Little Yoginis

Downward dog

Warrior II {Bend that front knee buddy!}

The stubborn baby

He refused to let me carry my yoga mat, even though it practically weighs the same amount as him.

It's so much fun sharing an activity I love with my three little ones and watching them enjoy it as well!

Wishing for some Fishing

While camping we also took a little time to go fishing.  Of course we didn't catch anything, and I think the kids were interested in fishing for maybe five minutes.

This little daredevil scared me the entire time.  I really really really didn't want to have to jump into the gross lake water to save a baby boy.  Of course he spent the entire time trying to climb the railing, sticking his head between the slats and trying to pick up things in the water.  I quickly decided he needed to go somewhere safer, like the playground.

See the big bruises on his forehead?  Yup he was in the camper for maybe fifteen minutes when he fell out and face planted on the gravel.  Of course Grandma warned him not to lean on the door.  But he did anyways and then Ava opened the door and out he fell.  I saw it happening but couldn't get to him in time to grab him before he fell.  Oh, this kid.

Ava used a stick to fish.  Surprisingly she didn't catch anything either.

Carter has a nice little cast.  But he still doesn't have a very long attention span for fishing.  As soon as I mentioned the playground he was gone! 

Daddy used his new knife from Uncle Jay to freshen up his shave a bit.

A Bad Case of the Sillies

After a long tiring weekend, exhaustion manifested itself in the older two in a bad case of the sillies.  They ran around like this for a looooong time.

Father's Day Weekend

Happy Father's Day to Daddy, Bo and Grandpap Bob!

We spent Father's Day weekend camping in Pymatuning with Grandma and Bo.  We also got to see Uncle Jason, Aunt Tiffany and Andrew who visited for the day.  

Of course we visited the spillway and the kids had a ball throwing bread to the fish.

Carter was begging Mike "please go get my fishing pole."  Uh, no buddy that would be like shooting fish in a barrel.

I love my smiley little girl.

Run!  It's a bear!

Dawson did a little birding.

Bo and 3/4 of his grandkids

The kids also helped to shuck corn for dinner.

Of course Ava wanted to snuggle her little cousin.  Unfortunately it seems that his little cousin dosen't like to be snuggled.  But look at how blonde his hair is getting!

Life gets in the way....

The kids and I have been having a grand time this summer.  Despite the super cold temperatures {Come on Ohio, Alaska called and it wants its summer back!}  We have been keeping busy.  Due to my early wake up times {between five and five thirty} I am behind on all the things I love to blog about.  By the time the kids are in bed at 8:30, I'm ready to fall asleep myself.  This morning the kids are still tuckered out and sleeping!  So I'm going to finally get some pictures/ thoughts sorted out. 

We went to visit friends in Cincinnati for a birthday party.  Afterwards we went swimming, while the guys enjoyed their homemade kegarator.  Although the reality of the situation included five splashing kids in the baby pool and a freezing cold dip in the adult pool.  We also went to a nearby fossil park and the kids had a ball finding fossils.  It was amazing, you just looked down and could find the fossils of shells, plants and bones.  

On Monday I took my three favorite kids to a Mommy and Me class at my yoga studio.  I was shocked how well behaved all three were, and how all three participated in the asanas.  I brought some toys/coloring books especially for number three, but they weren't even touched.  I'm going to have to get some pictures of them next week, because Dawson in chair pose is one of the cutest things I've ever seen.  Ava in particular has asked nearly every day, when are we going back to yoga?

"Look Mom, I'm a cobbler, I made Jesus shoes."

Ribbons wrapped around her feet, but gotta love the creativity.

If you happen upon my house and wonder why none of my day lilies have flowers, this would be why.  She loves to pick flowers, and decorate my hair with them, and stick out her tongue!

Another big transition:  Dawson's crib has now been converted to a toddler bed.  He has done beyond amazing in it, there was a little bit of monkey business the first night but other than that he has been sleeping soundly.  Of course, now that I've typed this on the blog it's going to all go down hill from here, but I can hope. 

Finally, Ava is back sharing a room with her big brother.  She was my little night time wanderer, up three to four times a night because she was scared.  Finally I just said "go sleep in Carter's room."  It worked like a charm and I haven't heard from her since.  But we are back to the problem of Carter wanting to go to sleep and Ava wanting to stay up for awhile.  Win some/Lose some I guess.

