Philip's graduation take 2

We celebrated Philip's graduation again on Sunday with a lovely party thrown by my parents.  I was beaming with pride all over again.  I am so proud of my little brother for graduating early and with honors!!  Uncle Philip is number one in our book, we love him so much and our proud of him everyday!  I only got a few shots at the party.  My brother's girlfriend Annie was kind enough to take some shots of my family.  We are so lucky to have so many great photographers in the family with very fancy cameras!

Eric Alexander's Eighteen/Nineteen month post

Alex is our love bug, our sweet bundle of joy.  He makes us laugh and smile everyday!  He has a big personality.  When he is at home, he is crazy wild, running, laughing, talking, and getting into everything.  When he is somewhere else with other kids he is very shy.  I'm talking manikin still, and quiet as a mouse.

His favorite person in the world is Ava.  He loves her so much and wants her attention very badly.  He imitates everything that she does, and tries to keep up with her as best as he can. Ava plays with him alot and they get along very well, but Ava lets him know when she has had enough of him, and Alex will come running to me for some comfort and cuddle time.  Alex gets his feelings hurt very easily.  If I get on him about pulling out all my pots and pans, climbing on the table, or trying to stick things in sockets..... just to name a few, he covers his little hands over his eyes and hangs his sweet little head. It is the most adorable thing I have ever seen , and I can't stay mad for a second. 

Mommy and Daddy come a close second behind Ava.  He loves and cuddles with us all day and imitates us as well.  He pretends to work with tools like Daddy and  its super cute!  He likes to pretend to clean and cook as well,  something I joke and tell Bert I do way to much of.

Alex loves his pacifiers and bottles and probably will forever until I take them away, which I don't plan on doing anytime soon despite what his doctor says.  Alex takes a nice nap everyday.  I give him a bottle, cover him up, and leave the door cracked to check on him, and he is lights out!  At night we lay with him and Ava on the couch until they fall asleep and then we carry them to bed.  I know sleep trainers will cringe at this but it has always worked for us and we have always put our kids to bed at night this way.  VERY seldom does Ava  or Alex wake up through the night.  Ava really never does, and if she happens to we just let her come to bed with us.  We have never made a dramatic production about bedtime and I think it has served us well.

Happy eighteen/nineteen month Alex.  Mommy, Daddy, and Ava love you very much!!

Typical

This week was pretty typical, we had a visit with the cousins, Ava had a snow day, we went out to eat once, and we played alot of fun games at home.  Hopefully, all the typical will be thrown for a loop here soon, and we can shake up our lives a little bit for the better, and make a new start.  If you have no idea what I'm talking about that's good.  I don't feel like getting into it.  If you do know what I'm talking about that's good too.  Keep us in your thoughts.  I can honestly say I am ready for change!  I have been working on my photography skills this week and the results are below, enjoy.  Poor Alex has not had an eighteen or nineteen month post, but hopefully it will come soon.  Rest assured he has not been neglected, he keeps us on our toes!

Ava giving me a rather smirky look.

Bella girl all nice and groomed:)

Ava and Mimi having reading time

Alex up to no good.

Ava and Mimi take two

My sisters beautiful babies, Leo, Tillie, and Guster

Ava loving on Tillie.  Not to sound weird but Ava is a great kisser, she puts alot of love into her smooches!

Winter Fun Activites

Winter is not my favorite season!  I will never complain about how hot and humid the weather gets in the summer, but I will complain about the winter.  I like a white Christmas and then I am ready for summer weather again.  I tell my husband all the time, I could definitely live in Florida. 

Since the weather has been so frigidly cold  and miserable,  we have made our own fun at home.  We have had dance parties, sheet swinging, painting, play dough, and some educational activities as well.  Today, I came up with something quickly because I could tell the troops were getting restless.  Alex's activity was pretty simple he just had to paint his snowman, for Ava's I cut out a hat, arms, and three buttons with numbers on them.  I wanted Ava to glue the hat, arms, and buttons on their correct spots.  As I was helping Alex get settled with his paint, I looked over and Ava had picked up the glue stick and was working hard on her project without me even giving her directions. I let her do the project without me saying a word.  She did it all by herself!  I was so proud of her.  After she was finished gluing she asked for some paint, so I let her paint it and she was so proud of herself!  We all had a great day.  My day got even better when Bert came home early and I got to go to the gym and workout!!

Two Cuties

Ava- Little miss Ava is growing up.  I can see a big difference in her since her third birthday.  She listens to me and wants to be a big girl.  We rarely have any tantrums unless she is EXTREMELY tired, which I understand and let her have those because I want to throw some tantrums myself when I am tired!  We are still working on potty training and will be for awhile, she is just not that interested in using the potty, but we will get there!  Ava was accepted into her new preschool, she will be going five days a week next year.  I think this might be harder on me than Ava.  I really enjoy sleeping in, staying home, and hanging out with my kids.  This does not mean I don't like getting out, I just like our laid back schedule. Ava continues to love horse back riding.  Her instructor told me she was the most relaxed child she has ever taught.  I asked her what she meant and she said Ava is never afraid, most kids get nervous during trotting, and balancing.  Ava acts like she is sitting on a couch she is so calm.  I told her that's because Ava's best friends are horses!

Alex-  Little Alex's personality is shining brightly! He loves giving you REAL kisses and squeeze hugs.  He likes making faces, and saying everything is "hot."  His language is increasing everyday.  His favorite toys are still cleaning supplies, he likes swiffers, brooms, and vacuums.  He does play with his trucks and cars but really prefers to sweep something across the floor.  Alex loves music and dancing.  If you turn on something that's upbeat he will be swaying back and forth and shuffling his little feet.

Bert and I have really high hopes for this year.  We feel this is our year to shine!!!  Happy New Year 2011, I can't wait to see what's in store for us.