Family Birthday Party- 11/3/12

On Saturday, November 3, 2012 we celebrated Gwen and Cole's 4th Birthday with our families.  The kids requested a pirate and princess theme and were super excited about handing out pirate and princess items to party guests as they entered the party.  Both kids floated from one party guest to the next and enjoyed all of the attention they received :)

Princess Gwen

Gwen shoveling in her chocolate peanut butter cake

Uncle Gene is under there somewhere!

Last of our Halloween Fun

About a week after Halloween we wore our Halloween shirts for the last time and headed to The Science Center to play with our friends, Sawyer and Scarlett.  Cole's favorite part was following his buddy, Sawyer, around.  Gwen was excited to meet Ratty Snake's replacement, Rusty Snake.  Reid was fascinated by the fish tank.  he kept running over to see the fish while making fish noises.

 Look Mommy, I'm climbing!

 This exhibit kept my three children entertained for at least 30 minutes.  They especially enjoyed pushing their faces into the metal to see their faces on the other side (If Reid didn't push it back before they made it to the other side to look, that is.)

 Attempt at a belated halloween pic

Sweetness

Children and Performances

I remember when i worked at Epworth that the little kids enjoyed creating skits and songs and performing.  I  always had a smile on my face watching them perform because they were so excited and they didn't even understand the joy they gave to the adults watching them.  So now I'm blessed to see my own children perform :)  Check out this Jake and the Neverland Pirates song

14 Months Old- 11/3/12

Reid is growing up so quickly.  At 14 months he is communicating his needs and wants very well and if we do not understand him or do not give him what he wants he ends up having a temper tantrum on the floor.  He is very attached to his Mama Milk and waits very impatiently while I pump in the mornings.  He loves books and while he enjoys most books his favorites are Brown Bear, Brown Bear (which he attempts to say!) and Clifford the Big Red Dog.  He enjoys pointing out the moon and the clock (tick tock) in Clifford.  He is a very picky eater and mostly lives off of yogurt, cheese, fresh fruit, waffles/pancakes, carrots, sweet potatoes and graham crackers (if we let him have them).  He has been napping in the car after I drop the big kids off at school and when he gets up he is my shopping buddy.  He enjoys hanging out in the shopping cart (don't dare try to put him in the stroller unless you are going for a brisk walk and he will have a dog, bus or big kids biking to watch!).  He can be very shy and flirty around strangers and will peek out from behind my leg or shoulder to check them out and engage them.  He has stayed with Daddy a few times recently and asks for "Mama" while I'm gone but when I return he seems to be more of a Daddy's boy.  Reid loves to climb at the playground and around the house.  This kid is fearless!  He has many words at this point and enjoys doing some animal noises.  He is an expert at meowing when he sees the cats.

 Proud little man

 First time painting

 I told you he loves his fish costume!

Climbing in and out of clothes baskets is a daily thing.

Our little Monkeys!

One weekend in late October, Daddy and Mommy decided that everyone just needed to get out of the house so we picked up and drove to Pottstown to try out an indoor play center, Monkey Joes.  Gwen and Cole loved all of the inflatable slides.  Reid was very hesitant at first but did have fun running around outside of the inflatables and watching the big kids play.  I know i've said it a million times but our kids just have ENERGY.  It usually starts with Cole getting wound up and then Gwen follows.  Now Reid is at an age where he wants to run and play with the big kids but in all of their craziness the poor little guy usually gets knocked to the ground.  He really is a tough cookie and has been known to hit and scream when he is not being treated fairly.  We're thinking someday he's going to be bigger than G & C and i'm guessing he will one day give it right back to them!

Trick or Treating Halloween 2012

So we've officially moved past the time when Gwen and Cole did not realize that there was actually candy inside the candy wrappers.  This year they were super excited to go Trick or Treating and to EAT all of their goodies.  We met up with the Vasqueis Family and the Svetcov Family and the big kids had fun running up to the doors with their older friends.  Reid pooped out after a few houses so he and Daddy headed home to hand out candy.  Daddy said that Reid was overjoyed to look out the windows at all of the trick or treaters and to help hand out candy.

 Does this pose look familiar?

MMLV Halloween Party- 10/21/12

For Halloween, Cole decided he wanted to be a shark and Gwen said she wanted to be a "princess".  When I found the adorable Nemo costume, I was super excited that for once we would have a theme :)  Reid went around making kissing noises every time he saw his costume and demanded that we put it on him.  In fact, it is still hanging in the coat closet and when he sees me open the closet he still runs over to make fish noises.

 Waiting for the start of the Halloween Parade.

 Our attempt at a pic of all three kids.  The big kids thought that pulling on Reid's hat would "help" him pose for the picture.  They also enjoyed squeaking the hat.

 Hanging with the big kids

 Mummy Reid!

Reid got the hang of wrapping Mommy