Love her brain!

I have always been impressed with Mia's reading skills.
Sometimes she just blows me away with the things she reads.
Today, for example, we were driving through a parking lot and she says
"Mom, do you have anything you need to drop off in the donation bins?"
We had just passed one that said "Donations" real big on it!
A little while ago I decided to look up reading tests online.
I found a great website and a testing we went.
My girl could read the word lists up to a FOURTH GRADE level!!
And her reading comprehension was at a second grade level!
(I think she could pass the 3rd grade level too, but she got bored with it!)
I can't believe it!
She doesn't start kindergarten for another year!
I better find some fun ways to keep that brain of hers busy!

His first green food

I decided to try giving Marshall avocado today.

 I don't think he liked them too much!
That's ok little buddy!
Peas are next!

Sleeping boy

I could just eat this baby boy up!

I love him so...

Sunflowers!

A while back my mom gave Mia a packet of sunflower seeds to plant.
When Mia would ask when we were going to plant them I would just kinda blow her off, because I knew that they weren't going to grow.
Well a couple weeks ago we were out back and there was a big blank spot where one of the palm trees used to be and I asked Mia if she wanted to plant her sunflower seeds there.
Of course she jumped at this!

So she had fun planting her seeds and then we both kinda forgot about them.

Today I went outside to swing Marshall and this is what I saw!

  

I couldn't believe it!
Then I realized that the yard guys are coming tomorrow to tear up the whole yard to redo the sprinklers and place sod.
Oh no!
I had to try to save these little guys!
So I gently dug them up,

And we potted them in a large pot.

I have no idea if they will continue to grow, but one can hope!

Cooling off

It is hot, hot, hot here!
So today Mia played in the sprinklers and Marshall swung in his swing and got a little sprinkling too!

Gymnastics lingo

Today in gymnastics class Coach James taught the girls how to finish off their moves like the "big girls" do.

First you "stick" the landing,  then you stand up tall for "Ta-da!" and finally bend your wrists for "press"!

Mia has been practicing all day!

                                                                          Stick

Ta-Da

Press

Mia the Mermaid

A couple weeks ago Mia asked me to make her a mermaid tail.
Not being one to deny her something she wants, I decided to give it a whirl!
We found a tutorial on the internet, I made some adjustments and gave it my best!
I think it turned out quite nicely!
And she is one happy little girl!
Here are some pics from this morning's modeling session!
(she really is quite the little model! YIKES!)

 And since Sunday is swimming day,

She got to try it out in the pool!

Happy Daddy's Day!!

This morning Mia served her daddy breakfast in bed,

Redbull, his vitamins and a selection of his favorite protein bars to choose from!

 Then she gave him his presents,

And they had a wonderful day together!  

These kiddos love you so much Caleb!
They look up to you and love to do everything you do!
Thanks for being such an amazing father to our 2 kiddos!
We love you so...

A great pic of my two littles

My 5 Month Old!

Man time flies when you are having fun!
And fun is what this little man has brought to our family!
(mostly anyway!)

He had his 4 month check last week. (a bit delayed due to me switching jobs and insurance!)
He weighed in at 12# 11oz- only the 3rd percentile.
His doctor was a little concerned that he hasn't gained more...

Look at those thighs! His weight is just fine I say!

He loves to stand up (with assistance of course!) and is starting to sit on his own in the "tripod" position.
And yesterday while on his tummy he got his knees up under him!
We are in for it soon I think!

Yesterday I gave him his first taste of barley cereal!

 He liked it!
I am going to introduce things really slowly due to all the trouble Mia had when we first started her on solids.
I am also going to make his baby food.
I didn't do this with Mia, but my theory is that babies who have homemade baby food have more refined taste buds and aren't such picky eaters down the road.
We'll see how it goes!

He pretty much has his hands in his mouth constantly these days.

Don't know if it is teething or just that good ol' put everything in your mouth stage.

When he is fussy we can always count on the swing in the backyard to calm him and put the smile back on his face!.
(Even if it is 109 degrees outside!)

One of my favorite things about him right now is his laugh!
He doesn't just laugh, he screams!
It just brightens my day and you can't help but laugh with him!

I look forward to every day and can't wait to see what milestones he reaches this month!
I love you to the moon and back little man!

Summer Olympics 2024?!?

Mia has been in gymnastics for about 6 months now.
She loves it!
This weekend she watched the National Championships on TV and boy did it light a fire under her!
I'm not sure what she was more impressed with, the amazing skills the girls had or their "beautiful" leotards!
The timing of this event was great because she started a summer camp at gymnastics this week.
She was so excited to go!

She has had a great time every day so far!