That's it for now, we have grocery shopping/garage saling/ packing/ cleaning to do!

Recent Happenings in Pictures

Summer vacation is officially upon us, and boy have we been busy.

We had to get in a little beauty parlor before leaving for Pittsburgh this past week.  What grown woman dosen't wear fifty two hair barrettes and a red comb tangled in their hair?

That trip really tuckered out my kiddos.  They slept and slept and slept!

"Look Mom I can do half moon!"

And indeed she was.  It's funny how much interest she has taken into yoga, the other day she was showing Mike her chataranga {which she pronounced shopping cart.}  I'm so excited for next week when we take a Mommy and Me yoga class, I think Ava in particular will have a ball.

We made it to the pool!  Then it got freezing cold again, so we haven't been back.

Cheers!  Fish fry at a friend's house.

Then there was this.  Poor little guy scratched his cornea, about 3 mm in length.  We really have no idea how he did it, he was in bed with Mike and I and just started crying about his eye.  Luckily as I type this it is all healed up and hasn't bothered him in a day or two.

We were also so lucky because Aunt Tiff and Uncle Jay came to visit us! The kids love their Aunt and Uncle so much, look at them snuggling up to Aunt Tiff!  

Yesterday was also a big day for Carter, he went to summer camp with the YMCA.  I was a little nervous because of the peanut allergy, and luckily everything went very smoothly.  He had such a good time that he didn't want to leave when I came to pick him up at two!  

Carter and Ava have also been doing vacation Bible School at a local church called Crosspoint.  It cracks me up because they are learning about St. Paul and ancient Greece.  They have a man dressed in a toga pretending to be St. Paul and telling them about his life.  Ava really doesn't understand because she keeps asking why does that man live at the church?  Why does he sit on pillows?  Why does he wear funny clothes?  Luckily Ava and Carter both really enjoy VBS and Ava hasn't had any separation anxiety at all.  So all in all, a good start to the summer with plenty of fun to come!  

Two and Half!

Well, Dawson boy you've made it to two and a half years old!

You are such a smart, hilarious, kind little boy.  I'm so glad you are a part of our family!  What is going on with you?

 

 

Popsicles from the ice cream truck

 

Well, Dawson boy you are talking up a storm.  You love to read and of course play with trains.  Lately you have also really enjoyed soldier play with your big brother and sister too.  The three of you run around in a big pack shooting up the house with your fingers.  You are jumping with both of your feet off the ground and can draw a circle.  You love to read, and have memorized No David.  

 

Confession:  you are so so ready to potty train.  The interest, ability and will is there, I just haven't been able to find the time to stay at home and work on it.  Plus we are going to Miami in a month and I'd rather not have to worry about a brand new child in underwear during a 17 hour drive.

 

You are also still happily snoozing in your crib.  One of these days we will convert it to a toddler bed, but you are sleeping so well and still napping.  I know the day that we convert it, those naps will go out the window. 

 

 

Your favorites include:  Lara Bars {you call them E bars} grapes, sunbutter sandwiches, waffles, pancakes and oatmeal.  You are starting to branch out in your vegetables, the other day I noticed you ate the entire serving of broccoli on your plate without being asked!  While you do eat ot dogs {hot dogs} they are a special treat and you happily devour chicken and fish on a daily basis.

 

Angel Baby is your best friend, although Trena comes in a close second.  Who is Trena?  Well I'm pretty sure it's an imaginary friend, although one day you also called the black transformer car Trena as well.  You are a very physical kid and have no problems putting Carter in a head lock.  Dawson, you are also a huge charmer and can have almost anyone under your spell in five minutes flat.  It's hard to believe you are growing up so fast, one of these days we are going to be singing Happy Birthday to our three year old!  You are counting to 14, can recognize some letters {especially O} and identify triangle, square, diamond, heart and star.  For whatever reason, circles can confuse you. 

 

See the look on your face?  I think you are plotting to steal your sister's popsicle.

 

Dawson, I love you my sweet lovey boy.  You'll always be my baby and I love watching you grow and develop.  What a great little boy you are growing up to be!

 

Mommy and Daddy