noah Swimming

Noah started swimming lessons on Saturday, and since then he has had four lessons. I am beyond amazed at how fast he is learning! During his four lessons, he has learned to hold his breath, swim a good distance under water, swim to the wall and pull himself out of the water, jump in the water and then swim back to the wall, float on his back, AND go from floating on his back to his belly and swim to his teacher {wow...that's a long list!}. Here's a video from his SECOND lesson! Doug and I are so proud! I'll post some more pictures and videos as he progresses.

Itty Bitty Ball

Noah has been in Itty Bitty Ball the past two weeks, and during this time he has learned how to play basketball, football, soccer, and baseball. Well, he's been taught the basics of each sport and he has really enjoyed himself. I look forward to him being on his first soccer team {or t-ball, or football, or basketball team} so that he can put his new skills to use :). Here are some highlights:

Basketball...This was the only shot I got of Noah on his first day of Itty Bitty Ball. This picture is deceiving...he really did have a wonderful time!

Football...Learning to throw the ball. He made it through the ring almost every time. I think we have a future quaterback here!

Soccer...Noah was great at kicking the ball around...

...and, of course, he was a pro at throwing it.
Leah loves soccer balls, so she was eager to join in on the fun!

Baseball...Daddy was able to come on our last day of Itty Bitty Ball, and we were so happy to have him there! He definitely knows more about sports than I do, so it was wonderful having him there to help Noah.

Good form!Noah's favorite station on baseball day was definitely hitting the ball.

Noah did it! Here he is with his certificate for completing Itty Bitty Ball! What a champ!

Air Show

Doug took Noah for a father/son outing to the Air Show a few weeks ago. Doug and Noah share the same passion for planes, so there was no question on whether or not they were going to go the show. We decided that I would stay home with Leah, as I was a little nervous how she would react to the loud planes. Doug and Noah had a fabulous time and BOTH of them were talking my ears off about everything that they saw when they got home. Yes, Doug was like a little kid again...telling me about how cool and fast all of the planes were. I'm so glad that they had a wonderful day together...this boy really likes his daddy {and so do I, for that matter :)}.

Can you believe that crowd?
My boys.

Every time that Doug sees this picture, he says "Look how big that plane is!". I think he was more in awe than Noah when it came to some of the planes at the Air Show.

It amazes me that they can fly that close to one another without any casualties. Wow!

Precious Moment

This is what I got to look at while at the market today. This really is such a precious little moment!

The Flip

Leah has this flip thing going on with her hair lately. Her hair is at a weird stage...all these different lengths aren't making for the best little hairdo for my girl. But I just can't bear to cut her hair yet. I think that I'll live with "the flip" a little longer :).

Watching moments like this...

...make me happy.

Almost Summer

Summer's *almost* here, and we are so happy about it! We plan on spending as many days as possible playing in the water. Let us know if you want in :).

Pretty Flower

My neighbor was planting some flowers the other day and Leah was more than willing to help her. Well...she was willing to play in the dirt and sit in the flower pot! She makes the perfect flower...pretty and sweet! She loves to play in dirt...just like her brother.

Little Trucks

Noah could spend every waking moment playing outside with these little trucks. Boys...they just don't get sick of playing in the dirt. I love watching him play and seeing his little imagination at work.

Park Adventures

We went to the park again this past weekend. It was lovely weather, finally :). Leah is finally brave enough to walk around on the playground, but she is still very cautious, as she is still trying to master her walking skills. I don't think that I will ever get sick of going to the park this summer. Happy kids = Happy Mom!

Leah watching Daddy and Noah from afar. I think that she would have walked to them, but it was just too far for her little body. Instead, she just screamed at them until she got their attention.

This is how it is when Daddy is around...Noah is by his side and drags him everywhere. He is definitely a Daddy's boy.

My beautiful family. This picture makes me smile.