Christmas

I promise that I will update with more pictures soon because I have a ton but for now, I'm posting the kids Christmas lists. I think I'm going to brave black Friday this year so for anyone else that is just as crazy, I thought I'll give you some direction. These are just suggestions and we are TRULY appreciative of any gift.

Most of you know that I am planning on homeschooling the kids so I would really like to keep any gift on the educational spectrum. Jaiden is getting so close to being able to reading so anything that would help. I also want to start with the 50 states/geography and with that, add in some history. I will also be introducing telling time. I have added a few things to our Amazon wish list. It's under hugsarehealthy@yahoo.com. We are also planning on getting the kids a play kitchen. We have some "food" but anything along those lines would be great. As part of our reading comprehension, we are going to be reading a book then watching the movie to see what is different. I was thinking about the Disney classics like Dumbo, Bambi, Alice in Wonderland, The Adventures of Huck Finn and The Jungle Book. (We have The Jungle Book book but not the DVD).

As far as clothes, neither kid really needs winter stuff and summer stuff is hard to find now. Jaiden is always up for firetruck apparel though and right now, I'm buying 5T winter and summer. For Lilli, she is in 12 mo winter and hopefully 18 mo summer. She is just now fitting into her 12 mo stuff so... As far as shoes, 12 for Jaiden and 5 for Lilli.

As with most things lately, I stressed out about this list so it is by no means complete but that would take the fun out of it right. ;) If anyone have any ideas for Anna that they would like to share, I would be greatly appreciative. For me, I really want the things that money can't buy and I have everything I really want: my kids and a wonderful partner. I would really like a Georgia bird book that is organized by color and a magnetic wand for canning.

Well, here are a few picture from when we went apple picking recently...

Love and many hugs,

Steph, Anna, Jaiden, and Lilli

Happy Nine Month Birthday Little Girl!

Today is June 23 and today, Lilli is officially 9 months old. I have been in denial a bit about her growing up but for some reason, this week I've felt the need to purge and I'm really looking forward to her signing. (I said talking with Jaiden and look where it got me ;) I finally cleaned out her drawers (so we jumped from 0-3 months to 6-9 months) and listed "the stuff" on Craig's list. I already feel lighter and we haven't even sold it yet.

Anyways, back to my precious little girl. She is so unique, so wonderful, and so frustrating all in one neat little package. Physically, she is crawling like mad and cruising on everything. (no walking yet but soon...) She hates to be on her back which included getting her diaper changes and she LOVES FOOD!!! As has been the case since she was born, she still loves to be roughed up, except by her brother. She adored being tossed and swung and rolled about. And she still loves the water.

Emotionally, she is so smart and she knows exactly what she wants. She gets frustrated when she can't have it or can do it. She sees Jaiden do it so 'why can't I?' Her favorite place to be is in someones arms, usually mine or on my back. She sleeps great but mine has been a little lacking. We are working on that and last night she slept for 3 hours by herself! (usually it's about 30-60 mins) It is a process and I am in the process of enjoying the journey. The absolute best thing for me about Lilli is her laugh. It is most defiantly one of a kind. (but so is her scream.)

For some reason, nine months is a milestone in my head. As I'm sure she will do most things in her life, she has reached this one with grace and a ferocity like no other. I can honestly say that I am looking forward to tomorrow.

Happy birthday little one,

momma

The furry kid

So our furry kid (Toby) decided that he wanted to show the fur-less ones that he was just as cute so, he decided to set up a professional photo shoot. He went all out and even took a bath. He has been doing so good for the past 4 years in just laying low and letting the new kids get all of the attention that he finally decided to show the wee ones who really is the fairest of them all. Take a look...

In all seriousness, a BIG thanks goes out to Heather Smith at Smith Photo Design for making out big mutt look like a movie star. Heather does some amazing work and will hopefully be shooting the whole family when we return from vacation. You can check out some more of her work at:http://www.smithphotodesign.blogspot.com

in love and light,

steph, anna, jaiden, lilli, and toby

Co-Sleeping at its Best!!!

For a while, I've been doing my best to get into a bedtime routine and put the kids to bed at a reasonable time so that I might have a few moments of adult time. It's been very working well and Anna and I have both been enjoying our evening time. Tonight I wanted to move to the next step and get Lilli used to sleeping on her own. I don't think he is ready to move to the other room and the pack-and-play is too small so, just like her brother, she now has her own pallet. When I was laying with Lilli, Jaiden came over and asked if he could lay with us. After about 15 minuets, I got up and this is what I saw.






I'm not sure how long it will last but it was way too cute to pass up the picture...
In love and light,
Steph, Anna, Jaiden and Lilli

Jaiden's first Lego Review

Most of you already know that Jaiden LOVES legos. Some of you even know that he loves watching Legos on youtube. Mostly he watches videos that other people make of their review of a certain kit. For a while now, whenever he was playing legos, I would hear him talking to himself. I finally figured out that he was doing his own reviews so... We decided to do an official review and post it on youtube so now, he can watch himself. We hope you enjoy and for the record, he really does put most of it together by himself. (When he gets stuck, he just asks me for help.)
Love and hugs,
Steph, Anna, Jaiden and Lilli

Jaiden's First day of camp

The big news this week is that Jaiden is going to his first ever summer camp. It's Superhero camp and it's all week 9-12. There are 9 total kids in his class: 8 boys ages 4-5 and 1 girl. He did great his first day! They made spiders. I resisted the urge to take a picture of him walking in the door but I couldn't resist this picture of the artist with his first camp creation. (He had a hard time this morning but I think that was more due to the am-ness than camp. When I picked him up today, he was already telling me what they are doing tomorrow.)

Below are a few pictures for the past weekend. We went p to NC to see the other grans and were joined by the cousins. Sunday we/ the kids played in the water before dinner and from the looks of it, they all had a great time. To my surprise, Jaiden didn't want to get in the pool. He alternated between playing inside with his Lego's and playing outside being the lifeguard. Later I got his water guns out and he enjoyed those too... Lilli was her beautiful charming self and her big news.... (drum roll please) .... she got her first tooth!!! No picture of that though because it's still too small but they will come.

Enjoy the pictures,

Steph, Anna, Jaiden and Lilli

This one is an old one but I just can't resist that smile!!!!!

Lilli

I just wanted to add a little about my little girl. I added these a while ago but never uploaded them. I took these around Jaiden birthday (in March). It was a beautiful sunny day at the shop which has the pretty green grass in the evening when the light is the best. She was NOT happy about being on the grass but eventually warmed up on the blanket. She has the most amazing smile and this is when her hair still stood up. I uploaded them in haste because my dad was lamenting about not ever seeing pictures of the grand kids. I hope you enjoy the smiles as much as we are!!!
In love and light,
Steph, Anna, Jaiden, and Lilli