A Fun Saturday

Last Saturday started out like most Saturdays around here: early. All three kids were up by 5:30am. Each for a different reason. Pax was up because he went to bed too early the night before. Vivi was up because she heard Pax giggling downstairs and wanted to come play (her words). Lastly, Gavin was up because he knew that Saturday was his special day with Wes and he couldn't sleep any longer (again, his words). 

The twins were split up for the first part of the morning: G going with Wes and V staying home with me and Pax. Wes took Gavin to his very first (but definitely not last) Home Depot kids workshop. He was VERY excited about going to a workshop to build a toy racecar. 

And here he is with his accomplishment when he got back home. 

Meanwhile, Vivian's BFF, Olivia, and Olivia's mommy, Diane, came over for a play date. We painted finger and toenails, had a tea party, and colored. 

It was a great morning that lead to a lazy afternoon which also included an adorable little post-bath toddler. 

Two Little Words

I just love watching children learn to talk. It's one of my favorite things about being a parent. I love watching them acquire new sounds, putting them together to make words, and combining words to communicate sentences.

Paxton is at a fun stage of language acquisition. He understands everything, but can only verbally say a couple dozen words or so. Recently, he's started combining his words. I love it. Below are a few interactions we've had recently.

Me: "Paxton, it's so warm in the bed, isn't it? Are you warm?"

Paxton: "Nooo. Cold."

After listening to Pax cry and whine, I asked him: "What's wrong, baby?"

Paxton: "Ow teeeeeeef (teeth)."

Me: "Oh my, do your teeth hurt? In your mouth?"

Paxton: "Yeah. Mouf (mouth)."

As Gavin was coming close to him, Pax yelled, "Nooooo! Wawa mine!"

(Wawa is Paxton's word for apple)

Me: "We have to go upstairs and get Daddy's keys."

Pax: "Yeah. Keys car-car. Daaaadaaaaaaaa!"

I can't wait to watch him mess up grammar. That's also one of my favorite stages.

As Vivian says, "Sometimes, we just find stuff and paint it."

The Fall

Oh man. This one is tough. Last week, Vivian had her hands in her pockets and ran from her school to the van. Well you can guess what happened. CRACK. Wes said he heard her face hit the concrete and was worried she had broken her face. Poor Viv. Surprisingly, Wes said that she handled it really well. It's gotten significantly better in the days that followed the fall, but it still hurts pretty bad if anyone or anything touches it by accident. It happened on a Thursday and she went back to school on Friday. 

I had this conversation with her on Friday morning:

Me: "People are probably going to ask you what happened to your face. You can just say, 'I fell. It's not a big deal. It'll go away.'" 

Vivi: "I don't want to say that!" 

Me: "Oh, ok. What do you want to say?"

Vivi: "Get away from me!"

Me: "Well, that might not be very nice to say."

Vivi: "Okay. I'll say 'Don't touch my face!'"

This kid is tough.

Girl's Weekend

A few Weekends ago, our friends Brandy and April came over with Brandy's children, Carter and Lea, for an overnight visit. While April, Brandy, and I gabbed the entire weekend, the five kids played in every single room in our house all day long. It was way too cold outside to go play... or to go anywhere. I think the kids were fine with it.

Me & April- we can't wait to meet baby Camden!

First MD Trip of the New Year

We took a trip to MD during the first weekend of January. We left VA in the morning on Friday and went straight to Grandma Nee-Nee's where we met up with Dave, Aunt Sarah, Aunt Rachel, and few other friends. Friday night was the Milligan's annual holiday party. Before the party, we had a little Christmas gathering with them. The kids were VERY excited about presents and super happy with their very cool and creative gifts.

My mom and Max made it over that night for the party. We slept at my mom's house that night and the twins went back over to the Milligan's on Saturday for a day of play.

Sunday morning was our Christmas celebration with my mom and Max. Once again, the kiddos got all kinds of amazing gifts that they played with all day.

On Sunday night, Paxton decided to dress up for dinner (thanks for the adorbs outfit, Aunt Sarah!).

We left on Monday morning for VA. It was definitely a great weekend with family and friends!

We've Had Some Nicer Weather, Too

Baby Gym

Last week, Wes took Paxton to this free activity at our local community center for babies/toddlers and their parents. The center puts down lots of gymnastic mats, balls, gymnastic triangles, steps, and such for the kids to run around, climb on, and play with. Wes said that Paxton had the time of his life. He actually screamed "NO GO!" when Wes told him it was time to go. It's actually every Tuesday, so I think Wes is going to make this a weekly activity with his little buddy.

We've Had Some Snow

Christmas Afternoon 2013

I know, it's February and I'm still writing about Christmas. Sorry. We're busy. 

Anyways, Christmas afternoon was spent playing with their toys from Christmas morning and then after everyone ate, we opened presents from Grandma (Wes' mom).

 

But the day didn't end there. Oh no. The last gift was revealed to the twins while Paxton was sleeping.

No worries. Paxton got enough driving/riding time in that afternoon.